Honda have usually had something in their line up which can do this. Though not always affordable by the masses. I regard the original S car series as being a shining star in the genre, created from day one with everything intended to be a sports car. The Integra is right in there too. And we eagerly await the arrival of the S2000.
But what else has happened out there? One of the most successful sports cars of the decade has come from Mazda, the other Japanese manufacturer. The MX-5 revived and carried on the concept of the affordable sports car. Popular for image and execution. Word has it that some of their owners also club together for sprints and motorkhanas, revelling in the enjoyment of a straight forward little car. And the question remains, would you live with a convertible? No sensible little coupe to be seen here (nor with the S2000, so far.)
Due to a complex and, at times, frustrating, chain of events, which included an Irishman in a Nissan Patrol Stationwagon, a pharmacist in a nearby country hospital, a girl with a Corolla and silly bus timetables, I got to explore the reality of living with a convertible for a week. Normally an MX-5 does not suit my needs, but when you have to get somewhere to a timetable, one doesn't need too much room and a hire MX-5 is offered to you for the same price as a hire Corolla or Pulsar, you don't say no.
Putting it all together, I had to travel to Canowindra in New South Wales for Martis' Party back in April. By the time I'd sorted out my balloon crew clothing, camera gear and normal clothes, there wasn't a lot of room left in that Mazda, no cute hitch-hikers sliding down into that passenger seat. Fortunately I already knew the way so I didn't need to find room for any maps.
It being a RED car, I dressed the part with red backed gloves and red sweater and , in town, a red cap (this being a particularly valuable, to me, cap, I saved it and wore one of my Honda caps on the highway.) This meant that it seemed that all of the roadside school children all the way down and back just had to wave at me as I went past in every country town, got a few smiles and waves from their mums too, for that matter!
I only had the top up when driving before 6.00am and when my trip started after 9.30pm, mainly because it'd save me time at the other end when I'd have to put it back up. Yes, there is a special pleasure to be got from driving top down on the open highways of mid western NSW. And on a clear night the skies can be magnificent. The noise is something that doesn't give me joy, the wind buffet in ones' hair can become annoying after a few hours.
From the drivers point of view, ergonomically the car is very good. Switch gear is well placed, pedals right under the appropriate feet with a very good left foot rest. Funnily enough, though it is over ten years since I drove an S car, I kept putting my hand down for its' hand brake! It was an easy car to fit and adjust to suit. On the road it was quite satisfactory, though even with the 1800 under the bonnet, it didn't have that enthusiastic urge that I'm used to from Honda engines, especially the one we get in our Turbo II's.
Doing the obligatory drive with the attractive young lady on board, I did get requested to slow down on the road out of the Warrumbungles. It was a car which encouraged you to play a little bit harder, letting you know that there was still something in reserve, but inspite of the queries from the young lads in Moree, I didn't check to see whether the 240 on the speedo was achievable.
Overall, the fuel consumption came in close to 8l/100km. I would've expected more for the low Cd and easy work that I made it do.
As I toured along I often though about some of the little things, feel of the controls, placement of a couple of secondary switches and considered that if Honda were to do it, it'd be that much better. No wonder Dave has put his order in for one.
Highway Patrol/chick magnet? In consideration that was a draw. But the look on a couple of my lady friends' faces when they saw me arrive in it, well, that was worth the daily hire cost alone. Now if only I can put an S2000 through a similar test sometime.
Car hired from PHD Rentals, Woolloongabba.
