Calvin says my Miata can beat his Integra.

From: "Calvin Cheng" 
Subject: [bah] More geek talk
Date: 05 Dec 96 11:27:04 -0800
MIME-Version: 1.0

Just more rambling about the Miata, and an unavoidable comparison with my 
Integra. Pardon me for being a car geek here. 
 
The 1.8L engine gives a nice little rumble, more similar to that of say a BMW 
engine, than the 'clinically' smooth Honda engines. Some people prefer it nice 
and smooth like a Honda, but some people prefer it to have a little more 
'flavor'. Actually, I belong in the latter category. It's a pretty tractable 
engine too. Decent, but not great, amount of low-to-mid range torque. Doesn't 
feel very different from the Integra's (the Integra definitely has a much 
stronger top end). If you have driven an MR2 Turbo, you'd know how it feels to 
be constantly shifting up and down in traffic to keep the engine happy (and 
then being thrown into never-never land when that big turbo kicks in). I have 
to add that Darryl was so excited driving his Miata that he forgot I had a 
hard time catching up with him on his Corolla. 
 
The driving feel though, is distinctly Japanese - light pedal efforts, 
relatively light steering feel. Well, it's light, but you get a lot of feel. 
In terms of driving feel, this definitely beats the Integra hands down. First, 
there is that intimate road feel (coupled with the intimate cockpit feel). You 
sit low, just like my Integra (I have to emphasize 'my'). But you sit 
correctly, unlike on the Integra. That's the bonus of a car that IS not 
designed for passengers. Even on an M3, you are sitting way too upright to get 
the right feel. Then again, most of our friends driving say Oldsmobiles 
(ahem), cannot quite comprehend that level of intimacy with the road. I could 
go on describing how the car hugs the smooth contours of the road, but I leave 
it to your imagination. Each time I look back at the rear seats on my Integra 
too, I just don't feel as close to the car. The only thing that the Integra 
seems to have an edge, and a minor one, is the shifter. Yes, it has a longer 
throw shifter, but only just longer. And it has a more substantial feel, and 
is smoother shifting. Then again, few cars I have driven have shifters that 
can compare with the Integra's. 
 
Now how do these cars run against each other? The Integra is clearly the 
'muscle' car here. On straightaways, the Miata would not stand a chance 
against the Integra. But on windier roads, the Miata's 50/50 front/rear weight 
bias and RWD makes it a lot easier to drive fast. It will give the Integra a 
run for its money. On really windy roads, the Integra would probably lose. 
Miatas are really popular autocross vehicles. Under the hands of expert 
drivers on tight courses, they are more than a match for Corvettes and Camaros. 
 
- 
Calvin Cheng 
Object Management Technology 
Server Technologies Division 
Oracle Corporation