Me, Myself & the Mazda Miata {Winter Experience}

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to drive a sports car in the dead of a winter in Michigan? I’ve always wanted to know how well little sports cars held up to 8 inches of snow. Well, I’m about to tell you all about it!

Me, Myself & the Mazda Miata {Winter Experience}

First, I had no earthly good reason to have the all-new 2016 Mazda Miata in the first place. I mean really, I am a married woman with young kids and a dog! This sexy little beast of a car is better suited for debutantes and rebellious feminist types with something to prove and an axe to grind. Or… or maybe not! Because in the end, why should the young and reckless have all of the fun? When I first got word that this little spitfire was headed my way I had a difficult time sleeping at night. I would lie awake dreaming of sharp corners and hairpin turns! My foot would reflectively hit the imaginary clutch beneath the bed covers as I shifted into fifth gear with the top down and the crisp wind in my hair. At one point, I even Googled driving gloves and contemplated new Aviator sunglasses.

Dreams versus reality

Okay, the car is here now. It sits in our driveway like a thing which seems to be moving even when it is sitting completely still. It has a quicksilver paint job and sports high-performance tires like a fresh pair of just out of the box old school red and white Jordan’s. The car sits low and looks as if I may have to learn Baptiste yoga just to get into it. I recant. What was I thinking? But as I lean over and peer through the window I know exactly what I was thinking. I was thinking, or rather remembering the long ago days of my youth when I zipped around my hometown shifting a manual stick-shift and learning to love going fast.

Nostalgia is a dangerous emotion

I slip inside the Mazda Miata, and it fits like a glove. A very snug glove. The leather interior is sleek and all kinds of sexy, just how a roadster is supposed to be. This in one well-appointed cockpit, with chrome knobs and buttons and a tech savvy navigation system to rival anything NASA might have on hand, probably not, but still. My left foot instinctively finds the clutch, and my right hand becomes one with the stick shift. And just like that, I’m hurdling out of the driveway and onto the street. Speed limit signs inform me to lay off the gas pedal and although good triumphs over bad, let me tell you the struggle is real.  I navigate to the open road and give this baby a bit of gas, and it responds like an unchecked pocket rocket, and I smile a big extra stupid smile. This is fun! Yes, nostalgia is a dangerous thing indeed.

The open road and the Windy City

On an early (too early) Saturday morning I beat the sun up, and we (meaning me, myself and the Miata) are on our way to Chicago for the Home and Houseware Show. I was excited, at first. But as the miles ticked off on the odometer I copped an attitude with my little silver bullet of a car. I mentioned earlier how the Mazda Miata sits low on the ground. And on this long haul, I feel every single bump, pothole, and barely perceptible crack riddled mercilessly throughout the challenged and collective roadways of Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois. Typically there isn’t much cause to stop when driving to Chicago from Michigan, but I had a couple of superb reasons. One, I needed to stretch my limbs. At 5′ 11″ I am a woman who needs room, and I think the engineers crafted the Miata exclusively for more diminutive souls. Two, the Mazda Miata only has an 11-gallon gas tank. At my first pit stop for petrol I spent and additional (don’t laugh y’all) twenty minutes trying to locate the gas cap. No lie. I eventually performed a Google search on my iPhone for a bit of assistance, and I found it. But I wanna know, who would put a gas cap there?!

Psst… the car has to be off for the gas cap to open. Once the car is off, you can double tap on the gas cap door and voila, it opens like Magic.

Home and Houseware Show

Once I gained Chicago, it was business as usual, and I spent a day and a half zipping around the metropolis of Chi-Town. This was my first time attending the International Home and Houseware Show in Chicago. Let me say; it was overwhelming. I can see why it is recommended that you plan your trip out for to visit all four days of the show. I was able to find and connect with some of my favorite brands, such as Kitchen Aid. They have a new mini Artisan Mixer coming out. I love my mixer and even wrote about hacks you can use with your KitchenAid Stand Mixer. 

I oohed and aahed over the new tableware from CORELLE. I want it all!

And of course, spending some time checking out all of the new products from the Meyer group coming to stores near you soon!

There and back again

I said goodbye to the big city Monday evening and headed home. I learned something useful on this trip driving the Mazda Miata. This car is built for folks with a smaller frame. The Miata is also a vehicle better suited for short jaunts and not an ideal automobile for the wide-open road or long distance traveling. Also, this car could benefit tremendously from the addition of side sensors to alert the driver of nearby vehicles, especially because there are blind spots which make it almost impossible to see over your left shoulder and rear right side of the car.

Pros 

• It’s sporty
• Has a roomy trunk 
• Quick out of the blocks
• Fun to drive around in the city 
• Has sexy appeal written all over it
• Good sound and navigation system
• You can park this thing just about anywhere

Cons

• 11-gallon gas tank
• Needs some added safety features
• Best suited for smaller body types
• It is a sports car, and it has a stiff suspension and on bumpy or uneven roads you will feel every bump

Oh, the Michigan weather

Ideally, most people drive their sports cars in the summer. They can drop the top and let their hair flow in the breeze while soaking up all of the Sun. Welp, that was not my experience. I’ve always wanted to know how sports cars fared in a Michigan winter storm. Thankfully, my Miata has Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires. If you plan to drive a sports car in the dead of winter, this is an absolute must. You will not make it without a good pair of winter tires. It drives well in a few inches of snow. I don’t recommend doing any more than that. #thatsallimgonnasay

Perfect for date night with your man

Since our weather has a mind of her own, I was able to experience the #topdown effect. It’s also the perfect car for a night out on the top with your favorite and handsome guy! Check out 20 date night ideas to see how you can have the best date night with your man (or woman).

We skipped out on working and spent time with each other. There’s a new joint in town called The Creole Coffee Co.  I’ve been pining for Beignets since getting my fill at Downtown Disney in California last year. I also had Crab Cake Benedict and Gumbo. The gumbo was a little on the spicy side for me, but flavorful. The crab cakes were cooked to perfection. Derrick ordered the Shrimp & Grits, which he thought were delightful and savory.

And that’s it. My adventure with the 2016 Mazda Miata Club; fun, sporty car that is sure to enhance any weekend! You can find out more about the Mazda Miata by visiting their website.

Thank you to Mazda and DriveShop for loaning this Miata to me for a week!