When I first saw my little red Mazda Miata, it was going down Federal Highway in Pompano Beach.
It was late 1989, and I had just moved here from Minnesota.
I couldn’t keep my eyes off her; the lines, the style, the color, the hardtop, everything about her had me in a trance.
I had to have her.
A few weeks later, I was headed south on U.S. 1 again, and there she was at Eddie Accardi’s, on a lift, front end upward.
She looked happy, but also a little lonely for a driver and some open road – a nice, winding one.
At the time, I had only one problem. She was coming home with me that night, but somebody else would have to drive her until I could figure out a clutch and gearbox.
The first year I had her, I had about 2,000 miles of practice, but now we are heading for the 50,000-mile mark. What a combination!
The “car tune” tag came from my daughter and Roger Rabbit.
She kept telling me, “Mom, you’re a toon,” so I figured that must make the Miata a “car tune,” considering the music she makes.
The car is really a winner. We have won a Miata Club of America “Life Begins at 40” writing contest and the Gold Coast Miata Club’s first poker run. I was the only woman driver and the only solo driver.
My husband and I have been members of the Everglades Miata Club for the past couple of years, and we really enjoy the Miata, friends and each other.
Nicki Sabatino lives in Coral Springs.
You are invited to share memories of your favorite car. Write: My Favorite Car; Sun-Sentinel; 3333 S. Congress Ave.; Delray Beach, Fla. 33445.
