Miata Mailing List: May 1995, Message #890



     


   From: jaimev@netcom.com (Jaime C. Villacorte)
Subject: SOCALM Mt. Baldy fun run report + short Solo 4 radar detector review
   Date: Sun, 21 May 1995 02:06:00 -0400

Well, I attended my 2nd ever SOCALM fun run today, and like last week's
La Canada/Flintridge run, it was quite a blast for this neophyte.
About 18 (?) Miatas left Anaheim Hills around 9:45am and quickly snaked our
way up to Mt Baldy.

Top (MX)-5 things I enjoyed today...

      *  The weather. Although we started out in gloomy, cool, overcast
         conditions, the Southern California sunshine broke through
         around 11am. As we climbed beyond 3500 feet, we broke through
         the haze/smog layer and enjoyed beautful 80+ deg temps. Yup, it's
         the kind of day that makes you forget about our region's earthquakes,
         floods, fires, and OJ hype.

      *  The people. Wow - are all Miata club folks this friendly?
         Got to meet fellow cyber-Miataeers Robert "JTBob" aka
         "shiniest-Red-car-of-the-bunch" Holland and Cindy "my-ceramic
         thermal-muffler-paint-is-curing-otherwise-I-would-have-been-in
         the-driver's-seat-instead" Paloma

      *  The driving. Windy mountain roads + minimal road traffic +
         enthusiastic Miata drivers. 'Nuff said.

             Brief product test report: I borrowed a friend's Cincinatti
             Microwave (CM) Solo 4 radar detector for the weekend and
             used it during the run. It's sensitivity in highway mode
             was greater than my old Passport detector. It's a bit
             larger in width and thickness than my old Passport. It has
             quite loud warning sounds. And it's just small enough
             to fit in the center console box. It's windshield mount was
             adequate. I received a flyer from CM that is advertising
             20% off the regular $229 price for this detector, making
             it about $184. This discount was only for previous CM radar
             detector owners. I think I'll have to pass, considering
             my credit card is still smoking from my recent sound system
             purchases :-)
            

      *  The toys. Sheesh. All those cool accessories: exhast systems,
         roll bars, rims, suspension pieces, sound systems, interior
         trim stuff, etc... I don't think there was an "virgin" stock Miata
         present.

      *  The Monster "I-could've-had-a-V-8" Miata. A representative from
         Monster Miata was showing off their latest targeted-for-the-Japanese
         -market creation. It had a regular 4-cylinder engine with
         turbo + the killer Monster Miata bodywork + carbon-fiber center
         console and speaker panels. Generated considerable "Miata-envy"
         amongst the crowd. A photographer and translator from Japan
         accompanied the Monster Miata for a photo shoot; although
         the Monster Miata left halfway through the run, the photographer
         stayed with the club till the very end of the ride, and took
         group shots, and individual photos of all the Miatas present for a
         Japanese roadster magazine.


- jaime villacorte       jaimev@netcom.com || jaime@tcville.es.hac.com
Miata License Plate list: ftp://ftp.netcom.com/pub/ja/jaimev/Miata/plates