Wednesday, September 13, 2000 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER D7 B e s t W H E E L S O a k v i l l e Happiness is a convertible Miata third day and by the sixth day, it was a even glorious days in included a CD player with love affair between me demanding all the 2000 Mazda Miata auxiliary speakers em bed the little Miata could give and it romp without putting the ded in the headrests. It was ing along in unison. for just convertible roof up once value-loaded The SE includes a rear wind block brought back all the reasons $25,950. er (that can be stowed) so milady's new Fast forward to today. why I enjoy this car so coif is not ruffled at speed. There is real The price of the current base much. chrome on the door handles and glis Miata is $27,145. While it has Despite a myriad of refinements, the original version Mazda Miata, left, and the 2000 Miata SE tening scuff plates on the door sills. The 2000 version had many refine are the same in concept and sporting spirit Gone is the Sensory Sound and its gim com es standard ments over the micky headrests from 1992 to be with a 1.8-litre past 11 years, it replaced by a full-blown Bose Audio engine that now remains the same System with CD and four speakers produces 140 hp tidy, honest little with tweeters. Imagine that in you and 119 ft/lb of car that returns Sunbeam Alpine! To top it al off the torque. Braking miles and miles of Aero Package with front and rear spoil response from the fun and is always ers and side cladding is fitted. standard fourready for more. A M i n i " disc arrangement The special chrome wheels really carwriter friend has been set off the purple color, one of many recently remarked hues now offered. The body-color side enhanced. you can't drive a skirts make the car appear to sit closer W heels and M iata and be unhappy. Road Worthy tires remain 14- to the pavement although height is the same as the standard car. inch standard on That's a pretty ________ ______ alloy wheels and The car was upgraded in 1999 with good description more interior room carved out along and it's a hallmark of the the 15-inchers as an option. with a widening of the rear haunches design. W hile much has Also standard are power Consumer that added to the aggressive stance, but changed, it really remains locks and power windows as Reports are dual front airbags with a also made the trunk big enough to hold the same. VwUUuuUkiSAjMauf two sets of golf clubs. Introduced as a 1990 cut-off switch for the pas Late one Saturday evening I did model, the Miata came in senger-side airbag. The seats what you must do when you have a just three colors (red, white, were enhanced in 1999 and the car also gets a power Miata. With the top down, the oldies and something called French on, and black-bottomed clouds scud Mariner Blue which I wish antenna. And just to make ding across the horizon, get out and just they still had). While almost sure your cappuccino doesn't cruise. every part came from the tumble, two cupholders are Go anywhere because the route is 323 econocar, the M iata installed on the centre con unimportant - it's the sense of freedom went back to basics in a way sole. Pow er steering has that this car imparts that is what mat that shattered industry com been standard for several years now, but it was origi ters. placency. Motoring is about being able to go It was front-engine and nally an option. It is speed where you want, when you want. No rear drive at a time when all variable in 2000 which only society has had this freedom of mobil small cars and m ost big adds to the handling fun. It m ay have ju st 140 ity in recorded history and I fear the ones, including Cadillacs, Vehide not exactly as shown next century will see that freedom horses, but the M iata will had migrated to front-drive. slowly choked off. Freedom may well Many "experts" pooh- still go from 0-100 kmh in exist on future generations of Internet, poohed the M iata as a 7.8 seconds with a top speed but it will never tussle your hair like a styling and sales gimmick to of 202 kmh. But it's also trip in a Miata will on a July evening. attract attention to the easy on gas getting 9.7L/100 km (29 m pg) city and Maybe I've let the Miata get to me Mazda marque. too much based on the above, but that's But Mazda's intentions of 7.4L/100 km (38 mpg) high way with the standard fivejust fine. selling the car not only Driving a car shouldn't be all about worked, it can honestly be speed manual transmission. a plod to work with the rest of the said it sparked the resur The optional four-speed OR PURCHASE FROM $15,895* f r e ig h t / p.d .i. e x t r a throngs or basic transportation of your gence in roadsters that led to automatic gives 10.5L/100 ASH U 0UA DEALER ABO U T MAZDA km (27 mpg) city and kids to school or to visit their friends. the Porsche Boxster, BMW ROADSIDE RSSISTRDCE PR0GRRD1 DlflZDR LEADERSHIP IDflfiflflnTy draws unvasm / c o l l e g e GRADUATE I M A n p r l i u ti kl-- trev tw a ra l eft jm In k Vhraty iteri fad. peworfree wffnNy n w i f i SAflOUATE PADSAAfTt ***«. PROGRAM There has to be some enjoyment in life Z3, M ercedes-Benz SLK 7.6L/100 km (37 mpg) high ' **lme paym ents l speod finance rales comot be coattnei S ee dealer far delads. and I contend nothing does it better and the Toyota MR2. Real way. than a responsive little car that's willing So while the cost of the world justification for the HWY. #5 inhere Good Service to please. move is represented in the base M iata is only up about Is fl Fact. Hot Go out, buy a Miata, put the top more than 500,000 that have $1,200 since the special 1291 SPEERS ROAD 1 _<SH ? 905-827-4242 1992 version, you actually down and just drive for the fun of it. been sold, m aking it the largest selling sportscar of get more. An example is the stan all time. The original car had a dard glass rear window with Y O U R O N T A R IO F O R D D G A L G R S ' 1.6-litre, twin-cam , four- heater strips, as opposed to cylinder engine from the 323 the plastic in the 1992 that producing 116 hp. Coupled was doomed to turn opaque to this were the car's impu over time. Replacing the old con dent looks, toggle-like shifter, and the satisfying, vertible top with a new one would be about the same fruity burble of the exhaust. Here was a rear-drive car price as the difference you could really fling between the two cars. Roughly equivalent to around. It had just enough power to make motoring (as that anniversary model of 1992 is the M iata SE opposed to merely driving) a lot of fun, but not enough (Special Edition) as test here power to get you into trou priced at $34,940. To all the extras listed ble. Then as now, supple handling and a unique cen above, the SE adds tan tral spine endowed the car leather with a tan convert ible top that is compliment with perfect 50:50 handling. By 1992, I was driving ed by a woodrim Nardi the 25th anniversary Miata - steering wheel and wood it marked the 25th anniver shift knob for the six-speed. sary of Mazda opening up With 140 hp, the six-speed, shop in Canada. It came with once you get used to them, Per M o n th /3 6 Months alloy wheels, stainless steel are ideal for extracting just $ 5 , 9 9 5 dow n paym ent plus $ 4 0 0 security deposit and $ 8 3 5 freight. scuff and kick plates, a vis the right amount of torque 4 .0 L 2 1 0 h p V 6 Engine · Air Conditioning · 5 -S p e e d Automatic with cous limited slip rear differ and rpms at the right time. I Overdrive · Pow er W indow s, M irrors and Locks · Anti-Lock Braking ential, power steering, ABS, had to learn to let the spring System · Second Generation Dual Air B a g s Includes the Value Added and special springs and loaded shifter find its way XLS Sport Group AND Convenience Group: · Side Step Bars shocks. Added to this were home especially from 2nd · Wheellip Mouldings · Fog Lam ps · Chrome W heels · AM/FM with CD power windows and door up to 3rd. In the heat of the · Speed Control · Leather W rapped Tilt Wheel · Remote Keyless Entry mirrors, cruise control and moment, I'd find m yself hit something called the M azda ting the gate between 3rd Or lease for per month/36 months explorer 4 x 4 XLS 4-Door $ 2 ,5 7 5 down payment plus $ 5 0 0 security deposit and $ 8 3 5 freight Sensory Sound System that and 5th. I got it right by the S J IM ROBINSON Oakville 2000 PROTEGE SE 1 *1 M A K E S Y L O IU r : M O X E , LEASE F R O M IIQ tt fO rNTH ° * lW // M S $2,700 D O W NB88d Kpdl bm i ti r lO a k v ille m aZ D a New low lease rate on ALL new in-stock 2 0 0 0 4-Door Explorer Canada s BEST-selling line of SUVs* LEASE 2 0 0 0 EXPLORER XL5 *433* AUT O G R A P H Or choose Do you have a slow leak? There are several causes for a slow leak. One area that's easy to check and fix if a repair is needed is the valve core. The valve core is screwed into the valve stem as an insert. Over time the seals can wear out or become damaged by dirt. Here's how a leak is found in a valve core and what is done to cure it. C ore wrench: The slot in the end fits over the core. The wrench is spun counterclockw ise to remove the core. H F in a n c in g ON ALL 2 0 0 0 EXPLORER. TAURUS. A N D M O ST F-150' $ 2000 C a sh b a ck ON ALL 2 0 0 0 EXPLORER. W IN D S TA R . TAURUS. A N D M O S T F -I5 0 ' -- - End view of valve stem and core assem bly 3 a leak: end of the valve stem. Bubbling, fizzing and foam ing are aD sig n s of a core leak. Leaving the cap off tor prolonged periods of time can cause a buildup of dust and grim e that is forced into the tire when air is added. OR LEASE 2 0 0 0 W IN D S T A R LX C a n a d a s BST -soiling full size minivan7 OR PUR C HA SE 2 0 0 0 F -IS O ' C anada's BeST -sollin g line of trucks* OR LEASE 2 0 0 0 TA U R U S SE C anada's BEST -se llin g car in its c la s s 0 (itw ud core crow-section) H o wthe valve w orks 2) Air flow s in around the valve until the pressure on the valve is removed. 1) A s the air hose is pressed against the valve stem, a nub on the end of the hose forces the valve to open. This also opens the air hose. $ So- U n n » K /3 C 2 4 9 -0 _· M o n th / 3 6 M o n th * M nn+H f 4 8 Month P u rc h ase Financing Financing $4,8 95 down payment plus $ 3 0 0 security deposit and $ 9 4 5 freight. NEW LOW RATE ON ALL 2 0 0 0 W INDSTAR 0 .9 u % * * c n s 2 0 0 0 4 8 M o n th P u rc h a s e Financing fh CA SH BA CK $ Per M onth/36 Months $ 4,5 95 down payment plus $ 3 0 0 security deposit and $ 7 9 0 freight. Limited Selection. W in d so r is the only minivan to earn a Five Star Crash Test Rating six years in a row for front impact for both driver and front passenger in U.S. Government testing.tt Ends September 30. The Taurus has earned five stars - the highest possible U.S. Government crash test rating - for front impact for both driver and front passenger - two years in a row.tt www.ford.ca/offers YOUR ONTARIO Screw-in valve core FORD DEALERS. Sealing material C O P Y R I G H T W H E E L B A S E C O M M U N IC A T I O N S W ISE BU YERS READ THE LEG A L CORY: ` Leas* a new in-stock 2000 Explorer 4x4 X LS with 4 Doors/2000 W indstar LX w ith 4 D oors & Utility Group/2000 Taurus SE sedan for $333 or S433/S249/S2S9 per m onth based on an annual lease rate of 2 9 % / 1 .9 % / 2 .9 % and a 36 m onth lease from Ford Credit to qualified retail lessees, on approved credit Dow n payment of $5,995 or $2.57S/$4.895/$4,595. Total lease obligation is $17,983 or $18,163/$13.859/$13.919. Som e conditions and a mileage restriction o f 60.000 km over 36 m onths apply A charge of 8 cents per km over mileage restriction applies, plus applicable taxes. First m onth's payment required. ' Purchase any new in-stock 2000 Taurus/2000 Windstar/2000 Explorer/2000 F-150 excluding SVT L igh tn in g an d Harley Davidson Limited Editions' and receive $2,000 cashback. Taxes payable on full am ount of purchase price before cashback deducted. All rebates to dealer. * 0 % purchase financing o n any new in-stock 2000 W indstar for a maxim um of 48 m onths to retail customers, o n approved credit. E g. S2S.000 financed at 0 % annual percentage rate for 48 months, monthly payment is $520.84, cost of borrow ing is $2,000 (including forgone $2,000 cashback) and total to be repaid is $25,000. Effective rate of interest is 8 0 S · * 0 . 9 S purchase financing o n new in-stock 2000 Taurus/2000 Explorer/2000 F-150 excluding SVT Lightning an d Harley Davidson Limited Editions' for a maxim um of 48 m onths to retail customers, o n approved credit. E g. $25,000 financed at 0 . 9 S annual percentage rate for 48 months, m onthly payment is $530.45, cost o f b orrow in g is $2,461 60 (including forgone $2,000 cashback) and total to be repaid is $25,461.60. Effective rate of interest is 8 .9 % . Dow n payment or equivalent trade may be required based on approved credit. Financing an d cashback offers mutually exclusive. Financing and cashback offers n ot available w ith any other offer All offers are mutually exclusive. Limited time offers. Offers may be cancelled at any time w ithout notice. All offers exdude freight, licence, insurance, administration fees and all applicable taxes Som e vehides may n ot be available at all dealerships. See Dealer for details Dealer may sell or lease for less. ' 'The highest front impact rating for both driver and front passenger in U.S. governm ent National Highw ay Traffic Safety Adm inistration testing (www.nhtsa.com). Based o n Retail Registrations for 1999 C Y W M a rch 2000 CYTDO/M ay 2000 C YT D O O ntario FDA. PO. Box 2000. Oakville. Ontario L6J 5E4