Keith Sundiang
Manila, Philippines
Congratulations to Keith on the selection of his
Miata, as our October
Miata of the Month!
Greetings from the Philippines. The Mazda Miata
might have been introduced to the world in 1989, but here in Manila, Mazda dealers only
started importing it last 1995. This was due to import restrictions of our country and
also to the small car market here (as compared to Europe and the US). They started selling
Miatas for P.760,000.00 (Philippine Peso). This would roughly convert to about
US$28,000.00. The Miatas are the basic models with 1.6 liter engine, 14" alloy
wheels, AM/FM stereo, 5 speed manual transmission, with removable hardtop (presumably
because we seldom can use our Miatas with the top down because of the heat in this part of
the world). If you want to have the other optional accessories like the leather package or
the touring package you have to import them on your own, or look for them at specialty
stores and hope they have them.
My love affair with the Miata started in the summer of 1996. While working on a project, the owner of the shop next door came in a fully dressed Classic Red Miata. WOW!!!! From then on every time the guy came in all eyes were on his Miata. The Miata was way out of my budget at 28 thousand dollars (exchange rate at that time was P26=US$1, this was before the Asian currency plunge). And besides my family (my wife and 3 kids) already own a Civic, a Sidekick (called locally a Vitara) and a City (an Asian peoples car made by Honda). I couldnt convince my wife to shell out 760 thousand pesos for another car. She would always say "but we dont need another car!!". Well she was right. So all I could do was look in envy and dream.
Well, 1997 came and as we all know the market
in Asia started to plunge. The car industry was greatly affected. Fewer people bought cars
cause they would rather speculate in the currency market. With the fall of KIA in Korea
the dealers of Mazda (also the dealer of Kia in the Philippines) started lowering their
base prices. To attract even more customers the dealers of Kia and Mazda gave out a 1
thousand dollar rebate (exchange rate now is US$1=P30.00). With all the discounts, the
Miata was now priced at P 560,000.00. WOW!! This is a bargain. Now if only I could
convince my wife.
Convincing her wasnt easy. She found an ally in her sister.
They viewed sports cars as cars for D.O.Ms
(dirty old men). They say, "these cars are not for someone with a family",
"how can your family go with you if this is just a two seater", "this car
is very impractical", "this car is for picking up babes" This is basically
their point of view. I would on the other hand reply by saying that "I am just a
lover of good cars and not a lover of babes. I wont go out and pickup chicks, I am a
family man and not a D.O.M.", " I want a Miata because its well built, its
dependable and fun to drive."
Ive read a lot about the Miata, and the more I read,(now with
the Internet and MIATA.NET) the more I get addicted to it. I would often tell my cousin
Rene that I would place bets on the Lotto so if I win I could get me my dream Miata. The
break I needed came early in December 1997. Well, I didnt win the Lotto but slowly
and surely I was focusing all my energy and resources into acquiring my own Miata. Convincing other members of my family was the key. Here in the Philippines we
have very close family ties. So close in fact, that the oldest member of the family always
has a say on everything. With this, after convincing my mom and dad the battle has been
half won. But the killer comment came from my older brother during one of our Sunday
family dinner. While the ladies were reiterating their position about the impracticality
of the Miata and how it was not a car for a family, my brother blurted our in his strong
authoritative and forceful voice, "This car is not a practical car! There is nothing
practical about this car! You dont buy this car because it is practical! Buying this
car is a decision of the heart!!! You buy this car because you love it! You buy this car
because you want to feel good and happy! The decision to buy a Miata is a decision made by
the heart (he points to his heart) and not by this (he points to his head)." All the
ladies were dumb founded while the guys all cheered, Yah!! Then he followed it up by
saying "Keith, Ill help you break it in!". "Sure, no problem." I
replied smiling. Thanks big brother. The rest is history.
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