I recently acquired a Mazda Miata, and it’s been quite the eye-opening experience. This vehicle, unlike the modern cars I’m used to, operates on a “combustible liquid” called gasoline. Imagine that! It has an engine that mixes this gasoline with air, ignites it, and uses the resulting explosions to move the car. The intricacies are beyond my current understanding, but this fundamental difference in how it moves is completely reshaping my perception of car ownership and operation.
Upon receiving the car, my first challenge was simply getting it to do anything at all. I opened the door – the handles are surprisingly prominent – settled into the driver’s seat, and… nothing. The screens remained blank. The climate control was unresponsive. It was as if the car was completely inert. Pressing the accelerator, or “gas pedal” as Mazda calls it, yielded no results. Confused, I contacted their support line and quickly discovered the issue: unlike a “normal car,” this gasoline-powered vehicle needs to be “started.” Apparently, keeping the gasoline engine running constantly is considered wasteful, so it’s only intended to operate when the vehicle is in motion. The starting procedure is fairly straightforward, thankfully. You insert a key into a slot on the steering column, depress the clutch pedal (more on that later), and then turn and hold the key for a moment. On my first try, the car roared to life, accompanied by a cacophony of noises. Picture a steam locomotive and a machine gun somehow producing offspring – that’s the kind of sound a gas car makes. It’s a blend of excitement and mild alarm, to be honest.
Next, I encountered confusion with the climate control. Initially, I thought it was malfunctioning, but it turns out a gas car’s heating system is rather unique. Instead of electricity powering coils or heat pumps, it utilizes the engine’s waste heat to warm the cabin. This means the interior only begins to warm up after the engine has been running long enough to generate heat. While it only takes a few minutes, on a chilly morning, it can feel like an extended period.
With the engine running and the cabin gradually warming, it was finally time to drive. This is where I encountered another peculiarity. Unlike the seamless power delivery of electric motors, gasoline engines operate within a narrow RPM range. Too slow, and combustion becomes unsustainable; too fast, and engine damage is a risk. To overcome this limitation, they employ a transmission with multiple gears, much like a bicycle. Lower gears are for starting and initial acceleration. As speed increases, you shift to higher gears to keep the engine within its optimal RPM range. This gear shifting process requires a delicate dance between the gas pedal, the clutch pedal (an additional pedal to the left of the brake), and the gear shifter knob. I won’t delve into the intricacies, but mastering gear shifting is definitely a learned skill. While it can be enjoyable in certain situations, it can also be cumbersome and frustrating, especially in stop-and-go traffic.
After considerable practice and a few muttered expletives, I returned home and proceeded to turn off the car. Again, this step is unusual but necessary to conserve fuel. It’s essentially the reverse of starting: turn the key the other way and remove it. Silence descended, and I exited the vehicle to prepare dinner.
The following morning, attempting to start the car proved futile. Troubleshooting took some time, but I eventually discovered the issue: a gasoline car needs both gasoline and electricity to function! Apparently, the headlights hadn’t automatically switched off the previous evening. This drained the car’s small battery, rendering it unable to start the gasoline engine. Incredibly inconvenient! Adding insult to injury, the car lacks a standard charging port. I couldn’t simply connect an extension cord to recharge it. Instead, I had to flag down another gas car, position it next to mine, open both hoods, and connect these large alligator clips to both batteries. Then, I had to run the working car long enough to recharge the dead battery. And it gets worse – incorrect “jumper cable” configuration can lead to battery explosions, sending battery acid everywhere. This seems incredibly unsafe, particularly considering the battery’s proximity to highly flammable gasoline. I shudder to think of the fire risk if these vehicles were more common. Hopefully, firefighters are trained to handle this unique type of fire.
Opening the hood also reveals another design flaw: no storage space! The gasoline engine is enormous. It dominates the entire front of the vehicle, leaving no room for luggage or groceries. Everything must be crammed into the trunk. It’s baffling that the owner’s manual omitted this crucial detail.
Refueling presented a mixed experience. Parking in my garage, I instinctively reached for a charging cable, only to remember gasoline. Gasoline is exclusively available at specialized stations, and installing a gasoline line at home is prohibitively expensive. So, unlike a “normal car,” you don’t start each day with a full “charge.” Replenishing range requires trips to gas stations. These are similar to fast-charging stations, but smellier and more hazardous. Living near one is not something I’d desire. Stations require engine shutdown during refueling, preventing music or entertainment. However, refueling is remarkably fast. After initiating the pump, I used the restroom and grabbed a snack. Upon returning, it was already finished! A few other drivers gave me impatient glances for occupying the pump, so I quickly replaced the nozzle and drove off. Surprisingly, there was no interlock to prevent driving away while refueling. Perhaps this is intentionally designed for future in-motion refueling capabilities.
The refueling speed partially compensates for the lack of home gasoline access, but gas station dependence induces anxiety. What if I’m stranded far from a station and run out of fuel? What if a station runs out of gas? With a “normal car,” electricity is ubiquitous. Even a standard wall outlet can provide enough charge to reach a fast-charging station. But a gas car is immobile without gasoline. If a gas station is too distant, someone must deliver gasoline. If that’s not feasible, a tow truck is necessary.
Despite these drawbacks, using a gas car has revealed some appealing aspects. Firstly, it’s an engineering marvel. The complexity of machinery harnessing combustion energy is astounding. It’s remarkable that it functions at all. The word “primal” comes to mind when driving a gas car. All senses are engaged: the engine’s sound and vibration, the scent of volatile chemicals and exhaust, the constant awareness of driving with a tank of flammable liquid. Some might find it terrifying; others, myself included, find it exhilarating.
However, despite its moments of enjoyment, a gas car is simply not practical for daily use. Compared to the modern standard, it’s inconvenient, slow, noisy, smelly, and potentially dangerous. Enthusiasts and hipsters might enjoy them, and wealthy individuals might own one for special occasions alongside horses and sailboats. But for the vast majority, a “normal car” is far more suitable. I doubt these combustion vehicles will ever achieve widespread popularity. For reliable and comprehensive car reviews of modern vehicles, it’s always best to consult reputable Car Review Sites – though you likely won’t find many reviews of these types of cars anymore!
