Last Friday, I left work at around 6:00. The on-ramp to the 10 "freeway" is right up the street from the office. But when I saw the parking lot spilling out from the 10 to the on-ramp, I opted out (like I do most of the time) and took the side streets ("surface streets" here in L.A.) home. While stopped in a line of traffic at a light, the Miata received a love tap from some kid in an F-150 4x2 SuperCab pickup. This happened at a point where it went from 2 lanes to 3, the 3rd lane sprouting out as a left-turn lane.
So how'd it happen? The impatient "dude" (he was sporting tats and droopy pants and his "ride" was sporting 20s) was coming up behind me when he decided to spastically cut over to the open left-turn lane. Trouble is, he misjudged it and the F-150's chrome front bumper brushed the Miata's rear bumper and left quarter panel. Amazingly, the wounds were superficial -- no dented or creased sheet metal. After expressing my displeasure to him as he drew alongside, the kid and I pulled over to exchange information. To his credit, he apologized many times and had no attitude ('course it was his fault, so I wouldn't expect any, but this is L.A...). Now we have to deal with the annoyance of getting this wound treated. We'll let you know how it goes...
John DiPietro, Automotive Editor @ 11,742 miles.
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