As automotive experts at obd2global.com, we pride ourselves on bringing you the latest insights and in-depth reviews from across the car industry. We’ve tested everything from cutting-edge EVs to the newest hybrids. But recently, we decided to take a step back, a big step back, to explore a truly… unique propulsion technology: gasoline. Yes, you read that right. Gasoline. Fueled by a “combustible liquid,” as they call it. Our team bravely ventured into the realm of the Mazda Miata, a vehicle still clinging to this archaic system, to see if it holds up against the modern vehicles we typically evaluate on Car Review Sites today.
Our initial experience was… perplexing. Upon delivery, the Miata presented itself as utterly unresponsive. No welcoming screens, no ambient lighting, no gentle hum of readiness. It was just… there. Dead. Pressing the “gas pedal” (a quaint term, we must admit) yielded absolutely nothing. A call to Mazda’s support line revealed the shocking truth: gasoline cars need to be “started.” Apparently, continuously running the engine is deemed “wasteful.” Imagine that! The starting ritual involves inserting a “key” (another relic of the past) into the steering column, depressing the “clutch pedal,” and turning said key. The result? A cacophony of noise. Think steam locomotive meets machine gun. Our sound meter nearly redlined. Car review sites often highlight vehicle acoustics, and we can confidently say, the gasoline car provides an… assertive auditory experience.
Next, we tackled climate control. Initial attempts to adjust the temperature proved futile. Was the system malfunctioning? No, we discovered another gasoline car peculiarity: heating relies on “engine heat.” The cabin warms only after the engine has run long enough. On a chilly morning, this felt like an Ice Age. Modern car review sites rightly emphasize rapid climate control, especially in EVs which offer instant heat. The gasoline car’s delayed gratification is… noticeable.
Finally, it was time to drive. This is where things got truly… manual. Gasoline engines, we learned, operate within a “narrow range of RPMs.” Too slow, combustion falters. Too fast, engine explosion (apparently). The solution? A “transmission” with “gears,” reminiscent of a bicycle. Starting requires low gears, shifting to higher gears as speed increases to avoid engine self-destruction. This “shifting” process necessitates intricate coordination of the “gas pedal,” “clutch pedal,” and “shifter knob.” It’s a “skill that must be learned,” we were told. “Fun in the right circumstance,” they claimed. “Tedious and frustrating in stop-and-go traffic,” we quickly discovered. Car review sites frequently evaluate transmission smoothness and ease of use. The gasoline car’s manual transmission offers a… unique engagement level, to put it mildly.
Upon returning home, turning off the car required another manual process: turning the key back and removing it. Silence descended. The car was off. Simple enough, but hardly the seamless power-down of an EV.
The next morning, starting the car failed. Troubleshooting revealed another gasoline car quirk: they need both gasoline and electricity. Apparently, leaving the headlights on (they don’t automatically turn off!) drained the “tiny battery,” preventing the gasoline engine from starting. The indignity! And recharging? No standard port here. Instead, we needed “jumper cables,” another gasoline car artifact, and another gasoline car to jump-start the dead battery. The process involves connecting “giant alligator clips” between batteries, running the working car, and hoping for the best. Messing up this procedure, we were warned, can lead to battery explosions and acid spillage. Unsafe? Car review sites prioritize safety, and we must raise an eyebrow at this system’s inherent risks.
Opening the hood revealed another shock: no storage space! The “massive” gasoline engine occupies the entire front, leaving no room for luggage. Everything must go in the “trunk.” Our practicality score plummeted. Car review sites rigorously assess storage capacity and usability. The gasoline car’s engine-centric design presents a clear compromise.
Refueling was… an experience. The urge to “plug in” at home was strong, but gasoline is only available at “special stations.” No home gasoline lines, apparently. These “gas stations” are described as “smelly and dangerous.” We concur. Refueling requires turning off the engine (no music!), and while “quick,” the stations themselves are less than inviting. Car review sites often discuss refueling/recharging infrastructure. Gasoline stations, while prevalent, lack the convenience and cleanliness of modern charging networks. The anxiety of running out of gasoline in remote areas is also a factor. EVs, with their ability to charge virtually anywhere with electricity, offer a clear advantage in range confidence.
Despite these… idiosyncrasies, the gasoline car does possess a certain… “primal” appeal. The complexity of the combustion engine is undeniably impressive. The sounds, vibrations, and smells create a visceral experience. Some may find it “terrifying,” others “exhilarating.” Perhaps enthusiasts and “hipsters” will appreciate this throwback technology.
However, for daily use, the gasoline car falls short. Compared to modern EVs, it is inconvenient, slow, noisy, smelly, and arguably dangerous. While possessing a certain nostalgic charm, we at obd2global.com, along with most car review sites, believe that the vast majority of drivers are far better served by modern electric vehicles. We predict that these “combustion vehicles,” while historically significant, will likely remain a niche curiosity in the automotive landscape.
