Photo: Adam Garth on Facebook
If you look in the classifieds for a 1997 model year MX-5, chances are you’ll find cheap ones in need of tender loving care, not-so-cheap cars that have been meticulously maintained even though they show some wear and tear, and few garage queens if any at all. In addition to being relatively affordable, the original Miata is a workhorse of a sports car.
Known for its fun handling characteristics as well as an impressive reliability record, the NA MX-5 has served a certain Adam Garth well for more than 23,000 kilometers during one of the most daring road trips ever made. To be more precise, Adam drove 23,081 kilometers or 14,342 miles around Australia over more than three months.
Speaking to The Daily Mail, the Miata-driving Aussie set out from his Sydney home last year on September 30th. Little did he know that the trip would cost him 13,800 dollars by the 23,081st-kilometer mark on December 24th, 2019. In addition to his car, Adam Garth had a one-man tent, a camera, and a few essentials with him on this grueling journey.
The most dangerous moment of the trip concerns the Japanese roadster traveling at more than 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph) and a large kangaroo. Neither the car not the kangaroo met, but it was a close call. The 22-year-old says the Bunda Cliffs in the south is the place he liked the most, telling the British tabloid newspaper that “photos don’t even do it justice.”
Of the total expenses of 13,800 Australian dollars ($9,060 at current exchange rates), our protagonist spent 3,495 on gasoline, 5,000 on servicing and repairs, 1,500 for accommodation, 1,800 on food, 1,000 on fines, and 1,000 on additional expenses. Wait, what kind of fines?
“'If you want to drive around Australia what you need is cruise control – I got three fines because I didn't have it,” said Adam. As for the reason he chose the MX-5 over an SUV or truck, well, he likes the driving dynamics of the Japanese roadster to the detriment of a Land Cruiser or Hilux.
All told, Adam tackled over 600 kilometers (373 miles) of unpaved roads. On that note, the 22-year-old is "in the process of planning a record attempt with me and four mates for the fastest lap around Australia."
This cannonball run-style adventure, however, may require a different car. One with ice-cold air conditioning would be a starting point because the existing record - set in 2017 - took 5 days, 13 hours, and 43 minutes. A Toyota Land Cruiser is the four-wheeled hero in question, and it used 2,284 liters of diesel over the course of 14,280 kilometers (8,873 miles).
Speaking to The Daily Mail, the Miata-driving Aussie set out from his Sydney home last year on September 30th. Little did he know that the trip would cost him 13,800 dollars by the 23,081st-kilometer mark on December 24th, 2019. In addition to his car, Adam Garth had a one-man tent, a camera, and a few essentials with him on this grueling journey.
The most dangerous moment of the trip concerns the Japanese roadster traveling at more than 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph) and a large kangaroo. Neither the car not the kangaroo met, but it was a close call. The 22-year-old says the Bunda Cliffs in the south is the place he liked the most, telling the British tabloid newspaper that “photos don’t even do it justice.”
Of the total expenses of 13,800 Australian dollars ($9,060 at current exchange rates), our protagonist spent 3,495 on gasoline, 5,000 on servicing and repairs, 1,500 for accommodation, 1,800 on food, 1,000 on fines, and 1,000 on additional expenses. Wait, what kind of fines?
“'If you want to drive around Australia what you need is cruise control – I got three fines because I didn't have it,” said Adam. As for the reason he chose the MX-5 over an SUV or truck, well, he likes the driving dynamics of the Japanese roadster to the detriment of a Land Cruiser or Hilux.
All told, Adam tackled over 600 kilometers (373 miles) of unpaved roads. On that note, the 22-year-old is "in the process of planning a record attempt with me and four mates for the fastest lap around Australia."
This cannonball run-style adventure, however, may require a different car. One with ice-cold air conditioning would be a starting point because the existing record - set in 2017 - took 5 days, 13 hours, and 43 minutes. A Toyota Land Cruiser is the four-wheeled hero in question, and it used 2,284 liters of diesel over the course of 14,280 kilometers (8,873 miles).
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