1999 Other Mazda Miata
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.........so a few years ago I sold my beloved Lotus Elan S4 Sprint Drophead. Dunno why. Maybe 'cause it was exactly 20 years since I had purchased it and thought, why not move on?
Now, had a nice chunk of money in my hand and thought 'what would be a wonderful replacement?' And I found the perfect alternative.....bought a lovely rust free '65 MGB AND this '99 Miata. One more 'vintage' than the Elan and one more Modern. And amazingly, even had some money left over.
Now the B was easy to find...after all, that is our business. But the Miata? Looked in the local paper, found a BRG with tan leather (and tan top) car, low mileage (66k when I purchased it, 68k now), perfect condition, always professionally serviced and maintained, nice guy (the seller), it drove wonderfully (not quite as quick as the Elan but braking and handling felt the same or better) AND a/c. In a sports car?
What will they think of next?
A quick history given to me by the last owner (backed up by a folder of documents)...he acquired the car in 2004 with 58k miles, immediately had a major service done (he had purchased an expensive service contract and I suspect ALL of the repair work he had sone on this car was covered), replace hoses and belts, replace timing belt, new plugs and wires, change engine/trans/diff oils. At 59.5k replaced a/c condenser and wheel bearings. 60k miles saw a new clutch fitted.
And the shop that did the work forgot to put oil in the trans! Alas, at 61k, the car had its transmission rebuilt. They also recarbonized the induction system and replaced a number of gaskets.
Cat converter replaced at 61.2k, and a bunch of small things.
Result? At 68k miles, runs and drives like new. And during my four year ownership, have had to do nothing other than change the oil.
So, now.........great car, never changed as much as a light bulb, runs and looks like new, have acquired four Elans for my collection over the past two years (going overboard, you might say).....and the Miata doesn't get used.
Now...for sale. Great car. For the price of a nice MGB.