I was having a discussion on the miata.net forums about this car.  The question came up:  "How does it drive?"  What follows is my answer.
 

As is annual tradition I recently went to the Jacob Javit Convention Center to catch the AutoShow.   I didn't take many pictures, mostly because lighting on the floor was strange and I was having a difficult time getting exposures correct.  Regardless I saw some stuff that's worth talking about.
 
The Mazda 2 / Ford Fiesta
As many manufacturer's entry level rides have grown in size over the last 20 years, they've been introducing new smaller models to fill in the sub-compact offering.  (ie. The Honda Fit took the place of the Civic as the current Civic is just about the same size as a late 80's accord).  So it is with Mazda.  While the Mazda 3 is an great car, if you're looking for something a bit smaller, you'd better look elsewhere.  Enter the Mazda 2 (and it's brother the Ford Fiesta).

Well, I decided to take advantage of the nice weather this weekend (and the fact I finally have my 323 all sorted out) and do the timing belt/water pump on the miata that I've been putting off (and off and off).

I was pleasantly surprised when I popped the valve cover off how incredibly clean it is under there. I expected there to be quite a bit of varnishing at 155K miles, but there is hardly any discoloration and no cruddy buildup *anywhere* under the valve cover. This is where I figure that Mobil1 oil changes every 5K since new has been worth it.

As I've been fighting with "The Best Car in the World" over the last couple of weeks, I've reached a level of frustration that has tested even my happy-go-lucky demeanor.   This is sort of an epic saga which..well, perhaps I should just start at the beginning.

2 years ago after an unfortunate overheating incident, I purchased a new cylinder head and installed it.  The car was never quite right afterwards.  The bottom end knock that appears a couple thousand miles later was the end of it.

I hit up Harry's U-Pull it in Hazelton PA during one of their specials.  I found an '89 323 that looked well cared for, but had been rear-ended pretty hard....cost $60.

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