jish's 2000 mazda miata weblog

What's this about???
my 2000 mazda miata This page on my site documents the modifications/ journeys/ installations related to my car - a 2000 Mazda Miata LS. It's not my intent to take the car to the race track, so most modifications are for cosmetic, safety, or "ooomph/vrooom" reasons.

Who am I???
I will always be a car nut. It all started when I was a child, one of the things I enjoyed most was playing with toy cars. I was constantly in trouble for bringing my 'Hot Wheels' cars to school. My pockets were bursting with them and I can recall my elementary school teachers confiscating them. And now, several years later, I am not a car "collector" anymore, I am more of an "enthusiast" or an "admirer". If you're interested, you can read more about me here.

December 12, 2002

I forgot to mentioned that my car turned 37,000 miles "old" on December 8. Indeed.

[5:29 PM] []

December 06, 2002

Freedom Design Shock Tower Brace. I received the shock tower brace in the mail today and quickly went to install it. It was very, very, very easy to install and I almost immediately notice that the front end is a bit stiffer ... and it looks great! It's too bad it's tucked under the hood. Anyhow, I'll update more later when I have a better feel for the real effect.

[4:21 PM] []

December 04, 2002

Shocks, lighter, fender bender. I picked up my car at the garage today after they were done installing my new shocks. For starters, I adjusted them to a setting of 2 in the front and 2 in the rear (1 is the stiffest setting, 4 is on the opposite end, bouncier). I've only driven a few miles, but it seems like some of the vibrations I've been complaining about have gone away ... maybe it's in my head, time will tell.

Aside from that, I was pissed to see that my chrome "Eject" cigarette lighter was gone!! Sheesh!!! I had them all search through the entire garage to look for it, but it was nowhere to be found. After they were finished with the work, the car was parked outside of the garage and the driver side window was rolled down ... my guess is that someone simply reached in and snagged it. For compensation I had them give me a free oil change the next time I come in.

To add insult to injury, as we fished around the front seat looking for the lighter, a lady was backing out of the garage and bumped right into the driver's side of my rear bumper!! [pictures soon] There appeared to be no body damage, but lots of paint rub. She was really apologetic and passed me her contact info. She called afterwards to tell me her insurance info and offered to pay for any damages if it was less than her deductible. I'll jump right on that and get a quote prepared to show her ASAP.

Talk about bad luck!

[8:44 PM] []

December 03, 2002

Installation of shocks ... getting rid of vibrations. I've handed over my car to my local garage along with my new KYB AGX shocks and am keeping my fingers crossed that they'll get 'em on right (I asked for all four knobs to be pointing towards the rear). I'll pick up the car tomorrow afternoon or the morning after that.

My neighbour (whose Miata recently got backed into by an SUV!) suggests I set the front shocks to "3" and the rears to "2". He also suggests that I get a four wheel alignment once the shocks are installed ... hopefully that will take care of some of the vibration. Also, I noticed yesterday that my tire pressure on all four corners was 35-40 psi!!! I reduced 'em to the recommended ~26-28 psi and there was much less vibration overall.

My shock tower brace should be here by Friday, I hope I can slap that on myself. I'm also hoping to get a rear chassis brace. Perhaps I'll put that on when it comes time to install the dual exhaust that I want.

[9:19 AM] []

Brief auto history (this'll be updated along with the weblog above):
Completed:
- Installed AEM Short Ram Intake - May.02.05.
- this list is not completely updated!!!
- Service: Oil change - May.??.04 [56,500 miles]
- Service: 45,000 mile service (used Redline fluids, fixed foglamp, adjusted convertible top) - Dec.4.03 [49,517 miles]
- Kenwood KDC-722 installed - Oct.20.03
- Service: Oil change/coolant flush - Jun.25.03 [43,727 miles]
- Service: Oil change - ??.02 [40,154 miles]
- Installed KYB AGX 4-way adjustable shocks - Dec.04.02 [36,828 miles]
- Service: Oil change - Nov.26.02 [36,613 miles]
- Changed wipers - Nov.19.02
- Installed Enkei RS5 wheels and Kumho Ecsta Supra 712 tires - Oct.15.02 [35,698 miles]
- Service: Oil change - Aug.22.02 [33,210 miles]
- Installed bra on front end - Jul.10.02.
- Service: 30k mile service at dealer - Jun.04 [29,617 miles]
- Service: Oil change - Apr.22.02 [27,451 miles]
- New polished brake handle and button - Apr.13.2002
- Changed windshield wipers.
- Service: Oil change - Feb.21.02 [24,048 miles]
- Service: Oil change - Nov.24.01 [20,351 miles]
- Installed CD caddy, Voodoo polished shift knob, airbag switch storage tray - Sep.22.01.
- Service: Magnecor wires & NGK spark plugs - Aug.19.01 [16,594 miles]
- Front diamond grill - Aug.2.01
- Kenwood KDC-716S installed - Jul.27.01
- K&N air filter installed - Jul.26.01
- Service: Oil change - Jul.17.01 [14,950 miles]
- Tan leather brake boot - Jul.13.01
- "Eject" chrome cigarette lighter - Jul.13.01
- "Miata Parking Only" sign - Jul.13.01
- Tan boot bag - Jul.13.01
- Twilight Blue Mica touch-up paint - Jul.13.01
- Bag for car cover - Jul.07.01
- Radiator baffle shroud - Jul.05.01
- Chrome valve stem caps (4) & keychain - Jul.05.01
- Chrome hvac rings (3) - Jul.03.01
- Chrome fuel lid - Jul.03.01
- Silver embroidered visor gloves (2) - Jul.03.01
- Chrome emergency flasher ring - Jul.03.01
- Chrome vent rings (4) - Jul.03.01
- Front grill - Jun.23.01
- Hard Dog Hard Bar - Jun.23.01
- Nardi wooden shift knob - Jun.22.01
- 'Saratoga' trunk saddlebag - Jun.12.01
- Service: Oil change, filter, tire rotation - Jun.08.01 [12,237 miles]
- Clear corner lenses - May.19.01
- Headlamp impact shields - May.18.01
- 'Wicked Loud' horn - May.18.01
- Flip-open cupholder - May.18.01
- Nokia holster for sun visor - May.16.01
- 'Noah' car cover - May.14.01
- Purchased car - Apr.27.01 [~10,100 miles]