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 17, 2003

Ch-ch-ch-changes. Some mods/maintenance that I want to take car of in 2004, split into two groups:

Need:
- Brake pad replacement
- 4 wheel alignment
- Tires (one of 'em appears to have a slow leak)

Want:
- Dual exhaust
- Paint calipers
- Slotted rotors
- Stiffer springs
- Intake
- Speakers
- Gauge faces/rings
- Racing pedals

[10:32 PM] []

December 14, 2003

KYB AGX Shocks. I've been living with the 4-way adjustable KYB AGX shocks on my car for over a year now and I thought I would share my observations.

First of all, it's hard to remember what the ride was like before getting the shocks installed, however I can recall that the #3 setting was somewhat similar to the stock ride (#1 is stiffest, #4 is "loosest"). Since I don't take my car to the racetrack, I find that most often I leave the car on the most comfortable setting (#4) ... but I may switch back the inital suggestion I received from a neighbour ... fronts set to #3 and rears set to #2. It will be a slightly stiffer ride, but I can handle it. :-)

[6:18 PM] []

50,000. Car turned 50,000 miles old today!

[5:31 PM] []

December 07, 2003

Shift Knob. I wouldn't say that this is all I want for Christmas, but it would be a nice: yet another shift knob.

[5:15 PM] []

December 02, 2003

Miata Coupe. Check it out, a Miata coupe (of course, not available in North America). Oh, and in case you think the image is doctored in some way, here's the official Mazda Japanese webpage.

[8:28 AM] []

December 01, 2003

Finally. I finally dropped off my car at the dealership for the 45,000 mile service (the car's actually at 49,510 right now). In addition to the routine service, I asked for the rear differential fluid and transmisison fluid to be replaced, but with Redline fluid that I provided. I also asked them to replace the passenger side foglamp and to fix the rattle in the top near the driver's side.

I'll save the brake job for later ... I realized that I only have EBC Green Stuff brake pads for the front of my car, I might as well get the rears done at the same time. If I'm a really good boy, perhaps I'll also treat myself to some brand new rotors in the new year (along with a new exhaust and intake!).

[8:08 PM] []

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]