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.

February 26, 2004

Sold? Just for fun, I placed an ad on Craigslist to sell my car. I met with someone this afternoon who appeared to be quite interested in buying it.

Is this the end of my Miata ownership? Hmm...

If I did sell the car, I'm somewhat convinced that I would purchase a 2000-2001 Audi S4. Two other cars I'd consider (but which wouldn't offer a huge upgrade in space) are the 1999-2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK or a much older Porsche 911.

Anyhow, for now this is all fun and games. Stay tuned for more news...

UPDATE: The potential buyer decided to go with another car. Oh well, it's not like I was desperate to sell the car or anything.

[5:23 PM] []

Headlight Bulb. I noticed a day or two ago that the passenger-side headlight was out. I did a quick search online and found these easy to follow instuctions (steps 1 & 2 are the same step, really). The owner's manual also has some fairly detailed instructions.

I replaced the bulb with a Sylvania Cool Blue bulb (model 9003 CB). The light that is emitted has an intense "white" quality (as opposed to the yellowish tinge you see with some headlamps) and is of the same brightness as the stock lamps. The light doesn't have the blue tint of some other headlamps, which is fine by me (if you want blue light don't get these bulbs). I have an extra bulb for the driver's side lamp, but will wait until it burns out or until I get sick of the lights being lopsided. :-)

[4:00 PM] []

February 12, 2004

Kenwood Stereo. I'm having some terrible luck with Kenwood stereos ... I had to return to Good Guys to have my stereo removed and sent in for repair since there was a single non-illuminated line in the display. They said it will take 3-4 weeks.

3-4 weeks without any tunes in my car - ugh.

P.S. I'm happy to see that Google has indexed me as the second search result for Putnam Mazda Service (they suck).

[3:03 PM] []

February 07, 2004

KYB AGX Settings. Weird ... my shocks were all set to the #1 setting - the stiffest of the 4 selections. I don't remember doing that ... unless I completely goofed and was trying to get a more comfortable ride and set them all on the opposite end of the scale. Anyhow, I just re-adjusted and set them to #3 on the fronts (similar to the stock setting) and #2 on the rears (stiffer than stock), an intial recommendation I received before installation.

Note to self: #4 is the "bouncier" end of the scale and #1 is the stiffer end of the scale.

[12:00 PM] []

February 03, 2004

Putnam Mazda Service is Terrible. I wanted to stress something to my local readers: stay away from the service department at Putnam Mazda (that's in Burlingame, CA on California Avenue). I received extremely rude service repeatedly from one of the sales manager ... I actually got the feeling that the simpleton thought he was doing me a favour. An excerpt from our last phone call:

Me: I cannot begin to tell you how disappointed I am with the service I received from the service department at Putnam Mazda.
Michael: Well, I am happy to hear that.
Me: Excuse me?
Michael: Well, you're basically insulting me and my service.
Me: And you're happy that I'm disappointed?
Michael: Hey, what can I say?

Aside from the rudeness, I had to bring my car in twice for a simple adjustment to a hinge on the convertible top ... in both cases (where my car was left for almost two weeks in their possession!!!) the car was returned to me without the work being completed ... though they told me on both occasions that it was completed.

My frustration likely stems from the fact that they've hired a completely incompetent individual to work in their service department, but the management and Mazda USA have also been of little assistance in this matter.

It's very frustrating when you're far more in tune with what it takes to provide good customer service than everyone else.

[Other Bay Area shops for Mazda servicing: PR Motorosports (in Hayward), Menlo Mazda (Redwood City), Royal Mazda (San Francisco), Val Strough Mazda (Oakland), Magnussen's Mazda (Fremont), and Sunnyvale Mazda. You can also enjoy a drive down the coast and visit my friends at Serious Auto (Santa Cruz area), they're real nice.]

[11:22 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]