Life with our Miata: Sometimes boring is good

David S.
Update by David S. Wallens to the Mazda Miata project car
Sep 30, 2025 | Mazda, Mazda Miata, Garage Rescue Miata

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Photography by David S. Wallens

How do you like your project cars? Our Miata follows the “quick and painless” option, although maybe “quick” is relative. 

The drill for last night’s monthly Orlando Roadsters meet: Check oil, check lugs, check tire pressures, clean the windshield and then turn the key. Can’t recall ever needing to add oil, while the engine always fires on the first attempt–and that’s with an ECU tuned some 25 years ago. (Thank you, Ed Senf, for the tuning plus our regular preventive maintenance over the many years.)

After a fairly boring 1-hour drive to Maitland, Florida, I found a lot of Miatas and the people who like them–and after waiting out a brief rain shower, we swapped stories and checked out some cars. No car issues means more time for the fun stuff, right?

Does your project car deliver smiles or anguish? If it’s the latter, how can we all help?

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Comments
David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
9/30/25 3:33 p.m.

Bonus shot: I had my camera set to black and white when I arrived. 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
9/30/25 5:00 p.m.

Also, I swear the forecast didn’t show rain. 

We all watched the rain approach from one side of the parking lot.

Slight pause.

Then everyone ran to button up their cars. 

Rain lasted maybe five or 10 minutes. 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
9/30/25 5:01 p.m.

And a BTS photo.

The event takes place at Lazy Moon Pizza, so I grabbed a slice.

Camera bag, glasses and water bottle for scale. 

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