2006 Mazda Miata MX-5

Since its last update, our resident roadster visited a nearby Mazda dealer for its 15,000-mile tuneup, which entailed an oil change, a full inspection, a new air filter, and service of the fuel injectors and throttle body.

Cost for the MX-5's second service stop was $238.54. To add some salt to that wound, the dealer replaced our faulty key fob for a profuse $174.02, although the Mazda's rattling convertible latch and loose shifter, both of whichsurfaced around 16,000 miles, were repaired under warranty.

Seemingly brand new, the MX-5 continues to dazzle staffers. Copy chief Manfredi gleams, "This little guy is a hoot whether you're winding through hills, buzzing along the freeway, or evading the cloggers in city traffic." As an MT staffer for 25 years, she should know. She also knows that she loves the Miata's "right-now handling, the rev pitch during gear changes, and the guitar-friendlystorage binnacle aft of the seatbacks."