I'm starting to think even my car wants me to buy a new Miata.



Since the new year, it's been in the shop three times. First, the air bag control unit (the little blue box) needed to be replaced. Then, a problem with the clutch hydraulics meant my clutch was mostly-not-working.



But this morning, the car really scared me.



I followed my normal starting procedure - turning the car to on, waiting four seconds, then turning it to start and holding as needed. I held the key to start for some time, and the car just wasn't starting. It was turning over - that was quite strong - but just couldn't manage to start. I tried again, and it still wouldn't start. So I turned to the passenger sat to pick up the ECU control panel and saw something out of the corner of my eye... Smoke!



You know the romanticised smoking in old movies? Where there's that thin little line of barely curling smoke rising? Well, that's what I saw coming from the middle of my car, between the two seats. I turned the key back to lock and called JC Autospec immediately.



John told me to have the car towed in and gave me the number of the towing service. Dan's not in today and they're busy, so when I stopped by at lunch, they hadn't even had a chance to look at the car yet. I'm worried about what it might be.



Edit: I'm thinking a 2007 GT with the suspension package and "Premium Package #2" if I can talk them down on the premium package, in either Stormy Blue Mica or Highland Green. Sight unseen I prefer the Stormy Blue Mica, but that may change dramatically once I get to see the colors in person, rather than in pictures. Oh, and, depending, I may want the iPod connection. Don't ask what that depends on, I don't know yet.