Now I am sure there are a small  number of folks who have had more than
one Miata and maybe an even smaller number that have more than one of
these thoroughbreds in their stable right now. But I would hazard a guess
that we are the only couple with two 1997 Montego Blue Miatas.  And, let
me assure you, we¹re not rich.  Of course this has come more by chance
than by brilliant planning. And it will only last for three weeks. It has
all to do with leasing and the buyout price from a lease. A year ago we
set out to accomplish two things: 1) To get a one year rolling 50th
birthday celebration for my wife Susan who had an MGA in an earlier part
of her life and 2) To experiment on how well a two seat car will function
in a family with one child remaining at home. There were some great
promotional 1997 leases and we signed up. Couldn¹t really lose at the rate
being offered.

The year ends. We discover 1) that Susan is feeling younger and happier
than ever.  The Miata will go Œwhen I pry it our of her cold, dead hands¹.
2) We also never had a problem with the two seat aspect since the Miata is
a second car for us. With a little planning everything has been covered.
Not a single emergency has required the illegal carrying of a third
occupant. (As if there would be room for that in a Miata anyway!) So we
know the buyout/residual price. We drive by the dealer to make the
arrangements to pay it off in a few weeks. We are shocked to discover,
sitting on the lot in full light of day, three brand new 1997 Miatas for
only a few hundred dollars more than the buyout price of our now one year
old Miata. My wife simply wants a Miata and it must be Montego Blue, other
than that deal away she says. I let my fingers and the internet do the
walking for me. Within a day or two I have located two new 1997 Montego
Blue Miatas at a really great price. I send a note back to Mazda leasing,
do they want to lower the buyout price? (A good deal for them and for me
since it would save me some trouble.) No response from them.
We buy the new 1997. It is several hundred dollars more than the buyout
price of our old car. Sounds good for a new VS used car? Its better  than
that.  The new car includes many options that our original basic car
lacked. We picked up the Popular Equipment Package where we only had the
basic version. This includes, alloy wheels, electric windows,  electric
mirrors, headrest speakers, leather covered steering wheel, cruise
control, something improved in the suspension and the limited slip
differential (LSD). The new car is a wonder. It actually drives better,
the LSD is much more effective than I ever expected.  Susan is happy, I¹m
happy and now for the first time, at least for the next three weeks,  I
get to drive a Miata  whenever I want.

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