Yesterday I parted ways with my (formerly Al’s) 1993 Mazda Miata. It was my second Miata, and it directly lead to my third, Ace.

There really is something special about these little roadsters, something that always manages to make you smile. They don’t seem to take themselves too seriously, and that helps you loosen up as well when behind the wheel.

I bought this Miata off of Al this past spring. Al wanted something new, and I had just landed a new job with a nice pay bump, so I figured a Miata would be fun for the spring.

This thing was fun, so much fun that it made me decide I wanted a Miata in my life for the long haul. I looked around, and found Ace, my 2014 Miata Club Edition. Things got off to a rocky start with Ace, having an accident just 4 days after I bought it. But the repairs have been made now, so it was time to let my ’93 Miata go.

I can only hope this Miata inspires its new owner as much as it inspired Al and I.

-Nick Walker