1999 Mazda Miata Base Convertible 2-door 1.8l on 2040-cars

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Mazda recalls 1.37 million older vehicles for ignition switch short [UPDATE]

UPDATE: Mazda has confirmed to Autoblog that NHTSA's figures and list of effected models are accurate. Mazda is recalling 1,368,500 older vehicles in the US that date as far back as the late '80s because a potential short circuit in the ignition switch could cause a fire. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the models include: 1990-1995 323 1993-1998 626 1993-1995 929 1989-1998 MPV 1993-1997 MX-6 1992-1993 MX-3 1990-1998 Protege Mazda reports that over time the grease around the switch's contact points can carbonize and become conductive, which can eventually lead to a short circuit. In some cases this results in smoke, but it could also lead to a fire. According to company spokesperson Tamara Mlynarczyk to Autoblog, there're no accidents, injuries, or fires in the US. Once the vehicle is running, the potential fault also doesn't affect drivability. Documents from NHTSA (as a PDF), indicate there was a fire in one of these vehicles in Japan in 2002 that could have been linked to this issue. The recall should begin in December. In its announcement of the issue below, Mazda reports 1.2 million vehicles affected and includes the 1990-1996 323/Protege. Autoblog has reached out to the company to understand the discrepancy. Related Video: RECALL Subject : Ignition Switch may Overheat Report Receipt Date: OCT 19, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V674000 Component(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Potential Number of Units Affected: 1,368,500 All Products Associated with this Recall Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s) MAZDA 323 1990-1995 MAZDA 626 1993-1998 MAZDA 929 1993-1995 MAZDA MPV 1989-1998 MAZDA MX-6 1993-1997 MAZDA MX3 1992-1993 MAZDA PROTEGE 1990-1998 Details Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations SUMMARY: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat. CONSEQUENCE: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire. REMEDY: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 15, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.

Fiat 124 spied with top down

With fall officially here, the days are rapidly running out for much of the country to put the top down and enjoy a convertible. Fiat apparently wants to take advantage of the good weather while it lasts, given these fresh spy shots of the 124 Spider testing with the roof down. In terms of styling, these photos show the droptop with an extremely similar look to the ones from July. The roadster still appears to have rounded headlights and a wide grille up front, which the kidney-shaped cladding does nothing to hide. The hood bulge continues to be there, too, and so is the spiderweb-pattern camouflage. However, these new shots let us check out the roll hoops that are visible with the top out of the way, and we even get to see the manual roof in operation. Also, note there are now dual exhausts at the rear, rather than the quad tips from before. Underneath all this camo and cladding, we know that the 124 Spider shares underpinnings with the new Mazda MX-5 Miata. The engine remains a mystery, but competing rumors suggest the 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder from the current 500 Abarth or the 1.7-liter turbo four from the Alfa Romeo 4C. Thankfully, an answer might not be too far away because the roadster is mooted to debut this year, possibly at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. With the latest Miata receiving high praise from critics, the motoring world soon gets to find out whether Fiat can find any room for improvement. Related Video:

Volkswagen's latest ad is not subtle | Autoblog Podcast #509

On this week's podcast, Mike Austin and David Gluckman are joined by special guest James Riswick, who has been driving a lot of new cars lately. All of them are discussed, plus a few more from Mike and David, and Mike rants a bit about a new VW Atlas commercial. The episode wraps up with the traditional doling out of Spend My Money buying advice, during which David briefly goes out into left field. (He's back now, don't worry.) The rundown is below. Remember, if you have a car-related question you'd like us to answer or you want buying advice of your very own, send a message or a voice memo to podcast at autoblog dot com. (If you record audio of a question with your phone and get it to us, you could hear your very own voice on the podcast. Neat, right?) And if you have other questions or comments, please send those too. Autoblog Podcast #509 Topics and stories we mention GMC Sierra HD Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Mazda CX-5 Honda CR-V vs. Mazda CX-5 Mini Countryman Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Ford F-150 Raptor Lexus RC 200t VW Atlas "Luv Bug" commercial Used cars! Rundown Intro - 00:00 What we're driving - 02:43 Ad of the week - 41:40 Spend My Money - 49:14 Total Duration: 56:27 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Feedback Email – Podcast at Autoblog dot com Review the show on iTunes Marketing/Advertising Podcasts Ford GMC Honda Lexus Mazda MINI Volkswagen mazda cx-5 ford f-150 raptor gmc sierra hd volkswagen atlas mazda mx-5 rf lexus rc 200t