For about 9K you could have an LS ahh, never mind LOL.

 

Let me 2nd that - I went 96K on a completely stock FD before replacing a still-strong motor when the primary turbo went bad. Decided at that point to go 99-spec and replaced the motor as well because Ray @ Malloy had a few new (not reman) motors available.

After lurking on this forum for many years I firmly believe many of you are fooling yourselves about mods. With the exception of the AST (mine never failed but I eliminated it when the motor was done) and doing a downpipe when the precat goes bad, leaving the car stock is the way to go if you want reliability. If you want more power you mod and roll the dice.

After 13+ years and 103K miles my FD has never left me stranded, never broke, failed to start, etc. 100% bullet-proof. Mazda engineered a pretty good car, and if like me you were lucky enough to drive a new one off the lot back in the day, I think many would agree the stock car (when everything was new and worked) was pretty damn good.

Leave it stock, replace/repair worn stuff w/ stock parts, make it as new as you can, and enjoy. -Randy