SHOWROOM

Mazda’s signature success story turns a new chapter this month with the arrival of the 2000 Miata Special Edition. This version of the roadster mates the traditional 1.8-liter, 140-horsepower inline-4 engine to a close-ratio, six-speed manual transmission. Only 3,000 of these U.S.-only vehicles will hit showrooms. That works out, on average, to about four per dealership nationwide--with a sticker price of $25,055. That buys appearance and comfort features including Mahogany Mica paint, parchment convertible top, leather-trimmed seats, white gauge faces and polished 15-inch alloy wheels.