Any MX-5 specialist recommendations?

The MkI is an incredibly simple little car - any local mechanic should be able to work on it. You certainly don't need to take it to a specialist.

Hey Pat, Good to see you back online. Perhaps your friend might try asking for recomendations in the Mass Miata club forums...

I didn't know about that forum. I will forward your emails and let him decide. Is it still a preference around here to not use a dealership after your car's warranty has expired? Based on my experience, you get a hit or miss. Virtually any mechanic in the shop might work on your car and that could be gold or disaster!

forums...

I would not go to a dealer. Have never known a dealer with a good reputation. Finding a quality mechanic that knows the quirks of a particular car like the Miata is definitely preferable to just any mechanic that would most certainly overlook the obvious (ie spark plug wires in the Miata, properly adjusting the e-brake, etc). Have had my brakes done multiple tomes only to find the parking break not working... so now I do the brakes myself. For what it is worth I found my mechanic via

ps.