Thanks for your responses, so far. I'm thinking about replacing mine in
the next few months, not because it seems to be acting differently.
Cranked over, all winter long, even when sitting up to a week and 1/2,
and never really ever slower. Like I said always has been a tad slower
than my other two. Once when having lunch with an old co-worker friend,
when I went to crank it on, getting ready to leave, he asked me if I
ever had the battery tested`. I told him that that was the way this car
always cranks over. Seems normal to me, for that car. Just maybe the
type of starter Mazda uses. Not really noticebly slow, just a tad slower
(Hope that makes sense :-) )). Anyway, I'm considering getting one
anyway, since they are so difficult to find, not in your everyday Sears,
Kragens or Grand Auto, I don't want to find myself one day with a
totally dead battery, and then having a difficult time getting one. Our
Auto Zone Stores carry a Durolast, but even though they all seems to
list them, they never ( At least the one near me), never has one,
telling me the nearest one that does, often times 14-30 mi. away; an
inconvenience for sure.
If the Auto Zone a mi. from me happens to actually have one the next
time I check, I'll probably scoot over with my tools, and like Larry the
Cable guy says, Just, "Get er done,">>lol.

Same thing for me, 1999 model, 63K miles, driven daily, and this winter for
the first time was a little sluggish cranking when left outside on cold
nights.  I'll probably replace the battery in the fall.

turns out that i don't have the original battery in my '95 triple black...
i discovered that the dealer had a record of the battery being replaced in
12/02.  that battery says mazda on it so it is a factory replacement.
anyone know a way for me to tell if it is a glass matt or the lead/acid type
that i hear mazda is using as replacements these days...  if it isn't the
glass matt type then i probably will have to replace it in a year.  thanks.

Perhaps I should introduce myself to the group. We bought an 03 LS about 2
weeks ago. 2nd Mazda, 1st Miata. Have absolutely fallen in love with the
machine. The amazing thing is that my wife has as well!

I have wondered about the battery as well. Mine starts after turning over
what seems like about 4 or 5 times each time. I am used to my other cars and
bike starting on the 1st or 2nd revolution. It always catches me by surprise
that the Miata has to grind away for a second longer. She only has 17k miles
and I am not sure yet where it stands on maintenance. Could it simply be in
need of new plugs or wires, or could it be that the battery is not strong
enough?

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

TW