Spring is supposed to be a happy time. Not only does the snow melt – at least in my part of the world – but the warm temperatures and clear roads mean that enthusiasts start to bring their cars out of hibernation. One week ago I made a special trip to the top secret location where my Mazda Miata rode out the snowy months in blissful slumber, intent on breaking it out from under its car cover. I was understandably excited – after all, it had been three months since I had last driven the car. While I enjoy my BMW, I have become quite antsy with just a four-door sedan to drive, and I was definitely craving some nimble, top down action.

When I arrived at the storage facility, I was dismayed to see that the garage was not nearly as dry as I had been promised. In fact, the entire front slab of the garage was soaked through. Undaunted, I removed the car cover, installed the battery and began to remove the collection of mothballs that I had sprinkled throughout the trunk, passenger compartment and underhood area. I then put the key in the ignition and committed the act that has haunted me for the past 10 days – I put the clutch in, turned the ignition over, and then without thinking let the clutch out.

One of the things I enjoy most about the Miata is that it doesn’t have a roof. Well, it does have one, of sorts – it’s made of fabric and plastic – but it is almost never raised on my car, except when it has to be stored for an extended period.

The old cliché that the internet is full of scams is in some ways still accurate today. As in any situation where you are asked to part with your money, when shopping online you should always make sure that the person you are doing with – virtual or otherwise – is on the up and up.