Help!!!!

[Nicole]

... and you came here for advice? They don't come much stranger than this bunch, even the wimmenz are a bit "strange"

Hahaha.....seriously, I thank every single one of you that took the time to read and reply. I am truly grateful. I've learned (out of necessity - not by choice!) to handle about everything in my life by myself (woman's lib and all that lol) but I am so lost on cars. Well, cars, vacuum cleaners that stop working, dishwashers that stop working, dryers that stop working......)

Keep the opinions flowing if there's anyone with anything else to add. I'm going to print out this whole thread and start making calls. Still very interested in any and all referrals for who would be the closest and best expert mechanic to turn this thing over to for diagnosis. Money is BEYOND tight, but I am a firm believer that you get what you pay for, and I really thought I had already paid for an expensive local garage and then the Mazda dealer (you can't imagine the hourly rate). I'm not spending another penny on anyone that doesn't know exactly what they are talking about, even if they have to deliver me bad news. It's better to know, so that I can deal with it.

Thanks again guys!!!!!!!