twice in the last 3 days I've taken a short trip just fine, then try to start the car again and it won't start. Starter is working fine but it just won't catch. car is a 1.7 with djet.

Vapor lock? seems unlikely, temps have been 75-80, and the car wasn't fully warmed up before stopping.

both times I eventually got it re-started by waiting a while and then running the starter for 30+ seconds (maybe 60+ who knows, it feels like forever). I smell gas when doing this. I expect that's unspent fuel coming out of the tailpipe which would suggest adequate fuel delivery.

the starter is chugging away, so we should have compression.

uh, I'm going to guess that I've got oxygen.

so that leaves spark, which was working for the initial start and short trip and works once I get it going it.

I ran it for a solid hour after this last no-start to see if anything showed up and it was running well. Occasionally idling high, but... djet. So motor seems strong (for a 1.7) and no other symptoms.

Once I got it started again, it choked for a min or 2 then settled in, I'm guessing that was it being flooded and recovering. but clearly I don't know something here.

I'm planning to let it cool down then check the plugs to see if they look fouled. I ran a search and didn't see anything that looked like intermittent starting problems.

Anyone seen something like this or have other suggestions? FPR? fuel pump going bad? I keep discounting these types of issues since it runs fine once started.