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Comments
I've noticed that prices for older model Miata's have dropped drastically over the past year. It seems like for under $3000, I can own a very nice 1991 model Miata.
Does anyone own an older model Miata? Any problems? Mazda has always had a reputation of being very reliable automobiles, but buying a 10 year old car sort of scares me. But for a car to fart around in, it may not be that bad.
Any thoughts?
Eddie
Not much to worry about on the older Miatas (most early defects have probably been fixed by now anyway) but as you say, a ten year old car needs a good looking-over. And like any car, after 150K miles or so, the thing's pretty worn out. So I'd stay with 100K miles or under if you can.
Anyway......Thanks for all the help you guys gave me. Y'all really know your stuff.
I agree with Shifty on the $3k Miata. I found that even $5-6k samples aren't in the best shape. If you can spend $8k or so, you can find a low mileage Miata with all the servicing current.
What's $8k when the average transaction price for a new car is $24,800? (source: NADA)
-juice
I'm gonna try and run out to take a look at the car. $4500 for a car with 45K miles sounds pretty good.
Even if I pick it up, drive it around for 2 years, I can still sell it for $2-3 grand. That's not a bad trade-off for a few years of fun driving...
The weather's getting nicer and I'd love to cruise around in a convertible. Sweet...
Eddie
Chuck
Bad news though - I was hit today by a careless Saab driver. He changed lanes right into me, "CRUNCH". It was an awful sound. Noone was hurt, but Blanca suffered a damanged passenger side quarter panel and door.
Interestingly, the brand-new Saab 9-3 suffered far more damage. His bumper fell off completely, wires hanging all over the place, and some lights broke. I think he had hood and quarter panel damage to.
So I'm off to call his insurance and collect, then to the body shop. Bummer.
At least noone was hurt, and the Miata held up like a champ. No frame or suspension damage, and he hit me hard.
-juice
But honestly, it does seem that prices for the Miata's have gone down dramatically. I think with the inception of the new model, the older ones have depreciated alot.
Crashton6 could be right also. Selling a convertible in January must be like selling a snowmobile in June. Ha, ha. But I'll tell you, I have visions of driving around in a convertible soon. The weather's turning nice and it would kick [non-permissible content removed] to hit the road with a 360 degree view.
Eddie
I see Miata's all the time around Toronto in the winter, and I myself drove a 5.0 mustang without any problems.
I'll be buying my Miata with no concerns about the winter.
anyway, i though i'd throw this tidbit out.
ace
Talking to some other local Miata enthusiasts, most of them don't bother with the loading up the trunk trick stating that it throws out the handling balance.
I have a Forester, which IMO makes the perfect counterpart to the Miata.
Though snow tires are cheaper! :-)
-juice
My friend likes his Blizzak tires but they are very squirelly for the first few hundred miles especially on bare pavement.
Remember - you can use the floor mats as traction aides. Sand is great. Don't forget duct tape!
-juice
Chuck
I prefer the harness style set up where the car's seatbelt goes through the harness With the other style you have to hook onto the car's seatbelt, which is harder to do (especially with one hand) and provides too much play.
Have fun:)
I got a good look at both the Midnight Blue and Crystal Blue colors at an auto show last month. IMHO, the Midnight was GORGEOUS ... MUCH snappier than on the website. I plan to get my first Miata by the end of the year, and seeing this made my add it to my list (along with the Emerald). They both look great with the tan leather top & interior. They'd have most of the advantages (and, unfortunately, disadvantages) of a black car, while being a little more eye-catching.
However, the Crystal Blue is not for me. It's definitely not teal, just kind of an odd steel blue. It is similar to the blue of the 'James Bond' BMW Z3, but it's kind of flat ... not really blue or grey enough. It didn't help that the model I saw had tan leather. It would probably look better with black top/interior. I haven't seen the '96 color, so I'm no help there.
Just my $.02 ...
ace
Definitely try unlatching the header first - it gives you slack and the zipper may go.
-juice
THANKS
"• Finally, Hyundai takes a stab at pleasing both boomers and their young counterparts (X, Y, and mayb even Z generations) with the "affordable exotic" HCD6 roadster concept. The mid-engine two-seater is powered by a 2.7 liter dohc V6, visible via a see-through engine cover."
Does anyone know anything about this? I've never been a fan of Hyundai automobiles, but no one can say that they don't offer vehicles at very attractive prices.
There's a photo of the roadster in the mag, and I gotta say, it looks pretty sweet.
I've always wanted a convertible, but the impracticality of paying so much money for it made me reconsider. But if Hyundai can offer a comparable roadster with a V6 in the lower $10K's range ... things may change drastically.
Any ideas?
Eddie
The HCD6 looks interesting, but Hyundai always comes out with radical concepts, and then the production version is severely watered down.
The HCD1 was an awesome, aggressive roadster. We got the Scoupe!
Check out the Edmunds coverage of the Chicago Show for details if you're interested. They claim 215hp from the same 2.7l V6 in the Santa Fe. Just keep in mind the production version of the SF makes only 181hp and the vehicle is so heavy that it's being outrun by underpowered CR-Vs and RAV4s in acceleration tests.
-juice
Ofcourse I unlatch the top from the front before attempting to unzip the window. It is still stuck! I tried waxing the zipper and even WD-40, but no go! I guess I will have to replace the rear window with a glass one, as you guys suggest. Here in Central Calif. it is still very very cold and I will not be ready to drop the top any time soon. :-(
But what will happen if I lower the top without unzipping the rear window? The Owner's Manual says never to do that! If by doing that I will ruin the rear plastic window may as well do it, if it is going to be replaced with a glass one anyway!?
8 years on the original top and window ain't bad.
You don't have to unzip, and that only damages the window you're likely to replace anyway. You may want to get one of those padded bars people use and put it in the middle of the plastic to help it fold.
Aftermarket shops sell them, but you could make your own I suppose (broom stick + pipe insulation, maybe?).
-juice
Chuck
-juice
If you remove the oil pan, you can clean off the sludge at the bottom.
At least try to drain your oil when it's really hot, so it's thinner and drains more completely.
-juice
Just to let you know, unfortunately I have to sell my '92. Not happy, but it needs a good home. If you're interested, drop me an email and I'll give you the details.
Take care.
Joe W.