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Comments
-juice
-juice
I don't know whether the hardtop is less hostile, but it's worth a check.
If you do drive over the winter with the folding top up, I recommend padding the steel mechanism near your head. I used foam plastic water pipe insulation held on with nylon wire ties.
Well, life took a U-turn and I'm now a proud owner of a beautiful mica blue 1992 Miata with 63K miles. I just picked it up yesterday.
Anyway, 2 weeks ago, I parked my 3000GT in front of my house and went in for the evening. When I came out the following morning, it was gone... GONE!!!
While it really sucks to have a car stolen and not having theft coverage, I guess I should count my blessings. Hell, it's only money ... at least no one was hurt.
So I found a late model Miata with decently low mileage. It came with hard top and some other goodies. Yesterday, I spent most of the day making sure everything was in proper order ... fluid levels, gear oil, air pressure, etc.
Today I finally had a chance to take it out for a LONG spin. Man, it's hot. Comparisons with the 3000GT withstanding, the Miata kicks major [non-permissible content removed] in it's own way.
Though, I gotta tell you, it really makes it hard to be macho ... especially when Hyundai's look HUGE. Driving at tire level of the 18-wheelers is abit scary also.
I found a very good site for Miata stuff:
http://www.mmmiata.com/tops01.html
I'm just disappointed that the north east is bracing for a monster snow storm. I wanna go cruising.
Eddie
Eddie: sorry about your 3000GT. Maybe the cops will find it? Hopefully without too much damage, too.
The Miata is surprisingly safe. Death rates are average, better than bigger and heavier Corvettes, for example.
-juice
Now how do I take it off? I see 4 latches on it, but dis-engaging the latches doesn't take the top off.
Are there screws or something that need to be taken out?
Thanx...
Eddie
i could never get the thing to come off if i tried just push the whole thing rewards.
oh yeah, don't forget to unplug the defroster plug on the inside rear deck on the driver's side.
hope this helps.
ace
re post 1061. 17000 seems pretty typical for 1999 Miatas. I couldn't find one with low miles in the Portland, OR area for less than 16,000 (even after negotiation). It seemed worth it to me to pay the extra 3 grand for the new model with the new equipment. I hope you find a nice miata!
your posts and have enjoyed reading them.
It's nice to find a bunch of people who enjoy there car's. No complaints, or bashing of other
brands.
You are all right, Driving a fun spirited sports car is a blast. I have had 3 vettes and have enjoyed the car to the max. Sports cars are not like any other they have a specific use FUN FUN
FUN. They may not be good highway crusers for long trips. I know that with the top down on any
car big or small a long trip on the interstate is
going to make you feel that you have driven accross country. But if you get off the interstate and hit some backroads you will have a
blast.
On buying a used car a Miata or any other use good judgement, don't let emotions get in the way
and you will find what your looking for. If you
are looking at a dealer just make sure he is one
that you trust. Check BBB and friends that has
had dealings with him. I will continue to read
this posting as it is enjoyable, and informative
I wish you all good luck and Fun in your ownership of this fine auto.
b
Since many of you have had your cars for quite some time I thought I should ask the experts.
Thanks for any help with this.
for the most information on the Miata anywhere. Good luck with the new car, when are you going to start autocrossing it???
Congrats to Vida27 on picking up a brand new Miata. I wish, I wish. But I've been cruising around in my newly acquired 92 Miata, and damn, it's alot of fun. I gotta remember to bring a cap with me ... the sun can cause some serious headaches with constant exposure.
The weekend was beautiful. I spent more time in the Miata than on the motorcycle. That says alot. The motorcycle was the ultimate 'fun' vehicle. I think the Miata is closing in.... just as much fun without the serious danger of killing oneself.
I've never known a vehicle (besides Harley Davidson) to draw such communal enthusiasm from it's owners. Do any of you guys belong to Miata clubs? Are they worth joining? I'm just picturing myself cruising along topless through the Bear Mountain valley in NYS. I'm dying!
This car has made the theft of my 3000GT alot easier to take. 29.5 mpg on regular unleaded vs. 15 mpg on premium is some serious cash saved.
Best to all.
Eddie
In any case, a co-worker found out that I picked up a nice used Miata. His first words were, "Man, why didn't you tell me? I'm trying to sell mine."
Anyway, he's looking to sell his wife's 1994 Miata ... it only has 16,000 miles on it. He's looking for $8000.
I figured that if anyone was interested, you can give him a shout:
1-800 366-6789 ask for Walter Skon
Tell him Eddie sent you. It sounds like a really nice deal.
Eddie
-juice
PS Maybe I could have a matching pair? ;-)
(I plan to also get 4 snows for the Ct. winters )
Also, I had written a few months ago as to whether my dog, Rags ( 32#, about a foot wide by 2 1/2 feet long ) would be able to squeeze in-between the seats, on top of the console...any further options out there?
Finally, do you think a dealer will move more on the price in March vs April?
Thanks for your replies !
Ron Shaw
I'm not sure what tires it wears, but you'll probably get better prices from TireRack vs. your dealer.
-juice
Ron Shaw
now as for aftermarket tires, i am enjoying very good performance from my pirelli p7000 205/40/17's. they are great in dry weather and pretty good in wet. no comparison to the bridgestone 15'ers it came with. most people in miata circles will steer you toward dunlop. i have had no experience with that brand. another good place to check out for rims or tires or both is a place in georgia by the name of treadepot. they have a website. i used them for my current set and they beat everyone else, pricewise. just a little slow with the shipping.
good luck,
ace
Toyo T1-S tires (if interested, 2nd hyperlink from left on this website)! Tirerack doesn't offer them.
http://www.toyo.com/racing/miata/chart.html
Dynamically, though, it's no contest. The Miata is light and tossable, and you can control the tail with the throttle. In autocross, the Honda couldn't keep up with it. It's also a full-fledged convertible.
I don't have a hard top so I can't comment, but I'd driven a few Del Sols and I now own a Miata. I wouldn't trade even if the Honda came with Jessica Alba in the passenger seat.
Well, maybe, if I wasn't married...
-juice
Since the Miata is a softtop, it feels more far more open than the Del Sol which still has C-pillars to block your blind spot. The feeling of wide open space around you in a Miata cannot be approximated by a targa hardtop DelSol. Of course, a hardtop is easier to take care of, as soft tops tend to wear after years of use and can become damaged or vandalised more easily. Zealous idiots can slash a softtop and get into your car easily.
Dynamically, the Miata is a rear wheel drive car and that means if you happen to drive the car at the limits, you can do some tail out sliding. Even if you don't, the Miata feels livelier and more tossable. The Miata steering is more direct and the gearshift is among the best in the industry.
The Del Sel DOHC 160HP version will be faster than any stock Miata but that's it's only advantage in my mind. I'd be more likely to buy a Del Sol if I needed ONE car for all seasons....but the Miata is a real sports car whereas I consider the Del Sol as more of a topless street crusier
plus, once you get the miata, like some many other people, you may realize that the hardtop can be more work than it's worth. just wait until you have a sunny march day, like today, and you have the hardtop on. you'll wish it was easier to remove and store.
just my thoughts.
ace
I'm going this afternoon to drive a Miata and want to sound half way intelligent.
Geeze..it should not be so hard to buy a car!
Thanks for any help.
-juice
Would somebody be so kind as to give approx cost of 60k mile service, and for just timing belt replacement. 2 of the best sounding cars just passed 60k and these weren't done. Thank for very much!
On that subject, does anyone know if the Mazda engine is the non interference type. If the belt goes, does it take the valves and engine with it? Honda is, Toyota isn't, Mazda I dunno.
Thank you, appreciate it. Mark
('69 ) that had a back seat of sorts where my dog - obviously not the same one - used to ride (in fact, I had a roll bar in that car so that took up a bit of the kid-sized back seat)...now its just a matter of convincing myself that I (and my dog) don't really need "all" that space...anyone else have experiences with dogs putting up with the "space" between the seats?
now for a reality check...
(1) timing belt kit is $79.95, plus comsumables. total say, $90. that leaves $210 for labor. 3+ hours to do a belt change. i hope not. not if they've ever done one before.
(2) oil filter is $4.50 plus four qts of oil @ $1/qt. maybe .25 hours of labor, being generous here.
(3) air filter is $13.95. labor is three seconds. i'll add .1 hours.
(4) plugs, four at $2/each. again .1 hours of labor.
(schedule doesn't call for new plug wires, but i'd get 'em done. $29.95 for ngk blues.)
(5) fuel filter is a biggie @ $29.95. i've never done one, but my mazda shop manual makes it look like a .2 hour job. the car is already on the lift. remove a shield and bracket, disconnect old filter, insert new.
(6) fluids. let's assume the tech can work on both of these concurrently, and do other stuff while they are draining. the tranny takes 2.1 qts (call it 2qts) of fluid @ $7.95 for the good stuff and the diff takes 1.06 qts (call it an even one) @ again $7.95. the removal of the the bolts and the reinstallation of the bolts should take maybe .25 hours.
(7) four wheel alignment??? probably doesn't include it. it's not a bad idea to do it at this point unles you've got some suspension work coming due. i'm not going to include it in my price, though.
(8) wiper blade inserts are $9.95 plus .1 hours to install.
(9) i'll give the tech an extra hour to fiddle with the car, take a restroom break, and eat a candy bar. (actually they'd overgrease the door pivots, inspect the hoses, inspect the brakes, lines and tires, and inspect suspension bits and pieces.
so what's my total. i come up with $184.20 for parts. labor is a guess, let's say $65/hour. i have 2.0 hours excluding the belt job. total $130. shop fees, enviro fees, rags, candy bar. say $30. subtotal is $344.20. now for that $210 labor charge. added it would be $554.20, or $124.80 less that the "one price" the dealer quoted. remeber i added wiper blades and got crazy generous on the labor (5 plus hours).
my opinion, and i'm no expert... buy the parts from a discounted source, and find yourself a good reliable shop that works on miatas regularly and pay the hourly labor rate. bring your miata in to the dealer annually for one of its regular oil changes. this will give you/them the opportunity to catch up on any service bulletins or recalls.
good luck.
ace
However, I'm very concerned about the #4 bearing problem. I didn't get a chance to look at the VIN #s on the cars, but am worried that they may fall in range. How bad is the bearing problem, and does it affect all miatas in the VIN range? If the cars do fall in range, what should I do? Avoid them altogether, or have them checked out? I really don't want to have to face a possible engine failure.
Several weeks (or months) ago, we spoke on the Fiat Redux board. Since then, I've seen numerous Fiat Spiders, MG Midgets, MGBs, even a Triumph TR7. Boy, $2-3000 just doesn't buy much these days. So, now I've regrouped and decided to open up my mind (and my wallet), and am now considering an early Miata. I went to see a white '92 today. 46000 miles, with air. The car looked very clean - garaged kept, now dents or scratches, nothing wrong with the interior that ArmorAll wouldn't take care of. Now for the price. The owner is asking $6500. This seems high, but these cars seem to move fast at whatever the price. Is $6500 a fair price for this car? What do you think? What about the same money in an MG or Triumph (as I said, $2-3000 for a Triumph or MG doesn't buy much). Thanks.
I used to do a similar thing, and have been through it. This car will be a bad choice. You will be able to get away with a computer and a couple of smaller accesseries in the trunk and a monitor on the passanger seat without the box, but it will quickly become a pain, and if you need to haul more then that you'll be out of luck. You will not fair much better with any sports car, but at least with a 2+2 you have a back seat of a sort to work with. You may find you need to sacrifice performance for a spacious hatch back like a focus ZX3 (just an example) which would be more convenient.
Otherwise you may want to consider an older van, wagon or hatchback type thing for work and get a slightly older 94/95 miata as you're pleasure car.
Some folks here are die-hards and use them year round, but I'm glad to have my trusty Subaru when the cold weather comes around.
-juice ('98 Forester, '93 Miata)
If I were to choose the Base model, would it be advisable to get one of the Appearance Packages, $450, or $800, the Torsen Limited Slip Differential, $395, or the Suspension Package, $1025?
If I were to choose the LS model, would it be advisable to get one of the Appearance Packages, $800 or $450?
I wish Mazda offered the ABS System on the Base model. I think safety features should be offered on all models of a car. Thanks for any advice.
Finally, with the $1000 dealer incentive Mazda is giving, does anyone know what a reasonable price should be? Thanks. I'm just trying to get a bit of advice from someone who has been down this path before me.
Apparently Mazda has confessed that the 2001 Miata produces 142 horsepower (only 2 up more than the previous version), not the 155 advertised. The error came to light in a supplemental testing program of U.S.-specification models.
Mazda is offering to provide all 2001 owners with free factory-scheduled maintenance for the length of the Miata's warranty and a $500 Master Card debit card to spend as they choose. The program also includes a repurchase option.
Back when Motor Trend tested the Miata in the February 2001 issue, they said the new horsepower rating didn't show up at the track, and acceleration times were quite average for the many 1999-and-later 140-hp Miata they'd tested before.
Now that $500 could easily get you a nitrous system, which would give you far more than the measly 8% gain touted by the factory -- go to it, guys!
One thing's for sure -- they'll be finding a way to get that extra 15 hp and then some on the next car -- so it all works out in the end, except for those who bought their 2001s in good faith.
But she may be quite different.
Appearance package? Cosmetic. I'd save my money for mods.
Torsen LSD? Will you autocross it? Then yes.
Suspension package? Careful, the ride is a bit stiff to begin with. I'd pass unless you really drive very aggressively.
Mine does not have ABS, but the brakes are easily modulated, and you have 4 wheel discs for fade resistance. I don't think that alone is a make-or-break it.
But the LS also makes the 6 speed available, and I probably would want that for the taller 6th speed when cruising.
Ask to test drive a couple of them. One stripped, then one loaded.
-juice
I don't really want to beat on Mazda, as most US companies don't make powerful, little engines, but heck why don't they just copy the engine in the Celica GTS, Integra-R, or Subaru WRX?
I'm sure the Miata is a fun car; it's just that it could be so much better.