So the Ibuki hints at what will replace the Miata?
Have you folks seen the Ibuki? It's more toy-like than any roadster I've ever seen, way too cutesy to be taken seriously as a sports car. This is bad news.
I thought the Ibuki would be a smaller vehicle well below the Miata in the Mazda lineup. Both will be at Tokyo.
PR Lady from Edmunds.com put me in touch with them. They did a telephone interview and then came to our house to photograph us, it was really cool.
I'm in the print copy, in the Cars section, Page 4. Our photo is bigger in the print edition, and my quote is highlighted, too.
Unfortunately, it's the story of why we dumped our old 626, which was piling up repair bills, and basically when you know it's time to trade up to a new car.
Ironically, my Miata is 2 years older than the 626 and has been far more reliable even years after we sold the 626.
Check out the print edition if you get a chance, we look better there, what's left of my graying hair! ;-)
I am thinking of getting rid of my 2002 Wrangler for a cheap car that I can use on my 1 mile commute to the commuter train station each day. I have thought about an older miata, b/c it would still be fun and get good mileage. I found one for a decent price with a hard top near me but i wonder how it would do in the snow / ice. I have a very steep driveway as well. Would a miata w/ very good snows be able to handle a slick, relatively steep driveway?
I'm sure it would accomplish that task just fine. Climbing up a hill, weight shifts to the rear axle anyway.
Look for a model equipped with the optional limited-slip differential. If you're not sure, you can call Mazda's 800 number with the VIN, they can tell you if it's equipped with one.
In the snow, my concern is limited protection from being hit by other, bigger vehicles. For a one mile commute, though, you should manage to avoid them.
My fiancee has an explorer so I'd take that if I needed to go out in the snow. I'm more concerned w/ getting up the driveway. It is probably a 45 degree angle or so and 20 feet long.
I'm sure it's not a 45 degree angle, but I do get the notion it's steep.
If the Wrangler can make it up the driveway in 2WD then the Miata will have no trouble with very good winter tires. If sometimes it takes 4WD... the Miata might not make it without a running start.
Yeah prob not a 45 degree angle but you get the point. It is on a main street also so you can see my concern. The wrangler can do it but it has all seasons and the big tires are like hydroplanes sometimes.
Mazda USA's website now has information on the 2004 Miata, including brochures that you can download. No significant changes (no surprise). On the outside there's a new color, Black Cherry Mica. Inside, the center stack (including the radio, HVAC panel and shift surround) is silver instead of black. The accessories brochure shows a steering wheel that's silver and black.
Something funny happened to me the other day - my CD player was messing up, and eventually spit out the CD. Turns out there was light condensation on the surface of the CD, even though it had been inside the player. Bizarre.
Don't count on a translation of other countries car pricing to indicate what we will pay here. We usually pay substantially less for cars than anyone else.
For example a 350z starts at close to 30,000 dollars. In the UK the 350z goes for 24,000 pounds, which when translated equals over 40,000 dollars. Now kit levels may be different, but usually that doesn't make up for the difference. We are very lucky usually.
I can't imagine Mazda would try to charge over 30k for this car. I'll bet it will be something more like 27k, just above a top spec NA Miata. Close, but that price would put a bit more of a buffer between it and the S2000.
Well finally something has broken on our '92 Miata. We bought the Black and Tan about 3 years ago. It has been great experience. Well, a year ago the zipper broke on the plastic rear window. (It still has the original top.) So my wife and I just took to throwing the top back whenever we felt like it. No more unzipping the rear window, and carefully folding it away to avoid scratches and creases. Just pop the top and go. Well, yesterday I discovered a 3 inch tear when the where the top creases. So how do you fix it? Clear box tape.....LOL. How many cars can you fix with tape and not have it look out of place?
Time to start shopping for one of the Robbins Tops with a glass rear view window. Oh well, I guess every now and then, you got to spend some money on these things.
My top has seen better days. Let me know where you find the best deal.
You feel up to installing it yourself?
Also, I got new tires - Falken ZE512s, the top rated ones from that CR report. I'd thought about summer tires, but I've been sliding around all over the place and some times get caught in the rain by surprise.
So far these seem to track very straight, far more than the old tires (very worn Bridgestones).
Juice, I'll let you know what I find out about deals on a new top. Probably pay one of the shops here in town to put it on. From what I have read, installing the top is doable, but it sounds like a bear.
I need a new set of tires too....I was probably going to go with a set of Bridgestone RE950. I have them on my other car....and I'm happy with them.
When I had my Miata I put those same tires and a Robbins top on it. Loved em both!
The Bridgestone RE950s were a great all around tire. I was living in a place with a ton of rain and unless the puddle was really deep, I never felt like I was hydro-planing. The dry traction was pretty good too. Not excellent, but then again I think a Miata doesn't need massive grip. It's more fun when you can kick the rear end out a little without having to be ridiculously aggressive.
I got my Robbins top from Moss Motors I believe. They have specials all the time and I got mine during a sale. Most places were pretty close on price, but I knew they had great customer service from previous purchases so I bought it there. They shipped it out really quickly. I think they have a special gift deal right now. If you spend a certain amount of money you get to choose from a list of free stuff. Last I checked (still get their catalog even though I sold the Miata) it was actually a pretty good list.
I would find out what brand of top and how much they charge for the part before I went that route. Some of them out there are REALLY bad.
I was (am... lol) tight on money so I considered installing it myself. I have installed/repaired many different things on automobiles in my life so I am sure I could have done it. But after reading up on the process and everything, I decided that I would rather spend the money that deal with the headaches. The shop (really just one guy) took just one afternoon and did such an beautiful job that I have no regrets on the money I spent.
I stongly recommend finding a shop that will a install a top you provide, or at least one that provides a good brand name top. Especially if you don't have a garage to work in.
If replacing a top on a 1990-1997 model, you may want to consider replacing it with a top and frame from a 1999+ model. It is my understanding that the changeover takes 1-2 hours and is very straight-forward. This will give you a glass rear window, but it won't unzip. Pricing on a slightly used top from a wrecked car or one whose owner removed it to go spec racing should be comparable with an uninstalled new replacement with glass window for the 90-97 models.
A few of the posters on Miata.net have done the swap and all are happy with it.
If you guys remember, I was the one that replaced my top earlier this year. I replaced my black top with plastic window for a tan top with glass window. It was the first top I ever attempted and the outcome wasn't perfect, but I didn't do too bad. It took a weekend to install, but in all honesty it could have been completed in one day (I wasted a lot of time redoing stuff due to vague instructions). The only real problem I have is with the stupid B pillar clips that keep the flaps on the side of the top where the window sill meets the top from sticking out. I didn't install the clips properly so the flaps get pulled back by the frame of the car everytime I raise the top. No biggie though, I just push the flaps free and it looks fine. I could redo the clips in 30 minutes or so but haven't found the need. The vinyl is showing some signs of wear from the rubbing though. I did have a quality problem with the top (the top is slowly peeling away from the bottom of the glass window;no leaks though) and the dealer surprised me with how quickly they responded to my email and sent out a new top without requiring the old one to be returned. So now I'm just letting the bad top get to a point where I can't use it anymore and will then install the free new top
Even though replacing the top wasn't fun, I plan on doing it again. I saved at least $400 and only wasted about 12 hours of my time. The 2nd time will go a lot smoother since I know what I'm doing now.
About a year ago, my airbag warning indicator on my '91 Miata started blinking (9 blinks, followed by a pause) every once in a while. My dealer said it needed to be doing it at the time they check it in order to diagnose. Then, last winter, when I finally replaced the OEM battery (believe it or not, it lasted 11 years!) the blinking stopped. Just recently, it is doing it again, except this time 4 blinks followed by a pause. Anybody out there have any idea what's going on here? Thanks.
Mazda has a press release on their website about showcasing the MazdaSpeed Miata at the SEMA show. The release is dated Nov. 4, but I just saw it today (sorry).
No prices (no surprise). It'll produce 178 horsepower and be available in Velocity Red or Titanium Gray, two RX-8 colors. It "is set to go on sale in select North American markets in Spring 2004."
It tells what each # of blinks means (well, sort of). My 92's airbag light has been blinking 10 times for the past year and a half. I'd love to get it fixed but the blink code table isn't very specific and mine sounds expensive to repair. If you get yours fixed, let me know how much the dealer charged.
Thanks for the link. I used to get 9 blinks about a year ago. Then it stopped. Recently I started getting 4 blinks, until today when I now get 5 blinks. Last year when I called the dealer they said they couldn't diagnose it unless it was doing it at the time I brought it in. Seems strange to me.
I have no idea what the S or the D sensors are, but I suspect that the airbag will not deploy if necessary. What do you think?
From what I understand, if the airbag light is on, it means the system is deactivated and the airbag will not deploy. The S and D sensors are the actual sensors that detect a collision and tell the computer to inflate the airbag. There are two sensors in each front corner and a third sensor behind the middle of the dash (I think). However, I don't know which one is the S and which one the D. My car has consistently given 10 blinks everytime the car is started. I'm about to put black tape over the light since I'm tired of the annoying blinking.
Hearing you say Summit Point makes me think you are in the Washington, DC area. There is an excellent shop run by Miata enthusiasts called "Performance Buyer's Club" in Chantilly, VA (http://www.performancebuyers.com). They installed my Robbins Glass window top in my old '93 and did a great job!
Warning if you go there - they have lots and lots of Miata goodies and you might wind up buying more stuff!
Keith R. '93 Mariner Blue (deceased) '99 Classic Red (pickup this week)
My 92 Miata's idle has started acting up a little recently. It started out with the idle staying steady at a stoplight and then suddenly dropping down low but catching itself before stalling. This low idle also causes the engine to shake quite a bit. Now, I've noticed the idle spike upwards (to about 1100 rpms) by itself briefly and then go back to normal as if a ghost is lightly tugging on the gas. This morning while it was warming up, the engine raised its idle above normal and then dropped right back down to normal 3 times within a minute. This happened after the idle had decreased down to its normal range and I was standing outside the car. Has anyone else encountered this? Does anyone know if the idle is controlled by a step motor (like Mitsubishi uses) that might be on its way out or what exactly controls the idle? Maybe a simple intake manifold cleaning is in order?
$809 for a vinyl top with a glass window. Tempting...
I wonder if that includes a new rain rail. If so it's a good deal.
I think the idle is manually adjusted. When we advanced my timing, we had to adjust the idle speed. It's a phillips head screw towards the front of the engine, IIRC.
You will need to have a jumper between the ten and ground pins in the diagnostic connector box (similar to adjusting your timing) before trying to adjust the idle or the ECU will override anything that you adjust.
Go to Miata.net and check out the garage section. I found instructions there for the timing advance. They were better than the Chilton's manual, actually, and it's free.
The wacky idle is getting progressively worse. On the way home today it periodically cycled between 1200 and 300 rpms most of the way home in stop and go traffic. Part of the time the AC was off and part it was on. When the AC was on, it seemed to keep it from cycling real low (except when the compressor turned off) but the idle would still increase on its own periodically. The weirdest part is when the AC was off; it felt and sounded like the AC turned on with how quickly the idle ramped up. Could the auto idle adjustment for the AC be acting screwy?? I'm definitely stumped but I will check out Miata.net and see if the problem is mentioned there. I'm thinking it is most likely a sensor or something electrical acting up. My car has 144,300 miles. At least it hasn't gotten to the point of stalling or leaving me stranded, but I'm a little worried now.
You can get a Bosch single wire sensor for $18. I changed mine this weekend. Autozone will loan you the tool to remove the old one. Its an easy job, but I wouldn't have been able to do it without the loaner tool.
Thanks guys for the insight. I'm thinking the idle air control valve is the probable culprit, but I'll look into the oxygen sensor too. No check engine light so far. At least I've been pointed in the right direction
Well, now I'm getting the 10 blinks that you get. Very bizarre. Have you checked out what it would cost to fix this? It seems strange to me that the airbag would simply stop working.
When the blinks go to 10, it usually means the internal fuse in the main control module is blown. This is the way mine went, from 5 at first to 10 after a period of time. You still have the initial problem.
There are plenty of Miatas being turned into spec racers where the airbag parts are removed. These show up frequently on e-bay. I picked a control module up for around $20, but decided to just change out the steering wheel to a non airbag Momo.
Comments
Have you folks seen the Ibuki? It's more toy-like than any roadster I've ever seen, way too cutesy to be taken seriously as a sports car. This is bad news.
I thought the Ibuki would be a smaller vehicle well below the Miata in the Mazda lineup. Both will be at Tokyo.
-juice
PR Lady from Edmunds.com put me in touch with them. They did a telephone interview and then came to our house to photograph us, it was really cool.
I'm in the print copy, in the Cars section, Page 4. Our photo is bigger in the print edition, and my quote is highlighted, too.
Unfortunately, it's the story of why we dumped our old 626, which was piling up repair bills, and basically when you know it's time to trade up to a new car.
Ironically, my Miata is 2 years older than the 626 and has been far more reliable even years after we sold the 626.
Check out the print edition if you get a chance, we look better there, what's left of my graying hair! ;-)
-juice
I have a couple aftermarket mods - a power moonroof, and 15" alloys from an earlier Legacy turbo a friend owns.
My Forester is in the background, though you can hardly see it. The Miata was parked in the street out front.
-juice
Look for a model equipped with the optional limited-slip differential. If you're not sure, you can call Mazda's 800 number with the VIN, they can tell you if it's equipped with one.
In the snow, my concern is limited protection from being hit by other, bigger vehicles. For a one mile commute, though, you should manage to avoid them.
-juice
-juice
If the Wrangler can make it up the driveway in 2WD then the Miata will have no trouble with very good winter tires. If sometimes it takes 4WD... the Miata might not make it without a running start.
-Colin
Something funny happened to me the other day - my CD player was messing up, and eventually spit out the CD. Turns out there was light condensation on the surface of the CD, even though it had been inside the player. Bizarre.
I wiped it off and it worked fine. Go figure.
-juice
http://www.miata.net/news/editions.html#turbo
where they guessed "roughly US$30,000 to US$31,500 or thereabouts."
I did notice the 2004 Miata sports new wheels: 16-inchers with 5 split spokes, an improvement, IMHO.
For example a 350z starts at close to 30,000 dollars. In the UK the 350z goes for 24,000 pounds, which when translated equals over 40,000 dollars. Now kit levels may be different, but usually that doesn't make up for the difference. We are very lucky usually.
I can't imagine Mazda would try to charge over 30k for this car. I'll bet it will be something more like 27k, just above a top spec NA Miata. Close, but that price would put a bit more of a buffer between it and the S2000.
Lots and lots of Miatas on the track, as you'd imagine. Probably the 2nd most common vehicle after the Subaru WRX.
My fave was a white '94 with a full roll cage, actually must've looked a lot like my crystal white '93 before the Mods started.
It's fun even as a spectator, but I'd like to drive next time. :-)
-juice
Well finally something has broken on our '92 Miata. We bought the Black and Tan about 3 years ago. It has been great experience. Well, a year ago the zipper broke on the plastic rear window. (It still has the original top.) So my wife and I just took to throwing the top back whenever we felt like it. No more unzipping the rear window, and carefully folding it away to avoid scratches and creases. Just pop the top and go. Well, yesterday I discovered a 3 inch tear when the where the top creases. So how do you fix it? Clear box tape.....LOL. How many cars can you fix with tape and not have it look out of place?
Time to start shopping for one of the Robbins Tops with a glass rear view window. Oh well, I guess every now and then, you got to spend some money on these things.
Talk to y'all later.
You feel up to installing it yourself?
Also, I got new tires - Falken ZE512s, the top rated ones from that CR report. I'd thought about summer tires, but I've been sliding around all over the place and some times get caught in the rain by surprise.
So far these seem to track very straight, far more than the old tires (very worn Bridgestones).
-juice
I need a new set of tires too....I was probably going to go with a set of Bridgestone RE950. I have them on my other car....and I'm happy with them.
Even though there was tread left, the rubber was dry and hard. Proof that with age, a tire can deteriorate even before it wears out.
-juice
The Bridgestone RE950s were a great all around tire. I was living in a place with a ton of rain and unless the puddle was really deep, I never felt like I was hydro-planing. The dry traction was pretty good too. Not excellent, but then again I think a Miata doesn't need massive grip. It's more fun when you can kick the rear end out a little without having to be ridiculously aggressive.
I got my Robbins top from Moss Motors I believe. They have specials all the time and I got mine during a sale. Most places were pretty close on price, but I knew they had great customer service from previous purchases so I bought it there. They shipped it out really quickly. I think they have a special gift deal right now. If you spend a certain amount of money you get to choose from a list of free stuff. Last I checked (still get their catalog even though I sold the Miata) it was actually a pretty good list.
Did you install it yourself?
The upholstery shop I called sold their own tops, they would not install one if I brought it to them. I guess they want to use a familiar product.
-juice
I was (am... lol) tight on money so I considered installing it myself. I have installed/repaired many different things on automobiles in my life so I am sure I could have done it. But after reading up on the process and everything, I decided that I would rather spend the money that deal with the headaches. The shop (really just one guy) took just one afternoon and did such an beautiful job that I have no regrets on the money I spent.
I stongly recommend finding a shop that will a install a top you provide, or at least one that provides a good brand name top. Especially if you don't have a garage to work in.
I actually patched a very small tear in the top with some silicone caulk, of all things, and it's held up amazingly well.
The window has seen better days, and the whole thing is badly stained (it was tan at one point, I think), so I'd change it for a good price.
-juice
A few of the posters on Miata.net have done the swap and all are happy with it.
But if it's semi-new, yeah.
-juice
Even though replacing the top wasn't fun, I plan on doing it again. I saved at least $400 and only wasted about 12 hours of my time. The 2nd time will go a lot smoother since I know what I'm doing now.
-juice
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=- aboutPressArticle15
No prices (no surprise). It'll produce 178 horsepower and be available in Velocity Red or Titanium Gray, two RX-8 colors. It "is set to go on sale in select North American markets in Spring 2004."
http://www.miata.net/garage/airbag_blink.html
It tells what each # of blinks means (well, sort of). My 92's airbag light has been blinking 10 times for the past year and a half. I'd love to get it fixed but the blink code table isn't very specific and mine sounds expensive to repair. If you get yours fixed, let me know how much the dealer charged.
I have no idea what the S or the D sensors are, but I suspect that the airbag will not deploy if necessary. What do you think?
My car has consistently given 10 blinks everytime the car is started. I'm about to put black tape over the light since I'm tired of the annoying blinking.
Why paint the calipers silver? Aren't they basically already that color?
Still, sounds like a fun car. I didn't like the Ibuki much so I may consider one of these used down the road.
-juice
Warning if you go there - they have lots and lots of Miata goodies and you might wind up buying more stuff!
Keith R.
'93 Mariner Blue (deceased)
'99 Classic Red (pickup this week)
I'm gonna call them about a new top. I just got new tires, and it is the season of giving...
-juice
I wonder if that includes a new rain rail. If so it's a good deal.
I think the idle is manually adjusted. When we advanced my timing, we had to adjust the idle speed. It's a phillips head screw towards the front of the engine, IIRC.
-juice
-juice
coolant temp sensor
oxygen sensor
-Colin
If that's the original one, it's a miracle that it lasted 144k miles. I swapped mine out at 30k.
The one in our old 626 shorted out when grease spilled out of an axle boot that tore (long story). Anyhow, our only symptom was a Check Engine Light.
-juice
-juice
if there is no hesitation during part-throttle operation and the gas mileage is OK, it's probably not the oxygen sensor.
so yes-- if you described the whole situation before it is probably the idle air control valve. have fun!
-c
There are plenty of Miatas being turned into spec racers where the airbag parts are removed. These show up frequently on e-bay. I picked a control module up for around $20, but decided to just change out the steering wheel to a non airbag Momo.