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Mazda MX-5 Miata Owners - Meet the Members
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Acceleration or Handling?--How about getting BOTH.. YES!!..
1. remove latch from top (3 screws)
2. remove thumb lever from the assembly (clip ring, shaft. note orientation of spring first)
3. drill a small hole into the 'underside face' of the lever, up near the worn off edge
4. install a small screw into the hole part way, and then saw off the head so you are left with just a 1/8 inch protruding metal nub
5. reinstall (I put the spring inside the lever 1st, then held tight while I slid the shaft)
6. if the nub is too long, you can file it in place until the lever handle clears it
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I have a 2004 LS 6-speed. Love it and am planning to purchase an 06/07, once I get a sense of their reliability (all new models and such) - any inputs on the new models? :confuse:
-juice
Thanks Kyle :confuse: :mad:
Not too many mod-crazy Miata owners here on Edmunds. In fact I have yet to see a body kit I like.
Suspension options are plentiful, though. Jackson Racing makes a full catalog of parts for it, all bolt-on, and I believe they're even removeable if you sell the car later.
-juice
http://spaces.msn.com/members/repo4sale/
~Jon
You're lucky, here are some pics from my work:
http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=4289876491
#1 shows how I bled the system, I used a jar to keep air from flowing back up the system.
#2 shows the slave cylinder being rebuilt. It's basically a new rubber piston-shaped thing that goes inside the slave cylinder.
#3 shows the location where the slave cylinder mounts, basically remove the passenger front tire and look in the fender area.
#4 is the old slave clyinder, the rubber basically rotted out, it was so old. The fluid was very contaminated, very dark in color. After bleeding it, it's nearly yellow.
#5 shows the under hood location of the master cylinder and the reservoir. I used a turkey baster to remove fluid at first.
Tip: don't let your wife see that you took her turkey baster! :surprise:
-juice
Love this car and are licensing it as MGADA.
Looking forward to this community and some good weather. vicki
Sorry, auto recylcer.
vicki: welcome to the boards.
-juice
As great as it is for some things, it's horribly impractical for others. Having a backup car means I can drive in the snow, take my kids around, tow a trailer, and do all kind of stuff with my other vehicle.
When you can afford that, even 2 used vehicles, then go for it.
FWIW, I put about 6k miles on the Miata per year, and about 9k miles on my Forester. I have kids, but that ought to tell you how often I get rain/snow or just need the extra space. Usually I try to drive the Miata whenever I can, but it's still less than half of my total miles.
-juice
Thanks DonwillRTP
Definitely I would say for you the newer the better. It still won't be a good long-distance cruiser, but the 06 even has more legroom and width to add comfort.
-juice
I would not run winter tires year-round, you give up a lot of traction in the dry and even in the rain.
Try Falken Ziex 512s, I have those and they're a great all around tire for not much money. CR listed them as a Best Buy.
-juice
-juice
I might be looking for a car soon. I want something enjoyable to drive, always been a fan of light, simple sports cars. My dad built a Lotus 7 kit car quite a while ago and learnt the thrill and benefits of a lightweight car.
MX-5's are like a modern day example of a seven possibly more like an Elan but more reliable, practical and affordable. That is why I like them but I dont know if it would be practical for me. I am 24 years old, single but I live in ...Cleveland. I dont know if a MX-5 could handle the snow. I have driven in snow quite a bit in Columbus and here with front wheel drive vehicles mainly and once with a rear wheel drive pick up in some heavy snow, it seems it is all about technique and finesse.
I would probably have to get a hardtop for the winter, do they have defrosters, cause that would be essential.
Also, luggage/space capacity. I don't often take a lot of things with me. Can you get by as a single person with the hauling capacity it has?
I guess I just want to know if anyone here has an MX-5 as their only vehicle and if they do, can they survive in a cold place with the car?
Sure, you can put snow tires and get a model with a rear limited-slip diff, but you're still a sitting duck for gigantic SUVs with overconfident drivers behind the wheel to crush when they (often) misjudge safe travel speeds.
No way, no how. When there is even a dusting of snow, my Miata stays parked.
Why else? Lack of comfort, it's tight in there. It get very tiring on long distances.
Noise, too, and the 90-93 hard top is actually no more quiet than a soft top because it's not lined, so don't count on that to help, either.
I guess you could rent a car or truck if you needed more, but I'd only do that if I were in a region that rarely if ever got any snow at all.
Best of luck. Consider getting a beater Subaru, they complement each other *perfectly*, thriving in the exact opposite conditions.
-juice
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Wash the top regularly with a soft wash mitt and mild detergents. Try to keep it clean, regularly.
I bought mine used, and it was "stained" with dirt, even a tooth brush and spray detailer could not get it clean. I eventually replaced the whole top.
When it snows, use a brush to get the snow off your top. Never, ever, use a scraper, it'll go right through! :surprise:
The top gets brittle, so don't even hit the window or try to shake off any ice.
For the leather, mine has a few wrinkles (it's a '93) but it's in good enough shape that I have not had to get the specialized cleaners/conditioners. Maybe try one of those.
Lastly - put the top up at night. Even if you have a garage, you want to keep the vinyl stretched out to prevent wrinkles, creases, and eventually cracks.
Zoom Zoom.
-juice
Bought a 2006 MX5 3rd Edition LE(#469) in January and have about 900 miles on it now 6 months later! Only waxed it 3 times so far! Love the Velocity Mica Red paint job. Only drive it on warm sunny days, but that´s going to change. Love the car, but in spite of driving stick for about 45 years, the shifting doesn´t feel quite right. I´m going to check on that with the dealer to see it that´s normal.
Soon, we will use the MX5 to tour the USA. Maybe Europe too, if anyone knows about such a thing and could advise me. Anyway, my main questions are: I need to be able to take more luggage with us than will fit in the trunk. I see a trunk mount rack for the 2006 in the Moss catalog. Does anyone know if it is any good, and will it damage the paint? Secondly, I was thinking of using a bra to protect the paint while on trips - but taking it off when not traveling. Is it easy to get these on and off frequently. Any reason why not to do it?
Any guidance would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Fred
For the hard to reach spots, try a detail brush, they get in to those areas.
Cloth seats can be re-dyed. Do a Google search for this guy that nicknamed his Miata "Hakuna", he detailed the process on-line. Search for the words "Miata Hakuna seats" maybe.
-juice
FUN!
Wife having some trouble getting used to the manual tranny after years of driving an auto, but its well worth it.
RD.
-juice
I noticed that you're responding to a post that was made quite awhile ago, so I've moved your post to our Miata MX-5: 2005 and Earlier discussion, where you might get a response more quickly.
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Their has been some discussion on the MX-5 PHRT board about the comfort level of leather seats. Since you have the grand touring package, you should have leather seats. Any feedback on the comfort level of seats for short and long term drives? During a MX-5 test drive I felt as if the contour sides of the seats were a little tight, almost as if Mazda were designing the seat cushion for a smaller driver versus medium/larger size adults. Maybe over time leather seats break in, but from what I've experienced the fit and comfort comes down to the design of the seat versus the material. Have you taken any long trip (over 200 miles) and noticed seating discomfort?
I am the proud owner of a 91 B-package in classic red that lost its hardtop before it found its way to my garage.
The few upgrades include: Robbins Sunfast top with glass window, ASA 16x7.5 5-spoke chrome wheels with Kumho Ecsta Supras(205/45/16), a "test" pipe, Sony Xplod head unit and door speakers, Pioneer headrest speakers, and a trunk full of JL Audio and RF Punch amps.
As for me, MWM 39 Anesthesia Nurse in North Texas.
Hey Felow Miaters,
About 2 months ago I was looking for a daily driver because I race my SVT Contour every weekend. I almost bought a 98 Escort ZX2 for $3k. Then I did a search for my dream car and found Mia', my silver '91 for for $2800! she's high in mile (157k) but since I race, I have become a Mazda sponsored driver so if needed, I can get a new 1.6 for $1300! Not that I'll need it any time soon. She runs like a champ. I lost the motor in the Contour (pretty sure it was because a certain national chain forgot to put the oil in) so she is my only car now. Touch, because I am a musician and she is not known for her cargo capacity. My favorite thing to drive ever though! I have a Jackson Racing cat back exhaust, a drop in K&N filter, and a Racing Beat tubular front sway bar that I am removing today and reinstalling the stock as it PLOWS LIKE CRAZY!!! Why I thought I knew more than the engineers who designed this darn near perfect car, I'll never know! Basically, I looked up what was legal for E Stock in the SCCA rules and bought it without thinking what it really did. Oh, and BTW. Don't try to do fish tales in the rain! Wow she went around fast! Great to be here! If in CT and wanting to race (against the clock, one at a time in an open parking lot around cones LEGALLY) check out FCSCC.com and CARTCT.com. Join us. It's amazing!
1-Motorcycles
2-Miata's
3-Trucks
4-Suvs
5-Big & Small Mercedes
Don't let kids under 16 ride in Miata's.
It's a 4 tire Motorcycle and in a major crash, you will not be happy with the results...
Great Car for Gas, Freedom, Spinning and burning rubber, racing, etc. but not 4 kids!
I have info on a very clean almost new 08 mx5 with less than a thousand miles on it. It the sport touring with the hard top.
I know there are many enthusiasts that would love to have some info on where they could purchase this vehicle but I dont know where to post it.
Can you help me out?
Selling isn't allowed in our Forums, but you can list it on AutoTrader by going to the "Used Cars" section at http://www.edmunds.com/.
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Drives like a dream - first Convertable I have owned but then again, I guess she owns it.