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The only problem is that the car fogs up really easily and I have to keep the windshield defogger on most of the time at the third or fourth setting since winter hit.>>
Make sure the fresh-recirc lever (bottom lever) is in the fresh (far right) position.
This is my first post here. On 12/21/01 I bought my first new car. :-) A beautiful 2001 Crystal Blue (base) Miata. This weekend I had a lot of fun driving around with the top down. I was very excited since this was the first weekend with warm enough weather to do so. (I live in SW Florida.) I did have a good laugh when my boyfriend squeezed into the passengers seat. He's 6'4" and looks straight into the sunvisor/window frame of the car.
That aside, I'm looking for some help on installing tweeters in the doors. The dealer said the car is pre-wired for the tweeters. It's just a matter of me buying a pair and installing them, he said. I thought it would be an easy modification. Just pop off the grill and wire the new tweeters. However, I have tried to take the grill off and have not been able to do so. I'm not sure if it's because I'm not using enough force or if the grills just aren't meant to be popped out. It looks like I may be able to take the molding off the door that incorporates the speaker grill, yet when I tried this I was also unsuccessful. Again, I may not be using enough force. It is a new car and I am afraid of breaking something.
So, if anyone out there has installed after market tweeters can you please share your expertise.
Check out the forums, they cover everything and I'll bet that this exact topic has been discussed in the audio forum before. Here is a direct link to the Audio forum.... http://www.miataforum.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=forum&f=18
Tomorrow I am bringing the car in for an after market cruise control installation. I'll ask the guy again how easy it is to install the speakers.
I would like to test drive and schedule for diagnostics, but would like to have a reasonable/fair price to negotiate with before plunking $$ for tests.
This car is alternative to a '99 GS Sable, 47K, 24 valve Duratec engine, power steering/doors/windows, rear defroster, ABS brakes, tilt/cruise control for $7700. This car passed AAMCO transmission diagnostics easily, and is scheduled for AAA diagnostics.
I was all set to pay $7700 provided it passed, but the owner rescheduled for next week.
Now, I had time to shop for a Miata.
I'd driven a Sable stationwagon for 14 years; kids are grown and out of the car. Don't need all that room anymore.
If I can get the Miata close to the Sable (up to $8K), I'll opt for the sports car with one original owner. The Sable was a rental sold at auction, then bought by the owner from the dealer.
Can really use some help re what's the better car/deal. My '88 Sable wagon is on it's last legs--may not last the month.
Thanks in advance for any help.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
But never mind that, Sable or Miata? Not a very tough choice! :-)
-juice
no one says that you have to pay asking price. and PLEASE do not go by what edmunds or kbb.com say about the market value of this car. they ADD value for the AT instead of deducting heavily for it.
ace
-juice
I'm almost afraid to say, but I never learned to drive cars with manual; does that mean the Miata is not for me?
Thirty years ago, I started out to drive a stick, but I had to move here from overseas. Just never picked up the skill.
It's just the world's best shifter. Throws are short and smooth. The base of the shift lever actually rests in a turret full of gear oil. That's why you'll read magazines describing very good shifters as "Miata-like".
-juice
miata
I'm 5'11' and 220lbs, and I feel cramped. I put spacers under the front of the seat track, to raise the front of the seat for thigh support. That bends my knees, and helps with legroom a little.
Some go further and remove some of the seat padding. I don't know a seamstress, so I haven't been that bold. But I bet you could buy another inch, tops.
Try it, and I'm rooting for you, but my guess would be no, not comfortably. :-(
-juice
This car has really made me appretiate being only 5'6, I have lots of room, including some behind the seat to store my CD cases.
There are a lot of people that will never get to appreciate the joys of Miata until Mazda makes the car more roomy and adds tilt steering (unfortunately)
I swear if the seat could move back another 2 inches, it would be perfect.
-juice
However, I think if you are big it makes a good second car.
I am 5'5" and this car fits me perfectly. I wouldn't recommend it to my tall friends however.
By the way, I can get $200.00 worth of groceries in my Miata. That is, of course, with no one in the passenger seat.
Sorry if ya'll already know..
Two special editions for 2002....a black and special tan leather model in Feb and a Yellow pearl with black leather in march. Both 6 speeds.
Also Mazda will produce a Mazda speed Miata (mazda speed is like ford SVT) with a turbo sometime this year
zoom~zoom
rich
I also drive the car like I hate it, which really wrings out the fun of the car.
There are some people who will never understand though. The Miata is not for everyone (some people will always see a car as just "transportation even if it's a Miata)
Black and tan? Oh, you mean it's not a beer? ;-)
Those are gorgeous. I almost bought a '93 SE.
The turbo sounds interesting, since it would likely be covered by warranty.
-juice
I used to park my previous (old and ugly) vehicle in the deepest recess of the garage. Not so with this baby!
Everything comes to those who wait--and I've waited a lot of decades. Never really thought I'd ever get one of these.
Just goes to say, you can do almost everything you set your mind to.
Anyway, I'm happy to join the ranks--and can't wait to get one of those things that curve up and down behind the driver's seat. Um ... roll bars! They are so much sexier that those that go straight across. Where does one go for info on these?
By the way, I never would have gotten this gem of a car without the generous aid and help of people here and at Miata.net.
Much thanks, everyone!
If it's purely for cosmetics, there are bolt-on ones that fit with the soft top and are easy to install.
Go to miata.net and check the vendors page. At least a few of them offer them.
-juice
A quick search on FitzMall.com reveals 11 Miatas in stock from $21,114 to $24,059 including freight. Interestingly, they have both 2001s and 2002s, but the cheapest and the most expensive ones are both 2002s.
I bet that was a dealer package you saw.
-juice
And while the MR2 is mid-engined, it has 4 struts and a transverse engine layout.
-juice
As for a $25,000 Miata being a good value, when I compare it to an Acura RSX, I'm not so sure. I know the Acura isn't a roadster so the comparison isn't completely fair, but it is the alternative I'm looking at.
On one hand, the RSX is based on a FWD economy car (Civic), lost its front wishbones, has an unmanaged front axle (open differential), and a transverse engine layout. The Miata has a dedicated platform, RWD, 4 wheel multilink suspension, a longitudinal engine layout, and an optional torsen limited slip differential.
On the other hand, Acura offers a longer warranty, and crams lots of technology into the powerplant. It also has more room, even if it is a 2+2.
You may want to check out a WRX if you want to go the practical route (4 doors, AWD, more room, etc).
-juice
Just thought I'd share a quick story.
Yesterday I was running through an intersection (no, the light was not red) and a left turner kept going, not looking anywhere apparently. There was no time to brake so instead I tried to veer around her. I almost made it but she hit my rear wheel. my car spun around 180° and I slid backward into the door of a Fiero turning right. Despite her desperate plea of innocence the cop gave her a ticket for an improper left turn.
The car handled the damage very well. Despite being hit in the wheel the axle seems fine. The body damage is mostly relatively minor dents and lots of scrapes, with the rear light broken where it hit the fiero. The problem is all of the pieces needing to be fixed or replaced. The drivers door, rear fender, rear bumper, rear passenger light, trunk, and rim and tire were all damaged, but the car is driving fine until I can take it in this weekend. What a bummer, but I am very pleased with how this little car took it. Unfortunately my baby is scarred for a couple of days now!
-juice
I own a Subaru WRX and a Miata which both have exactly the same new MSRP (both $35K Canadian). The WRX is an amazing car, it does everything. Carries four people, swallows up a bunch of luggage, has standard AWD to handle any road condition, and still does a mid 14 second quarter mile, has a 6 CD changer, and reaches 60mph in around 5.7 seconds and handles as well as any sports sedan out there. It is winning accolades/awards all over the place. It is far better value than any RSX IMHO. Looking at it this way, the Miata should be embarrased for costing as much. But you know what? The Miata is still a more fun car. Nothing beats the feeling of a low slung roadster. Once the top is down, driving the car in the twisties with the wind in your hair going nowhere in particular is one of the basic pleasures of life.
BTW: The Miata got the title of best sports car under $40K in Automobile magazine
For a 2002, if you throw in ABS and a 6-disc changer, the invoice price climbs to over $23,600. An RSX-S can be had for this kind of money. Granted, it isn't a roadster but it is 200HP with a good warranty and a backseat (kind of inportant with a 1 yr old and all).
Having a WRX and a Miata in the driveway does sound like a good set up. You've got the AWD for the bad weather and carrying stuff, and the Miata for fun. How is the highway ride in that WRX by the way?
Take a close look at the RSX's back shelf (not really a seat). You will run, not walk, to a Subaru dealer to buy a WRX.
I have both a Forester and a Miata, and they are the perfect match. Sunny day? Quick errand? Miata, easy. Snow or rain? Hauling kids or running to Home Depot? Forester. I guess the WRX wagon would be a good compromise if you go the one-car-only route.
-juice
Before you do any more RSX vs Miata comparisons, decide on the kind of car you want first. If you want a roadster, the FWD coupe RSX is a poor substitute and vice versa. Even with exception sporty cars like the WRX, it will never substitute for a Miata. If they brought the 220HP RSX Type R over here and sold it for $20K, I still would rather buy a Miata. You should be comparing it to the Toyota Spyder which is the Miata's only real competition (a really great choice BTW if you don't mind near zero storage space)
One more point, IMO getting a loaded Miata is kind of defeating the purpose. You don't need a CD changer because frankly, you can barely hear the stereo (I rather listen to the sweet sounding engine most of the time anyway). I have all the goodies in my 10th Anniversary model, but frankly I would have been just as happy with a base model. The more stuff you add, the more weight, which goes against the design mission of a Miata. Sports car = low weight = crisp handling. The base Miata with the sports package is the best value. All the other stuff is just icing. A sub $20K base model Miata drives every bit as nice as the loaded LS models.
The WRX rides better than the RSX in my opinion. It's more than quiet enough at highway cruising speed also. It is just a superior car to the RSX-S in every way I consider important (I agree the RSX-S looks "cleaner" and has a nicer interior, but I don't care about that). It took me about 2 minutes into the RSX test drive to decide the WRX was a superior value. And I still chose the WRX considering it costs $4000 Cdn more than the RSX-S in Canada.
So IMO, you should be looking at the WRX if you want a practical sporty car, OR a true roadster Miata. The RSX just seems like a compromise in between; besting neither in any significant way (unless you're stuck on buying the nameplate and the "fine looking" interior).
Either you understand the value of the Miata or not.
If you're not sure, one of the best things to do is to buy a nice prime 94-97 model. You can sell it with not much penalty if you turn out not to be a roadster type of person.
One thing I should also say: I bought my Miata three years ago. All I can say now: why the heck did I wait so long! Also, owning a roadster is something every car fan should do in their life. Driving takes a completely different meaning in a roadster. It ceases to be just a mode of transportation. How's that for a sermon? The religion of the Miata runs deep! If you have a Miata, you might end up even joining a local Miata club like I did. Now I have a blast doing autocrossing (it's very rewarding because the Miata handles just like a go-kart with tail out RWD behavior) and weekend organized tours carving the backroads.
My favorite picture (65kb picture)