It depends on what country you live in. They still put in an upgraded version of the original 1.6L as the standard engine in some parts of the world. There was also a 1998 model in some countries. In the US VVT came in model year 2001.
That is enough to keep my hopes up for a while. Let's see how the car looks when the springs are swapped. At this moment the differenct in hight reaches 6cm whereas the repair manual says 1-3cm is normal...
I have a two-year-old that routinely rides shotgun in her car seat with me. Just deactivate the air-bag using the switch. With the top-down, there is no easier car to strap a car seat into.
Lately I usually strap her into my "winter beater" 92 Accord instead. Not so much for safety or convenience but she's big enough now that she likes to rest her feet on my dash! >:(
As for nosy people giving me dirty looks, I personally haven't noticed any. Most people seem to think its cute. If I did get a dirty look, the offender would be not-so-politely reminded to mind their own friggin business.
I am not sure if this site caters to people in Europe (I seldom see european flags...) but I was wondering. Does any one know a good shop for aftermarket parts in London?
Any major bugaboos with the 99 miata? I'm considering buying one as a second car to use for my commute. I'm currently driving a 330i to and from work and I'm loathe to put 80 miles a day on my dream machine. The miata caught my eye again after I tried a variety of sedate sedans and econoboxes. Quite simply I detest driving unresponsive cars like Accord or Protege. The Miata popped back up as it would offer a cheap alternative, good mileage, fun performance character and it's a vehicle I'd actually use on the weekends. plus it I remember reading about inexpensive superchargers you can drop into one for even more explosive fun. Seems like the kind of car one can own forever as a backup vehicle.
My family has owned several miatas through the years and they've been rock solid. If you guys have suggestions on what to look out for when buying a 99 I'd be very appreciative.
And yes I know what a Miata is like for driving long distances. I do 40 miles in the morning on the freeway and then about 25 on the freeway going home - the home trip is faster using surface streets or even the PCH along the coast.
Other than that I can't come up with anything. You might try trolling the NB discussion over at Miata.net just to get a better idea if anything else significant exists.
I think that was for a starter kit, sort of. No intercooler. But you could pay as you built it, was the idea. It had all the basics to get started with a low-boost setup.
When I bought my Miata it was already soft-top bootless... I am thinking about buying a Robbins boot but wanted help on one point. Can you use the hardtop over the boot or is that not advised (the hardtop has a part that I believe would be intursive... Any onw know? Cheers, gts
The black top of my recently purchased '99 Miata has some spots. I'd like to hear from others as to the best way to clean it. Any warnings about what not to use?
mY new 03' is feeling a little loose after a few months of use. The car feels light and jittery at speeds above 60-65 mph. Also going into turns body lean seems to have increased. While I still love driving the car I wonder if I made a mistake not getting the sports package?
Could any suggest a few brands and their experiences?
Also the window when its down rattles a bit with music. Any fixes?
I use formula 303. You can get it at RV dealers. It is espically made for vinal tops. I use it once a month and so far it has kept my top in top shape. It has UV protectants in it. My car is only one year old so I do not have much of a record on this but reading posts from others it works good over time.
Hello everyone...I'm happy to say that we can once again have a weekly Mazda chat (for those of you who remember!)
The chat will be for all Mazda owners. We are talking with the folks at Mazda to see if we can entice a few of the Brand Managers to stop in every once in a while and participate (no promises, but we are working on it!)
I'm trying to find out from the various Mazda vehicle owners the following:
1) what night of the week would work best? 2) what time? (please give the timezone) 3) what would you like the chat to be called? (e.g. the Subaru chat is the "Subaru Crew" chat)
We hope to have the Mazda weekly chat going by mid-October.
I'll check the discussions I post this announcement in - but to not distract you with scheduling details, feel free to email me your choices at sylvia@edmunds.com
Thank you for your information on cleaning my vinyl top. Perhaps Simple Green would be good for getting the top looking better and Formula 33 for keeping it looking good afterwards.
If anyone else has suggestions on sprucing up the vinyl top on a five-year-old car, I'm still open to your ideas. With the beautiful weather my part of the world has been having lately, the top hasn't been showing much.
I also have had very good results with Simple Green. I don't use it full strength I dilute it 1:1 with water. When the tops clean & dry I treat it with Maguire's #40 rubber/vinyl treatment.
Regarding window rattles in an '03 Miata... I brought mine back to the dealer last week to have the rattle tracked down. I was told that there's a common failure in some weatherstripping that makes the lowered window rattle on rough roads. The dealer just got my part in and will install it next week. I'll let you all know if this solves the problem. (Otherwise, my classic red '03 remains a delight!)
I don't know. That car kind of kills the whole purpose of the Miata: top down driving fun. The car is already claustrophobic enough with the top up. I can't imagine what it would be like with a permanent hardtop. What fun is a Miata if you can't pop the top?? The only benefits I see is a more rigid structure, thus better handling, and a larger trunk. A silly option if you ask me. I'd be much more interested in a real RX7.
There certainly is a point to it, it's just that there aren't going to be that many people who get that point. The open roof is the primary reason people buy Miatas. I suspect the market for a fixed roof version will be very small. I hope and expect that Mazda understands that. Sure would zip around the cones at the local autoX course though.
I also used to own a 1984 RX7 S so I do see the point of a 2 seat hardtop. But that car was a hatchback with a large rear window that helped make it feel more airy and open than a hardtop Miata would. A small 2 seater has no business having a trunk unless it is a convertible. A hatchback Miata would be a different story. It would be the 79-85 RX7 reincarnated.
Put a turbo charged rotary in that and you would have the succesor to the RX-7.
Yeah, I mean the Z3 coupe didn't fair so well in the sales department. But dammit if that isn't the only model of Z3 I want. The M-coupe is so sweet! I feel similarly about this Miata, although after owning a 95, I can't image not having that top-down experience while driving it.
How many Miata owners don't really like the fact that their car is a convertible. They just wan t a light, RWD two-seater to toss around. Next time there's a sunny day, look to see how many Miatas you see driving around with the top up.
Man, that thing would look great as a roadster. Wait a sec ... LOL!
Z3 coupe looked like a sneaker. Too bad they didn't sell like Reebocks.
The only way a Miata coupe would work here is if it cost $2000 *less* than the roadster and came with slightly sportier tuning. I guess it would almost be competing with the Mini Cooper in the just under $20k niche.
Following up on the mysterious rattle from within the driver's side door of my '03: my local dealer (White Plains Mazda, White Plains, NY) replaced a piece of weatherstrip under warranty, which they tell me is a common flaw in '03s. The rattle is completely gone - the Miata is tight as a drum.
Comments
Lately I usually strap her into my "winter beater" 92 Accord instead. Not so much for safety or convenience but she's big enough now that she likes to rest her feet on my dash! >:(
As for nosy people giving me dirty looks, I personally haven't noticed any. Most people seem to think its cute. If I did get a dirty look, the offender would be not-so-politely reminded to mind their own friggin business.
http://www.miataforum.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=forum;f=12
My family has owned several miatas through the years and they've been rock solid. If you guys have suggestions on what to look out for when buying a 99 I'd be very appreciative.
And yes I know what a Miata is like for driving long distances. I do 40 miles in the morning on the freeway and then about 25 on the freeway going home - the home trip is faster using surface streets or even the PCH along the coast.
http://www.miata.net/solo/99miatathrustbearingfailure.html
Other than that I can't come up with anything. You might try trolling the NB discussion over at Miata.net just to get a better idea if anything else significant exists.
-juice
-juice
www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/devices/amquery.php
A Miata on the PCH. Now there's a pretty picture.
Cheers,
gts
http://www.miata.org/cmt/bsp/singleitem.asp?itemno=303AB-M2
Could any suggest a few brands and their experiences?
Also the window when its down rattles a bit with music. Any fixes?
For the window rattle, try lowering the bass.
The chat will be for all Mazda owners. We are talking with the folks at Mazda to see if we can entice a few of the Brand Managers to stop in every once in a while and participate (no promises, but we are working on it!)
I'm trying to find out from the various Mazda vehicle owners the following:
1) what night of the week would work best?
2) what time? (please give the timezone)
3) what would you like the chat to be called? (e.g. the Subaru chat is the "Subaru Crew" chat)
We hope to have the Mazda weekly chat going by mid-October.
I'll check the discussions I post this announcement in - but to not distract you with scheduling details, feel free to email me your choices at sylvia@edmunds.com
I'm happy this weekly event will be back.
If anyone else has suggestions on sprucing up the vinyl top on a five-year-old car, I'm still open to your ideas. With the beautiful weather my part of the world has been having lately, the top hasn't been showing much.
Thanks again.
-Scott
You could photochop it red, LOL.
-juice
There are over 2000 individual owner web sites with Miata pics.
Tuesday nights - 6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET.
http://www.media.mazda.com/news_release/product_info/2003/1009_e.- html
pretty please with sugar on top?
-Colin
It was called the RX-7 twin turbo.
-Colin
-Colin
Sure would zip around the cones at the local autoX course though.
Yeah, I mean the Z3 coupe didn't fair so well in the sales department. But dammit if that isn't the only model of Z3 I want. The M-coupe is so sweet! I feel similarly about this Miata, although after owning a 95, I can't image not having that top-down experience while driving it.
at least the Miata coupe doesn't have the problem, but it could use a shot of steroids.
-Colin
BTW, it won't be me! LOL
Z3 coupe looked like a sneaker. Too bad they didn't sell like Reebocks.
The only way a Miata coupe would work here is if it cost $2000 *less* than the roadster and came with slightly sportier tuning. I guess it would almost be competing with the Mini Cooper in the just under $20k niche.
-juice
Yeah, I am always saying to myself "whats wrong with these people." I mean what do they have to lose by putting the top down? Their hairstyle? Lame.
Ooo a RWD classic looking japanese sports car, or a sporty British/German hatchback. I like having more choices!
I actually get a buzz cut in the summer, and keep a brush in the center console.
-juice