Mazda MX-5 Miata (2005 and earlier)

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Comments

  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    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.
  • gtshomegtshome Member Posts: 21
    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...
  • thelthel Member Posts: 767
    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.
  • gtshomegtshome Member Posts: 21
    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?
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    Try here for more info:

    http://www.miataforum.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=forum;f=12
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    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.
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    This leaps to mind:

    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.
  • thelthel Member Posts: 767
    Not sure how many superchargers are available for the NB's, but there are plenty for the NA Miatas.
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    A turbo kit from Flyin' Miata is about $5000. SC from RSpeed is about $3200. SC is definitely the cheaper option.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Group Buys for Garrett turbo kits for the NA's 1.6l are dirt cheap, you can get started for $1080 last time I checked.

    -juice
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    I was quoting list price, but $1080 seems pretty low. I doubt the NB is quite that cheap.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    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.

    -juice
  • poorrichard01poorrichard01 Member Posts: 39
    There aren't many superchargers for the Second Gen Miata that are California legal. You'll need to pay a visit to CARB's web site.

    www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/devices/amquery.php

    A Miata on the PCH. Now there's a pretty picture.
  • eaton53eaton53 Member Posts: 356
    Daily in a Miata would be no problem at all, IMO.
  • gtshomegtshome Member Posts: 21
    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
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    There are boots specifically designed to be used when the hard top is on. Here is a popular one:

    http://www.miata.org/cmt/bsp/singleitem.asp?itemno=303AB-M2
  • engprofengprof Member Posts: 9
    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?
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    Thank you all. I'm gonna check out the resources you suggested.
  • thelthel Member Posts: 767
    If you mean the outside of the top, many people clean it with simple green. Mine isn't up enough to gather too many stains though :D
  • ego29isteego29iste Member Posts: 45
    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?
  • thelthel Member Posts: 767
    check your tire pressure. If it has gone down, that may give you the effect you are describing.

    For the window rattle, try lowering the bass. ;)
  • petro33petro33 Member Posts: 192
    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.
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3131800.stm
  • SylviaSylvia Member Posts: 1,636
    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

    I'm happy this weekly event will be back.
  • engprofengprof Member Posts: 9
    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.

    Thanks again.
  • engprofengprof Member Posts: 9
    Just noticed my error: it's Formula 303, not 33.
  • crashton6crashton6 Member Posts: 245
    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.
  • scottallicascottallica Member Posts: 1
    Hey dudes. I NEED to find some good pictures of Miatas. New, old, custom, whatever (preferably red). Any site would be help. Thanks in advance.
    -Scott
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I've got pics of my white one, I can e-mail to you. E-mail me and I'll send them, if you'd like.

    You could photochop it red, LOL.

    -juice
  • kymikekymike Member Posts: 115
    Try http://www.cardomain.com/member_pages/search_results.pl?make=Mazd- a&model=Miata

    There are over 2000 individual owner web sites with Miata pics.
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    Mazda Mania Chat
    Tuesday nights - 6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET.
  • waltercatwaltercat Member Posts: 10
    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!)
  • lazyfoxlazyfox Member Posts: 90
    Stylish two-seat sports coupe, available in four grades and three different packages.

    http://www.media.mazda.com/news_release/product_info/2003/1009_e.- html

    image

    image

    image

    image
  • thelthel Member Posts: 767
    I wonder what it looks like in the rear.
  • revdrluvrevdrluv Member Posts: 417
    Sign me up. That car is HOT!
  • revdrluvrevdrluv Member Posts: 417
    Check the link. The rear is SO XKE, but in a good way.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    me likey. just a little more power please?

    pretty please with sugar on top? :)

    -Colin
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Excuse me, didn't they already build this car?

    It was called the RX-7 twin turbo.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    hmm, that fixed roof does bring the late-model miata's styling similarities to the 93-95 RX-7 more into focus...

    -Colin
  • lngtonge18lngtonge18 Member Posts: 2,228
    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.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I owned a 1985 RX-7 GSL. There is a point to a 140HP 2300lb fixed roof car-- believe me.

    -Colin
  • fredmcmurrayfredmcmurray Member Posts: 215
    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.
  • lngtonge18lngtonge18 Member Posts: 2,228
    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.
  • revdrluvrevdrluv Member Posts: 417
    Put a turbo charged rotary in that and you would have the succesor to the RX-7. :D

    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.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    the Z3 coupe had the misfortune of looking a lot like the progeny of a civic hatchback and a Z3 roadster... not an attractive car.

    at least the Miata coupe doesn't have the problem, but it could use a shot of steroids.

    :)

    -Colin
  • thelthel Member Posts: 767
    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. :(

    BTW, it won't be me! LOL
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    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.

    -juice
  • revdrluvrevdrluv Member Posts: 417
    "Next time there's a sunny day, look to see how many Miatas you see driving around with the top up."

    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!
  • waltercatwaltercat Member Posts: 10
    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.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Hair? You mean what's left of mine? ;-)

    I actually get a buzz cut in the summer, and keep a brush in the center console.

    -juice
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