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Mazda MX-5 Miata (2005 and earlier)

18081838586

Comments

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Figured it out - the fronts you have to compress to retract, but the rears retract by turning a hex nut that adjusts the parking brake (strange).

    Guess it threw me off because it was my first brake job, and I'd been told about the C-clamp method. That did *not* work. It was sort of stiff so I had to grab the piston with pliers and slowly work it loose, then retracted it.

    All brakes are working fine now, new pads front and rear.

    -juice
  • jackryan888jackryan888 Member Posts: 2
    Photo:
    http://www.sgforums.com/?action=thread_display&thread_id=160157&page=0

    A CAR saleswoman who took a customer out for a test drive on Saturday evening, died after the man lost control of the sports car and veered into oncoming traffic on Upper Paya Lebar Road.

    The brand new Mazda MX-5 flew over the road divider, smashed head-on into a black BMW, flipped over it and came crashing down into a van in the other lane.

    The driver of the silver Mazda managed to stagger out of the badly-crushed car alive, albeit a little shaken up.

    But the saleswoman, Ms He Xueli, 20 , broke her neck as a result of the impact.

    Paramedics also found that she had suffered a cardiac arrest.

    She was rushed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital but died an hour later in the operating theatre.

    The driver of the Mazda, a 24-year-old warehouse supervisor, has been arrested by the police and is out on bail pending further investigations.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    At least they arrested the wreckless driver. How fast was he going to have done all that damage?

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    As an option, sure. I'm not sure I'd pay more, but some people would.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Last weekend at the Zoom Zoom Live event, though lines got so ridiculous that I was only able to go to the one where you had to keep the golf balls from rolling out of the bowl mounted on the hood.

    Controls felt light, and it was peppy, but of course a 30 second lap isn't really enough to leave a lasting impression.

    One thing I thought was funny was that the automatic model was actually lapping quicker than the manual, that is on the timed course that I did not take. We observed that, though.

    -juice
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    The auto whipped the stick at the dealer ride & drive also...This caused me to switch my build mix to include a larger number of auto's than in the past....so far our sales mix has been 60% stick 40% auto.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    It could help the Miata overall, since 93% of americans choose auto. The F1-style shifters are cool, so that factor might help the auto as well.

    I'll still take a stick, thanks. :)

    -juice
  • warthogwarthog Member Posts: 216
    I took delivery of a 2006 MX-5 Grand Touring last week and have driven it about 300 mi, mostly on highways and back roads. I've never owned a convertible nor a two-seater before. Great drive! The car is on rails on curvy back roads, with very quick and responsive steering. My other car is a BMW 530 (E39) and the MX-5 corners better, with very similar steering feel. The ride is a bit stiffer, of course, in the MX-5. I even got the top down one day when the temp hit 68 degrees or so. What a blast. The only downer is a lot of road noise with the top up, but I guess that comes with the territory.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Congrats!

    I've only driven one for about 30 seconds or so, at the Zoom Zoom Live event. It sure felt peppy but I'd love to try it again, so I'll probably go for a longer test drive on Wed if it's nice out.

    -juice
  • carlisimocarlisimo Member Posts: 1,280
    I think Mazda forgot about short people when they redesigned the Miata. My eye level is kinda low in the new one, and I'm not going to buy a car that I need a pillow for.

    Good thing I can't afford a new car anyway, but I've become so fond of the new look...
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That's because we tall folks whined about being cramped.

    They should make the seat height adjustable.

    -juice
  • pipefitterpipefitter Member Posts: 27
    This week I placed on order for the 2006 MX-5 Grand Touring with Auto Trans and the premium package 2, in Copper Red. I will be taking delivery in April, just in time for warmer weather :shades: .
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    They used to be few and far between, but with a paddle-shifting 6 speed, plus the fact that the automatics were actually running quicker times at Zoom Zoom Live, I think we're going to start seeing a lot more of them now.

    Congrats.

    -juice
  • carlisimocarlisimo Member Posts: 1,280
    Hey, question for you open top guys.

    If you drive in the rain with your roof down, what happens? How harmful is the water to the interior?
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    If you drive in the rain with your roof down, what happens?

    Is this a trick question? :P
  • carlisimocarlisimo Member Posts: 1,280
    It did sound kinda dumb huh. What I mean is... how harmful is water to the interior?

    I've never spilled a lot of water in any of my cars, so I don't know. Here the rain's pretty schitzophrenic, but if I had a Miata I'd tend to err on the side of leaving the top down.

    I'm saving up.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    It needs time to air dry, else it'll start to smell musty. I think a little sprinkle won't do any harm, but a good soaking will probably leave you with a stench.

    Keep in mind it takes 15 seconds to raise the top, no big deal really. Plus you shouldn't leave the top down overnight so that the vinyl keeps its shape.

    -juice
  • jjoejrjjoejr Member Posts: 1
    My wife wanted a two seater roadster. I let her pick out the vehicle of her choice. She pays for it so what the heck. She wanted the mazda. We bought the touring edition. Was limited on colors and added leather seats. My complaint is the ride. Have 16in wheels. Is there a way to make the ride smoother? Not too worried about noise but sure would like a smoother ride. Tell me all the options I can do please. I don't drive the car much but she does. And she isn't complaining....yet.Thanx.
    jjoejr
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Not much you can do besides choose a tire with a softer sidewall. People here are usually looking to go in the opposite direction, though.

    Maybe a seat pad? Dunno if you can do much.

    -juice
  • barriostkdbarriostkd Member Posts: 71
    I'm new to this board so my apologies in advance if this has already been discussed. I usually post on the Subaru boards since I own a WRX and an Outback, but I'm considering a used 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata. I live in the Bay Area and the traffic has been terrible on the Bay Bridge going into SF, so my fiancee and I are considering a 2-seater to be able to use the carpool lane.

    Anyway, one concern I have that people have mentioned to me is "cowl shake". I've never owned a convertible so I don't know much about it at all. How pronounced is this w/ the 2004 Miata & how much of a concern is it? A friend of mine who owned a 2001 Miata said this was a real concern for him so he changed his car to an S2000. Is this something that will compromise safety? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

    I'm also considering a pre-owned '02 or '03 S2000. How would you guys compare an '02 S2000 to the '04 Mazdaspeed Miata? Performance, reliability, safety, comfort, etc. These are the two cars I'm thinking of purchasing, so please fill me in if you've had experience w/ these two cars. Want to know the pros and cons of each car.

    Thanks!

    JB
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Basically, you chop any top, and you lose structural integrity. A chop-top therefore often has "cowl shake" because you see a bit of it in the dash and pillars, i.e. a bit of flex. You'll notice this on a Toyota Solara convertible if you test drive one.

    Miata was designed from the ground up as a convertible, note there is no coupe version of that platform. So it was never chopped to begin with.

    Try this - jack it up using the front jack point. What you'll notice is that if you go up high enough, the rear tire will also lift off the ground. That shows how stiff the unibody is. Not much flex at all.

    With my old Mustang, body-on-frame, there was so much flex that the rear tire never came close to leaving the ground!

    I can't compare the S2000 as I haven't driven one for any significant distance.

    These are in a different price class, but the Miata holds its own, and is affordable enough that you can get a much newer one for the same price.

    Caveat - try the leg room, see if you can fit, because it is tight.

    -juice
  • carlisimocarlisimo Member Posts: 1,280
    An earlier S2000 will probably be worse to drive in traffic, because it lacks low-rev power compared to a turbo'd Miata. It's a more hardcore car in general. But I've heard mixed reviews about the Mazdaspeed Miata's power delivery (turbo lag). If you test drive one, pretend to drive in stop-and-go.

    I've heard complaints of cowl shake in Miatas as they get old, but it's purely a noise issue... no effect on mechanicals, or safety. Most convertibles have a lot more cowl shake than the Miata anyway, as ateixeira said.
  • chicagogitonchicagogiton Member Posts: 18
    I am jonesin' for a Miata Coupe. I had a 94 Miata, loved it, but I tended to drive it with the hardtop on. I just liked how it looked, I think it looks better as a coupe, just a personal preference.
    Mazda, if you are listening, send a few of these beauties stateside, will ya? ;)
    http://www.mazda.co.jp/customize/roadstercoupe/index.html
  • yeegayeega Member Posts: 3
    I have a different top related question:
    I just bought a 2006 mx5 miata. my vinyl top doesnt' just drop into the space provided. I have to smooth out the soft top about half way down, before it seats properly. Anyone else have that problem?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I replaced my top recently, and I have to do that when it's cold. On warm days, the vinyl seems to stretch more easily and it's not a problem.

    FWIW, you should not put the top down if it's 40 degrees or colder, because folding it can cause cracks.

    -juice
  • jaspergajasperga Member Posts: 2
    2006 MX-5 GT with Advanced Keyless Entry has a function that will Autolock the car when the driver moves out of operational range (smart card in his pocket). This function is Deactivated initially and the owners manual states that it can only be changed to Activate by an Authorized Mazda Dealer. Can anyone explain the procedure to Activate this feature with me driving 100 miles to a dealer.
    thanks...
  • jrosasmcjrosasmc Member Posts: 1,711
    I was just curious to know if there are any major differences between the old 1.8-liter engine from the 1st and 2nd generations of the Miata and the 2.0-liter version from the current car (2006-up). Like, are they of the same cast-iron block, alloy head construction and share some interchangeable parts?

    Just interested to know the info. Thanks very much to all the Miata experts here (I'm not one of them!).
  • carlisimocarlisimo Member Posts: 1,280
    The new one has a higher compression ratio and aluminum block and head. So it's not easy to turbocharge like the old engine. But you could put the 2.0L head on the 2.3L block, according to Sport Compact Car.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I believe they are different engine families, aren't they?

    I don't think the outgoing 1.8l and this 2.0l have much in common at all.

    -juice
  • carlisimocarlisimo Member Posts: 1,280
    Right. It's the 2.0L and 2.3L engines that have a lot in common.

    But I don't know if the 1.8L engine offered in Europe is the old engine. Probably is, but I don't know it for a fact.
  • erics6erics6 Member Posts: 684
    Yup. 1.8 is different than the 2.0 in the current Miata. The 2.3 in the 3 is similar to the 2.0.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That engine first came out in the Mazda Protoge ES, in 1990 I believe. It was also used in the Ford Escort GT and top-of-the-line Mercury Tracer, since those shared a Mazda platform.

    Then the Miata got it, and they kept refining it, until the 2.0l replaced it. It was time. 16 years on the market, basically, 1990-2005.

    -juice
  • johnchunjohnchun Member Posts: 20
    Hey, I had that feeling when I was "younger"! But to make my "manley" statement! This is what I did. Custom License plate: CCIM-IRR which means CERTIFIED COMMMERCIAL INVESTMENT MANAGER INTERNAL RATE of RETURN. AKA PhD of Commerical Real Estate! Only 11,000 CCIM-PhDs :) in the World! Makes me feel "bigger" than others.
  • yeegayeega Member Posts: 3
    Thanks for sharing. I agree that the warmer wx seems to be less of a problem, but I wonder if it would help to put some sort of lubricant on the metal bars that hold the top? Also, what about on the joints, for a smoother folding process? It's just annoying; I have to turn around, or get out, pull the vinyl through the bars to smooth it, and then it comes down.
  • akabkbakabkb Member Posts: 1
    Hi- I'm the proud new owner of an '06 sports model (w/ sports suspension). after having a ball driving it for a week i decided to read the manual. I was rather surprised to find that it recommends going into 6th gear at 41 mph (when i was just getting into 5th). i've never driven a 6 speed before, but in my 5 speeds i always thought of 5th gear as the "freeway cruising gear" and so assumed 6th gear to be the same. Is there a problem w/ waiting 'til 50 or 60 mph before going into 6th gear? i dont' notice much difference in rpms. thanks.
  • andybear957andybear957 Member Posts: 5
    I just purchased my brand new 2006 MX-5 GT here in Toronto. Re: available accessories, I want to add the side sills, front and rear air dams and rear mud guards. Anyone have any experiences with these accessories, and did they make a huge difference in the look of the car? Thanks. (BTW, this is my 3rd Miata, had a 1997 automatic, then a 2002 manual [bad engine/transmission problems with that one] and now this one)
    Thanks
  • erics6erics6 Member Posts: 684
    Rev the heck out of it once the break-in period is through. I assume there's still a break-in period on the 06's? Manual is just for fuel ecomony.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Dunno, but if you find out about what lubricant to use for those let me know. My new Robbins top had be a bit stiff on a cold day, but it's OK when it's warm out.

    6th is for cruising, just make sure you don't lug the engine. I like to keep my rpms up a bit, it doesn't have any guts below 3000rpm anyway.

    -juice
  • aslmagaaslmaga Member Posts: 1
    own a 93 mazda miata, had an oil change done about 1 month ago, the other day the oil pressure was at 90 and stays there, checked oil it was clean and filled, checked spark plugs the 2nd one was dead replaced it. not to sure how to troubleshoot , what should i do to narrow the problem down to the bad part , not sure if it is an oil pump issue, but the engine runs very rough.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Our 93s have a real working gauge, not a dummy gauge, so something is probably impeding the flow.

    I'd start with the most obvious - the oil filter itself. It may have one of those anti-drain back valves and that valve may be stuck.

    I would not drive it at all nor put any load on the engine until you resolve the issue. In fact if you can't fix it at home I'd have it towed to a repair shop rather than drive it.

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    high oil pressure is usually piston ring blow-by. a clogged PCV valve tends to be involved as well.

    I'd replace the PCV valve and then check the compression. a leakdown test is the best, but a standard compression test will do.

    ~Colin
  • johnchunjohnchun Member Posts: 20
    04MazdaSpeed 6speed does wheel hopping at burn out! Not a smooth burn out on the 1/4 mile. Drives me nuts. 28lbs in tires. Need advice on this!

    In AutoCross I use 40lbs and the 205x40x17 tires are ok. But slide & slip in 2nd gear over 4000rpm. Other Miatas don't slide & slip at 4000+rpm (non-turbos)& 225x50x15 slicks! Need help on this issue too!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I bet the boost is kicking in too abtruptly. I would try rolling into the throttle vs. stabbing it suddenly.

    For launching, maybe release the clutch at lower rpm, let boost build after traction is established.

    -juice
  • dreamer123890dreamer123890 Member Posts: 5
    Realize that this forum is primarily used for Mazda discussions but the MR2 forums have died down. I am considering taking over the lease of a 2003 MR2 Spyder. I realize that this car has been discontinued but i was wondering if someone on the forum would be nice enough to help me with some information on teh foll:
    1. Any maintenance issues with discontinued models
    2. Pros and Cons of taking over a lease
    3. Any other tips from a former or current MR2 owner...

    thanks
    Jay
  • ClairesClaires Member Posts: 1,222
    Hi, dreamer123890, and welcome to the Forums!

    Yes, this discussion is concerned not only with Mazdas, but with a specific model -- the MX-5 -- so this isn't the best place for your questions. They'd be more at home (and would get more feedback) in one of the discussions below:

    Classic Cars
    Sportscars: The Definitive Discussion

    Have fun!

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  • topspin628topspin628 Member Posts: 373
    I've been looking at some rather high end sporty cars- Boxster, 911, Z4, Cayman S, vette, even BMW 6. They were all pretty nice but none of them really "got me" to where I thought "gotta have it". For the heck of it, I took out a Miata MX 5 (06). The dealer threw me the keys (just like my BMW dealer where I've bought a few cars) and said bring it back whenever you want. It was a 6 speed with sport suspension, leather and bose. 30 minutes into the drive, I was hooked. I think this is exactly what I was looking for. The shifter was magic. I loved the engine sound, the handling was great, it seemed quick and light and just a blast to drive. I even liked the fact that the top was manual and so easy to throw back. I think this is the perfect weekend summer fun car for me.
    Just a few questions since I'm not too familiar with the option packages.
    The sport suspension I drove was without run flats. I also jumped into a standard suspension with run flats for a quick comparo. I really couldn't tell the difference. I figured maybe the stiff run flats compensated for the stiffer suspension???
    Anyway any comments on the suspensions, tires, bose, and other options are appreciated. Also, on the run flats. Does Mazda offer roadside assistance if you get a flat and the goop kit doesn't repair it.

    Has anyone cross shopped the S2000 with the miata? Should I look at that too?

    Anyway, I can't imagine a car that can offer so much fun.
    Honestly, the Porsches seemed boring in comparison.
    Maybe I just like the fact that this car is what it is and is not trying to make a statement. Simplicity can be very powerful.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The MX-5 is very pure and simple, and I agree that's a big part of its appeal.

    I haven't compared the various models, but keep in mind run-flats are very pricey to replace, the tires I mean. I've heard a lot of complaints from people when it's time to shop at the tire store.

    -juice
  • topspin628topspin628 Member Posts: 373
    What about the 5 speed vs the new 6 speed? I've heard some say that the 5 is smoother but having only tried the 6, I find that almost hard to imagine.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I've only tried the 5 speed. I don't think people say the 6 is smoother, in fact some say the gates are a little closer and it's harder to operate.

    -juice
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