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Comments
I never really gave it any thought as to whether to keep it in neutral or in gear when stopped. I've done both, and I don't think either matters. In a lengthy traffic jam or inching along, I mainly go to neutral.
My feeling is: minimize the number of shifts by not downshifting, minimize the chance of selecting the wrong gear like 2nd instead of 4th!, brakes are cheap, and you save gas coast rather than bringing up the revs during downshifting.
I kinda like Tom's idea of coasting - I've done that a few times too though when I'm really feeling lazy. It's got to increase the mpg of the Miata, far above what Mazda lists! My last fillup showed 23.98 mpg for mostly city driving, no stop&go, with 2100 miles on the powertrain. Generally, I do the downshift when slowing. I also like the ability to immediately accelerate without having to shift again. I also know that it's additional wear and tear on the powertrain.
I suppose if we all took Tom's suggestion, OPEC would really have some problems and Tom would have plenty of heating oil available this winter, at a much reduced price!
Jim M.
Aside to Colin - I don't know why but I always thought you were much older. Please consider that a compliment, it was meant as such.
It may sound like heresy, but I has wished the new Miatas would have extended the body and given owners a few more inches. When I hop from my Alfa into my friend's Miata, I am immediately aware that although our two red roadsters look approximately the same size, the Alfa's interior is significantly more comfortable and useful. This is odd considering that the Miata has a longer wheelbase and is actually wider. Yet you'd swear the Alfa was wider and had a longer WB. What the Alfa does have is a whopping 13 inches more length overall. This gives lots of legroom and a generous rear shelf and trunk for storage. Additional weight is about 100 lbs, so the Miata could handle a bit of a stretch without killing its proportions or performance I think.
Check out the same forum for pictures of a dealer car (vin# something ----21 the 21st car off the line)
Or just go to local hardware store, buy a can of spray paint and spray them yourself.
I am looking for a car that I may have for the next 2-5 years. I will be using it to get to work and anticipate putting alot of mileage on the car. Is that bad? How do the used Miata's last? Are they durable? Is it a bad choice to get a used Miata with with high mileage? Does the car have any chance to become a collectable? Any advice would be very appreciated.
thank you.
The miata is a fairly bulletproof little car, but ANY high mileage car is going to require a little extra care. The parts and service for these cars are reasonable and will not eat you out of house and home, but have the car checked out by a mechanic you trust BEFORE buying, there are a lot of good used miatas out there, so don't settle for a car with problems.
You mention that you will be using this car for work and putting a lot of milage on it. The mileage is not a bad thing, you can get 200k miles from a miata engine, but if you a looking for a long distance commuter car, with a comfortable ride, lots of room, quiet,etc. you may be disappointed in the miata. If, however, you are looking for a car that loves to be driven hard, and is a TON of fun the is no better choice than miata.
As far as the car being a collectable goes, I would not count on it any time soon. There have been about 500,000 miatas built, so it is not a rare car. Maybe 20 years from now a nice miata may be worth something, but no time soon. If you buy a miata, buy it to DRIVE it, not store it in a garage and hope its dollar value increases, its value increases by putting you in a good mood every time you get behind the wheel.
Of course, all of the above is just my opinion. Good luck in your search!
For much information on anything Miata, please point your browser to www.miata.net . It is an enthusiast website and you can find virtually anything Miata there.
thanks again for the advice. any other input is greatly appreciated.
lafk
Weak points are shocks, spark plug wires and maybe some rattling window channels. They are good tough cars and will last as long as any car made today bar none. Watch out if the top is worn, these aren't cheap to replace.
A car with a hardtop is worth more, figure an extra $500.
I just saw a 1991 Special Edition (British green with tan leather, special wheels and stereo, hardtop, fancy interior trim, etc)that I could have bargained down to around $7,100. Not "cheap" for a '91, but fully loaded, 90K miles (about average)and a very clean, solid car. And no, I'm not telling you where as I may buy it myself.
Happy Motoring. ;-)
Pocahontas
Edmunds.com/Roving Host
"...weight ratio is now a perfect 50/50 as a result of having moved the battery to the rear, rather than the 52/48 front-bias of the 2000 model." (It's been there since the 1990 model)
"...six-speed gearbox...adds a hefty 155 pounds ..." (155 pounds over the 5-speed? Maybe the tranny weighs 155 pounds, but I doubt that it's 155 pounds more than the 5-speed)
-Colin
Probably the difference is a 5 speed equiped base and a 6 speed equiped loaded LS>
1. Minilite 15x6.5 wheels
2. Roll Bar for SCCA competition
3. Grill Guard
4. Who knows....
Does anyone have any experience with Minilites on a Miata? I really like the 1960's British roadster look they give, but I wonder if they are going to be heaver or lighter than the stock M edition wheels (which I read are about 14.5 lbs. each).
I can't wait for Thursday, looks like I'll be doing some driving this weekend!
I was "squeezed" into a final group of show cars which were to ride around the oval track at the open house which was being held at the track. I only wish I could remember the fella's name who was so kind to me. I thought we would be cruising around the main oval......what a surprise!
After getting onto pit road and lining up behind a M3 pace car (PC) (they wouldn't turn you loose for obvious reasons), the PC took a sharp left just after the pit road ended and I found myself chasing him through the hairpin turns of the Lemans course, a 2.6 mile trip of total exhilaration!
I'll confess, my Miata couldn't keep up with the M3. The car had much more power for the straightaways, and the driver had obviously run this course many times. This was my first.
Lap 1 - he really had a big lead on me, and I'm sure he wasn't pushing his car. I was thrown for a real loop, as I hadn't planned to do any running of my car like this for some time. However.....approaching turn 5 on the inside course, I decided to give her all I could. Downshifting to accelerate coming out of the right turn, I could feel her start to drift left on me. A very slight easing of the throttle brought her quickly back in line. After racing thru turn 6 the inside track opened up onto the main oval's back straightaway just before turn 3. We went thru turns 3 & 4, racing down the front straightaway. PC had probably a 3 second lead at the finish line. Instead of continuing around the main oval, PC slowed, turned hard left and we were into lap 2 of the Lemans course.
This time I knew the layout, and could honestly hold my own with the PC thru the course. PC got ahead of me on the straights, but I was catching up on the turns. When we came out of the last turn onto the oval, I was probably only a second behind him.
I thought he was holding steady into turn 3 on the oval, then he just took off. I tried, but needed another 50 hp to catch him. I came past pit road at 85 in 5th gear, wanting to use the engine to help brake for the left onto the infield portion. Everyone on pit road was watching me as I went past (I hope it was due to the looks of my car) - what a thrill!
Unfortunately, that was the end of it. PC slowed to a stop at the turn. After pulling back into the infield parking lot, I thanked the PC driver. He told me the oval was just too boring for our cars, and I again thanked him.
I wish he could read this, and know how much I appreciated what he did. I really hope each of you can one day get the same thrill I did yesterday - the Miata is perfect for such a track.
Jim M.
Ray
Take care.
Joe W>
Also, what is a grille guard? I thought that is what the housewives put on their SUVs in case they run into some thick brush on their way to the mall.
You're probably right about the roll bar, I'll wait a while to do that anyway. Someday this car will be in SCCA competition, but not until I spend a few days up at Lime Rock at the Skip Barber School.
Two weeks ago at the Watkins Glen vintage festival really got me hooked, I just hope I am racing before my Miata qualifies for vintage status!!!!
As for the plug wires, this has been a weak point on Miatas in the past, so that sounds like a good move, too.
I can't say about this "high flow air filter" business--that sounds pricey and ineffectual unless there is some kind of actual intake manifold modification.
Noticeable, but not huge, improvement in shift quality. Improvement wasn't apparent until 100+ miles with a lot of shifting.
I suspect that it takes many shifts to completely eliminate the factory lube from the synchronizers. Yes, the transmission was hot when I drained it.
Secondly, I noted in the '00SE owners manual that there is no definite replacement interval listed for engine coolant. Any thoughts?
Jim M.
Is there a noticeable change? No. A little more piece of mind? Yes. But getting them changed is the key.
The manual trans is a new on for me (always owned an auto before). It appears there are two plugs, one for drain and one for fill. Simple enough. However, the end the pics show the removal of the shifter boot and the replacement of oil around the shifter. Is this another part of the manual trans. oil replacement?
Lastly, there is reference to the Miata Enthusiast's Manual. Is anyone else familiar with this maintenance guidebook, and where it can be purchased?
Jim M.
Just to let you know, there does exist such a Miata that you want. In June of '99, we purchased a used 1994 base Miata with alot of miles (100K) for $5500. It was and still is in excellent condition. We have added stuff to it as the months have gone by, as well as many more miles. We presently have 122,000 miles on our little red '94, and it shows no sign of slowing down. I don't see any problems with buying a used Miata with high miles on it, as it has proven itself to us. I also feel that you can find one, just like we did. We were were looking for the '94 & up due to some new things added in '94. It was a super deal, purchased from a private party, and we couldn't be happier. Good luck in your hunt. Let us know what you find.
See our car here: http://convertiblencats.homestead.com
#1. Soccer Moms in Expeditions look down and smile, point and say "how cute' when next to you at lights. Not the response I was looking for.
#2. The wearing of coveralls and workboots just doesn't seem right.
#3. Screwdrivers in back pockets and leather seats dont mix.
#4. I never realized there were so many parking spaces available!
#5. 12 mpg vs 30 mpg...nuff said.
#6. golf clubs are passengers, not cargo. Buckle them in too...
#7. Always memorize your parking space, you will never see the car from the front door of the mall. (Or invest in a helium balloon tied to the antenna and 10 feet of string).
#8. Wash the Ram...30 minutes, Wash the Mazda...2 tracks on the CD. No step ladder needed.
#9 Miata will fit in the bed of the Ram (bring red flags as it may stick out a bit....)
#10 7 year old daughter liked to stick elbow out of the rams window while riding. 7 year old thinks Dads Miata is so cool and has been caught sitting in it while its garaged with top off. Elbow is still stuck out though.
#11. Ram was bought used last year for 18k...I drove it 20k miles, developed a bad rear main seal, never got over 14 mpg, clear coat was peeling and blistering, tires cost $130 each, scraped the roof pulling into a hotel garage's underground lot, and rode worse than my tractor. Dealer said bye bye after 36k. I paid 13300 for the Miata with 35k on it, the finish and leather looks brand new, despite being driven like a mini formula one still gives me 26 to 28 mpg, car was Mazda certified so they replaced the brakes, tires, rear window and floor mats after a 2 hour inspection. At least I owned the Dodge and got a nice big check back after the trade. Oh yeah, and insurance is cheaper.
So whenever I miss the Dodge I jump into my 82 F-350 Duelly and feel a little enviromentally irresponsible. At least the Miata eases my Mid-life crisis (36 last week, so I'm a little early)
Happy motoring and glad to be aboard!!!
Espo
Would appreciate any advice or comments. Thanks
Mine came with the factory chrome 15 inch wheels and I recently bought dunlop sp5000... pretty descent tires. I'm going to order a grill this week (got one dink in my radiator). I'd recommend getting one. Roll bars look great and add safety but hurt resale values. I saw a black miata with the double cross bars by Hard Dog. Looks good although I don't think I'll be getting one. Next for me are a new set of shocks. I haven't decided but I'm considering spending the extra bucks for an adjustable set. Any suggestions? I've also started to save a little from each paycheck... thinking of either jackson supercharger or an entry level turbo from Dealer Alternative.
The diff. fluid made no noticeable change but was highly recommended (Mita.net) and has served me well.
The plug wires (I used the blue NGK wires) have been reliable and effective -- I changed at 24k several years ago -- but it's hard to tell what effect they had on performance as I made two other changes at the same time. I advanced the timing to 14 degrees btdc -- no, it didn't require me to switch to higher octane gas. And I added the K&N filter charger ($180). And I DID notice this combination of changes in the quicker responses of the engine.
I was also going to change to more aggressive shocks -- you may remember this from several hundred posts ago -- but was ready for new tires and couldn't afford both tires and struts at the same time. I bought Toyo T1S 14" tires and now won't buy the new suspension components for awhile because the tires have added so much to the handling that I want to wait before changing anything until the driver can keep up with the tires!
The Enthusiast's Manual is excellent! It's available via nearly every aftermarket dealer listed in the marketplace on Miata.net. It is for the British version of the Miata so I also bought the Haynes manual (also available via the aftermarket dealers) and the two have always had enough information to help me out with the minor mechanical activities I'm able to perform. For anything fancier, I'd need the complete shop manual and, given my level of "ability," I'd need to have my head examined!
Hope these experiences and recommendations help out!
Take care.
Joe W>
I'm just a little leary of handling heavy weight oil inside the car - I can only imagine the mess if it spilled onto the SE's carpet.......
Jim M.
To change the fluid there, use a turkey baster (don't use the one for Thanksgiving turkey). I think it takes about 90ml (I think, don't quote me on the amount)
For the 6-speed transmission made by Aisin, the turet is connected to the transmission and will not hold any fluid, so changing the transmission fluid is enough.