I'm traveling to Texas in a couple of weeks and am thinking about buying a 1999 - 2004 Mazda Miata and driving it back to Michigan. I've heard they hold up well even with mileage over 150k as long as timing chain/waterpump are replaced every 60k or so. Any Miata owners with suggestions regarding what to look out for?
Thinking of picking up a 99 - 2004 Miata
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Why is this in the Fuels and Fuel Additives section?
http://www.miata.net/faq/faq2.html#A
I own and have turbo'd a 2002 SE. These guys above will help with most general info (non-turbo).
PS - I love the car more than pretty much anything I have driven. Over 300 reliable HP in a 2400lb street legal car is such an amazing driving experience......
I own and have turbo'd a 2002 SE. These guys above will help with most general info (non-turbo).
PS - I love the car more than pretty much anything I have driven. Over 300 reliable HP in a 2400lb street legal car is such an amazing driving experience......
I have a '99 that is my track car. IMHO, you can't really go wrong with a Miata. They're reliable, fun, easy to maintain, cheap to repair, etc. I can't really think of anything bad to say about them.
Definitely take a look at the FAQ from miata.net, learn about what you're getting. There are some small details here and there, ie some models have a Torsen and some don't... whether or not that matters to you, it is hard to say, but given the opportunity, I'd rather have one.
Shameless self promotion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud4PJHa_Cs8
robert
Definitely take a look at the FAQ from miata.net, learn about what you're getting. There are some small details here and there, ie some models have a Torsen and some don't... whether or not that matters to you, it is hard to say, but given the opportunity, I'd rather have one.
Shameless self promotion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud4PJHa_Cs8
robert
Very solid little car, not fast unless you have it turbo charged.
Handling is sublime.
You can get lots of little parts to improve these cars that I fully understand why people would use them on the track.
There was an MX5 (UK name for Miata) race series in the UK, of sure if it still runs but I think it does.
Watch out for rust on the lower sills below the doors as they do rust on occasion.
Handling is sublime.
You can get lots of little parts to improve these cars that I fully understand why people would use them on the track.
There was an MX5 (UK name for Miata) race series in the UK, of sure if it still runs but I think it does.
Watch out for rust on the lower sills below the doors as they do rust on occasion.
A CT auto wholesaler had a 2004/5 with 60K on the lot for $5999; I thought about it, but @ 6' 3" 250lbs. I don't need to be more of a visual oddity than I already am.
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My grandpa had one for about 80k and finally had to put a clutch in it. Then it got wrecked about a year later. He never had to do anything except for routine maintenance to that car.
They are pretty simple, trouble-free cars that can last a long time. Like any car, Miatas have all kind of owners, but many are bought by mature folks as warm-weather fun cars, are meticulously maintained and are not subjected to many of the conditions that make cars age. On the other hand, some are bought because they are inexpensive and "cute" and are used like a typical subcompact. If you can find one of the former, a 10 or 12 year old car can have tons of life left.
+1 on the recommendation to visit Miata.net. Take a look at the "NB" section. I think you'll find the comments, advice, etc. a few cuts above the typical auto forum blather.
+1 on the recommendation to visit Miata.net. Take a look at the "NB" section. I think you'll find the comments, advice, etc. a few cuts above the typical auto forum blather.
Do it!
I had a '91 for 7 years, bought it with 95,000 miles and sold it with 190,000 miles. Best car I'v had and quite possibly the most reliable. Too bad I wasn't able to keep it. I used it as a daily driver, night shift, parked outside on a filthy trucking company gravel lot all night. Paint on the trunk lid suffered from the gravel dust and not washing it frequently.
Repairs/Mtce. for 7 yrs./95,000 mi.:
2 sets Goodyear Eagles
1 new Robbins top tan w/glass
2 60,000 mile services (1 w/water pump, 1 w/o)
1 30,000 mile service
short circuit on cam angle sensor
new radiator
oil change w/Napa $1.29 10w30 & Gold filter every 3,000 miles
Great car! Have you considered one from the 1st generation?
I had a '91 for 7 years, bought it with 95,000 miles and sold it with 190,000 miles. Best car I'v had and quite possibly the most reliable. Too bad I wasn't able to keep it. I used it as a daily driver, night shift, parked outside on a filthy trucking company gravel lot all night. Paint on the trunk lid suffered from the gravel dust and not washing it frequently.
Repairs/Mtce. for 7 yrs./95,000 mi.:
2 sets Goodyear Eagles
1 new Robbins top tan w/glass
2 60,000 mile services (1 w/water pump, 1 w/o)
1 30,000 mile service
short circuit on cam angle sensor
new radiator
oil change w/Napa $1.29 10w30 & Gold filter every 3,000 miles
Great car! Have you considered one from the 1st generation?
Here are 2002's at the dealer only auction.
Keep in mind above avg is really good, ready to put on the lot as is
12/31/12 DFW Regular $2,400 95,361 Avg BLUE 4G 5 Yes
01/09/13 CEN FLA Regular $6,600 31,606 Above TEAL 4G A Yes
01/16/13 CEN FLA Regular $2,900 102,638 Avg RED 4G O Yes
01/17/13 ST PETE Regular $4,000 105,418 Avg SILVER 4G 5 Yes
01/29/13 DALLAS Lease $3,600 104,743 Avg BLUE 4G 5 Yes
01/31/13 TX HOBBY Regular $3,800 109,657 Avg SILVER 4G M Yes
Keep in mind above avg is really good, ready to put on the lot as is
12/31/12 DFW Regular $2,400 95,361 Avg BLUE 4G 5 Yes
01/09/13 CEN FLA Regular $6,600 31,606 Above TEAL 4G A Yes
01/16/13 CEN FLA Regular $2,900 102,638 Avg RED 4G O Yes
01/17/13 ST PETE Regular $4,000 105,418 Avg SILVER 4G 5 Yes
01/29/13 DALLAS Lease $3,600 104,743 Avg BLUE 4G 5 Yes
01/31/13 TX HOBBY Regular $3,800 109,657 Avg SILVER 4G M Yes
2001's
12/13/12 SO CAL Regular $3,300 152,465 Avg GREEN 4G A Yes
12/13/12 PALM BCH Regular $3,500 93,578 Avg BLUE 4G 5 Yes
01/09/13 TUCSON Regular $3,600 124,186 Avg BLUE 4G M Yes
01/22/13 NASHVILL Regular $5,400 42,235 Above GREEN 4G 5 Yes
01/22/13 ATLANTA Regular $4,700 98,063 Avg GREEN 4G A Yes
01/23/13 HAWAII Regular $4,100 78,976 Avg SILVER 4G A Yes
12/13/12 SO CAL Regular $3,300 152,465 Avg GREEN 4G A Yes
12/13/12 PALM BCH Regular $3,500 93,578 Avg BLUE 4G 5 Yes
01/09/13 TUCSON Regular $3,600 124,186 Avg BLUE 4G M Yes
01/22/13 NASHVILL Regular $5,400 42,235 Above GREEN 4G 5 Yes
01/22/13 ATLANTA Regular $4,700 98,063 Avg GREEN 4G A Yes
01/23/13 HAWAII Regular $4,100 78,976 Avg SILVER 4G A Yes
2000's
01/08/13 HOUSTON Regular $3,400 62,536 Avg PLUM 4G S Yes
01/09/13 LAKELAND Regular $4,000 87,237 Avg GREEN 4G A Yes
01/17/13 NEVADA Regular $2,750 144,290 Avg MAR 4G 6 Yes
01/17/13 CHICAGO Regular $3,500 63,987 Avg BLACK 4G M Yes
01/18/13 FT LAUD Regular $3,500 80,479 Avg BLACK 4G A Yes
01/29/13 PHOENIX Regular $1,700 174,462 Below GREEN 4G A Yes
01/29/13 BALTWASH Regular $2,350 118,631 Avg BLACK 4G A Yes
01/31/13 FRDKBURG Regular $4,400 88,107 Above GREEN 4G Yes
01/08/13 HOUSTON Regular $3,400 62,536 Avg PLUM 4G S Yes
01/09/13 LAKELAND Regular $4,000 87,237 Avg GREEN 4G A Yes
01/17/13 NEVADA Regular $2,750 144,290 Avg MAR 4G 6 Yes
01/17/13 CHICAGO Regular $3,500 63,987 Avg BLACK 4G M Yes
01/18/13 FT LAUD Regular $3,500 80,479 Avg BLACK 4G A Yes
01/29/13 PHOENIX Regular $1,700 174,462 Below GREEN 4G A Yes
01/29/13 BALTWASH Regular $2,350 118,631 Avg BLACK 4G A Yes
01/31/13 FRDKBURG Regular $4,400 88,107 Above GREEN 4G Yes
Note on small appearance of car:
I'm 6'0" 180 lbs. and I fit in it perfectly, but looked absurd driving it. Any taller and I would not have fit.
It got 24 mpg winter, 28 mpg summer commuting, up to 35 mpg on trips.
Under my ownership it suffered 2 trips to Idaho and 1 all the way to Oaxaca, including sleeping in it at truck stops and rest areas.
I'm 6'0" 180 lbs. and I fit in it perfectly, but looked absurd driving it. Any taller and I would not have fit.
It got 24 mpg winter, 28 mpg summer commuting, up to 35 mpg on trips.
Under my ownership it suffered 2 trips to Idaho and 1 all the way to Oaxaca, including sleeping in it at truck stops and rest areas.
Under my ownership it suffered 2 trips to Idaho and 1 all the way to Oaxaca, including sleeping in it at truck stops and rest areas.[/quote]
I have ridden in a Miata can imagine it would be very rough sleeping.
I have ridden in a Miata can imagine it would be very rough sleeping.
I'll sell you my 2004 Mazdaspeed! 70k miles, all maintenance performed.
Factory turbo makes it a hoot!
Factory turbo makes it a hoot!
Originally Posted By: 2James1
I have ridden in a Miata can imagine it would be very rough sleeping.
Very rough sleeping. One night was waiting for Grant's Pass to open with a snowplow passing every half hour setting the alarm off and just about bowling the car over.
The things cheapness will drive you to do. I'm reformed now, not as cheap as I once was.
I have ridden in a Miata can imagine it would be very rough sleeping.
Very rough sleeping. One night was waiting for Grant's Pass to open with a snowplow passing every half hour setting the alarm off and just about bowling the car over.
The things cheapness will drive you to do. I'm reformed now, not as cheap as I once was.
From everything I've heard and read, a Miata would be a great choice in an entertaining daily driver.
They seem to be quite reliable and durable.
A Miata would be a fun and economical car to own.
There are also enough of them out there that parts and informed advice are readily available.
Go for it!
They seem to be quite reliable and durable.
A Miata would be a fun and economical car to own.
There are also enough of them out there that parts and informed advice are readily available.
Go for it!
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