casey_2005 - back to 2 Miatas

[nobuffalo]

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[Vince_Fiero]

Sounds great, I have to do with my partners Miata (luckly a 2007) when I'm allowed (does not happen a lot, I can sit in the passenger seat, but not drive).

Just consider:
* this will not be a day to day car, make certain you have the time to drive and maintain it
* there will be issues that will come up, you might not be able to drive it when you want, you might not even be able to drive it at all anymore when the wrong thing breaks. Accept it upfront, don't blame the seller.
* you will need to replace some belts, have some help on the other issues, this will cost time and money, be ready for it
* I love to keep my Pontiac Fiero running, but I put in a lot of money for very low milage. I call it commitment, some will call it crazy.
* With the modifications, I do not think it will be possible to sell it as a car if you decide to separate yourself from it, so expect you will have to be generous yourself.

So if you love the car, don't mind the risk and are ready (morally and financially) to handle more issues then you expect at first, go and realize that dream.

 

[CodeRedR51]

I'm trying to figure out what the "mid-brace" is. Probably the brace that bolts to the top of the seat belt towers and runs across the car behind the seats. That bar was actually put there to help with crash safety in later cars. Other than that, sounds like a good deal. Few maintenance items and she'll run like a champ.

 

[Famine]

* this will not be a day to day car, make certain you have the time to drive and maintain it.

Why not? We ran an NA MX-5 for 18 months as a daily, and I know plenty of people who have NA and NB MX-5s as daily or only cars.

 

[Milliethemutt]

I'd have to agree with Famine there. I ran mine as my everyday car for the first 8-9 months I owned it. It sailed through it's MOT during that time and the only thing I've had to buy for it in 18 months is a new window motor and some tyres. Not bad for a car that's done nearly 130,000 miles and is just under 20 years old. It gets a bit of treatment too (see left) but now I only use it for fun due to having moved both offices and home.

It sounds like a fun bargain is in the offing there and if parts are as easily available as they are over here you shouldn't have too much problem (if any) keeping it running well.

 

[Boz Mon]

I dont know about this one guys. Even though Miatas are very reliable and bulletproof, it seems like this guy is trying to push this car off on an unsuspecting kid. I would wait it out, and save some money. You could get a stock, higher mileage, better cared for Miata for around 3000 to 4000 all day long on craigslist. There seems to be a lot of small, annoying issues with the car. If you really want a miata, I would wait it out, save up some money, and buy a stock NA.

This is coming from a little less than a month of owning an NB, and several months of research, here and there. If this is a second car for you, and you are willing to fix all of the stuff wrong with it, go for it, but I personally would steer clear of this one.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Eh, just buy it and turn it into a track car.

 

[homeforsummer]

I'm trying to figure out what the "mid-brace" is. Probably the brace that bolts to the top of the seat belt towers and runs across the car behind the seats. That bar was actually put there to help with crash safety in later cars. Other than that, sounds like a good deal. Few maintenance items and she'll run like a champ.

The mid brace could also be one of the underbody braces that they attached to the 1.8s and later 1.6s. Mine doesn't have one but it will do shortly. Ditto the one behind the seats.

Why not? We ran an NA MX-5 for 18 months as a daily, and I know plenty of people who have NA and NB MX-5s as daily or only cars.

*Raises hand*

Though mine doesn't work at the moment. Lucky I walk to work, really.

 

[-Cheezman-]

Miatas are rock solid, they also have a huge community and a huge after market. My brother used one as his daily driver/winter car. He even rally raced it with some snow tires, with some success.

The only thing you need to really look out for on early NAs (1990-91) is the crankshaft.

http://www.miata.net/garage/crankshaft.html

They also make perfect project track cars with prices under $2000.

 

[Boz Mon]

I think we still need to know if this will be used as a daily driver, or will it be the OP's 2nd car?

 

[CodeRedR51]

The mid brace could also be one of the underbody braces that they attached to the 1.8s and later 1.6s.

The only brace under the car for the 1.6 (USA market) was a simple two-point cross bar on the rear subframe for 1993 cars. Then they had a big "U" shaped brace that connected all four rear subframe points and two points on the chassis from 1994-97 as well as a simple two-point brace on the front subframe. Same goes for 1999-00 cars that did not have the sport package.

Sport package cars had bracing under the center of the car. This became standard in 2001. 👍

 

[nobuffalo]

I have no problems getting my hands dirty and busting some nuckles in the process of fixing any problems, that's half the fun of owning a car!

The only thing you need to really look out for on early NAs (1990-91) is the crankshaft.

http://www.miata.net/garage/crankshaft.html

This is my biggest fear in purchasing this car, and I will get the vin from him to verify if it's a late model 91 or not.

I think we still need to know if this will be used as a daily driver, or will it be the OP's 2nd car?

The car will be driven as much as possible (with proper maintenance of course), that is after all the reason i'm buying it. As far as having other means of transportation, yeah that's not a problem.

 

[CodeRedR51]

That crank nose problem is really hit or miss. The original engine in my car went 215k miles and the keyway looked perfect when I pulled it out and swapped it with 1992 automatic 1.6.

 

[Boz Mon]

I'm still weary about this. I would save up a bit more money for a stock NA with everything still in tact.

 

[nobuffalo]

Here's what i'm gonna do. I've got vacation coming up soon, i'll drive to Houston and visit some family for a few days (something i've been meaning to do anyways). Then on my way back stop in Dallas and check out the car, maybe visit for a couple days. If I decide I wanna buy the car i'll fly back and pick it up. 👍

 

[Vince_Fiero]

Famine
Why not? We ran an NA MX-5 for 18 months as a daily, and I know plenty of people who have NA and NB MX-5s as daily or only cars.

Sorry, indeed my mistake, I still was focussing on the missing "Soft top" however there is the "hard top" in case off.
An other impression is that it is not in 100% shape, but I know that when it is running well, it is fun.
If in your situation it is a valid economical alternative you will use it a lot, just because you'll enjoy it.

Indeed my partner uses the recent Miata every day and loves it. Just good that I have a bigger car so we can move things. You can always ask friends to help.

 

[Famine]

Sorry, indeed my mistake, I still was focussing on the missing "Soft top" however there is the "hard top" in case off.
An other impression is that it is not in 100% shape, but I know that when it is running well, it is fun.
If in your situation it is a valid economical alternative you will use it a lot, just because you'll enjoy it.

I have to say that this particular one doesn't sound... "ideal", but so long as it works, it can be used daily - and it does take a lot to push an MX-5/Miata to the point where it doesn't work any more!

Indeed my partner uses the recent Miata every day and loves it. Just good that I have a bigger car so we can move things. You can always ask friends to help.

Pah! We got everything required for two people to camp for a weekend into our NA (including the two people), and I moved a set of four wheels with tyres on them in an NB. Plus the roofline isn't really a consideration

 

[nobuffalo]

So it's a done deal, i'll be getting the car. He says he'll just donate it to me and if in the future I feel the need to pay him something I can, and I have every intent in doing so. It just doesn't feel right getting something like this for free. I really don't even know how to react torwards his generosity.

Anyways he's gonna check the vin to see about the crank and send me some more pictures. Said he also may have some interior bits still laying around.

"- The mid brace is in the interior of the car and is placed right behind the front seats, just in front of the parcel shelf. It attaches to mount points near the seat belts. Looks nice. "

 

[Vince_Fiero]

So it's a done deal, i'll be getting the car. He says he'll just donate it to me "

You must have made a good impression on him.👍
Go around afterwards and tease him with your great Miata.

 

[nobuffalo]

.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Doesn't look bad at all. Lots of stuff missing, but they can be replaced fairly cheap.

 

[niky]

Paint is crap, there are lots of missing trim pieces plus carpet... but for $1k, considering it's a runner with no major mechanical problems? I'd say hell... go for it! You don't need power steering in a car that light, and you can replace the AC and some of the missing trim (sound deadening... forget it... the Miata isn't a very quiet car in the first place...) for not so much money.

 

[Famine]

I'd be stripping more out rather than replacing

 

[nobuffalo]

Paint is crap, there are lots of missing trim pieces plus carpet... but for $1k, considering it's a runner with no major mechanical problems? I'd say hell... go for it! You don't need power steering in a car that light, and you can replace the AC and some of the missing trim (sound deadening... forget it... the Miata isn't a very quiet car in the first place...) for not so much money.

I suppose you missed this part...

So it's a done deal, i'll be getting the car. He says he'll just donate it to me and if in the future I feel the need to pay him something I can, and I have every intent in doing so. It just doesn't feel right getting something like this for free. I really don't even know how to react torwards his generosity.

Anyways he's gonna check the vin to see about the crank and send me some more pictures. Said he also may have some interior bits still laying around.

"- The mid brace is in the interior of the car and is placed right behind the front seats, just in front of the parcel shelf. It attaches to mount points near the seat belts. Looks nice. "

Then again I did say I would pay him something, we'll just see how things work out.

 

[Rue]

I'd be stripping more out rather than replacing

What he said. Twice.

 

[nobuffalo]

I'd be stripping more out rather than replacing

What he said. Twice.

Please enlighten me fellas.

 

[Famine]

You could get that down to 850kg (1900lb) without much trouble and then, even without tinkering with the engine, you're at 140hp/tonne (141hp/ton). It's already stiffened, though you'd do well to have an underbrace front and rear too. What you have there is a streetable track toy with disposable bodywork...

 

[nobuffalo]

Interesting. I just found I could shed 3.8lbs by replacing the starter with one from a 99-05. I'll do some more reading, signed up to miata.net tonight. Any other good sites to check on?

 

[niky]

I suppose you missed this part...

Whoops... I did.

Then again I did say I would pay him something, we'll just see how things work out.

For that much generosity, I'd expect lifetime free beer. Or at least a thousand dollar's worth.

I'd be stripping more out rather than replacing

No power steering... no AC... how much lighter can you get? Wait... I just had to ask...

Interesting. I just found I could shed 3.8lbs by replacing the starter with one from a 99-05. I'll do some more reading, signed up to miata.net tonight. Any other good sites to check on?

Shed the radio first. Speakers plus radio should get you more than that.

I don't know how you guys do it... I can live without sound deadening, radio and carpets... but AC? I'd be soaking in sweat in minutes.

And I don't understand how people drove in the rain before they invented AC... wiping the windshield every three minutes is just so...

 

[homeforsummer]

I know there are lots of bits missing, but that looks pretty good. I see yours has got a nasty plastic boot rack like mine has, once I have a bit of money together I'm going to scout around for a clean bootlid with no rack.

Looks fairly clean under the bonnet too, fairly similar to mine in fact but for it being LHD rather than RHD and a few things being in different places. A new drivers mirror shouldn't be too hard to get. I can't see whether it has a drivers airbag but I can see a little light on the rev counter for one, so if you've got one, bin it and get a Momo wheel for it like the MX-5s in the rest of the world came with, that'd save a little weight straight away.

I wouldn't faff with the wheels at all. The original Mazda "flowers" don't look too small in the arches, reportedly give the sweetest handling, and they're also really light, quite a bit lighter than you'll find on the aftermarket without spending loads. I think they're actually made by Enkei.

But yeah, looks quite nice. Touching up the paint and whatnot can always wait, you live in Texas, you barely need any paint at all there for the rain you're likely to see...