How bout a NA miata?

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SpartanG

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NRV, Virginia
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So next week I turn 17 and I've gotten to the point in my life where I'm looking to get my first job. With employment comes money, and with money comes a car. Once I get hired I'll be getting my dad's hand me down, an 01 Acura RL. It's a nice car but he's really beat it up. He uses as a DD and he drives a lot. it currently has 180k on the odo. Over the past year he's probably put 3k worth of repairs into it, and it seems like the problems will only cost more. The electronics in the car aren't looking great, the ABS doesn't work, and in wet conditions the brakes have a scary sudden grab point. Paint is rusted and chipped in multiple places. I have a feeling this car won't last much longer. On top of these, it burns premium fuel and gets 23ish mpg.

I'm expecting this car to basically crap out sometime this year or next. I considered getting a motorcycle (kawi 250r) but the parents didn't like that idea so that one's on hold. So I want a car that fits me with these criteria, in order of importance:

1. inexpensive to own
2. fun to drive
3. reliable

I also would love a car that I can work on myself, so I can get my wannabe shade tree mechanic on.

I did a little research and came across the Miata as fitting a lot of these criteria. Around where I am, I can find a good, fair mileage (~100k) 90-95 model year for less than $3000. These cars get in the upper 20s to low 30s in gas mileage, and they run on regular. As for the fun part, I've never driven one but everyone says the magic's in the cornering. Of course straight line speed isn't good, but I don't have a huge ego so im ok with that. And reliability I read is good, and when parts do go bad, they aren't expensive to replace compared to other cars. My dad has an asian automobile service manual that covers mazdas, so I'd have lots of pretty diagrams to follow if I want to try fixing something myself.

Only problem is, I live about an hour northeast of Philadelphia. So winters are cold and often snowy. Would the soft top hold off rain? Snow? For the winter, I'd have to put on some specialized winter tires I would think, being rear wheel drive and all. Most of the people around here with RWD cars definitely struggle in the snow. Unfortunately, the car would likely spend its time outside, although my dad said we could build an outdoor garage/cover, like this.

The more I think about it the more I fall in love with this car. Does anyone here have any experience with these cars? Or perhaps does anyone have another suggestion? Huge thanks for sticking with me here, I know that's a long read.
 
The soft top is really the only big issue that goes with these things. My sister owns an '89 in red and the soft-top got quoted for replacement for about $700 because it was damaged and leaking when it rained. The alternative of course is an aftermarket hardtop which are a little more expensive than a new soft top but it will last longer, they're easy to fix into place and can be easily removed as well.

I've driven it myself and they're pretty much a go-kart with power steering. Incredibly agile, beautiful manual gearbox and you feel like you're going a lot faster than what you really are.
 
Concur. I can't confirm whether it's a great first car or not and I know the tradition is to suggest something a little more sensible and usually front-drive as far as first cars are concerned, but if you're going to get a rear-drive car then the MX5 is a good place to start since the power is less likely to get you into trouble.

I don't know how bad your winters are over there but my old MX5 was always okay in the snow, even though I didn't have it on winter tyres. It's quite lightweight and has good balance, both of which I found quite useful in snow. RWD isn't necessarily a bad thing in snow, but FWD is generally a bit better for traction.

Mine leaked a little, but not too badly. Totally depends on how good/bad the soft top is.

As for economy, I think I averaged around 34-35mpg in UK gallons, which is about 28mpg in US gallons. EPA was only 24mpg, so I wasn't doing too badly.
 
Hm. Obviously the condition of the soft top would vary from car to car, but it seems likely that I would feel better buying either a hard top or a car already with one.

And all this depends on how long the RL survives. If it defies all reason and never dies, then the miata won't happen for a while, if ever.

And about power, if I hear you right about "trouble", I honestly think that I'm better than most people about speeding. I honestly don't find going fast to be fun or whatever. Straight line speed means very little to me. I'm in it for the curves :)

Thanks all for the input.
 
Well they also don't have too much power that you would completely lose it in a turn if you had an oversteer situation. I've only driven an NA once, on damp, greasy roads. It stepped out on me a little bit once or twice but its ridiculously easy to catch and makes you look like a pro.

They're a lot of fun, and that gearbox is awesome. Get one.
 
Eric.
It stepped out on me a little bit once or twice but its ridiculously easy to catch and makes you look like a pro.
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That's good to hear, although I kinda assumed it would be the case, with it being such a light car. And the engine is so torqueless that it seems like you'd have to push it pretty hard to lose the back end.

After doing more research, it really baffles me that so few people own these cars. Are there really not that many people who enjoy drivng? They're so cheap. I guess having a family wouldn't help... but I am young and naive. I have much to learn.
 
Eric.
It stepped out on me a little bit once or twice but its ridiculously easy to catch and makes you look like a pro.
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I didn't seen anyone that looked like a pro, just sayin... ;)

They really are great cars though, if they weren't I wouldn't try to get as many people to drive mine as I do. I think Miata owners are twice as likely to offer a drive to someone than other car owners. I don't know of a better car for an enthusiast to get his/her start. Reasonably priced, cheap to maintain, good fuel economy and reliable.

Like Eric stated, they will step out on you if pushed enough but it's nothing that can't easily be caught and controlled. Take the first corner in this video for instance(which doesn't give a good impression of speed), I was taking that turn at about 30mph over the recommended speed, made a bit of a steering adjustment and the tail came out. Keep the pedal down and don't go overboard on the counter and the slide is caught. Some might say this is a perfect example of why a beginner shouldn't have this car... Umm, i'll think of my rebuttal when they do! :lol: I guess all I can say is the Miata is very forgiving when things get out of hand. Also, the shifter is superb!



I'd also like to think that had I been in any other car behind my friend mid corner when he wiped out on his bike doing roughly 75 he'd have been ran over and killed. It was a real eye opener that's for sure!
 
SpartanG
After doing more research, it really baffles me that so few people own these cars. Are there really not that many people who enjoy drivng? They're so cheap. I guess having a family wouldn't help... but I am young and naive. I have much to learn.
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It depends where you live. They're the biggest selling sports car of all time, so there are definitely people out there who own them! I see quite a few where I live in the UK.

Incidentally, one other thing. If you buy one, invest in a little security. I used to own one, but it got stolen. Way too easily.
 
homeforsummer
Incidentally, one other thing. If you buy one, invest in a little security. I used to own one, but it got stolen. Way too easily.
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I guess people cut the soft top and climb in? I guess this would just be another reason for me to get a hard top... Unless theres some other issue. I'll be sure to get a wheel lock.

those things are pretty ghetto

Good news is, I got hired today, so ima start making $$$ towards the car...

If/when I do get the car, I'll be sure to let you guys know. thanks a lot for the help.
 
I'd guess they cut the soft top, unlock the door, then climb in. ;)

Do some research, miata.net had a lot of good info. There are plenty of other good forums but i'm a m.net guy. Good luck!
 
It doesn't matter what you drive or what security you have on it, if someone really wants what you have, unless you stand there with a rifle, they'll take it. A good alarm with multiple immobilizers is still defeatable, or they'll just tow it, unfortunately.

Still good to have though, as it prolongs the theft and gets you lower insurance premiums.
 
SpartanG
That's good to hear, although I kinda assumed it would be the case, with it being such a light car. And the engine is so torqueless that it seems like you'd have to push it pretty hard to lose the back end.

After doing more research, it really baffles me that so few people own these cars. Are there really not that many people who enjoy drivng? They're so cheap. I guess having a family wouldn't help... but I am young and naive. I have much to learn.
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Um...torqueless?? no really, not a powerhouse but definitely not below the curve.

Just need a slightly wet roundabout for some proper powerslides. 👍 But driving a MX5 isn't about that though, it's like taking a go kart to the streets, gradually finding the limit and try to stay on it, feel the subtle handling behavior when your tire start to squeal, while doing totally manageable speed, that's what driving a MX5 is about.

Oh and also crusing at 4000rpm on the freeway with unbearable wind noises. :dopey:

There are a lot of MX5 in circulation, and a lot of them has pretty long history, probably just your neighbor isn't keen of this kind of stuff? I will no doubt be getting mine if I can find an extra $500 a month to waste.
 
Honestly I expected Casey's Miata to feel similar to my MR2 but without the MR2 handling traits. Everything about it felt better, either because its newer, was cared for better, or is just plain better. It even felt considerably more powerful. Handling is more predictable, like I said the roads were slick that day to begin with, but the rear came around very slowly while on the throttle a little bit. You catch it before you realized you've done anything to correct it.

The Miata drives more like its on rails and is fastest when you keep up the grip. To be fast in the MR2 you'll usually have the rear slipping out just a little.
 
SpartanG
I guess people cut the soft top and climb in? I guess this would just be another reason for me to get a hard top... Unless theres some other issue. I'll be sure to get a wheel lock.
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Not even that. In my car they didn't pop the lock or cut the top, they literally pulled the window out a little and popped the door. It's really not a secure car!

Don't let it put you off though. It very much depends where you live. I live in a city with a lot of lowlife people I'd happily describe using the c-word...
 
Sorry to hear about your car. I live in a fairly low crime area though, so I won't be too worried. I'm thinking (hoping) a wheel lock would deter anyone from trying.

JJ72
Oh and also crusing at 4000rpm on the freeway with unbearable wind noises. :dopey:
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Haha, I'm hoping that a hard top will help with whistling but there's no doubt that it's gonna be noisy.
 
Honestly the noise thing is completely dependant on the individual. People are so used to being mollycoddled in modern quiet cars that they consider the MX5 too noisy at motorway speeds.

Really they're just wimps. If you can hold a conversation at motorway speeds without raising your voice significantly, it's not too loud ;)
 
Well if you like me have to drive your girl friend home, after she had a long day of work and just want a nap, you will need a quiet car. But if you have a girl friend that appreciates the car as much as you do, consider yourself very lucky. ;)
 
JJ72
But if you have a girl friend that appreciates the car as much as you do, consider yourself very lucky. ;)
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Hmm...

💡 perhaps owning the car will draw them to me! Anyway I saw one of them on the highway in the lane next to me, and they seem really small... I'm 6 feet tall so I'll have to make sure I fit in one lol. I never really thought about it before.
 

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