MKII MR2 T-Top
MKIII Toyota Supra Targa
87-93 Fox Hatch
G35 Coupe
2nd Gen S-10 V8 Swap
Now I see this at Pat Leary (:tup: BTW to Pat Leary Auto)…
BIG Jump (Most would say DOWN) from the previous list. This was the 3rd one I have looked at. I don’t know what it is but the more I look at the more I want one. I almost put the keys to my GA in Pats hand…ARGH. “Haste makes waste” and I can’t cough up the dough.
So, my question is…For a practical driving, summer riding, not road trip worthy but maybe a 300 mile round trip, reliable, and reasonably priced car how is the Mazda Miata?
I want to drive the damn thing and NOT have to fix it all the Time. Work on it and improve it, sure. Fix LIMs and gas leaks…not so much. Looking more for a reliable car. Can store it away for the winter and have it fire up the first day in spring.
Anyways, does anyone have any input on the 99 Miata? Pro’s/Con’s (Outside of the questionability of ones masculinity driving the autonomy that is the Miata, Wow even describing the “gayness” associated with a Miata is gay :eyebrow:).
The thing is I lean towards the 99 MX-5. The year has the styling I like…Rims, Interior, and even so much as available Options. Maybe 00-05 are pretty close but there are subtle differences that I don’t like. It appears that the interior changed slightly (Steering Wheel and Gauges) as well as the front end (Did the 03-05s have a different front valance? It does not look right on some.). None the less I really like this F’n thing. I retract my “I can’t fit in one” statement. Seat all the way back and could NOT reach the clutch (I’m 6’0").
EDIT: I would only rock the Triple Black Cloth. Is was so HOT looking, to me.
You’re sort of off, but that is my fault. Let me clarify.
I’m really looking for feedback on the Miata. Not “how much will the project cost me?” Price range is not really far off for any of those builds (G35 is the only one above 20k hands down). I will be in the 10-15K range on any of the above listed.
As far as the Miata it MAY be cheaper depending on what I find/want to do.
I had one just like that for a few years… black and tan though, not triple black. With the appearance package like that one has, and being black, it’s about as manly as you can get for a miata. They are very reliable as long as the one you’re looking at doesn’t have the crank endplay issue. If it’s got >40000 miles you can pretty much rest easy as most with that issue grenaded by then. If it has less than that, you should have it measured at a Mazda dealer that knows these cars (probably not too many of those around here). Most 99’s need the coil packs replaced at some point. They seem to be a weak point. I’d say 99-00 are a better especially for an enthusiast. You can put in regular 87 gas instead of having to put in premium like you do in the 01-whatever’s. The 99-00 are also more friendly to power adders as you don’t have the variable intake timing to worry about. If they want 10-15K for that car, I’d say keep looking. There are a ton of them out there, just not around here.
The only downside is that most people just look so… “big” sitting in a miata. Not a problem for old folks, women, short people, etc. But for an average adult male, it really makes the car look “toyish”, and people will associate you with being the guy who drives around that little toy car. The black with the appearance package does look really nice.
I test drove that one a few months back for shits, it is very possible it was someones track toy. Roll cage, borla exhaust, deleted sun visors, and it looked a bit lower than stock as well as felt stiff in corners. I would also be weary of the early NBs for the same reasons sickboy mentioned.
:tup: Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. Thats exactly what I wanted to know.
As far as the “toyish” look. I get what your saying. :shrug: oh well. I love that triple black with those wheels.
I opted not to drive it because it was wedged in the middle and I didn’t want to be a dick to have the guy get it out buy moving 3 cars only for me to turn down the deal. I noticed the stance too. It’s different. I like it and the exhaust sounded good too.
That being said, what is available for add-ons? I know suspension and exhaust for sure. This model did not have a turbo…how easily will the stock 1.8 and drivetrain handle A turbo (Minglor?)? Not sure size, boost, or HP gain I want.
Are there “better” or more reliable options other than turbo (super-c, cams, ECM, etc…)? I was shooting for the 150-175 range. Then I will see what I got and how it drives. I need to start somewhere, right?
I was present for this.
Car seems to be in excellent shape regardless.
If you are looking for a NB I would avoid 99s.
For some reason, they have weird motor issues with cylinder 4. (if I recall)
I’ll double check that.
On the plus side that one looks like it has a sports package. Sports Package (manual trans only)
Sport suspension with Bilstein shocks
Rear spoiler
front air dam
15 inch aluminum wheels w/ 195/50-R15 tires
Torsen® Limited slip differential
3 spoke Nardi leather wrapped steering wheel
Strut Bar
As far as modding miatas go, With the 1.8
I think I would go with a supercharger. They make some decent power.
You are never going to turn one into a straight line monster, unless you 5.0 swap an NA
It really depends what you want from it.
Track toy + mods = awesome car.
Not the most baller car ever, Thats why I went the cheaper NA route which are damn reliable, Even when I do beat mine like a red headed step child.
But I would still recommend getting an s2000 for ~15 like JCuz did.
Or at least test driving both cars more than once before pulling the trigger.
Already have that ^ in the GA…:uhh: Not in the motor, obviously.
I can have more moronic ideas can’t I?
I would rather budget a 10K project and be short by a few K then budget a 4K project and wind up taking extra years to finish, that would be moronic. You gotta pay to play.
Haha. Thanks for the info. Which NBs are better? 01-02? Just 01? Etc…If I had a 99 with the Thrust bearing either checked or replaced what are the other Negatives?
I have been looking at these for a while now, amongst others, and I have not found an NB that does not appeal to me. I don’t care for the pop-ups on the NA and the NC…forget it. I remember the first time I saw the NB I thought to myself how fun that would be to drive.
Every car has negatives. It’s the gains that out-weigh the negatives. If you can stand next to a car and list all the negatives about it but still feel like buying it either…
A) you missed somethings on your list and you need to re-think what is wrong with it. ie. Thrust bearing will shit the bed is X,XXX miles. The car is a piece of shit so DON’T BOTHER…
B) your eyes are bigger than your wallet. Double check the price tag. Then say Fuck it.
C) you really did find the right car. Leave lot with said CAR.
For this particular car I chose “B.” I need the $$$ for the house this summer. My to-do list is more important right now. But, I can save for next summer. I just wanted to see what others have been through either with JUST Miatas or whatever. Researching every major purchase before you make it will never have you saying “Why the FUCK did I by this POS???” You never know. 5 minutes ago I had no Idea about 1.8s tearing there own guts out because the block was f’d.
Because of the bulletin if it fails you get new motor, hooray!
I kinda love NBs and think if I got rid of the NA I would end up with a supercharged NB.
That one you are looking sounded pretty damn good with the exhaust.
If you want to look further into MKII MR2’s get a hold of me. I have 2, one quite modified, and one totally stock. Send me a PM. You can see then if they’d be a good fit for you.
hey, it was less than 15 and yes drive both as i did and then you will realize how much sweeter the S2k is and just spend the extra couple grand for something you don’t have to mod much. The nice thing about miatas are they are still fun to drive, cost a bit less and will be easier to find and bargain on.
Haha. Can you put an NB front on an NA? Maybe try that if you don’t want to get rid of your setup. I have also considered doing that.
(Sweet Pic BTW, Thanks for a new desktop :))
Thanks Joe. I see you now have 2. When did that happen…pics? You let me chat/sit in your Black one at the Chestnut Ridge BBQ last summer. It’s a sweet ride. Thanks for being such a standup guy :tup:
Once I get my funds back I would like to give you shout.
