Miata anyone? Opinions on these cars.....

[usracer900]

I'm looking to get a first generation Miata. Has anyone had one and can comment on these cars, their performance, reliablilty and general satisfaction or dissatisfation?

Thanks for your time.

 

[W]

I've owned a '91, currently own a '93, plan to own a '94, then a '99, then an '01.

They are hands down the best bang for the buck fun factor car out there. The motors are pretty well bullet proof, easy to work on, and the ownership group consists of very mechanically inclined people. The later cars (94 and up) respond to and have a better upgrade path, but I must mention the $1100 CARB certified Greddy turbo only available for the 90-93 cars.

My pet peeve is that they are all convertibles.

Drive one, you'll like it.

Head on over to miata.net for more info.

 

[fangtl]

By far one the the most fun cars I have ever owned. I have had a '93, a '97R, and finally a '01. The only two gripes I have with the NA Miata are 1) they all have plastic rear windows and buggy zippers which tend to deteriorate after a few years of ownership, and 2) their shallow and flat trunk space. Other than that, I would not hestitate to own one again; in fact, I am looking for another Miata (a 2000) to replace my daily driven Civic.

 

[NsXMas]

The Miata looks like a blast to drive. I drove past one today and it looks so small and fun.

 

[DocL]

I had a '90 Miata and it was a very fun car for cruising along the beach and going on short errands with. The car reminded me very much of the Lancia Abarth Scorpion/Monte Carlo that I had 20 years ago in it's ability to be tossed around in the turns. However, as much fun that it was to drive, I felt very unsafe while on the highway in it. The wind pushes the car around, and you feel like every SUV and semi can't see you and will drive right over you if you are not careful.

If you considering getting one as a beater, it's a great car. If you are going to be using it for your commute everyday, I'd pass. But, for $2,000 I'd pick one up again to have fun with for five or six months and then sell it just like I did with my first one.

 

[the nsxnut]

I've spent many laps behind the wheel of a spec Miata, heavily modded for the track (suspension, tires, brakes, cage, etc...). It is a BLAST! Very easy to drive at it's limits of performance; which can be quite tricky, OTOH, in an NSX. And, it's fairly bullet-proof. Spend the whole day at the redline, pounding the gearbox, with no side-effects...

 

[NsXMas]

By the way, Consumer Reports rate the Miata as reliable. MSN autos gives it a reliable verdict. In fact this post made me look for used Miata's on the web, but we've got too many cars for me to seriously think about buying one.

 

[sjs]

Great fun with a few mods. We're running an Spec Miata now as well as my 510, and although the Miata isn't quite as fast there is SO much more direct competition. I think it had the highest average entry count last year for SCCA regional races and it goes "national" in 2006.

I'm looking very hard for a 90-92 street beater that I can use as a "mule" for breaking in engines, brakes, tires etc. If anyone sees one for 2000 - 2500 I'd like to hear about it. I keep missing them by a few hours.

 

[WillErickson]

Once you drive one, you'll be hooked. They are an absolute blast to drive, and I can echo everyone else's comments on the outstanding reliability. Mine's a 1993, I've had it for 6 years now, bought with 34k miles, currently at 106k, and it runs like new. And I rag on it pretty hard, have done several track days. Very easy to maintain and work on as well. My only gripe is that wind noise is very loud on the highway with the top up. Killer gas mileage as well.

Will

 

[nsx13]

I bought a '90 w/125k miles, Bell Engineering Turbo and other suspension and brake mods, about a year ago. I've done 4 track events with it and it has been great.

 

[Mike O]

usracer900,

I just bought a restored '65 Corvette on Friday and will be selling my '93 Miata if you've got an interest. It's red with black interior, has 89k miles, and I've installed the following: 16" OZ Superleggera wheels with Yokohama tires, Koni adjustable shocks, Racing Beat springs, BSP stainless steel style bar, and Miata R ground effects. Nice car that I'll sell for way less than I've got in it.

Miata's are a lot of fun to drive, and my car easily handles as well as my NSX does with the upgrades I've made.

Mike
'04 VW R32
'00 Toyota Solara SLE V6
'99 BMW 323i
'93 Miata
'91 NSX
'71 GTO Convertible
'65 Corvette Coupe

 

[ChopsJazz]

I've had a '91 and a '94. Both were very reliable, and if you pack the trunk just right two can get away for a long weekend in it. I took a few trans-state trips in mine and always loved the handling and the tightness of them. OTOH, they could sure use more power.

 

[sjs]

usracer900,

I just bought a restored '65 Corvette on Friday and will be selling my '93 Miata if you've got an interest...

I'm interested, but you probably want more than I'm looking to spend since you have so many parts I can't use if I later convert it to SM. Still, send me a PM with a price, I might go for it anyway and worrry about piecing out the leftovers later.

 

[Mike O]

sjs.

If you'll e-mail me your e-mail address to send them to, I'll send you some pictures of my car, a detailed description and the price I'll take.

Thanks for your interest,

Mike
[email protected]

PS...BarnMan knows my Miata, as he was the one who installed the Konis and Racing Beat springs.

 

[W]

If anyone sees one for 2000 - 2500 I'd like to hear about it. I keep missing them by a few hours.

Many good examples out there in your price range. Be patient and do some research in the meantime to determine which model year is right for you, especially if you're going the FI route. The two that I've purchased ('91 and '93) cost $2300 and $2000. Both needed nothing. I almost snagged a lower mileage '94 for $2000 but was too late (dang!). Personally, I'm thinking 94-95 for the bigger motor (1.8L), bigger brakes (rotors really), stronger ring gear in the diff, longer lasting LSD (Torsen), tighter chassis, wider range of pre-packaged FI solutions, better response to FI (versus 1.6L), beefier clutch/fylwheel, OBDI (versus OBDII for 96 and up), black with black interior (not available pre 94),... What else?