by "TylerJ" (TylerJ)
Published 11/11/2017 at 13:00
by "TylerJ" (TylerJ)
Published 11/11/2017 at 13:00
Tags: miata
; manual
; mx5
; whatdo
STARS: 0
So I got a new job where my pay increased by about ~50%, but my round-trip distance to work went from 36 miles to 66 miles. I really, really hate putting so many miles on my 328i, so I was thinking of getting a fun manual car to both finally own a manual car and also stop putting so many miles on my “good” car.
In my search for a manual, rear wheel drive vehicle, I came across this ‘04 Miata. I’ll post the craigslist link below, but it’s an ‘04 with the Bose sound upgrade, leather seats, 5-speed manual, and it has 112k miles. The seller wants $6,200 OBO. I was thinking about offering $4k because that’s all I really want to spend.
Link:
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There’s also this one:
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"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
11/11/2017 at 13:10, STARS: 0
For a 5 speed, that means it’s not the LS package so it probably doesn’t have a limited slip. For context I paid $5k for my ‘01 with 125k miles on it. It’s an LS package so it has everything. I’d say if it does have a limited slip, anything around 5k is good. DEFINITELY make sure it has no rust though!!
Crack pipe pricing on the ‘02 for mods and that many miles. Sure, it’s worth it since they aren’t bad mods. But still. I’m closing on 200k miles and going strong. So they will certainly last. But I wouldn’t pay more than 3k at that mileage.
"TylerJ" (TylerJ)
11/11/2017 at 13:20, STARS: 0
Hmm I swear it actually had “5-speed” in the listing but now I don’t see it. Does the LS package include the silver dash trim?
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
11/11/2017 at 13:38, STARS: 0
I’m not so familiar with the trim stuff on the newer NB2 models. I know they changed the radio and stuff in the ‘03+ and the bigger brakes came standard on all of them. I don’t think there actually was a mechanical torsen LSD available, only that Fujitsubo weird explodey one.
In general I kind of wish I had a 5 speed though. While the 6 speed is technically stronger, it is much more notchy and not ideal for autocross. My second gear tops out at 53! Though for street driving it is fun to shift more often and bounce off the Rev limiter at under 60 lol
"E92M3" (E46M3)
11/11/2017 at 13:45, STARS: 0
I’ve never owned a miata, but I don’t know how fun it would be with that kind of commute. Unless you’re never in traffic, and are on mostly backroads, I would want something more plush/comfortable.
I think your fun car should be a manual, and your commuter an automatic. Maybe sell the 328, get a manual 335i, then get an older Lexus to commute in?
"SpeedSix" (speedsix)
11/11/2017 at 16:11, STARS: 0
If you’re going to commute for such distances in a Miata, one from 2000 or before won’t have variable valve timing, and can accept regular gas instead of premium for 2001-up.
Not very specific, but this applies to any car really - buy the best you can afford.
"daender" (daender)
11/12/2017 at 10:01, STARS: 0
*Miata-nerd hat on*
https://www.miata.net/faq/america/2004.htm
The 2004 appears to be a LS package car judging by the silver interior trim and the black leather seats. Starting in 2003, Mazda equipped non-Mazdaspeed Miatas with the Tochigi-Fuji torque-sensing limited-slip differential instead of a Torsen. The Fuji diffs have a habit of spitting out clutch tabs over time, each tab is the size of a finger nail. You’ll notice it when you change diff fluids. It’s worthwhile replacing the Fuji with a 4.10 Torsen from an NA Miata. Why the NA 4.1 instead of the NB 4.3? Slightly better highway mileage due to lower rpm and the speedometer become accurate instead of reading 2.5 to 5 mph faster than actual speed. That ‘04 should have a front shock tower brace if it’s a true LS package car, similar to my ‘02.
(The blue paint has since been removed and it’s back to being black.)
‘04 and ‘05 Miatas are interesting model years. The NB2 was nearing the end of its lifespan and Mazda sort of threw together whatever they had left. Some ‘04 and ‘05 NB2 have H1-type low beam headlights instead of 9006-type commonly found from ‘01 to ‘03. The ‘04 “Azure Blue package” was literally leftover ‘03 Shinsen interior pieces and repainted ‘02 SE wheels
The BOSE sound system is hit or miss. Some people complain it’s too bass booms too much. The major issue with the Bose system is that the gauge of the wiring is unique and it has separate amps, making aftermarket solutions a little bit more expensive as most owners end up performing what is known as a “Bosectomy”. I don’t mind it, especially since I’m young and into EDM/house/electro music so the the system works great with the songs of my choice.
Anyway, getting off track there, the ‘04 is a solid buy if you can get it down to $4.5k.
https://www.miata.net/faq/america/2002.htm
The ‘02 Miata appears to be a non-LS package with a few tasteful mods, especially if it comes with a NA 4.1 Torsen diff to swap in! I have the Roadster Sport 3 exhaust and it’s enjoyable loud but it will drone with the top up between 2.5k and 3.1k rpm. I recommend buying the $15 package RS3 bolt-in baffle insert to muffle it for commuting purposes. The Bilstein suspension is nice, but make sure to check the shocks actually are true Bilsteins. The maintenance seems to be up to date, the new radiator is a great plus point as the plastic end tanks eventually give up with age. I don’t care for the VLED headlights, I use 9012-style bulbs trimmed to fit the 9006 housings.
Oh, and the red ‘02 has aftermarket Fiamm air horn, which is a great commuting upgrade because the stock horns are absolute crap. The owner did not mention it but you can see it in the engine bay shot in the bottom left corner.
My question is, do you have any plans for a Miata besides commuting?
If you want to build an enjoyable car for autocrosses, mountain drives, and track days, then start with the red ‘02 car because it’s lighter, lacks ABS (learn threshold braking), and it’s already been modified to improve upon the Miata’s responsiveness and enjoyment.
If you’re wanting a clean-looking car to look good in and want to keep it stock, then go with the silver ‘04 LS with its leather, BOSE, and the entire Mazda exterior appearance package.
"ateamfan42" (ateamfan42)
11/13/2017 at 15:05, STARS: 0
Hmm I swear it actually had “5-speed” in the listing but now I don’t see it.
Some LS models are 5-speeds. The 6-speed transmission was an option on the LS model, and standard on the SE model. The base model was 5-speed only.