"Patrick George" (pgeorge)
09/16/2014 at 09:37 • Filed to: Fixin' Shit, Mazda Miata
4
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"Patrick George" (pgeorge)
09/16/2014 at 09:37 • Filed to: Fixin' Shit, Mazda Miata | 4
| 34 |
When my wife and I lived in D.C., we shared one car, our Cooper S. That was a hell of a lot easier to do there than it is in Texas, so I need a second.
I'm leaning towards a Miata (or a diesel W123 lately, they're really similar you know) and I've seen better local deals on the NB than the NA. The original one is getting tough to find in cheap, non-modified shape.
Does anyone have experience working on the NB? The NA is famously fixable with swear words, and I'm wondering if the second-gen one is the same. Everyone knows Miatas are simple and reliable, I'm curious if this one is easy to fix yourself if you're marginally competent with a hammer or that other thing. What's it called?
Oh yeah, a wrench . That.
Any experience working on these bad boys would be highly appreciated, Opponauts.
gw
> Patrick George
09/16/2014 at 09:42 |
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Speaking from experience - it may not be worse than an NA, but it's not particularly easy to work on. It's a little car with lots of stuff crammed into it.
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gawdzillla
> Patrick George
09/16/2014 at 09:43 |
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Same car as NA miata. Little upgrade here and there, but tons of room everywhere
JR1
> Patrick George
09/16/2014 at 09:43 |
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Why get a Miata when you can have a Porsche?
$5900 dollars on the local craigslist. And in Texas when the Porsche inevitably breaks down at least it won't snow on you when you have to walk home!
http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4642735348…
jariten1781
> Patrick George
09/16/2014 at 09:43 |
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Pretty much exactly the same as an NA. A lot of the components are shared. The only bugaboos we had with our NB vs our NA were related to shit the Miata doesn't need (and our NA didn't have) like power windows and door locks.
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Patrick George
> JR1
09/16/2014 at 09:47 |
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Jack Baruth at TTAC once wrote that for most people, a home will be the most expensive purchase they ever make. Unless they buy a Porsche 928, in which case, that will be the most expensive purchase they ever make.
Alfalfa
> Patrick George
09/16/2014 at 09:48 |
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I used to work with a guy who had an NB. He wasn't exactly what you would call a full-on gearhead, but he was generally adept enough to fix and maintain it.
mcseanerson
> Patrick George
09/16/2014 at 09:48 |
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Big difference is VVT on the later models. I don't have any experience with NBs as an NA owner but just out of fear I would avoid VVT. Can't say that it's bad, I just fear change.
Skater Dad
> Patrick George
09/16/2014 at 09:50 |
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So far I've only had to do an oil change, but it wasn't very difficult. If you look around the car it all seems pretty straightforward. Space in the engine bay is tight, but what do you expect in a car that small.
Are you thinking of a 1999-2000 or a 2001+? They changed the engine slightly in 2001, adding variable valve timing. Not sure if that affects the serviceability, but it does make for a revvy engine!
I absolutely love my 2001 SE, you can't go wrong with a NB!
505Turbeaux
> Patrick George
09/16/2014 at 09:53 |
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I cannot comment on the Miata in depth, but the few I have worked on were easy enough. The w123 I have a ton of experience with and you can do almost anything yourself. Even a transmission is a couple hour job to swap out. Just have to keep the valves adjusted and the oil changed. Couple filters here and there. If it is a wagon the SLS rarely needs much beyond new accumulators
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JR1
> Patrick George
09/16/2014 at 09:55 |
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I wouldn't doubt it. Essentially this car was 100k adjusted for inflation. So you get the maintenance of a 100,000 dollar Porsche.
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gawdzillla
> gw
09/16/2014 at 10:06 |
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this is considered cramped ? Seriously ?
Bad Idea Hat
> gawdzillla
09/16/2014 at 10:15 |
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I'm a big guy and I could sit inside that bay.
Santiago of Escuderia Boricua
> Patrick George
09/16/2014 at 10:26 |
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Don't forget to get one with a hard top! Because race car. Then you could rallycross against Orlove since you'd both be in RWD cars.
handyjoe
> Patrick George
09/16/2014 at 11:58 |
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I did a timing belt twice in one day (six hours or so) because I wrecked the water pump seal (o ring? gasket?) the first time. This was in a fairly well-stocked garage, but I don't remember it requiring any special tools. You can get the FM alignment tools, but they weren't necessary.
I've done brakes, a rear caliper, engine mounts, alignment bolts...nothing has been difficult. I've cleaned out the EGR system, twice (as you never really do it right the first time). Since you're in Texas, you shouldn't have the corrosion issues I've dealt with here in Illinois.
Happy hammering/wrenching!
JustJim
> Patrick George
09/16/2014 at 12:22 |
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Last spring I changed the plugs, wires, and ignition coil in less time than it takes to change both headlight bulbs on my wife's 2001 Beetle.
Between a repair manual and the web most repairs are straight forward.
BlackLab
> JR1
09/16/2014 at 14:12 |
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Well if Jack Baruth said it - its gospel! LMAO. I'd still pick a Miata over a 928.. because I think the Porsche looks ugly. That's my general gripe with Porsche's though - I don't like their looks for their price.
Raphmoe
> Patrick George
09/16/2014 at 14:22 |
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Patrick,
The NB Miata are nearly identical cars under the skin to the NA.
Coincidentally, I wrote a buying guide for the Miata today:
http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/jalopnik-buyer…
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JR1
> BlackLab
09/16/2014 at 14:25 |
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I agree with the 928 being ugly but I love the look of most Porsches
Roll Coal
> JR1
09/16/2014 at 14:49 |
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why spend 5900$ on a car you will spend 59,000$ fixing?
wkiernan
> Patrick George
09/16/2014 at 16:18 |
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If someone threw a tarp over the headlights and taillights you would not be able to tell the difference between the NA and the NB without consulting the VIN number. I've replaced radiators, alternators, brake shoes and discs, clutch master and slave cylinders and other easy things on NAs and NBs myself, and I don't have a garage, and I am not a high-powered mechanic. The interior is kind of difficult, however, because it's so small that working under the dash is a challenge for an ordinary-size person.
I'm actually thinking about doing the 100,000 mile timing belt/water pump replacement myself on the '99. Having wrestled with both, I think an NA/NB is even easier to work on than a Beetle (that is, a Type 1, not one of those modern hi-tech FWD things). The thing that makes me hesitate the most and consider sending the job out to someone competent is that whenever I work on my cars the mosquitoes in my yard drive me nuts. Pictured, a necessity:
CKeffer
> Patrick George
09/16/2014 at 16:21 |
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The answer is extremely easy. I'm currently in the middle of a complete suspension swap, including all bushings and such and it's all extremely straight forward and simple. Engine wise, it's the least cramped car I've ever worked on. Removal of things like the intake manifold are a snap, to say nothing of more normal items like spark plugs, wires etc. Add in parts being dirt cheap and the cars being dead reliable and I it's easy to see how they have the following they do. If you're in the Houston are and would like to see for yourself, you are welcome to come have a look at mine.
Also, not sure what the budget is, or where in TX y'all are, but there is a damn clean looking Mazdaspeed Miata (mmm turbo fun) for sale here in Houston as well for a pretty decent price https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/4660778973…
Lime - Light
> Patrick George
09/16/2014 at 16:49 |
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Pretty easy for basic stuff. If you buy a beat up NB and end up having to say... replace clutch or rear main seal, it's a super big pain in the ass, but that's true for most cars.
burdickjp
> Patrick George
09/16/2014 at 17:09 |
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The car looks like it was designed to be worked on. Things under the hood are very accessible. Nothing is terribly difficult.
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JR1
> Roll Coal
09/16/2014 at 17:26 |
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Good point you should get the car free
LionZoo
> Patrick George
09/16/2014 at 17:52 |
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Since I own one, I can say it's fairly easy and they're simple cars. I will say though, the oil change (specifically the oil filter location) is kind of a bitch. A filter wrench is highly recommended for that one.
NotUnlessRoundIsFunny
> Patrick George
09/16/2014 at 19:32 |
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Jack Baruth at TTAC once wrote that for most people, a home will be the most expensive purchase they ever make. Unless they buy a Porsche 928, in which case, that will be the most expensive purchase they ever make.
Former Porsche 928S4 owner and current homeowner here.
Baruth was right.
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Frobnoid
> gawdzillla
09/16/2014 at 22:35 |
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A coldside blower installation is much, much more difficult than just stuffing a K&N filter and a bigger hose under the hood.
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gawdzillla
> Frobnoid
09/17/2014 at 08:43 |
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so much room for activities ....
boobytrapsandtreasure
> Patrick George
09/17/2014 at 09:31 |
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LS swap.
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boobytrapsandtreasure
> Patrick George
09/17/2014 at 09:33 |
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I have no input about which is easier to mend. But I do approve of your decision to get a Miata. Enjoy that thing until kids enter the picture.
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boobytrapsandtreasure
> wkiernan
09/17/2014 at 09:36 |
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Amen, brother. At my house if you want to get anything done outside it needs to be done by 10:30 -11:00 in the morning before they start to swarm.
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boobytrapsandtreasure
> Patrick George
09/17/2014 at 09:41 |
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Like you I am also considering a W123, or even a W126 in diesel form. Instead of a Miata (because of having kids) I'm also considering a five door VW Golf, non-diesel.
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Chris Havill
> Patrick George
09/17/2014 at 12:33 |
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miata.net has picture guides to do just about anything to a Miata.
i have an NA and i changed my timing belt and water pump, as well as doing some other maintenance and it was easy. never done it before, and didn't have in person help so yeah.
Kevin Rhodes
> gawdzillla
09/19/2014 at 22:50 |
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To this owner of a Triumph Spitfire, that looks like utter torture.