1995 Mazda MX-5 Miata: This Is It

"Andrew T. Maness" (theroadlessdriven) 09/04/2014 at 20:50 • Filed to: New Miata, Mazda, Miata, MX-5, 2016 Miata, Advertising, Jalopnik, Sports Car

1

27

I would drive the ever loving piss out of this. Seriously, if someone came up to me on the street and offered to trade me this exact Miata in mind condition for my S4 I would do it. You know why? Because this is the kind of car you drive when you give absolutely zero fucks.

The longer I look at it, the more I love it. I'm starting to have irrational thoughts about finding one and restoring it to it's original glory. Those wire mesh BBS wheels have got to be what, 15" and that leather, I bet it's the same stuff they use on Southwest seats. I've got to dive into the deep end of the internet, I know there's one of these out there somewhere, I bet it's cheap as hell too.

Good lord, what's happening to me? Somebody save me from myself, I think, I think I'm going full Jalop. Soon I'll have completely lost touch with reality and be lusting after Volvos and SAABs.

I'm scared, quick, somebody send me a Hellcat video and a Z/28 spec sheet. The purist world is too real for me, too spartan, too uncomfortable. I want obnoxious levels of horsepower, understeer and 18" rims for a little while longer. Maybe in a couple of years I'll be ready to join the cult of Okulski but not yet. Hook me back up Farrah, I wanna live in the auto Matrix a little longer because I still give a fuck, maybe two or three.

mcseanerson > Andrew T. Maness 09/04/2014 at 09:03

1

I found one for a friend for $1500. Every time someone says you can't find nice Miatas for $2k or less, bullcrap.

Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish > Andrew T. Maness 09/04/2014 at 09:04

0

You aren't alone my friend.

Nerd-Vol > Andrew T. Maness 09/04/2014 at 09:07

0

The one in the picture probably goes for$4000-5000.

Textured Soy Protein > Andrew T. Maness 09/04/2014 at 09:09

0

If you like that color, there's also the '00 SE.

Got dat wood grain...

No BBSes though.

Nerd-Vol > Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish 09/04/2014 at 09:13

0

Tennessee?

Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish > Nerd-Vol 09/04/2014 at 09:19

0

Not quite. It's the band Whitechapel's logo but, they are from Tenessee

Scary__goongala! > Andrew T. Maness 09/04/2014 at 09:34

0

i want those bbs wheels for my NA so bad.

Lekker > Andrew T. Maness 09/04/2014 at 10:12

2

That should help. Boosted & Bagged 5.0 Mustang. They call it the Tire Shredding Unicorn.

Lately I've been in the same "rational" boat. I want to supercharge my 370, but I know I should get something like a wrx or a miata for daily. But why? Why not daily a stupid powerful 370z? Arghh.. You know 400+ wheel horse power can't be replaced by a light, 4-cyl masterpiece. Because there's just too much fun in slamming the gas before a freeway entry. ,etc,etc,etc. Don't join the dark side

Andrew T. Maness > Textured Soy Protein 09/04/2014 at 11:23

0

Andrew T. Maness > Lekker 09/04/2014 at 11:28

0

Holy crap that thing is ugly. I'm sure it's a hoot to drive but goddamn, awful paint choice.

I won't be going "full rational" anytime in the near future, I live in LA, you need HP & torque in this city.

A WRX is a far cry from a Miata, they certainly don't lack for power, my friend's stage II hatchback is one of the most buttpuckering vehicles I've ever driven.

That being said, I do love the idea of driving a big ol piece of modern 'Murican muscle.

Lekker > Andrew T. Maness 09/04/2014 at 11:44

0

The point being a stock car that is more useful than fun. And it's plastidip. He changes it every month. To each their own I suppose.

Andrew T. Maness > Lekker 09/04/2014 at 11:51

0

Ah plastidip, the indecisive man's best friend. That's awesome!

Lekker > Andrew T. Maness 09/04/2014 at 12:03

1

Isn't it? And now they sell kits with spray gun for 150 or so. Think about the options... a different color every month, or something like that if the wallet allows.

Ducky > Andrew T. Maness 09/04/2014 at 21:12

1

i impulse bought a 96 with the leather pack (pretty much an M edition without the badges or power locks) and i have regretted it exactly never

TotallyThatStupid > Andrew T. Maness 09/04/2014 at 21:12

0

NA Trivia - the only first-gen Miata with adjustable headrests.

Roadster Man > Lekker 09/04/2014 at 21:16

0

I've dipped my miata 3 different colors at this point. It is fun, doable in a day and it looks surprisingly good. Holds up pretty well, I just get tired of looking at the same color.

Roadster Man > Andrew T. Maness 09/04/2014 at 21:19

1

You clearly don't understand yet. We will be waiting when you are prepared.

wkiernan > Textured Soy Protein 09/04/2014 at 21:46

0

In '04 they came in a shade called "black cherry mica" which sometimes looks red, sometimes purple, sometimes black.

Lekker > Roadster Man 09/04/2014 at 22:18

0

Shit that is awesome. I am honestly looking to dip mi z. Really bad. May I ask whose products you used, and how you went about it? Big picture of course, no need to get down to the needy greedy.

Roadster Man > Lekker 09/05/2014 at 00:06

1

I used all dipyourcar.com stuff. I used the older Earlex 3500 sprayer that DYC used to sell, but I would bet that the DYC branded sprayer is far better. Same price as the Earlex was too. Watch a few of Fonzie's videos and you'll see how easy it is. It's especially easy on a smaller car. Spray enough coats and the dip will last a while. You need to do some regular upkeep, though. My finish got pretty crapped up after I barely washed my car for a year. Luckily I just sprayed over it! You can do that, and it makes it thicker and easier to remove if you ever want to peel it off.

The previous 2 times I dipped my car I used solid colors. It's so easy you could do it blindfolded. Just don't touch the stuff and you can simply spray enough coats to get even coverage, overlaps and screw ups on your spraying pattern don't matter. It doesn't matter if you get too close or too far away for a bit either- enough coats and it'll simply even out. The stuff is magic.

This time around I decided to use pearls, though. They were so tempting, and there are so many now! I used Nebula Blue pearl mixed with clear matte dip, 50g/gal. I put down a few coats of navy blue as a base, and sprayed the Nebula blue on top. The pearl is tricky, you need to get proper coverage and pay very close attention to your spraying pattern and how far the gun is from the car. I ended up with some streaks, but I think it turned out pretty nicely overall. Here's a pic:

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

No filters, for real!

Oops. I guess I got down to the nitty gritty. Oh well! Fonzie's videos can teach you the rest.

Lekker > Roadster Man 09/05/2014 at 01:01

0

Wow man. I have actually been watching tons of Fonzie's videos since I've started doing research on it. And that exact blue is one of the ones that appeals to me most, so I might actually ask for the code for the paints and whatnot down the line. My only real challenge is going to be doing it in an unattached garage from my apts, which is only so wide and given the Z is already fairly wide I fear I won't get good distance and screw it up.

You mentioned upkeep, what else do you do to? Are you somewhere where it rains/snows? I'm in KS and snow is going to start in about two months. While it's my only ride I just would hate for the snow to screw up the plasti-job. Man you honestly made me go from fairly certain I want to - to holy shit I gotta order everything. That Blue Miata looks impressively exquisite, and not just the paint. Did you use the anodizer thing for your wheels as well?

Again, seriously, thank you. If you were near the area I'd buy you a beer and say let's go do mine now :D lol.

Roadster Man > Lekker 09/05/2014 at 01:24

0

No problem! I'm happy to share the knowledge. I dipped my car in a pretty cramped garage, so as long as you can maneuver yourself to keep the gun about 10-12" from the car, you're golden. Lighting is key, though. I would have avoided most mistakes if I had gotten the garage properly lit.

I'm in CT, so it definitely rains and snows and it's no problem on the dip. By upkeep I mean weekly washes. Nasty things like tree sap, bird shit and gasoline to leave stains on the dip if they aren't taken care of. Especially gasoline, just use a rag and avoid the risk altogether. I've got a couple drops that left permanent stains already.

Thanks for the compliments! That's just the color of the wheels, they are Rota Grid Concaves in Sport Bronze. I love the color against the blue. I'm going to change the car to some sort of green next year probably.

Lekker > Roadster Man 09/05/2014 at 10:51

0

Well at least now I feel like it won't be a total failure when I try to do it in my cramped garage. Lighting will have to be addressed for sure, since it doesn't really have a light.

I'm pretty bad at not washing it often bc it rains so much I just get tired of seeing it get dirty again. But for the finish's sake I'll try to. Do you use the protection coat thing they sell?

Andrew T. Maness > Textured Soy Protein 09/05/2014 at 11:28

0

Came across this in a parking lot today. Sometimes it freaks me out when I focus on a car and it magically materializes and I see them everywhere. This has been happening for years and with very rare/specific models.

webmonkees > Andrew T. Maness 09/05/2014 at 12:21

0

This one has issues of parts taking off.

$500: "this is a parts car it has a good running engine good 5 speed Trans good rear end a few small parts have been taking off including the wheels and tires I'll take 500 cash u will have to haul"

Textured Soy Protein > Andrew T. Maness 09/05/2014 at 12:49

0

That's weird—looks like they've been working on swapping in a black interior, but haven't quite gotten all the black parts yet.

Also, wtf with the eight extra gauges?

Roadster Man > Lekker 09/05/2014 at 14:09

0

I'm terrible about washing it too. I should be doing that right now, as a matter of fact. But I'm sitting inside instead...

I bought the dip protector, but I haven't used it yet. Later today when I wash the car I'll probably use the protector to see if it does anything. I use the DYC Dip Wash too, it works well but it's more about peace of mind. I'm of the mind that you might as well go all in and use dip-specific everything.