"P5guy now GTIguy" (p5guy)
06/08/2015 at 09:58 • Filed to: NPoCP, Miata
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"P5guy now GTIguy" (p5guy)
06/08/2015 at 09:58 • Filed to: NPoCP, Miata | 1
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What do you guys think of this Miata I found the other day? It seems to have pretty low miles and according to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! it is a pretty rare model. I am seriously considering trading in my 2007 Altima for this because I need another Mazda in my life.
Miata experts, is there anything I should look out for on this car mechanically ? Is this a good car for a 20 year old college student?
Link !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
Also I know this is a buy here pay here place but I’m not planning on financing the car.
Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
> P5guy now GTIguy
06/08/2015 at 10:02 |
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For 4k I’d say you could hardly lose. But then I don’t know much about Miata’s...
As far as being good for a 20yo college student, it’s simple and economical. Win.
mazda616
> P5guy now GTIguy
06/08/2015 at 10:04 |
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I think it'd be great. As long as you have a way to haul stuff if you need to. An Altima isn't exactly a truck but it'll still fit more stuff than a Miata. :)
TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
> P5guy now GTIguy
06/08/2015 at 10:14 |
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as a 21 year old college student who dd’s a miata its always a great choice.
Its looks pretty clean in the pictures and the bolt in roll bar doesnt look too bad. For that money it cant be too bad of a deal unless it drive terrible. See if you can find about service records even though the dealer probably wont have them
MIATAAAA
> P5guy now GTIguy
06/08/2015 at 10:15 |
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Looks great! Take it to a mechanic for inspection. Would buy.
daender
> P5guy now GTIguy
06/08/2015 at 10:18 |
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Miata owner who’s nearly done with college chiming in:
The good:
Viscous LSD opposed to open diff
Stiffer springs and Bilstein shocks
Rollbar for safety/rigidity and you can take it to TRACK DAYS BRO since that’s a requirement for convertibles
Low mileage for a 22 year-old car
Fuel economy is great for college car
Convertible fun times/Miata-life yo
The bad:
1.6L engine means all the slowness and it sounds like a hive of BEEZ
IMO, the later Torsen Type 1/2 diffs are superior
Rollbar means the rare factory-red boot and tonneau covers can’t be put on anymore, would still ask if they come with the car or else negotiate the price down
The Miata can carry 2 suitcases at best, one in the trunk and one in the passenger seat, you don’t have a lot of room for grocery runs and etc
The original Bose radio is missing
Someone modified the rear finish panel and it’s missing both the trunk spoiler and rear bumper skirt, it should look like this:
I’d be curious to see if it was in an accident or something.
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P5guy now GTIguy
> daender
06/08/2015 at 10:27 |
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Very good point about the rear end being slightly off. I did notice the radio is missing, but the car has a very good owner registry with nearly all of them accounted for, maybe I can find a radio that way.
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P5guy now GTIguy
> TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
06/08/2015 at 10:29 |
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Will be doing a very thorough test drive if I go look at it. The timing belt might be the first thing that needs addressing.
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P5guy now GTIguy
> mazda616
06/08/2015 at 10:29 |
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No an Altima isn’t I could fit a good amount more in my Protege 5.
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daender
> P5guy now GTIguy
06/08/2015 at 10:31 |
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I would love to have a ‘93 with either the NB1 or 2 engines and LSD, it’s the best-looking NA Miata IMO.
Needmoargarage
> P5guy now GTIguy
06/08/2015 at 10:48 |
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I own two Miatas: a ‘92 1.6L and a ‘96 1.8L. Looks to be in good condition and I’m assuming there isn’t any rocker panel rust. A couple of thoughts...the Viscous LSD, while in theory better than the open diff, will likely fail (if it hasn’t already). A later Torsen is really what you want, and swapping to it will involve more parts on a 1.6L car.
The rollbar appears to be a Hard Dog Sport. Due to the lack of cross bracing, you likely won’t be legal for SCCA/NASA road racing events and some HPDEs with that setup. However, it’s better than nothing for autocrossing and whatnot.
Also, as you may have gathered, Miatas are unbelievably slow in a straight line. The 1.6L is even slower. For that kind of money I would buy a 1.8L car as you get better brakes, differential, engine, etc.
Additionally, I can’t stand that interior. Personal preference :)
If you decide to go check it out, here’s a few mechanical things to look out for:
Since it’s a ‘93, you shouldn’t have the short nose crank issues. Check anyway.
Listen for diff whine. That’s a sure sign your VLSD is on its way out.
Find out the last timing belt service and/or clutch replacement.
Check for rocker panel rust in front of the rear wheel.
Personal opinion: I wouldn’t have a Miata as my only car in college. You can’t haul crap around, including friends. However, if you have a backup car they are incredibly reliable and fun for the money. You can get a better (later model) Miata for that kind of money, unless you are into the limited edition stuff. Good luck!
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mazda616
> P5guy now GTIguy
06/08/2015 at 11:23 |
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This Miata looks like a great deal. That red interior is sweet!
Then Something New
> P5guy now GTIguy
06/08/2015 at 11:54 |
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Black and Tan Miata guy giving you some advice now that I’m in an NB2 Miata.
https://goo.gl/photos/nrNZetW…
Be careful with these early special edition cars, guys are known to take parts off of them before they sell it. They may or may not have the Bilstein shocks or LSD or they could both be shot so you wouldn’t want them. Here in FL where maitas are plentiful you are paying for the Black & Red combo. Those typically had the 15” BBS wheels as opposed to the 14” so they are worth a little more, especially with the center caps.
Mileage is awesome! Not much would take one of these out, and if it did a whole 1.8 motor can be swapped in with labor for around $1,500. Makes these first gens fly.
For the radio, the Bose is shit anyway. Just get some $100 headrest speakers and a $100 head unit and you’ll be in audio heaven.
Now, all of that being said. I am a pop up 1st gen miata guy. That’s how I got my start. But after owning a NB2 with a 6 speed, LSD, VVT, and power locks. I’m convinced that’s the one to drive as a daily. The $4,000 this guys is looking for this special edition can find you some very good NB2s. The price point on NA miatas are going up with NB & NB2s are going down.
https://goo.gl/photos/GonJJvL…
At this point I would almost talk anyone into getting a NB2 with more power than taking the popup headlight draw.
As a reference I got the first one for $2,000 5 years ago with 200k miles. Did suspension, rollbar, brakes, 1.8 motor. So over the life of the vehicle before it was rearended I probably had $5k into it. The NB2 was $4,200 with 100k miles (granted it was from a friend) and most of those parts got carried over.
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TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
> P5guy now GTIguy
06/08/2015 at 14:16 |
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Check for rust too. In front of rear wheels it likes to hide there as well
CaptDale - is secretly British
> P5guy now GTIguy
06/08/2015 at 14:27 |
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The bad: Red interior....