Went and Looked at the NA Earlier

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
08/05/2016 at 18:27 • Filed to: MIATA

It’s in amazing condition for being 25 years old and on its return trip home from the moon.

There’s a teeny tiny amount of rust in the right rear wheel arch, so little some light sanding and some paint will probably cure it. The front fenders have both been replaced because the factory one had begun rusting out.

The headlights pop up and go down with no hesitation and all of the very limited amount power accessories work. Crank windows and manual locks so there isn’t much to go wrong.

It has the crank that isn’t prone to failure! I didn’t see any oil seepage from anywhere on the engine and it turns over instantly and runs like a top. The owner said it has the 65mph shimmy NAs can be known for.

The drivers seat is showing about 250,000 miles of wear under those seat covers and the steering wheel is pretty worn but that’s no big deal. The paint has fewer blemishes than my S10s, and outside of the driver seat wear and glovebox being finicky to close, the interior is pretty much perfect. The top leaks from above the windshield header sometimes the owner said, but the top is only a couple years old so maybe it just needs some adjusting.

My brother fits in it almost perfectly, he said he could stand to sit a little lower. 6'4" 300lb me can just squeeze myself in the passenger side but didn’t attempt the driver’s side. I imagine some tall people modifications will need to be done.

Otherwise, I have a feeling we’re gonna have a Miata at my house in the coming days.

A previous owner had every piece of wiring covered in blue insulation and every hose switched to blue. Good K&N Intake too.

DISCUSSION (15)

Needmoargarage > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
08/05/2016 at 18:30

I’ve never seen a Miata with rust in those places and not serious rust in the rockers in front of the rear wheels. My guess is that they have been repaired so I’d suggest checking for lots of filler with a magnet.

Textured Soy Protein > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
08/05/2016 at 18:33

Sweet early-’00s blue silicone vacuum hoses.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Needmoargarage
08/05/2016 at 18:34

Brought a magnet and checked (after how patched together my M3 was, I learned) and it stuck to the rocker all the way across it. The whole car had been undercoated at one point in time apparently, so maybe it saved it.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Textured Soy Protein
08/05/2016 at 18:35

So sweet they even decided to put it around the prop rod for the hood.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
08/05/2016 at 18:35

Was fitting yourself in there more a problem of height or width? I’m shorter than you but wider, being about 5'11" and 3 bills, and wouldn't mind a Miata in my driveway but always assumed I wouldn't fit.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
08/05/2016 at 18:38

More height it seemed. My knees were nearly poking the dash and my eyes were nearly level with the windshield header but I could get in and close the door. You can take off the bulky stock door arm rests and get even more side to side room too.

Needmoargarage > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
08/05/2016 at 18:39

Nice. If you buy it, make sure to stick a screwdriver up the drain holes between pinch welds. Those often get clogged by debris (or undercoating) and that’s what causes the rust in that area.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
08/05/2016 at 18:41

I’m 6' and 260, and I fit fine width wise.

Chariotoflove > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
08/05/2016 at 18:43

Gorgeous color. Enjoy!

Anthony Miller > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
08/05/2016 at 18:47

As an owner of a ‘93, I’d look into replacing or thoroughly cleaning the lifters as well. At that mileage they might be worn out anyway. Otherwise, run it to the moon again!

bob and john > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
08/05/2016 at 19:05

look into the foam-ectomy. would gain you another 1/2 inch from the seat

notsomethingstructural > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
08/05/2016 at 19:21

I’m 6'5". I took a NA Miata for a test drive once, and by “took a NA Miata for a test drive” I mean I walked out to the car, sat in it, then got out walked back inside gave them back the keys and left.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > bob and john
08/05/2016 at 19:30

Apparently depending on how far you wanna go it can get you well over an inch of extra room.

daender > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
08/05/2016 at 21:26

Check around the front sway bar mounts. See why here on this unfortunate Miata.net forum post .

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > daender
08/05/2016 at 21:32

Oh shit. I'll definitely be doing that.