Maybe It Actually is The Answer?

"MM54" (mm54mk2)
03/19/2018 at 22:00 • Filed to: CALIFORNICAR

As you may know, I’m going to California in May to buy a car and road-trip home to northeast Ohio with some friends. I’m also trying to put together a list of cars to consider, so in the couple days I’m out there I can find something to buy, which will become my year-round daily, replacing the mostly-rust crown vic.

My budget for this purchase isn’t as high as I’d like it to be (I had been targeting mid-summer for this purchase prior to making plans with friends for this trip). With most of my picks hard to find and at the upper limit of what I can spend, I started looking at cheaper options.

And then it hit me -

A cursory craigslist search brings up a decent number of examples (so it’s not rare, like a manual IS300) for good prices (it’s not prices like an e36 M3). I won’t go broke on gas to drive it 3500 miles (like a squarebody suburban), and if I break down, parts won’t be completely unobtainable (like oh-so-many other cars). I’ve wanted one for a while, and it surely would make for quite a trip home.

The only concern is the feasibility of it being ‘the good car’ and the daily. This means winter, hanging out at the airport for a week or two now and then, etc. A hard-top would be in order for these scenarios. Another consideration is it being cheaper than my other picks means I might be able to pick up a small truck this summer (which is something else I want, and can help with daily duties as well as hauling parts).

Any input? (As if I don’t know what Oppo thinks about the NA)

DISCUSSION (43)

daender > MM54
03/19/2018 at 22:08

The Miata is a good corner-carver but it may not be the best for long-distance traveling. You’re looking at doing 80 mph at about 4k rpm to 60 mph at about 3k rpm. It’s going to be loud, bumpy, and the A/C is good but you’ll notice the lack of power whenever it turns on. It’s been used for driving long distances and I’ve done my fair share of miles on my own, including doing 500 miles this past Sunday, but you better be prepared for the quality of the ride.

For Sweden > MM54
03/19/2018 at 22:09

Where in California? It’s a big state with the varying used markets to match

Chuckles > MM54
03/19/2018 at 22:09

A few things:

- I’ve been strongly considering something similar, except I live in PA. Sounds like a blast.

-I hope you aren’t taking too many friends with you if you’re planning on squeezing into a Miata.

-I’ve had a 94 Miata for 3ish years now. I love it, and it always puts a smile on my face.

-Try for a later NA with the 1.8L instead of the 1.6L. You won’t regret it.

-It’s good but not great on gas. I average around 25mpg, maybe 28 on just highways. A civic gets better mileage.

-assuming that you don’t have kids, it’s a fine daily driver. Hopefully you have a garage to keep it in when the weather is really bad.

-Do it.

MM54 > For Sweden
03/19/2018 at 22:14

Flying into LAX, and I think we’ve discussed spending the first night in Bakerfield, but we may hold off on that detail until we figure out where-about cars are (I’m not the only one buying something).

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > MM54
03/19/2018 at 22:17

You’ll find the best deals in the Greater Los Angeles area. The Bay Area is a different world and the Central Valley will mostly have very high mileage or relatively high miles (because everything is far away).

Why do you want to go to Bako (pronounced “Bake-Oh”)?

MM54 > Chuckles
03/19/2018 at 22:20

There are more than two of us going, but I’m not the only one buying a car! It may be a little cozy in the other car if I end up with something seating 2, and the other is a smaller 4, but it’s not really a deal-breaker.

The 1.8 is a goal, as would be a limited slip diff (which may get swapped in if it doesn’t have it, really helps a lot in snow).

25MPG is great mileage to me, I’ve got a chevelle in the single digits, and both the rx7 and crown vic peaking around 20-22MPG highway, respectively.

Living the bachelor life, with a 2-car garage. Having 3 cars means one will be outside most of the time, but wintertime one goes into storage so it would be parked inside during the winter at a minimum. For abnormal circumstances (like a forecast calling for tennis-ball hail or falling tridents) I miiiight be able to wedge it in the garage with the other two, but I’d have to get out the top.

MM54 > daender
03/19/2018 at 22:24

Looking at taking a relatively corner-ful route back, not just bombing straight home so it won’t be unbearable. If the whole purpose of the car was ‘get home’ I’d be all over a couch on wheels (or an e38!) but this is a keeper (I hope)!

I guess what that boils down to is that I accept it won’t be the most comfortable, but it sure could be worse - and how better to see the country than top-down*!

*The way things go for me, it’ll probably rain all week

For Sweden > MM54
03/19/2018 at 22:25

https://ventura.craigslist.org/cto/d/1992-lexus-sc300/6536726380.html

https://santabarbara.craigslist.org/cto/d/2004-bmw-530i-530/6533902430.html

https://hanford.craigslist.org/cto/d/69-mercury-monterey/6526467883.html

AestheticsInMotion > MM54
03/19/2018 at 22:27

Fantastic roadtrip car if you’re a good space utilizer. High rpm cruising is not great, but it’s a lot more manageable with a stock car as apposed to one like mine. There are multiple gearing options so it’s possible to get one that cruises on the highway below 4k at 80. Literally EVERY part is easy to find a replacement, from OEM to cheap aftermarket to high-end racing level gear. If interested, some of the most knowledgeable Miata vendors and shops are in the area youre flying into, I definitely recommend visiting.

1.8 is the way to go unless you plan on doing an engine swap, then I’d go 1.6 just because of the cooler dash. But beware, 1.6's have a lot of weaker components and much less structural rigidity. Oh and an LSD is in the 1.8 so....

Kinja'd!!!

Here’s the surprisingly fantastic Jalopnik Miata special edition list. Should help you narrow things down a bit.

https://jalopnik.com/your-guide-to-every-special-edition-mazda-miata-ever-so-1675339097

MM54 > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
03/19/2018 at 22:28

Someone else in the group suggested it, and since none of us know anything about the geography of California, we just kind of said “sure”

His Stigness > MM54
03/19/2018 at 22:30

I would be willing to lend my time to check out any car found on ventura.craigslist.com. My time can at times be limited, but I can send you my resume if you’d like. And I don’t mind finding spare time to help out a fellow Oppo member.

His Stigness > For Sweden
03/19/2018 at 22:30

Seriously the Lexus owner had to take pictures one of the ten days it rains in Southern California?

Craigslist never fails to amaze.

Chuckles > MM54
03/19/2018 at 22:31

If you have a garage and access to a larger vehicle for the occasional errand, get a Miata. I drive mine when the weather is nice, and my Fiat when it’s cold or wet. Both cars are small, but it’s a totally different driving experience. The Miata is a go-kart. The speed you can carry through turns is crazy.

I’d drive with the top down more often, but below 40 degrees F it gets legitimately brittle and can crack and tear. But if it’s warmer than that you’re fine.

MM54 > His Stigness
03/19/2018 at 22:34

That would be great! Can you send out an email to (trying to be cryptic here to minimize my spam so bear with me - remove spaces):

[hey.send.this.spam@heylookspam.redacted.com] (removed real address)

Will get in touch and keep in touch a bit closer to mid-may (anything for sale now oughtn’t be in 6 weeks!)

MM54 > Chuckles
03/19/2018 at 22:37

Does my FB RX7 count as a larger vehicle? :)

If I do get a miata, I will attempt to get a small truck by the end of summer for Truck Stuff and general Larger Car Needs. The crown vic will also be around for a while, I don’t know what I’m going to do with it (too rusty to sell, runs and drives too well to scrap).

I’d aim for a hardtop (I am aware they’re $1000+) for winter both to keep warm and dry, and not ruin the soft top.

His Stigness > MM54
03/19/2018 at 22:37

Self-destruct now!

MM54 > AestheticsInMotion
03/19/2018 at 22:40

I can spend 10 days on-site for work and fit my stuff (including a pair of steel-toe boots and FR outerwear) in a bursting-at-the-seams carryon bag - I like to play Tetris.

If I get one, might be worth finding a specialty shop to swing by to both look around and give the car a more-familiar look-over.

Definitely looking for the 1.8 - do all 1.8s have the LSD, or how would you tell (other than jack up the rear and spin a wheel)? I’ll give that list a looking-over, should be educational!

I think it was one of your posts not too long ago I left a comment talking about how I want an NA but am concerned prices are going to creep up too high - may be no time like the present!

Chuckles > MM54
03/19/2018 at 22:45

Sure, that counts :)

I’d love a hardtop but can’t justify the cost right now. I’ve got a garage so it’s only occasional rain on the soft top. My car is in good shape, but not so good that I’m afraid to drive it. I’ve already repaired my top with silicone sealant many times.

His Stigness > MM54
03/19/2018 at 22:45

If you didn’t have your heart set on it then avoid it. We call Bakersfield the armpit of the state. Take the 101 up to Santa Barabra and then take the 154 to Solvang; continue to San Luis Obispo and to Paso Robles. See some wineries, then head back out to the coast and to Hearst Castle and then to Cambria. Then continue up to Monterey. Meet more Oppos along the way.

MM54 > His Stigness
03/19/2018 at 22:48

Duly noted! I’ve also been in touch with “Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)“ so it might be quite the tour-de-west-coast-oppos.

I should get another decal to take with me to properly christen whatever I buy...

Chuckles > His Stigness
03/19/2018 at 22:57

I’m considering something similar, but not until the summer time at the earliest. I’m going to follow you for now, and I might be in touch if my plan comes to fruition.

(Immediately starts looking on Ventura CL)

AestheticsInMotion > MM54
03/19/2018 at 23:00

Yep. Best time to grab an NA... is now.

Some leads below...

Emilio at 949 Racing - full disclosure, he’s insanely knowledgeable and has done more for the Miata racing community than probably any other individual. There’s quite literally no one in the world I’d put before him in terms of overall Miata knowledge. Worth a call and visit. He recently picked up a GT350 to replace the constantly overheating Z06, and good god is it a beaut. I cannot wait to head down to try it at laguna Seca. They do frequent unadvertised ”garage sales” where you can score cheap, barely used gear. But fair warning, Emilio can come across as fairly abrasive to some people. Not a bad guy, just kinda unintentionally rude

Bonus points if you drive the quaife sequential equipped turbo “taxi” Miata

Ryan Passey (and crew) at Goodwin Racing - another full-fledged Miata specific race shop with a long history of fabrication for the community. Their customer service representative Ryan Passey is definitely in the top 3 drivers behind the wheel of a Miata. He’s the dude who piloted his Miata to an unlimited rwd win and track record last year with a reliable LSX swapped Miata. Oh... And he beat the AWD class as well. Did I mention this was a shakedown run..? These guys are all fantastic and equally at home helping out novice mechanics and supporting top level racers. Probably my first choice for getting a high level ppi.

Savington at Trackspeed Engineering - Sav is the guy who put together the best turbo kit available for Miatas. If a 1.8 engine’d Miata is winning races, it likely has the TSE turbo kit he designed. Another insanely knowledgeable dude, he’s super friendly and would probably talk your ear off if you called saying you were planning a trip to buy a Miata.

Moti at Blackbird Fabworx - Fabricator, most well-known for cages and rollbars, from Miatas to Rear-engined Honda hatches to dragstrip Audi TT-RS’s. Best in the biz. I don’t know what you plan to do with the car, but if any kind of safety system, bracing or general fab work is in it’s future, go talk to Moti. Everyone above is incredibly friendly with each other as well. There’s a good chance you’ll run into a few of em at one spot.

His Stigness > MM54
03/19/2018 at 23:07

I have some spare ones. If you buy a GTI (BUY A GTI BUY A GTI BUY A GTI) I have the plaid one.

I’ve been trying to get our Oppo group that Wrong Wheel Drive started to go to Solvang. But I think most of the group is mostly in LA, so that’s quite a drive.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > His Stigness
03/19/2018 at 23:20

Seriously, Bako sucks.

Good recommendations!

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > MM54
03/19/2018 at 23:36

I spent a month in Bakersfield one night!

I keed, I keed. But you should either stay, or at least have a drink at, the Padre Hotel. Very cool.

https://www.thepadrehotel.com

Nick Has an Exocet > MM54
03/19/2018 at 23:37

I own a 91 NA6 and commute every day. Keep in mind that there are things these cars need at this point that are pretty time consuming that no amount of low miles will fix: Rubber bushings.

If you do bushings and stockish coilovers, I can pretty much guarantee that you won’t feel like you should have bought something newer.

Not every 1.8 has a torsen diff. If you’re dailying the car, don’t worry about the diff. Cars with Torsen’s sometimes have a huge markup and unless you’re tracking or drifting, it might not be worth it.

If you’re set on the diff, here’s a couple helpful links:

https://www.miata.net/garage/diffguide/

https://www.miata.net/faq/Miata90-97A3.pdf

The second is really helpful when trying to identify a car’s packages.

Despite what you might think after reading tons of forum posts, there is not such thing as a bad NA miata. The 1.6 is a little slower, but it’s also the lightest. The 1.8 is a little heavier, but it has a less interesting dash. The diff changes the character of the car a bit (less playful) but makes it better for tracking. Don’t worry about rigidity with the 1.6. It’s such a small car and the difference between 1.6 and 1.8 is a little bracing. You would need identical tires, brakes, bushings, springs, and struts to tell the difference.

Now as far as every day driving - I find it as practical or more practical than my Lancer. I get 25MPG in stop and go. 24MPG when I stomp on it. 26MPG when I’m cruising. You will get 25MPG everywhere. The trunk is useful but not big. The cabin is comfortable for people of all sizes except XXL. The seats are quite good. Even after putting a lightweight flywheel on, it’s still bearable in bay area traffic.

Come for the car, stay for the community. I’ve never met a Miata owner that wasn’t nice. I sold a set of 1.6 brakes to a guy tonight that had been laying around in my garage. He was super nice. Told me about his plans for the car (drift car) and that he bought it for $800 with 200k miles. He’s a tech at a dealership and was going to start rebuilding the engine soon with a supercharger. Stood and chatted in the parking lot for 20 minutes. Previous time I sold some parts - same thing. I had a question so I asked a facebook group of Miata folks - instant answer. Can’t figure something out? 3 videos on youtube about it. Pass another Miata on the street? They wave. It’s a no-BS, friendly, knowledgeable crowd. It takes away any fear of working on the car yourself.

But here’s the last thing: Please don’t buy one and drive it around in the salt. It won’t last and you’ll just turn it to swiss cheese. Get a winter beater. No matter how awesome the car, you will never love something with rusted nuts forever. You can’t and it won’t let you. Nature will take it away. For that, get a Tercel.

NKato > MM54
03/19/2018 at 23:37

You are a monster for letting the crown vic rust out. Couldn’t coat the undercarriage? :p

DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By > MM54
03/20/2018 at 00:14

Best of luck! I’m in Riverside/San Bernardino area if you need a ride checked out

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > MM54
03/20/2018 at 00:32

Novel idea going away from northeast Ohio to buy your Miata. I bought mine in mid Ohio and underestimated the cost of rust repair.

And yeah time is now for getting an NA. Nice examples will only continue to rise in price. Especially limited editions.

His Stigness > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
03/20/2018 at 00:48

There’s nothing there!

But I’m quite spoiled living just a few miles from the beach, and having the mountains just a short drive away. I love Southern California.

MM54 > NKato
03/20/2018 at 07:39

A decade of police service did it in long before it came into my ownership

MM54 > mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/
03/20/2018 at 07:41

I’ve been in western PA / northeast Ohio my whole life, and am sick of rust. Nothing triples the time to do any sort of work quite as well as “every bolt is completely seized” - not to mention the whole “rust holes in bodywork” thing.

I’ve been skimming the LA craigslist to get an idea what’s out there, and it’s so weird to me to see some of these cars/trucks with zero rust. You know how long it’s been since I’ve seen an early 90's chevy truck without holes in the sheetmetal?

NKato > MM54
03/20/2018 at 08:53

Oh, well. That’d do it.

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > MM54
03/20/2018 at 11:46

I’m originally from cincy, so yeah I know this plight. To be honest, I’d feel a bit guilty bringing a rust free Cali car back to a life of cold, road salts, and misery.

MM54 > mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/
03/20/2018 at 12:24

I’d take good care of it (oil spray, frequent washing, etc) - plus if things go well and I get a beater truck before winter, it wouldn’t be out in the worst of things. I want to move south before too too long (a handful of years, tentatively) - I hate the cold and snow and salt.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > His Stigness
03/20/2018 at 12:24

Considering the fact there’s nothing there, it seems to go on forever, doesn’t it?

I ran a couple series races there (after the second time, I decided it wasn’t worth the time/money/effort to get another throw out round) and it was, by far, the worst spot we held one. It was worse than even the race in Santa Clarita because it was just so dusty, hot, and absolutely nothing was anywhere nearby. I understand that a year or two after I moved away they obtained a building for the track, so now it’s probably not quite as much suffering as it used to be (although it still looks to be far from anything else).

MM54 > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
03/20/2018 at 12:27

That would be awesome - I’ll get in touch a bit closer to the trip (May) if anything needs a looking at!

MM54 > Nick Has an Exocet
03/20/2018 at 12:35

Bushings and suspension work is about as easy as it gets - I’m wrapping up a full rebuild of the RX7 suspension at the moment, last winter did the rear of the Chevelle from the ground up (did the front a few years back) and so on. Catch-up maintenance doesn’t bother me, but it is true that after 20 years rubber sure gets tired!

Thanks for the references - definitely will help in knowing what I’m looking at / looking for. Also 25MPG is considerably more than I get now in anything!

If things go well and I get a miata, I’d be looking to get a beater truck before winter which would bear the brunt of the salt. I’d still fluid film the car very well (inside panels and all) and drive it on clearer days, but long highway-brine-fog and it’s-a-blizzard travel would be offloaded to the truck. I’d like a nice older truck but I think a bit of a beater would be fair so I don’t end up not wanting to drive it in the salt, too. I’ve already got two off-limits for winter, running out of places to put them!

In some number of years when I finally move down to NC/TN I won’t have to worry about it any more!

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > MM54
03/20/2018 at 14:05

Yeah beater truck would be nice. I’ve been lazy with washing my car since I moved to an apartment. I moved south, but not far enough to escape winter. Asheville’s only slightly better than cincy

Nick Has an Exocet > MM54
03/20/2018 at 18:23

Hah, that’s awesome. Yeah, 25MPG is the best I’ve ever owned.

If you do end up out here looking at cars, let all the Bay Area oppos know. Those of us available should do a meetup or mini rally some time.

You ought to move up that move ;) The roads down there are nice.

MM54 > Nick Has an Exocet
03/20/2018 at 19:01

It is a plan set in stone - already have the flight booked! May want to have a mini-meet, though some of my friends with me might think it strange to meet up with a bunch of people from the internet, I’d like to meet some of you lot!

Between owning my house (so moving means the need to sell and a need to buy wherever I go to), work stuff, and proximity to family it will be a few years before I snap some winter and decide to move. Being from western PA (aka foothills of the mountains) I miss having lots of good roads in the flat-straight world of Ohio. It’s definitely another draw of the south (as if the lack of snow/salt and better road conditions wasn’t enough!).

Nick Has an Exocet > MM54
03/20/2018 at 20:07

Hah - what are your dates for being out here? I’m happy to try and arrange something. I’ve been wanting to an Oppo PCH drive. Then you can sell it to your friends as a “cool local event with lots of sightseeing”. :D

MM54 > Nick Has an Exocet
03/20/2018 at 20:08

Landing in LAX on the 12th, probably will be in CA until some time on the 15th, when we’ll head east.