Tell Me Things to Look for on the Early NA Miatas

"Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies" (jordanwphillips)
12/12/2015 at 21:30 • Filed to: None

Other than rust.

While inspecting the 4Runner today, it gave me the idea that scanning CL for a new DD might not be a terrible idea. I stumbled upon a 1990 Miata in red, 5-speed, completely stock, newer top and tires, and only 95k miles. They want 2300 obo for it. I figure I could probably get it for 2k, maybe less. If I get approved for the small loan I need, I will be looking at it next weekend, provided it’s still there. Also, owners of them, I am used to a tight fit, but how tall/wide are you, and how do you fit. I’m right around 6’ tall, and kind of large, so I guess I’ll see if I almost fit or completely don’t fit.

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DISCUSSION (35)

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/12/2015 at 21:41

It all depends on how long your torso is. If it’s too long you won’t have headroom. Best just to sit in it and find out.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
12/12/2015 at 21:44

I’d say I’m probably average on the torso/leg ratio, so maybe I’ll fit.

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/12/2015 at 21:46

Or if you don’t have headroom just drive with the top down all the time.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
12/12/2015 at 21:48

I’m not that brave/have asthma that the cold triggers.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/12/2015 at 21:52

The chassis. It is as rigid as a soft shell taco.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
12/12/2015 at 21:55

Sounds fun, and mend-able when it’s not. I’m used to an extremely slow, lifted SUV with a now worn slap out suspension(thanks SCDOT). It can’t be that bad.

marshknute > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/12/2015 at 22:00

Rust on the rear quarter panel (just ahead of the rear wheel wells) is really the only thing worth watching out for, and it doesn’t really compromise the car mechanically.

Always unzip the rear window before putting the top down so it doesn’t get folded over. Otherwise it will crack, especially in colder weather.

And I’m perfectly scaled for the NA since I’m only 5’-6”, so I can’t be of much help to you there.

daender > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/12/2015 at 22:01

You’re going to have a tight fit. However, you can perform what’s referred to as a “ foamectomy ”, where you remove some foam from the bottom of the seat...at the cost of comfort being reduced for long trips. Check the condition of the latches, make sure they lock in place or else you might be needing a new top after a 60-mph bump. Early NAs stand a chance of developing crank wobble early on in their lives but at 90k miles it’s probably not going to happen at this point.

I just remembered you’re in Columbia. See if you can get it inspected at Panic Motorsports or at least call them for a list of things to look out for!

Also, if you want to test-fit, then you can sit in my NB to get a rough idea of how tight things might be for you.

Scary__goongala! > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/12/2015 at 22:02

If you buy a pre 94 model make sure you get a 1.6L that won’t have the crank problem. I don’t remember exactly how but you have to check the vin.

willblake > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/12/2015 at 22:05

This was handy when I was shopping for NAs. http://wiki.miata.net/tiki-index.php…

And since you’re looking at a ‘90, there’s a slight chance the car could have a crankshaft issue. There’s a load of info out there about it. http://www.miata.net/garage/cranksh…

I agree it’s best to just get in it to see how comfortable it seems. The NA will feel really small if you’re not used to that sort of thing, but it’s pretty comfortable despite that. I’m about your height and not slim, they’re fine (and my NC is roomy).

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > daender
12/12/2015 at 22:06

The car is in Sumter, so if all goes well with the bank, I’m going to check it out next weekend. I’ll definitely give Panic Motorsports a call though. If everything checks out on it, what would you suggest a solid offer would be? Though since I don’t actually live in Cola, I don’t know when I would get a chance to test fit in yours lol. Unless you ever hit Lexington county’s back roads, then in that case definitely let me know. You can email me at jpelkmont94@gmail.com.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > willblake
12/12/2015 at 22:08

I know it’s probably more cramped than I’m giving it credit for, but even I didn’t find the backseat of a FRS that bad, because Toyota didn’t believe in front driver space in the 1990’s.

daender > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/12/2015 at 22:09

Flyin’ Miata sells underbody bracing items that’ll fix that right up. Also, source a NB Miata front shock tower brace and a NA8C cockpit brace to round out the reinforcement. Which, Panic has several, including a shock tower brace on the ‘03 SE wreck they just received.

yitznewton > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/12/2015 at 22:10

Short-nose crank is the only biggie I’m aware of.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Scary__goongala!
12/12/2015 at 22:14

According to Daender, at this mileage it should have already happened. Reading up, it seems that it probably would have happened after the T-belt was replaced, if replaced incorrectly. Though if everything else checks out, I might just wing it as I’m keeping the 4Runner along with it for reasons.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > marshknute
12/12/2015 at 22:18

Since I’m not a huge convertable person(sacrilege, I know) , the top will probably be up at least for the winter or longer. It may change me, but who knows.

daender > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/12/2015 at 22:19

Welp, my parents live in Sumter so I don’t mind spending a day down here (actually in Sumter right now) as long as I have something to do (it’s so boring here).

The seller’s price is fair but you could try to knock him down a hundred or two with cash in your hand.

I’ll be goofing around Cola over the next week, I got nothing better to do with classes being over.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > yitznewton
12/12/2015 at 22:20

That’s been the main concern of the comments, so I’ll look into that, but looking into a little, it seems that it probably would have happened by now. Unless the t-belt hasn’t been properly serviced, which in that case I’ll definitely be walking away.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > daender
12/12/2015 at 22:21

If it happens, I’ll probably leave it stock, at least until I pay it off.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > daender
12/12/2015 at 22:24

Well if you shoot me an email, I’ll give you my number and let you know if I check it out! I could use someone who knows a bit more about them. I’m just looking for something a bit different to DD. I love my 4Runner and plan on keeping it, but it needs some work soon to keep dailying it. Plus spending $50 a week on gas is getting kind of old LOL.

daender > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/12/2015 at 22:28

You’ll find ways to customize your Miata, even on a shoestring budget.

marshknute > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/12/2015 at 22:29

Truthfully, the canvas gets too stiff/brittle in the winter and won’t fold down properly.

I was neither for/against convertibles when I bought my NA, but the road/wind noise was so loud with the top up, that I just drove with the top down anyway. If the ambient noise is going to be that loud, at least give me some actual wind in my hair!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > daender
12/12/2015 at 22:32

One of the first mods I have in mind would be a roll bar, since don’t you have to have one to AutoX?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > marshknute
12/12/2015 at 22:33

I’m used to tire noise drowning out conversations, along with the noise of a struggling V6 that wants to go up a hill, but doesn’t know if it can.

daender > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/12/2015 at 22:39

Nope.

Kinja'd!!!

Rollbars are required for some track days organizers (although sometimes hardtop-only is enough to pass through, but I wouldn’t risk my life like that) and guys who really push their Miatas through the twisties will buy one out of precaution. An un-padded rollbar is more dangerous than none if you get rear-ended. That said, Hard Dog Fabrication is one state over so you can pick one up from them for just under 500$ new or see if Panic has a used one laying about for less. Just make sure that your helmeted head is bellow the line from the top of the windshield frame to your rollbar or else you’ll need a hardtop.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > daender
12/12/2015 at 22:57

I just looked up Panic’s location, and it’s like 10 minutes from where I work. Do you know when they close, and do you know if they have any NA’s there that I might be able to try to fit in?

daender > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/12/2015 at 23:03

They have multiple wrecked NAs behind their shop, I’m sure you can sit in one of them. They’re open Monday thru Friday from 8 to 5, although they take a lunch break around 12 for about an hour. They shouldn’t be as busy as they normally are due to the racing season being over until February.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > daender
12/12/2015 at 23:08

Ah, that’s too bad. I don’t get off until 5(And I have no office days scheduled, so I’ll be all around the state.) Maybe Friday I’ll get off early and swing by, but by then hopefully I’ll have set up a showing.

Needmoargarage > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/13/2015 at 00:41

Short nose crank issues is a big problem for ‘90s. Look up how to diagnose before you check out the car.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/13/2015 at 02:38

1990 Miatas had the short-nose crank issue.

http://www.miata.net/garage/cranksh…

It’s pretty much the one endemic mechanical issue the Miata had over its run.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Aaron M - MasoFiST
12/13/2015 at 07:05

That has been the one concern everybody has voiced. It hasn’t really scared me though, because I daily drive a vehicle that has head gasket failure on almost all of them. I’ve been through the pain. Plus, a Miata engine is cheaper than the fix for my head gaskets. Also, apparently it usually happens shortly after it’s t-belt replacement. It’s hopefully been 30k miles on it, with no failure.

Frank Grimes > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/13/2015 at 21:51

Try to get a 1.8 with a torsen.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Frank Grimes
12/13/2015 at 22:01

The price for this one is why I’m probably going for it. Plus, at $50 a week in gas and various things that need done on my 4Runner, I’m looking for a cheap DD now or at least soonish.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/14/2015 at 06:27

That’s all fair, yeah. My great uncle has a 1990 Miata and they had to do a full engine swap when the crank went, but it didn’t stop him from keeping and enjoying the car.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Aaron M - MasoFiST
12/14/2015 at 14:13

I plan on keeping my other vehicle as well as a safety net as well.