Miata is always the answer

"IJustWantMyZBack" (IJustWantMyZBack)
10/02/2018 at 21:42 • Filed to: None

Well I ended up buying that green NB with the hardtop I posted the other day. Dealer negotiated with me on the price based on the torn driver seat. Getting the seat recovered gives me an excuse to do a foamectomy. It was a one owner car with a lot of the original dealer paperwork. Dealer serviced since new. Bone stock, 86k miles, and matching hardtop.

DISCUSSION (18)

dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter > IJustWantMyZBack
10/02/2018 at 21:50

Is Manuel?

AestheticsInMotion > IJustWantMyZBack
10/02/2018 at 21:50

Welcome to the family. I hope you have some twisty roads nearby

daender > IJustWantMyZBack
10/02/2018 at 21:51

Pics nao.

Also, I hope you did your research as it’s not a ‘02 SE. It’s just a LS package with Emerald Green Metallic (mica) paint that looks similar to the ‘01 SE (which is just gloss BRG).

IJustWantMyZBack > dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter
10/02/2018 at 21:57

Yes LS with optional six speed.

IJustWantMyZBack > daender
10/02/2018 at 22:01

I did. I was set on getting a green one preferably NB2 but whether it was an SE or not didnt matter much to me.

IJustWantMyZBack > AestheticsInMotion
10/02/2018 at 22:06

Thank you!

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > IJustWantMyZBack
10/02/2018 at 22:12

Hard top life! Now rip out the soft top and save 50lbs!

daender > IJustWantMyZBack
10/02/2018 at 22:22

Nice! I almost got a green NB1 but the condition of the car for its price was questionable at best. Dark g reen looks good with the tan interior! I see yours has ABS on it too, I heard the NB ABS system is an improvement over the NA system in terms of giving better pedal feel.

Make sure to check behind the side skirts for rust if you haven’t already!

Chariotoflove > IJustWantMyZBack
10/02/2018 at 23:18

That is the correct color combo, too. Congrats! I’m jealous.

daender > IJustWantMyZBack
10/03/2018 at 00:01

Does it still have yellow Bilstein shocks on it by any chance? I’m curious to know if it’s a “Hard S” car.

MarquetteLa > IJustWantMyZBack
10/03/2018 at 08:59

Congrats! Green Miatas are the best Miatas.

Kinja'd!!!

Tapas > IJustWantMyZBack
10/03/2018 at 09:42

Its pretty!

How much did you get it for?

ateamfan42 > daender
10/03/2018 at 09:55

Does it still have yellow Bilstein shocks on it by any chance?

I believe all the LS models included the “sport” brakes and suspension.

IJustWantMyZBack > daender
10/03/2018 at 18:26

If they are yellow they are coated in dust and grime.

daender > ateamfan42
10/03/2018 at 18:37

Standard LS cars didn’t get Bilsteins. You could only get Bilsteins by optioning the suspension package on a base Miata or option it on a 6-speed LS Miata.

Source: 2002 Miata FAQ from Miata.net

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > IJustWantMyZBack
10/03/2018 at 19:36

Congrats, and nice find on the hardtop. That hardtop alone is worth $1500+.

My mechanical mentor used to own a Miata Specialists shop. A few of things to look for in the receipts (and address if they haven’t been to keep your answer always the answer):

See if the shift boots have been replaced in the car in the last few years. They fail with regularity in every NA/NB miata. Any miata parts seller will have the inner and outer set for around $70, and installation is super easy. A few screws to remove the center console (and that NB2 console you have with usable cup holders is worth $$$), 4 bolts attaching the outer boot to the body, and three bolts attaching the inner boot to the transmission. Just a bit of lube will make installing the new boots over the shifter easy. Intact shift boots keep hot air exiting the engine compartment from getting funneled up to the center console at highway speeds.

See when the last time the clutch slave cylinder was rebuilt/replaced. They’re only good for a few years at a time. If you pull back the rubber boot on the slave cylinder, there is a really high likely hood of finding leaked fluid behind it on every NA/NB out there. Rebuilt kits are cheap and easy (disassemble, a quick ball hone, clean, install new seal, reassemble, bleed clutch), or entire replacement cylinders should be less than $40.

Check the heater hoses. They’re a super common failure point, as they get spongy at the bends with age. If they haven’t been replaced on the car, they would be highly worth doing. (pro tip: burp the hoses at the heater core to remove an air bubble that otherwise can’t be bled out of the system. Doesn’t matter for street use, but if you ever do a track day, not knowing about that bubble is the reason folks do cooling system upgrades on stock or near stock power levels to keep them cool).

Also take a look at the radiator. If it is original, or an OEM replacement, not the color of the plastic end tanks. They’re originally black. With age, they become brittle and will slowly turn a brown/green color. Every single miata radiator will eventually fail by developing a crack at the filler neck. There are tons of aluminium upgrades options out there, or an OEM type radiator can be had for less than $100 and will last another decade.

Kinja'd!!!

This 99 was my daily driver a couple of years.

arl > IJustWantMyZBack
10/06/2018 at 21:37

Congrats! Wife and I are considering used Miata shoppin g next spring.

IJustWantMyZBack > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com
10/08/2018 at 17:52

Thank you for the wealth of knowledge!