Miata?

[slngsht]

thinking about getting a fuel sipper for commuting purposes. something I don't care about driving through whatever - and it has to be cheap, easy to work on, etc... paying cash.

 

top of my list at this point is a 90's miata.

somewhere on that list is a base mini, but I'm getting scared by reliability grumblings I read about.

Then there are the perennial econo boxes: civic, corolla, focus, cobalt, etc... out of that lot, i like the looks of the civic the best.

 

the main problem with the miata is it will be another drop top 2 seater, and I already have 2 of those.

[Mondo]

I've been considering the same thing for a 60 mile round trip commute (almost all freeway).

[slngsht]

my 12mpg yukon is costing an arm and a leg, and the vette, while fairly efficient ( I can get 20 MPG with occasional sideways driving), is not a car I want to drag through the salt covered roads.

 

looks like a higher mileage miata can be had for about 3k, and it should be easy enough to work on.

[Ruadhd2]

Well. I can help there. I have had 3 modern MINI's (all S's) and 3 Civics and a Miata. The Miata is like driving a glove. Perfect fit. Never breaks. Always easy, but its a two-seater. Any MINI after 2004 or 2005 will be fine, especially 2006 onward. They are pretty bug free. Of course a Honda Civic Si will give you performance and fuel economy and generallt has it all (a little boring to look like). If I were to buy one econobox for everyday it would be an older MINI S. Too much fun, because the driver ergonomics are perfect. You will have a similar permagrin as a with a 7 but with four seats. Have to burn 89 or higher though.

[Jon W.]

I just sold a '90 and a '92 Miata in the past 6 months. I replaced them with an '07 Miata Grand Touring. Limited slip, heated seats, keyless entry/ignition. Great commuting cars.

 

You should try for one with limited slip with as much snow as you get down there. They go good in the snow with the 50/50 weight distribution until you bottom out.

 

And remember, if you bend it; it's a great donor car.

Edited January 11, 2011 by Jon W.

[SkinnyG]

For cheap, I'm a big fan of the Suzuki Swift, Chevy Sprint, Geo Metro cars. Dirt cheap to buy and run, cheap parts, easy to work on, super reliable. 55-60mpg. Not a chick magnet by any means though.....

[scannon]

Having owned 24 Miatas over the last 19 years I feel like I should respond to this thread. First, read this http://www.miata.net/faq/usedmx5.html on how to check out a used Miata.

 

Note that 1990 and early 1991 Miatas have a tendency to eat their crankshaft keyways resulting in an overhaul or replacement of the engine. More than you ever wanted to know about that problem is here http://www.miata.net/garage/crankshaft.html along with the VIN cutoff where they changed to a different crankshaft. Many of these cars have had a new engine with the better crankshaft compliments of Mazda even though they were way past the warranty. Others have been upgraded to the later '94+ 1.8 engines. The link will show you how to identify whether the car has the bad crankshaft.

 

$3k should buy you a decent car with around 100k miles, just barely broken in. Some of these cars have gone over 300k miles without an overhaul. If you are willing to pay a few thou more, very low mileage early Miatas for sale pop up frequently all over the country. The classified ads on Miata.net is a good place to watch for these.

 

If you are planning on driving it in the snow, put four dedicated snow tires on it, studded if you have a lot of ice. Do not put extra weight in the trunk, it makes them tail happy on slick surfaces. Do not attempt to lower the top or scrape frost or snow off the rear window, they get brittle at about 40F and will crack or just get one of the factory removable hardtops.

 

There is a world of info on Miatas at http://www.miata.net.

 

Of course, if you buy one and admit you did on this forum Hank is going to infer your masculinity is suspect.

[scannon]

You should try for one with limited slip with as much snow as you get down there. They go good in the snow with the 50/50 weight distribution until you bottom out.

 

And remember, if you bend it; it's a great donor car.

The first three years of Miatas had optional viscous LSDs which are basically useless after about 20k miles. The rest of the NAs (1st generation) had an optional Torsen LSD which is great on the track but also almost useless in the snow as unless both wheels have a minimum of grip, they act as open diffs. A gentle application of the handbrake will sometimes get you going.

 

Most of the NBs (2nd gen) also had optional Torsens with the later ones having the Toguchi (sp?) type LSD. I don't know if they work well in the snow or not.

 

With or without the LSD, if you have real snow tires, the Miatas do very well in the snow unless it gets deep enough to high center the car.

[slngsht]

For cheap, I'm a big fan of the Suzuki Swift, Chevy Sprint, Geo Metro cars. Dirt cheap to buy and run, cheap parts, easy to work on, super reliable. 55-60mpg. Not a chick magnet by any means though.....

I started down this path looking for Geo Metros.

 

Miatas are nicer, although not as efficient and a bit pricier - still fall within my efficiency criteria though.

[slngsht]

Of course, if you buy one and admit you did on this forum Hank is going to infer your masculinity is suspect.

 

I hang out at corvetteforum - thick skin.

 

When his motor gets enough torque to loosen a lug nut on Frankn7, he can come make fun of me. :rofl:

[Mondo]

I bought a 2005 mini for my daughter. I like it but they're really popular, hence, kind of pricey and the first couple years had some teething issues from what I have read on their forums (closest dealer is 90 miles away).

 

There's a couple Toyota MR2s for sale but I think they actually have less usable space than the miata and are a bit more $$. I'm leaning miata, probably around the 5 grand range. Not an automatic though, as that would be gay............ just kidding.

[MHKflyer52]

Buy a Miata you will not be dissatisfied.

Photos of my 1996 Touring Black with Tan Leather 1.8ltr, 5 speed, 28mpg with my lead foot, commuter (68 miles a day) and fun.

[slngsht]

Mondo, I've always had a soft spot for the 2nd gen MR2. Just looked it up. Gas mileage is pretty disappointing for such a little car . Pretty much the same as my vette.

 

Martin, that car looks great.

[Hank]

I'd get the Civic. At least it would keep you from getting hit on by the homos at stop lights and truck stops.

[Ruadhd2]

Miata too low for snow and must have dedicated tires. Uses regular gas through 1999. Probably the world 's most and cheapest raced car. Tons of cheap mods. Always pleasant. Course there 's the turbo'd 2004 Mazdaspeed.

 

I'm sticking with Minis or Civic si. Can 't go wrong and fun. Then there's an older M3. Grin (my daily driver)

[Kitcat]

I have a beater Prius, gets 40-50 mpg depending on temperature, tire pressure, etc. Excellent in snow IF on snow tires. Unbreakable after 90K miles. Battery packs are going 200K+ miles w/o replacement. Very comfortable, quiet, lots of interior room. Zero fun to drive but fine for boring commutes. I know there is a lurking hatred for Priuses out there, they somehow push some people's buttons in a big way(Owners are imagined to be elitists, effete, snooty, haughty, self-important, etc.). But judged on their merits as transportation appliances, they are pretty cool.

 

Unlike Skip, I have only had 2 Miata's (I am hoping he starts a separate thread called something like:"The Miata's I have loved, hated, gone broke with..." and explains why so many). Anyhow both of mine were daily drivers and I totaled 10 years of driving with them. No problem w/snow as long as the Blizzaks were mounted. However rust from too many winters on salted roads chewed them up. MPG was around 30 overall. Fun to drive factor is way high and, since it's a "chick car", chicks like them (and their drivers).

 

Mike M.

[Taber10]

I also felt compelled to post in this thread--I picked up my first Miata in Jan 1990, then traded it in on the '91 BRG in Feb '91 which is still parked in the garage today. When I lived in the DC area, 92-96, 98-2001 and 2004-2005, I felt intimidated--no, not on 14th street as Hank would imply--but by the large SUVs, beater full size yank tanks and trucks on the beltway. Of course, I was also worried about protecting my limited edition Miata. Other than that, the car was/is outstanding. Small trunk, but we often managed to hang two bikes, pack clothes, helmets, pump, water bottles, etc. for weekend bike trips into VA, MD and PA. Just my thoughts....

Taber

[slngsht]

I also felt compelled to post in this thread--I picked up my first Miata in Jan 1990, then traded it in on the '91 BRG in Feb '91 which is still parked in the garage today. When I lived in the DC area, 92-96, 98-2001 and 2004-2005, I felt intimidated--no, not on 14th street as Hank would imply--but by the large SUVs, beater full size yank tanks and trucks on the beltway. Of course, I was also worried about protecting my limited edition Miata. Other than that, the car was/is outstanding. Small trunk, but we often managed to hang two bikes, pack clothes, helmets, pump, water bottles, etc. for weekend bike trips into VA, MD and PA. Just my thoughts....

Taber

 

I never go downtown, but do drive on the beltway a bit, even in my seven... for my daily commute, i use back roads mostly linky

[Boxologist]

Can't really go wrong w/ the miata as a commuter car. As for a gas sipper, that depends on being easy w/ the right foot. I have the later 1.8L. Plenty of pep, just the gas milage can plummet if I spend alot of time flogging it above 5000rpm.

 

I would recomend finding a 95+ to get the 1.8 and higher likely hood for the LSD. the 99-05 (NB) is the 2nd gen. from 01 on is the more powerful 1.8. if u find the NB w/o sport brakes, usually special editions, 15" wheels are easier fits.

 

The plastic rear windows are on the NA body's first few years. Hard tops are interchangeable for fit, but those that have a rear defroster have different plugs depending on the year. Buy a miata that has the hard top is much simpler.

Edited January 12, 2011 by Boxologist

[scannon]

 

Unlike Skip, I have only had 2 Miata's (I am hoping he starts a separate thread called something like:"The Miata's I have loved, hated, gone broke with..." and explains why so many). Mike M.

This might explain some of my passion for Miatas: http://www.miata.net/motm/2011/cannon2.html

 

It tells what I went through to find the perfect yellow Miata, one I have owned for about 14 years, far longer than any other of the 341 cars I've owned. At 4 years and 4 months the Caterham holds second place in longevity of ownership.

 

The only Miata I have owned that I did not particularly like was a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata with the factory turbo. I bought it new and sold it with 3,400 miles on it. I didn't like the six speed transmission and the lower rev limit. It needed way too much shifting and I was always running into the rev limiter, especially on the track. It was rather gutless with only 153 RWHP compared to my turbo'd '92 which has 270 RWHP.

 

I also prefer the NA Miatas to the NBs and I don't like the current NCs at all.