Mondo Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 I bought a 99 Miata for a commute car... though it's not an automatic Got so much of a rise out of some the last time gay & miata were in the same sentence, I couldn't resist;) . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notakit Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 "not that there's anything wrong with that" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimrankin Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 That Miata's have become known as "chick" and "gay" cars just might show us that chicks and gays know how to pick a good, fun car for less money than the majority of us "straights". Enjoy the Miata (but take the rainbow off the bumper). LOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 (edited) I bought a 99 Miata for a commute car... though it's not an automatic Got so much of a rise out of some the last time gay & miata were in the same sentence, I couldn't resist;) . Mondo, I think a lot of the members on this forum have Miata's in their driveways or garages but just do not admit it for fear of being hasseled by some who have never driven one as they are a fun little car that everything works well and are cheap enough that having fun with it is not a concern for most owners. I know as I own one and find that I drive it a lot more than any of the other cars that I have. So what color is it. Here is a photo of the Miata that I own. The top is not a stock top and I installed it myself and provides a lot better rear ward visibility when the top is up and looks a lot better than the stock top but that is just my belief. Edited July 5, 2011 by MHKflyer52 Spelling (red letters changed) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 (edited) At NJMP I chatted w/a guy in a red Miata who was putting up a pretty good fight w/our Sevens, much better than the assembled 'Vettes, etc. I asked (hopefully) if he had a supercharger. He popped the hood and showed me his un-boosted 1.8 liter stock engine, "with 220,000 miles on it." I pointed out to him that I had had the exact car 10 years earlier. Back then I put it on the same chassis dyno that I tested my Caterham more recently, and they made identical power. So, here's this guy, lugging another 1000 lbs around NJMP, almost holding his own. I know its a favorite argument hereabouts to debate the Miata's relative Macho-ness, or perceived lack thereof, but I am relieved he didn't have a boosted engine. It cld have been embarrassing! Somehow, my Miata managed to go 80K miles, many at auto-x's and track-days, for a fraction of the maintenance $ I routinely put into my Caterham. I am not tempted to buy another Miata (yet:)), but it is a pretty amazing vehicle (IMHO). Edited July 4, 2011 by Kitcat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusaNostra Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 miata in japanese means "gay" or "happy" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted July 4, 2011 Author Share Posted July 4, 2011 I like that top... my car is silver with tan interior & new tan top (with glass/defrost). It's pretty clean for the years & 135,000 miles... maybe could use a new carpet (haven't tried cleaning it yet and maybe door panels... seats are in really good shape. Sorry no pics yet. I bought it because of all the good comments on fun, reliability & cheap to maintain... hope that's the case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 Actually, Miata is an old high German word meaning Reward. A Reward/Miata very likely will make you "happy" but is isn't going to make you "gay". The name Miata is only used in N. America. In Japan they are Eunos Roadsters and the rest of the world knows them as the MX-5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiwiBirkin Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 (edited) We also have a MX5 (Miata) in NZ we have only just purchased it about 12 weeks ago but have wanted one for ages, its a 1998 1800 manual VSpec model imported from Japan. We both love it and while its mainly my wife's daily runner I really love driving it too, we have also joined the MX5 club here in Christchurch which has well over 300 members and have enjoyed a few winter trips out with them so far. Gay & hairdresser car maybe.... but they are really fun to own and drive. [img]http://i788.photobucket.com/albums/yy162/Kiwibirkin/MX5%20Genral%20Pics/MX5VSpec.jpg[/img] Edited July 5, 2011 by KiwiBirkin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 '99 Miata here, lovin' it so far. I do miss the punch of the vette / rotus though. Wish it had another 50 horses to make it a little more fun, but not willing to mod it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobone Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Just curious....what are the best years for the Miata? Should I look at an early year low mileage or a later year high mileage? I'm thinking of a fun run about for myself and my wife Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxologist Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 yeah, real cheap to own... hard top, side latches, frankenstein bolts, cargo net, car cover, hard top hoist. front sway bar, 3 sets of extra wheels, R comps, hitch, tyre trailer. And I wanted something minimal up keep to own. I think I'll have the 15x9s and coilovers by the end of the month. Can't guarantee the header back exhaust in that time frame... Staying put just doesn't work for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RossD Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 (edited) I'm using my new to me '91 Miata as a finacial stepping stone until I can pull the trigger and purchase a Seven. Although I'm hashing out a 5.0 swap in my head at the moment. http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/media/img/readerrides/IMAG0095__t352.jpg I drive it like I stole it and I still get at least 28 mpg. Edited July 5, 2011 by RossD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Just curious....what are the best years for the Miata? Should I look at an early year low mileage or a later year high mileage? I'm thinking of a fun run about for myself and my wife There isn't a good year or bad year but there are a couple of items to consider. All 90s and early 91s have the small nose crankshaft, infamous for eating the keyway on the nose at the interface to the cam belt sprocket. Doesn't happen to all of them but expensive to fix. Best fix is to install a good used 1.8 engine. I just finished a 1.6 to 1.8 conversion for a friend's '90 a couple of weeks ago. Some of the '99s have a problem with the thrust bearing on the crankshaft. They were machined wrong at the factory and most of those engines have been replaced by Mazda. Check the end play on the crank to make sure it is in spec before buying a '99. Other than those two problems, it comes down to whatever year and package best fits you. There are many very low mileage Miatas out there, don't settle for a beater. Upgradeitis can be a problem with Miatas just as with Se7ens. Upping the performance goes all the way to the LS2 conversions from Flyin Miata. I went the 1.8 conversion plus turbo route on my '92. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestTexasS2K Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Flyin Miata has conversion for GM LS series v8s in them. It looks like it would be a really fun car with 450hp with little weight change and good weight bias. Cost is the main issue and not sure you could ever get your money back or a majority of it you built one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Well at least 7 of us are man enough to admit we own a Miata (MX-5 or what ever you want to call it aka gay car or hair dressers car or chicks car) and we all know that they are fun to drive and will out preform many so called sports cars that cost two to three times as much....:rofl:...:driving:... Skip I have to say I like your Miata and your engine upgrade. I have been trying to figure out how to do the turbo conversion on my 1997 1.8 ltr and still be able to have it smog legal here in Southern California and yes I know the easiest way would be to move out of the state...but that is not likely to happen for a while. FM seems to have the best setup and tech support for the upgrade but if you have any additional info about it would you please let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Martin, I believe there are several turbo kits available with CARB approval. Talk to Bill or Keith at FM to find out which are currently available. They won't be the really high power kits but should give you 200+ HP at the rear wheels. Shameless plug for FM: Their products and technical support are unequaled in the Miata world. They will happily talk you through any problem with an installation or replace a defective part without a hassle. They are the Best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soareyes Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 This site was a great help to me in learning about the changes in the Miata throughout the years: http://www.miata.net/faq/america/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turboeric Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 My 92 Miata is an FM turbo'd 1.6 making 219 hp at the rear wheels. Tons and tons of fun. With some Nitto NT01s on 15x8 6UL wheels and Tein Flex suspension, it embarrasses much more expensive machinery on the track. So far, 60,000 miles of boosted fun with no unexpected "upgrade opportunities". I too highly recommend FM - unlimited support, quality hardware. On the surface, their kits seem expensive, but they come with everything you need. Well worth it, in my opinion. Besides, passing a Z06 on the track with a "girlie car" is worth every dime.:devil: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon W. Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 I'm on my third Miata. I use them as daily drivers. They're the right tool for the job. My first was a '90 theft recovery I put back on the road "reconstructed" in PA DOT speak. Drove it from 120k miles to 183k. Did a "liquid metal short nose crank fix" which worked fine. Next was a '92 bought at 90k for $1900 and driven to 130k. Only other maintenance they required was timing belts, clutch cylinders, plug wires, and infrequently brake pads. Otherwise, bullet proof little engines. Current daily driver is a '07 Grand Touring. Plush with leather, heated seats, keyless entry/ignition, & limited slip. Bought at 39k miles for $15k. That price is less than the options on my '08 Boxster S RS60, and the Miata is almost better equipped. Bought a set of all weather tires and wheels for winter use for the Miata for the same price of rear tires for the Boxster. The Miata does require a few extra seconds to put me in driver's license suspension territory. Maybe that's a good thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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