[mikeyindigo]

whats up everyone..my names Mikey..19 from socal..going to FIDM for graphic design..looking at buying a miata but have a few questions for everyone before i commit..

are miatas reliable?
can they be relatively quick with not too much money?
good for the track? (auto-x, drift)
common problems with miatas, **** to watch for when buying one?

thanks!

 

[emtran]

Try to get a long nose crank if you can. You can tell as it will have 8 slots on the crank pulley instead of 4. The miata.net garage has a good article on it. http://www.miata.net/garage/crankshaft.html

Ill let more knowledgeable members chime in for other advice since im relatively new to ownership myself. Good luck on your search

 

[mikeyindigo]

yeah the crank problem is the one thing ive seen a few times..what years did the long nose come on?

 

[dohcmike]

Dont buy a 1.6 get the 1.8 motor i have had both and i like the 1.8 better just my to cents

 

[imnatelol]

yeah the crank problem is the one thing ive seen a few times..what years did the long nose come on?

91.5 and up

 

[emtran]

Dont buy a 1.6 get the 1.8 motor i have had both and i like the 1.8 better just my to cents

Or do this and save yourself from the hassle haha. It also has more power and a tad higher compression. 1.8 is the 94+ unless the PO has swapped one in. Also find yourself a car with a torsen diff if you can

 

[Cheeeno626]

Do yourself a favor; Do a bit more research and set your standards high. When I looked for mine, it had to be black, bone stock for the most part, 96 or 97 cause I wanted obd2 for more power, with hardtop, clean title, NO BONDO, and low miles. I got exactly what I was looking for (black, 96, 0bd2 1.8 with matching hardtop) just at 3k.. Sometimes it might seem impossible to find what you desire for but with some patience, you might just find something better.

 

[Chase!]

Do yourself a favor; Do a bit more research and set your standards high. When I looked for mine, it had to be black, bone stock for the most part, 96 or 97 cause I wanted obd2 for more power, with hardtop, clean title, NO BONDO, and low miles. I got exactly what I was looking for (black, 96, 0bd2 1.8 with matching hardtop) just at 3k.. Sometimes it might seem impossible to find what you desire for but with some patience, you might just find something better.

This! People said I was crazy & too picky, but you agree with me. Yes!

 

[(Adam)]

Welcome to CR, Miatas are plain and simple slow. But very fun to drive!

 

[ScarfaceThe91]

The short nose cranks were on the earliest ones until mid '91. All after that had long nose cranks.

 

[PookieBear]

I had a 1.6 and 1.8, There is not much difference in power on stock form.However, when boosted you have an optional mp62 blower for the 1.8 liter. Plus the bigger 1.8 produces more power when boosted. I recomend that you do more research on the car before buying. Although miatas can handle, Both the 1.6 and 1.8 really have no passing power. So boost is definitely recommended for pure fun. I still need to get a blower for my miata, but I have a v8 on the side.

Atleast get long-nose crank, 91 1/2 model and up or just buy a 92 miata if your too lazy to inspect the crank for a shortnose.

 

[winlowe]

Welcome to CR

 

[mikeyindigo]

thanks guys!! really appreciate all the info

i think i kind of have a good base of what i want..
think im looking for a white '97 w/ a torsen diff near or completely stock..now the search begins but in the meantime, more research

 

[phillyb™]

and lots of patience

 

[caliboy15]

get year 94 up!

 

[mikeyindigo]

ok i know this ones a 92 but its got a hardtop, turbo, coilovers and other ****..what do you guys think?
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/2951125591.html

 

[bernie3674]

http://www.miata.net/faq/usedmx5.html

 

[caliboy15]

by the way the hardtop is NOT FOR SALE.

 

[Spettro]

ok i know this ones a 92 but its got a hardtop, turbo, coilovers and other ****..what do you guys think?
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/2951125591.html

Seriously? Salvage title, unknown "lowering" springs when it looks just about stock height, XXRs, missing cluster hood which can be difficult and expensive to find sometimes...and on top of all that it's turbo'd? Lol, have fun with it, when you realize everything is broken let me know, I have all the parts to fix it.

 

[mikeyindigo]

thats why i asked hahah..yeah it didnt seem all to good to me either..missed the hard top not being for sale..will keep looking