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oRenj9 posted:It should be noted that it is practically impossible to back into a parking spot with the mirrors configured this way. I finally got fed up with having to adjust my mirrors to backup and grabbed a set of those fish eye mirrors instead. I never had any problems. You just have to know how much room your car uses, and make sure nothing is in the way when you drive by the parking spot. It takes a little practice, but I guess after driving a truck or SUV for years and ALWAYS parking like that, parking the Miata this way was easy.
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Jul 25, 2011 02:23
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I just test drove my first MX-5 and oh my god I'm hooked on buying one now. It looks like arse but mechanically everything seems fantastic. Steering feels tight, engine pulls strong and smooth, suspension feels good & there's no odd noises going on anywhere. Has some body rust but nothing major, door sills & wheel arches are solid. No obvious leaks. Before I jump the gun and buy the thing, are there any blindingly obvious issues to look out for with these cars? I'm doing some reading but any tips you guys could give would be appreciated. *E* Hell even the brake fluid was clean and fresh. vvv I'm in delightful Coventry atm. Car is in equally delightful Milton Keynes. jammyozzy fucked around with this message at 22:27 on Jul 25, 2011 |
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Jul 25, 2011 22:24
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jammyozzy posted:I just test drove my first MX-5 and oh my god I'm hooked on buying one now. It looks like arse but mechanically everything seems fantastic. Steering feels tight, engine pulls strong and smooth, suspension feels good & there's no odd noises going on anywhere. Has some body rust but nothing major, door sills & wheel arches are solid. No obvious leaks. Where are you located? I seem to remember you're UK-based...
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Jul 25, 2011 22:25
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This is maybe too vague to be answered, but is there a tell-tale feeling when the brake pads are going compared to other cars? I dropped the car off for state inspection and realized I forgot to check how the brake pads were doing in my little pre-inspection tuneup, and that's pretty much the only thing I could fail for, I think. Car brakes fine. If they were getting too thin, would I notice crappy breaking, or is it more of a 'fall off the cliff' thing? I don't know the brand, the PO was the last to change them. Guess I'll know tomorrow 
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Jul 26, 2011 02:11
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You'd probably hear them squealing, mine did when they wore out.
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Jul 26, 2011 02:24
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IOwnCalculus posted:You'd probably hear them squealing, mine did when they wore out. Yeah there are little metal clips on the sides of the pads that are basically just there to make squealing noises when it's time to change.
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Jul 26, 2011 02:34
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Having a bit of a problem with my 2002 Miata. I had noticed the engine running kind of rough, so I thought it might be due for for some new spark plugs. I bought the car used 5 years ago with 22k on it; it now has 57k, and I had never had the plugs changed before (and just today learned I should be changing the plugs every 30k, I'm kind of a noob), so it seemed like a good idea. So I went in to try and figure out how to get the spark plugs out (none of the directions I found on the Internet mentioned anything about the coil packs on the top, so it took me a bit to figure out what I was supposed to do. Apparently people only change plugs on their NA models. But I digress...) After poking around a bit, I noticed the third boot was loose (that is, third one in while standing in front of the car; the one between the two coil packs), and I could neither push it back in nor pull it out. As I wiggle it around I can hear a metal on metal sound, but don't know if that's the lead inside the boot rubbing against the connector on top of the plug, or the inside of the plug rubbing against the engine block. I'm afraid to apply too much force on it either in or out for fear of breaking something, but I'm not really sure what to do. Any ideas? So I think I found my culprit. I only really noticed it over the past week (which included a nice 200 mile road trip), but I think it may have been progressing for quite some time. After putting everything back together, I did turn the car on again and it seems to be running at least as well as it did before I started messing with stuff. But is this safe to drive, or do I risk damaging my engine? I don't plan on doing any long road trips, but I do still need to get to work (about 5 miles away) and run errands and may not be able to get it to a mechanic until next week. I haven't noticed much of a performance hit, surprisingly, though I rarely push it really hard. Mostly city driving. What say you Miata Goons?
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Jul 26, 2011 05:59
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If it's running the same, you're probably not really hurting anything.. but if you're misfiring you're passing raw fuel through into the exhaust and it will shorten the life of your catalytic converter. Sounds like you should bring it to a mechanic and have him check it out soon, next week will be fine. Coil packs can be a problem area on these cars
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Jul 26, 2011 06:29
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You could try putting on some dielectric (sp?) gel on it to see if that helps. If that doesn't work, wires are cheaper than coil packs, so I'd try new wires, then new coils.
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Jul 26, 2011 06:31
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Mat_Drinks posted:You could try putting on some dielectric (sp?) gel on it to see if that helps. If that doesn't work, wires are cheaper than coil packs, so I'd try new wires, then new coils. The problem is I can't even get it out of the well to put some dielectric gel on it. It's just kind of sitting in there. I can't really tell if the boot is still connected to the plug and it's the plug that's loose, or if it's just the boot that is loose but somehow stuck in there. You know I thought I had noticed a gas smell in the cabin a few times, but I only ever smelled it when stopped. Since I'm in the city, though, I usually find myself stopped behind other cars and I was never really sure if I was smelling my own fuel or just sucking some else's exhaust. Maybe this explains that too. The thing that really bothers me about it is how much the engine vibrates while it is running. If I have the engine idling with the hood, you can see the engine just rocking back and forth. I know that can't be good in the long term.
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Jul 26, 2011 06:45
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I had a similar problem where the boot was stuck to the plug on my Celica. I used a wire coat hanger to take it out and then glued it back onto the wires using silicone sealant.
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Jul 26, 2011 06:55
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Rip that poo poo off and put in new plugs and wires.
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Jul 26, 2011 23:54
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So I would like a second little car and thought HEY A MIATA. A few days digging on Craiglist has made me realize that they cannot be had for under 5000 dollars in Kansas City. loving 21 year old Mazdas and these people want 5 grand, what the hell, is this typical?
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Jul 27, 2011 19:05
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That's fairly typical in my area as well (Pacific Northwest). A good condition NA with less than 100-150k miles is worth about 4-5k easy. A bit more for a special edition. Even a 200k+ miles 1.6L beater seems to be worth about 3 grand around here if it still runs decent. The good thing about it is, however, that they've more or less reached their depreciation floor. I bought an NA, drove it year-round for over 4 years, then sold it. Total depreciation in that time period due to age/condition/miles was only about $1000. Guinness fucked around with this message at 19:16 on Jul 27, 2011 |
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Jul 27, 2011 19:11
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AlternateAccount posted:So I would like a second little car and thought HEY A MIATA. A few days digging on Craiglist has made me realize that they cannot be had for under 5000 dollars in Kansas City. loving 21 year old Mazdas and these people want 5 grand, what the hell, is this typical? My 96 cost that much, and it had almost 80,000 miles. It's a desirable car.
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Jul 27, 2011 20:28
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AlternateAccount posted:So I would like a second little car and thought HEY A MIATA. A few days digging on Craiglist has made me realize that they cannot be had for under 5000 dollars in Kansas City. loving 21 year old Mazdas and these people want 5 grand, what the hell, is this typical? In the DC area there are over a dozen on Craigslist for well under $5k. You mentioned having family in VA in the BMW thread - make use of them and get over here.
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Jul 27, 2011 20:33
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Keep looking. Sometimes people in the dark post them for sale for around KBB and if you're faster than the rest of the internet, you can snag one cheap.
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Jul 27, 2011 21:12
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OK, time to be patient I guess.
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Jul 27, 2011 21:20
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AlternateAccount posted:So I would like a second little car and thought HEY A MIATA. A few days digging on Craiglist has made me realize that they cannot be had for under 5000 dollars in Kansas City. loving 21 year old Mazdas and these people want 5 grand, what the hell, is this typical? In Augusta GA area and half of GA im seeing about $3500-5000 for early 90s with out the 1.8 and about 150k-200+k. I gave up after 2 months of watching, ill look again in a year or so and in winter.
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Jul 27, 2011 21:32
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Sadi posted:In Augusta GA area and half of GA im seeing about $3500-5000 for early 90s with out the 1.8 and about 150k-200+k. I gave up after 2 months of watching, ill look again in a year or so and in winter. I bought my '01 with 34000 miles on it in Aiken back in '06 for 12 grand. It's doable (keep an eye on Autotrader). Speaking of which, since I'm on MSM watch, is there anywhere to keep an eye on besides Autotrader, Yahoo and Ebay?
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Jul 27, 2011 23:04
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GD_American posted:I bought my '01 with 34000 miles on it in Aiken back in '06 for 12 grand. It's doable (keep an eye on Autotrader). Honestly, I'd look on miataturbo.net for a car that somebody else turbo'd. I haven't heard much nice to say about the MSM cars. But if you're specifically looking for one, try the sites you mentioned and searchtempest (craigslist search site).
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Jul 28, 2011 00:09
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DreamOn13 posted:Honestly, I'd look on miataturbo.net for a car that somebody else turbo'd. I haven't heard much nice to say about the MSM cars. But if you're specifically looking for one, try the sites you mentioned and searchtempest (craigslist search site). Jesus. Not a single NB on the first page. The ones further back are ricey as poo poo, too. Not my scene, I guess. But I will bookmark it and keep an eye out, appreciate it.
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Jul 28, 2011 01:09
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GD_American posted:I bought my '01 with 34000 miles on it in Aiken back in '06 for 12 grand. It's doable (keep an eye on Autotrader).
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Jul 28, 2011 01:31
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I got a NA with ~80k and a DIY turbo kit for $2200. Pretty mechanically sound, it didn't look the best and I am still trying to polish it up but it gets me to work everyday and thats all I wanted. Oh I did blow the rear end up but I found a torsen for $500. Also had to replace turbo oil drain line and cooling fan thermoswitch. No trouble since then. Also has FM springs, KYB AGXs, autokonexion trunk and rota rs's. The point is that you can find deals a lot if you find a car with a few small problems or isn't the prettiest thing right now. I didnt want a turbo car but it was cheap and moved around okay.
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Jul 28, 2011 02:10
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Well, my situation is a little different. I've got a ton of small dings, scratches and interior damage from five years of using it as an everyday work car and hauler (lol, yes). I'm at the point where I can afford to put some money into it and fix it up, but for that same amount or less I can just upgrade into a better car. I want something newer and in better shape, with lower mileage, but I want to stay with an NB.
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Jul 28, 2011 03:40
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Is there anything in particular to watch out for on an MSM? I'm thinking about taking a local one for a test drive this week but the price seems a little too good to be true (1k under blue book at a dealership.)
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Jul 28, 2011 04:41
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None aside from the standard MSM issues - tiny turbo, even smaller intercooler, and the 6500RPM redline combined with the short gearing.
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Jul 28, 2011 05:37
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May as well get a cheap NC IMO.
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Jul 28, 2011 06:00
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Huh. I did not know those were qualities of the MSM. Moving on!
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Jul 28, 2011 06:55
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re: shopping for Miatas... it's the time of year. Wait until the good weather passes and you'll find the best deals. That being said, there ARE deals out there. I recently sold my NA for $2k and bought an NB with 135k, and records that's in pretty darn good condition with a hard top for 4.5k.
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Jul 28, 2011 07:00
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Any other Miata goons on the way to Miatas at the gap? a group shot would be cool.
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Jul 28, 2011 18:25
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GD_American posted:Jesus. Not a single NB on the first page. The ones further back are ricey as poo poo, too. http://www.miataturbo.net/showthread.php?t=55051 This is probably the one I'd look into if I were you.
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Jul 28, 2011 22:50
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DreamOn13 posted:http://www.miataturbo.net/showthread.php?t=55051 Muuuuuccchhhh more in my wheelhouse. Thank you. With all that firepower on the engine, why has he had so much trouble selling it?
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Jul 29, 2011 02:47
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  edit: disregard the retarded stretch, but that front end is loving gorgeous. destructo fucked around with this message at 03:46 on Jul 29, 2011 |
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Jul 29, 2011 03:43
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ugh
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Jul 29, 2011 03:44
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I appreciate the attention to detail, but that car has hilarious identity issues. It's like mnet and CR had a baby.
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Jul 29, 2011 04:44
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The "chrome" mirrors really sell the look (of disgusting).
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Jul 29, 2011 05:01
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Those chrome mirrors are actually a relatively rare OEM JDM piece.
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Jul 29, 2011 05:22
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destructo posted:Those chrome mirrors are actually a relatively rare OEM JDM piece. That doesn't make them suck less.
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Jul 29, 2011 05:27
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| # ? May 28, 2024 09:52 |
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IOwnCalculus posted:That doesn't make them suck less.
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Jul 29, 2011 05:29
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