Need Miata advice

I'm moving to a new place where I will have a 55-mile commute, each way, from the Park & Ride or the Light Rail terminal. It's mostly 4- lane US or Texas state highway. Not interstate slab, but still pretty straight, and no hills to speak of. I want to get a 1999 or 2000 Miata for this commute (as well as some occasional weekend running around). My concern is that according to what I've read, the Miata engine runs at over 4000 rpm at 75mph, which is what my speed will be most of the way. Won't extensive running at this rpm cause excessive wear? I've also heard that Miata wheels are aligned slightly outward, which would wear out tires in this kind of driving.

I really, really want the Miata, but could use some advice from experienced owners. Please reply to the newsgroup.

Thanks, Ron M.

You can always change the rear axle ratio from ~4.1 to 3.9 or so. Another way to make a minor change is with tire size and the 5th gear ratio.

I have a 99 that is turbocharged, has a 5th gear ratio change, and with the stock rear axle turns a few hundred rpm less at 70 than stock. Just enough less to remove the "buzzyness" at 70mph. Fuel consumption at 60 - 70 varies with the road, but is usually between 1.7 and 2.3 GPH (better than 30mpg on more or less level roads, assuming you keep your foot light on the pedal) Turbos have a scavenging mode at cruise throttle and highway speeds that comes into play. A heavy foot ? -- well, a turbo'd Miata at full throttle uses about twice as much fuel as a non turbo'd version. ( ~220 vs. 108 rwhp)

A 99 will run all day at 4000 rpm or even more. Just use full synthetic oil, and change it at about every 3,000 miles, and engine wear should not be an issue. "Lugging" the engine (low speed, low RPM, usually in town in 5th gear) is actually harder on it than moderately high RPM.

I used to do a monthly round trip between Georgia and Florida (551 miles one way I-75) in my 99. The only real problem I encountered was due to a sticking thermostat that would cause overheating when the road speed was over 70 and the A/C was on, coupled with hot interstate asphalt road surfaces and strong sunlight. There was another issue with a bad O2 sensor and what eventually turned out to be a flakey coil pack, but that's another story.

Just remember to check for a recently reset ECU light and crank end play on a might buy 99-00. A recently reset ECU light can fail an emissions test, since there will be no record of a completed federally mandated self test cycle, and can be an indication that the emissions system is not working properly, causing the seller to reset and clear stored codes and the ECU light. The 99-00 and the MSM's are the most desirable NB's from the standpoint of aftermarket power mods. (No VVT)

Some like the 99-00 headlights and seats, some hate them. The NB later model years "projector" headlights are very annoying in a rear view mirror when the road is not smooth.

For your use, the front tires should have a small bit of toe in, not out. (1/32-1/16 in) If you want to "Toss" the car around, you need to go to miata.net, and look in the garage section for details on alignment options vs use. (Lanny's alignment, etc)