Ok...I've got a little over a year to think this one over...

Anthony, spend a few hours at miata.net. I think you'll find all the answers you need.

last

much

little

real

Well, you've certainly picked the right car! ;) As Lanny, said, spend some quality time over at

particularly the section on buying a used Miata.

I'll toss in some answers to your questions as well....

bars,

little

The

doesn't work

2000

time to

talking for

engine?

There are Miata "out there" with over 225,000. My 90 has just under 99,000. Changing the oil every 3,000 miles helps these little engines keep going virtually forever. And the heater! I've actually turned the heater OFF in the winter 'cause the cockpit got too warm. Put 4 snowtires on your Miata, and keep going through the winter - as long as there's not more than 6" of powder - Miata do not make good snowplows.

in lots

years?

The hardtops will fit every year. They also make the car warmer in the winter.

parts for

SO

Take a look at the vendors in the marketplace at miata.net for price comparisons. I've found that parts ordered through there

*usually* cost less than at my local dealership. And they're cheaper than Volvo parts (our Miata Support Vehicle).

here, and

arms are

was

'99

about

The older models do have more interior room. I just drove a friend's 99 the other day and my legs were not comfortable - felt like the dead pedal was set way higher than in my 90. I'm somewhat vertically challenged so I leave the rest of this to a taller poster. ;)

probably be

search to

with the

Look around a lot. Drive LOTS of different Miata. You'll know when you find *your* car.

And don't put down the 90-95 models - they just keep chugging along.

care

cars.

Make sure to ask for maintenance records. I keep a notebook with my oil changes, filter changes, parts added, etc. That's the best way to *know* if the car has been maintained.

Rainy weather. Seriously, some of the earlier models had a problem with the short crank. Again, more info on miata.net.

someone my

can get

me.

back! I

have

drunk, I

work on

can't say

cars).

The Miata is a *very* good car for you to consider. They are reliable and FUN TO DRIVE!!!

Since you've got a "little over a year", spend it at

And make sure to stop back in and let us know what Miata snared you! Just remember, red is the fastest color. ;-D

-- Iva & Belle.) '90B Classic Red.) #3 winkin' Miata

Wonderful decision!

Regular oil changes; brakes at some point (depends on how aggressively you drive); timing belt at 60,000; new top someday. Miatas are notably durable even beyond 100,000 miles.

All factory hardtops fit all 1990-2004 at least; not sure if all aftermarket units fit. Very nice in winter, for the large window, and not having to be quite as careful when brushing off snow.

Front and rear brakes (parts and labor) $400; replace electric antenna lift $170; console lid (part only) $80. You'll not get anywhere near this level of economy with a Porshe or Audi. This is the total list of what I've done to my '99 in five years of daily use (Also snow tires on rims, $425, and new summer tires $380)

Lots of argument about the various years and the seat changes. Our local club has several very tall guys in both M1 and M2 (post-99) models

Depending on the time of year, you may be able to go newer. The 1994 was the first year of the 1800cc engine.

You can get a lot of service out of a 100,000 mile car if its been well maintained. If over 60000, make sure someone else paid to change the timing belt already.

That last sentence is the whole reason the Miata exists! Its also relatively easy to insure due to the modest performance- its not known for attracting knucklehead driver.

Just make sure you've got a friend with a van or pickup- you can't move furniture or take the gang tailgating in a Miata.

Have fun Joe Silver '99

Based on my experience, you'll be doing very little maintenance. Regular oil/fluid changes, of course, but I've had one for 12 years and all that's ever gone wrong has been bad plug wires (easy) and a clutch that started to slip (harder, but only necessary because I didn't take care of the plug wires when I should have). Oh, and I finally had to change to catalytic convertor.

For a whole lot of great information, check out miata.net.

I haven't had to replace much...

Yup.

There's a problem where some of the early ones had a crankshaft where the nose of it would break. Not good, but I don't know the secret for determining which is which. It can probably be found at miata.net.

This is *precisely* the car for you!

Not too much. Timing belts 60 kmi, clutch slave occasionally, clutch very occasionally, battery extremely occasionally, etc, all if handled correctly and typically.

I have had an aftermarket supercharger on the car for 120+ kmi.

Miata parts are very reasonable. trussvillemazda.com will give about a 25% discount in addition.

Fit depends on your precise dimensions. Try sitting in one and find out.

1.8l is 94 model year up. Don't forget the hardtop might cost you $800 or whatever at least.

As mentioned, in your range, the short crank of the 1990 Miatas is something serious to consider. The other unexpected thing I can think of right now is the clutch slave, which costs little, especially if you do it yourself. Deer, excursions in the ditch, being crashed into, being shot at, being stoned, and similar cost more. Aftermarket goodies may exceed that. ;)

Leon

Haha...my fiancee has a Land Rover Discovery. Not a problem with hauling stuff around. Anyway, I've never driven anything but small cars. First car, Ford Festiva, second, VW aircooled Beetle, third will hopefully be the Miata. Thanks so much for the courteous replies and good information. I've run into too many automotive boards on the 'net full of morons that just tell you "what?! You want a Miata? Those pieces of **** are slow chick cars!" I fully intend to spend the next year finding out as much as I can from miata.net, this board and various other locations I know are out there somewhere.

On a different note, these cars are even a blast to drive on Gran Turismo 3! (hey, got to procrastinate some how).

~Anthony

FWIW, the bone-stock GT3 Miatas drive very much like real ones, especially at SSR5 Wet. I use a Logitech wheel, and the semblance to running a real Miata on a wet track is uncanny. Both are experiences in maintaining momentum. And both are giant killers, capable of walking away from "faster" cars..

Let me join the chorus and recommend miata.net. There is a hardtop FAQ in the "Tops" forum that will answer this and many other questions.

There's nothing out there that has part prices as good as an air-cooled VW, so you're in for a mild shock no matter what you get. You will be FAR better of with a Miata than a Porsche!

Again, miata.net

I have a 1990 Miata that I bought more than 6 years ago. At that time it had about 90,000 miles on it. I had never owned a convertible before, and I was a little apprehensive about possible future costs of replacing the top, as well as buying a high-mileage car.

However, I have been EXTREMELY pleased with the Miata. For about four years, the only repair cost was to replace the backup light switch. Then I had to have a new clutch, and recently a new timing belt. These have been the only major repair costs, and they are items that would have to be renewed in any car. The top is holding up very well -- partly, no doubt, because I put the hardtop on during the winter months.

The car now has 135,000 miles on it, and the engine shows no sign of wear -- it is not burning any oil for example. I use it every day, and drive my other car (first, a Mercury Grand Marquis when I originally bought the Miata, then a Saab 900, and now a Toyota Avalon) only for long trips, and when I need more room than in the Miata. In my limited experience with parts for the Miata, they do not seem expensive -- certainly not by comparison with the Saab.