There's a 92 Miata for sale nearby with about 75,000 miles. I'm not concerned about the miles, but wonder about potential parts failure due to old age. The owner says it has been garaged, had 60K service and all regular maintenance. Assuming it's mechanically sound, what would typically be required to make it safe for longer trips? Just hoses & belts? More? It doesn't have AC or any options to speak of.
Thanks.
p.s. I think the asking price is too high ($3,500), but that's surely negotiable.
There's a good article on buying a used Miata at miata.net. Further, I would have any used car checked out by a mechanic familiar with the model. He'll tell you about hoses and belts, as well as brake pads, compression, and the rest. 75k is nothing on a Miata, as long as it's never been seriously overheated or run too low on oil. It will probably need shocks, though.
If the maintenance is truly up to date, all you'll need for a long trip is to make sure there's enough sunblock in the glovebox. My '94 has 130k on it, and I'd drive it across the continent tomorrow after checking the tire pressures and the washer fluid level. (I know there's enough sunblock.)
Your post caught my eye: I *just* bought a '92 with 65,000 mi, garaged, well-cared for. The owner wanted $3,500, I offered $2,500, Kelley Blue Book said it should be $2,800-$2,900. We agreed to $3,000. The car is in mint condition -- not a ding or a scratch, the top is in great shape. It, too, had the 60K service including timing belt. The tires have a couple thousand miles on them. It has AC. Really only had it out once with the top down but already I think it's going to be a fun car.
For the last seven years, I have owned a 1990 Miata that I bought when it had about 90,000 miles on it. Before I bought it, I had it checked out, and was told that it had two problems: there was an oil leak and the backup light switch needed to be replaced. I negotiated a price reduction, and bought it.
The car has been outstandingly reliable, and now has 137,000 miles on it. For about five years, I had no repairs on it at all, apart from a second replacement of the backup light switch (apparently because the first replacement had not been done properly). The first major repair expenditure I had was a clutch replacement, and then I had the timing belt replaced last year. I am particularly astonished at the life of the tires and the battery. Neither has been replaced since I bought the care, and the tires still have plenty of tread on them.
In short, I would recommend the car without hesitation. You could have the 92 Miata checked out and make any repairs they suggest. One thing you may want to consider is the condition of the convertible top. The one on mine is still in good condition -- partly I assume because I use the hardtop during the winter -- but convertible tops are expensive.
I don't understand about the AC. I thought they all had AC.
As for long trips, I don't think Miatas are good for this.
He's got a base model, like my '90. They were relatively rare, and had no AC, no PS, no power options, and humble steel wheels. I've threatened to get some alloy wheels for mine a couple times, but have come to kind of like it the way it is.
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