Mazda Miata MX-5

[ah lian]

the said mileage is applicable to pure city driving with short distance trips. with one full tank, i have reached pg before with lotsa to spare... perhaps, you might get more out of it than i do. fc is really subjective.

 

[DrGoh]

I had two Miatas while in Canada, a 91 (stolen), & a 94 (replacement from insurance).

The miata is a fantastic car with very good handling. You must get the car in manual form as it has one of the best trasmissions around. The pedal positions are perfect for heel/toe as well.

The car was very reliable mechanically-speaking. All I needed was oil-changes. However, if you need to travel at high speed, it is not your car, because it is not stable above 160km/h. I sold the car and got an RX7 eventually, but that's coz I was a speed-freak.

Aside from instability at high speeds, the older models had plastic rear roof, which sucked majorly. Most would turn yellow by now, meaning that you can't see anything in the rear, especially when it rains. It is worth the money to get the car with an optional hard top.

If a truck passes you in the rain, you'll probably end up with a few drops of water on your face, but that happened in my Toyota Supra Turbo, Porsche Carrera C2 convertible, as well as the F355 GTS.

There are lots of mods you can do to the car too. I slapped on a Jackson Racing supercharger on mine, and it was great! There were lots of beautiful bodykits as well.

Anyway, I have nothing but good things to say about the car. One caveat though, you have to be comfortable with the rear getting loose, especially in the wet (or using baldy rear tires). Otherwise, take it easy in the beginning, and it will reward you as you master the car.

So, BUY BUY BUY !!!

 

[bimmerman]

Thanks for sharing my good Doctor. Water in your face when a truck passes you? Even with the hard top on? If water gets in so easily, noise would definately get in as well. But I think I'm prepared for that. Still better than a motorcycle right?

So, to recap:

1. Unstable after 160Kph.

Should be ok I think. Not reall a speed freak. More of a low speed, sideways driver. But I suppose the high speed issue can be solved by lowering slightly and a good areodynamics kit right?

2. Mechanically reliable.

This I really love! Should be cheaper to maintain than my Bimmer 5.

3. Softtop rear window yellows out.

Well, I plan to get a hardtop anyway.

4. Tail out attitude.

Yeah! This is where I get my kicks. Was reluctant to change tires on my Bimmer just for the powerslides! But bad tires are dangerous so I gave in. Using relative skinny and fat sidewalled 195/50/16 tires on the Miata might just do the trick for tail out handling.

I'll be looking at a black Miata today that's been in cold storage for 3 years. Any pointers as to what to look out for?

 

[ah lian]

imho:

1. Unstable after 160Kph.
have maxed out numerous times at 180kph. dun agree. need the right alignments and suspensions.


2. Mechanically reliable.
a serious plus. dun even niid specialist workshops to service your care. most mazda or japanese make mechanics can do this. piece of cake. i buy all the spare parts and service items myself to take to the mechanic. prices are reasonable. e.g. rm15 for a mazda oe oil filter.


3. Softtop rear window yellows out.
the mx5 owners are using meguiar's plastX to clean them out. helps if they havent gone totally 'burnt'. otherwise, they can be changed for rm300 in subang village. i had mine done. perfect.


4. Tail out attitude.
hehhehe... scary in the beginning... with the right alignment, can be minimised. gotta learn how to drive it like a rear wheel drive. :wink:

 

[ah lian]

Originally posted by bimmerman@Mar 2 2006, 08:09 AM
I'll be looking at a black Miata today that's been in cold storage for 3 years. Any pointers as to what to look out for?

will share my experiences as mine was parked for 4 years in the car park.

the car will prolly not drive as smooth (wot to expect) if left idle too long. can be slowly rectified with sufficient fun drives (to blast out the carbons) and lotsa oil changes.

tires will be hardened and will need to be replaced if you value the miata and your life. first item to change.

brakes may be not effective as the fluids would have moisture and also dirt by then. a good flush and perhaps change of hoses will do it wunders.

transmission may be jerky a lil... but can be rectified with a good flush and replacement of tranny oils.

the exhaust may be rusty.... oh well. time to change to something wid more zooooooom zooooooooooomm zooooooooooooommmm!!! :nyehehe:

but, please look out for:
1. chasis rust. say no.
2. acid in the boot where the battery is. see how bad it is.
3. ball joints. get this checked by the mechanic.
4. clogged water. leaves and dirt might have gotten in.
5. signs of modification: changes in the engine. wirings that look untidy and new.
6. radiator changes
7. oil in the engine bay. oil on the underside of the bonnet.
8. others.

 

[wkwoo69]

Ah lian, good to have you here share your valuable knowledge.

As I learnt from the good folks from the MX-5 forum, don't freak out over the horrific-sounding grating manual gearbox sound (esp. when you lift off). Apparently, its common and harmless. Still, on the one which I get to drive once in a while, the gearbox does get very very hot after a couple of redline shifts.

Bimmerman, ask if the black one has LSD. I've not driven a Miata without one but taking off from 90 degree intersections have never been so fun, especially in the wet.

Nothing else I've driven offers the same degree of intimacy, feedback, balance and hence, satisfaction.

Fairly torquey (but harsh) twin cam, adjustable (not a lot, but more than most Jappy cars) double wishbones all round, quick rack, authoritative gearshift, timeless (but not original, who cares?!) styling, infinite aftermarket options and tons of cheap used engine / internals. What more can you possibly ask for at that price? Sure, I hear you saying AE86, but really, I think that car's image is too much for me. Its also overpriced, and everyone wants a piece of you.

Ok, the hard top is more likely than not to leak and the quality of the interior plastic is just a little bit better than a Saga's, but when you're circling the roundabout for the umpteenth time in the wet and laughing hysterically, all that doesn't matter one bit, not especially when it dawns on you that you don't need those ceramic turbos, 4WD, 4WS, active steering, active LSD, AYC, XYZ, ETC. crap to have a great time!!!!

GO FOR IT!

 

[ah lian]

kennot agree more.

wkwoo69... when are you getting yours!?

 

[Zoggee]

Ah Lian ah...Dun la poison ppl lidat. B)

For 40K to get a Miata...??? No way for me.....!!! parts expensive la.


but after tested ur car... Jin Ba Itai!!!! its a cool car. B)


but if reliability is the issues..then Get the AE86. Cheap parts sumore. Wheel Bearing RM 70 nia..change and whack kow kow..!!!!


For me ,both good car la....

Grand Hijacker at work.... h34r:

 

[wkwoo69]

Ah lian, thanks for the all the great poisoning, but the main problem is, I have to get one as a second car given the distance of my work commute. I don't have the space for it, and I'm never gonna park it outside. Hence, the eagerness for the manual Swift Sport. The SA called me the other day to confirm the auto (?!?!) version is definitely coming in June, with the manual on special order.

Bimmerman, looking forward to your feedback.

 

[ah lian]

Originally posted by wkwoo69@Mar 2 2006, 08:03 PM
Bimmerman, looking forward to your feedback.

yeah man. how do i contact you? pm me if you are still keen to check out my miata. will give you the 30 minute guide to inspect them. chargeable by tts.

 

[ah lian]

Originally posted by wkwoo69@Mar 2 2006, 08:03 PM
Ah lian, thanks for the all the great poisoning, but....

resistence is futile.... you know how much you like dat purty lil car wid the flip flop lights and corners like a dream.... :nyehehe: :nyehehe:

its calling your name.... all you have to do is call out "jie!!!"

 

[bimmerman]

Ah Lian, WKWOO, the Good Doctor and all who advised, thank you all for your input. I now have 3 cars and must consider selling 1.

1. My Sentra B14 is a super fuel saver that can still fetch about 25K. With a semi ledfoot, RM60 of fuel (old price) buys 400KM but my mother's too attached to it. No loan.

2. My Bluebird U13 is super spacious and can carry 6 adults in safety and comfort. It's the family MPV. Fuel economy is about on par with my BMW 520. RM75 buys 350KM. But if I sell this one, family outings would be a problem and besides, it would only fetch RM15K. No loan.

3. My beloved 5 series luxobarge. It goes well, it handles well, you can have fun with it like in a Miata but in a larger scale and with full comfort and refinement. Seats 5 people and is probably the best 5 ever. But with the current prices of petrol, buying 80 litres of fuel will set my back RM150 everytime!!!!! HORROR!!!!! :blink: The car is still on loan with about 25K to pay up!

Currently mother drives the Sentra, Wife drives the Bluebird and I put up with the high operating costs of the Bimmer.

Now, the Sentra is probably the logical one to sell as it'll fetch more but then my mom will have to drive the Bimmer. She'll probably curb the rims or crack the spoiler lips and such horrors. Sell the Bimmer and mom will have to drive the Miata.

Then there is the issue of not being able to get a loan for the Miata.

I'm very blur now. I want a Miata/MX-5/Eunos Roadster. I want!

I must not give in..... I must fight the urge to ditch my wonderful luxobarge for the best toy car in the world..... Must fight it..... must fight..... must..... :aggressive:

 

[chairoger]

Bimmerman change name already to Miataman.Keke

 

[bimmerman]

Originally posted by chairoger@Mar 3 2006, 08:01 AM
Bimmerman change name already to Miataman.Keke

Actually, I'm also known as bimmerman on the MyMX-5 forums

 

[ah lian]

Originally posted by bimmerman+Mar 3 2006, 09:06 AM-->QUOTE (bimmerman @ Mar 3 2006, 09:06 AM)

 

[zaskar]

Saw on telly last nite that miata voted 2nd best sportscar in terms of iconic status and ease of ownership, number one was 911. Not sue who were in the selection panel but had ppl like eddie irvine giving their two cents

 

[ah lian]

:yes: oh yessss.....
but dun listen to them pros.... they cud be wrong, way wrong.... and they might just hang a miata from a crane and try to blow it up.

wot the heck! read lar read lar!!

Mazda Miata: Generations

100 Coolest Cars

Mazda Miata: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

what you wanna do.... is experience jinba ittai. ask zoggee. :nyehehe:

 

[seb]

Bimmerman,

Keep your 5 series and get a well maintained Tiara for 4K. Engine a lot sweeter and more reponsive than a Kelisa, is a continental car and it can go 0-100 in 12s. Town driving can get at least 500km for 40L. Relatively comfy but..... extremely crappy handling and zero image ! I own one .... Cabut!!! :beaten: h34r:

 

[bmwky]

while the miata is a good handling and fun car.......a lot of folks used them for tracks in the states.....BUT it's a CHICK car. Bleh!!! Just not my taste. Bimmerman, better stick with your E34 which is much more refined and elegant beaut that befits your status as a gentlemen....unless you want to pick up some *chicks*....he he cabuz

 

[chairoger]

Originally posted by bmwky@Mar 3 2006, 12:07 PM
while the miata is a good handling and fun car.......a lot of folks used them for tracks in the states.....BUT it's a CHICK car. Bleh!!! Just not my taste. Bimmerman, better stick with your E34 which is much more refined and elegant beaut that befits your status as a gentlemen....unless you want to pick up some *chicks*....he he cabuz

He no need pick up chicks. Chicks pick him up.Keke

Cabutz!