1990 Miata with 3 cylinder Suzuki engine in Michigan. $950.00

This is an unusual project/experiment that was completed about two years ago. Some of you folks may recognize this car.

Anyway, the goal was to build an ultra high MPG Miata. The car will get 50+ MPG on surface roads and 45 MPG on the highway (summer). Winter mileage is less. I have put over 8000 mile on the car since its completion.

The car is currently registered and is still being driven.

This project was a low budget experiment and the 1990 Miata I used was rusted beyond repair.

The value in this project is limited to the custom drivetrain and associated parts. The car is more or less worthless. Every part of the car is rusted, dented or is damaged. The car is being offered whole so the new owner can transfer the drivetrain to a better car. You should not consider buying this car if you do not plan on transferring the parts to another car.

The car is located in Jackson Michigan 49203. The car can be driven to its new home but I wouldn't recommend a cross country trip.

The build thread is here http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=404694

What you get: 1990 Mazda Miata that is worthless, but has excellent tires. 1996 Suzuki G10 three cylinder engine (GEO metro engine) 1986 Suzuki Samurai five speed transmission. Custom driveshaft Custom motor mounts Custom oil pan Custom oil pick-up Custom cooling system Custom distributor relocation brackets Custom clutch brackets and pedal assembly Custom transmission mount Custom shift linkage

Problems:

Slight oil leak when engine is running. Leak is a pin hole high on oil pan. PPF has several stress cracks. This shouldn't be an issue because the PPF should be eliminated when the drivetrain is transferred. The samurai transmission has a noisy bearing. doesn't effect reliability. ...and of course everything related to the rusty 1990 Miata is suspect.

The car is slow off the line but its fun to drive. Top speed is 75-80 MPH. I'm selling the car because I have already built another high MPG Miata and I don't need two of them. This car would be perfect for someone who wants to improve on my results.

I have no idea of the value so I'm seeking to just recover some of my costs. The current asking price is $950.00. I realize money is tight these days and I am also open to trades. Interesting trades include Miata hardtop.

This is an unusual car and is not for everyone. You are buying a running and drivable project. I prefer that only serious people contact me.

Just so there is no misunderstanding, the body on this Miata is beyond reasonable repair. The car is loaded with bondo and has aluminum tape covering the rust holes. The paint is most likely rustiolium and looks really bad. The only good body part is the aluminum hood.... everything else is crap. The car is NOT a good candidate for a V8 swap.

thanks for looking!

Contact info: fujioko@gmail.com

Holy crap you live in Jackson

JHS class of 2002 here lol

In Jackson.... you can run a chainsaw full throttle at midnight and not disturb anybody. Ask me how I know.

That is a really interesting project. Great effort!

I think I'll pass, because I don't want a slow rusty Miata, but I did enjoy reading your build thread. You've put a huge effort into it.

What did you learn? How would you do it differently?

what a build.....it's a shame you started with a rusty miata but i can see why you did it

SVreX wrote: That is a really interesting project. Great effort! I think I'll pass, because I don't want a slow rusty Miata, but I did enjoy reading your build thread. You've put a huge effort into it. What did you learn? How would you do it differently?

Well, after building this one, I realized there was no extra power for air conditioning so I built a second Miata with a slightly bigger engine and air conditioning.

The three cylinder engine was adequate for this project and is the better choice if air conditioning is not required.

am I sick for thinking that a G13B should be bolted in there?

Bobzilla wrote: am I sick for thinking that a G13B should be bolted in there?

Sick in a very good way. That was always a fantastic motor in search of a fantastic chassis (not saying the Swift wasn't great).

psteav wrote:

Bobzilla wrote: am I sick for thinking that a G13B should be bolted in there?

Sick in a very good way. That was always a fantastic motor in search of a fantastic chassis (not saying the Swift wasn't great).

No, the swift sucked. Flacid chassis, screwed suspension design and no fenderwells for tires over 175 width. Great engine, crap chassis.

When do the Cappucino's reach the import age again?

<b

When do the Cappucino's reach the import age again?

^^^ I would be all over that

fujioko wrote: In Jackson.... you can run a chainsaw full throttle at midnight and not disturb anybody. Ask me how I know.

Who you going to bother anyways the prison inmates?

I was cutting wood on the bad side of Jackson once, think leaving cascades the wrong way area. During cleanup, a man on a bicycle came by to inquire, and I quote, "What are you crackas up to?" He did not seem concerned after it was explained we were taking wood out, not leaving it behind.

Come to think of it, I have actually operated chainsaws all over that town and nobody did seem to care!

Bobzilla wrote: No, the swift sucked. Flacid chassis, screwed suspension design and no fenderwells for tires over 175 width. Great engine, crap chassis.

Swifts are fine. They just aren't as good as some, when the rule set won't let you do anything. There are plenty of guys going fast in Swifts.

SOLD!