Miata

hey there,

im pretty much just looking for a refirmation that im making a right decision buying a 1990 miata thats in solid conditon. I've never raced before and am currently a student but i was hoping to jump into local autocross and solo events this summer and most people ive talked to have told me to look for old vw's, 3rd gen firebirds and cameros, and miatas, seeing that parts are easy to comebuy and you can beat on them a little. so if anyone could tell me im making a good choice in a miata, or not, id appreciate it.

good luck talking this crowd out of a miata.

Yeah...that's like going to the bartender and saying,

"You know...I was really wanting a beer but I just wanted to make sure that you agreed I should have one."

Doo eeet!

Clem

longhorndude wrote: most people ive talked to have told me to look for old vw's, 3rd gen firebirds and cameros, and miatas

"Miata" is the answer. It will be more dependable than those other two cars, handle better than them, and cost less to operate than the muscle car.

For the Miata, just check that the timing belt has been serviced, and for a '90 check for the "short-nose crank issue". Install a rollbar before going to the track. Maybe upgrade the radiator before any hot track days.

What kind of price are you getting it for, if you don't mind my asking?

well it needs a new radiator and thats pretty much it but listed a 1000 but trying to get him to deliver it too, not mint though, needs some work but i figure for a 1000 its a good starting point.

ya a lot of my friends get on my back about buying a miata telling me to get something beefier but from what i've heard of them they're just a fun car to drive and u'll get over the size issue after the first mile

Miata is ALWAYS the answer, unless you need passanger capacity, then it's a P71 or E30. Even with needing a radiator, it is a good deal

Let me get this right, you have found a complete Miata (that only needs a radiator) for $1k? Even more grassroots you are trying to work the seller into delivering it to you?

I think you will fit in fine around here.

Now, I dare you to tell us any more about what town or where it might be located. Everyone here would likely jump right over you and scoop it up!

Next you wil be telling us that it comes with a hard top?

John

I've got a Koyo factory replacement radiator in my garage that could be for sale...

Got any pictures?

longhorndude wrote: well it needs a new radiator and thats pretty much it but listed a 1000 but trying to get him to deliver it too, not mint though, needs some work but i figure for a 1000 its a good starting point.

Damn! That's a good price. A $1000 running Miata is a perfect first track beater! I heard there's even a car magazine that holds a special competition for low-budget cars, just like your's.

The issues I pointed out aren't deal-breaker things. Just common things to look for that might need to be repaired quickly.

Radiators can be had inexpensively. Stock ones just have a tendency to crack when you're tracking them. Ask me how I know. Go for something all-metal. Depending on your plans and budget Koyo, R-Speed, and Radiatorbarn.com are good.

ya i was kicking myself last week cause my uncle found a pratically mint 92 down in that had stiffer springs, anti roll bar and hi flow intake with a hardtop for only 750, but by the time i went to buy it it was gone..

Do you know that the hardtops sell, used, for about $750 to $1k?

That car you found for $750 could have recouped the $750 easy if you sold the top. You would then have a free car!

ya would have kept the hardtop though, but i told my uncle to go get it and id buy it off of him bout 12 hours after he told me bout it, but hopefully this one wont slip through my hands too..

Be sure to replace that radiator with the thicker, metal automatic version. Better cooling and bolts right up. Got my last 4 from radiatorbarn.com

My 1998 Camaro totally kills a Miata. When I drive it to work, all my coworkers are like "whoa, what an awesome Camaro". They all laugh at Miatas.

I think I got that right. Maybe it's the other way around.

I owned and raced neons for 6 years.

First time i drove my miata, i thought "what the berkeley was i thinking?"

You've got the Miata..

Now all you need are the cow-print seat covers and a "roxy" sticker and you're all set.

Shawn

Don't listen to these guys. A third gen Camaro or an old VW kills the miata. In fact since I am such a nice guy I will buy your miata off of you for what you put into it (1k right? if you deliver it to Ca) and then you can use the money to go buy a mullet mobile or a hippy mobile depending on your taste...

First step: Find out how flexible you are and make sure you fit. Everything else is secondary.

Don't look a $1k Miata in the mouth while quibbling over delivery. Cheap Miatas have a way of disappearing overnight. Buy it quick.

Tyler H wrote: Don't look a $1k Miata in the mouth while quibbling over delivery. Cheap Miatas have a way of disappearing overnight. Buy it quick.

lol My Son and I buy Miata's and part them out, a running miata for 1k is a sight unseen buy for us, even factoring in a car carrier to bring it to us.

www.btdtracing.com

ya im taking a look at it hopefully in the morning, only hour and a half away, but the guy is so vague bout it so im not sure if it has anything else wrong with, hoping the block didnt get screwed up when the radiator went, it scares me hes started it without the radiator a lil...

ok so i went to check the thing out today. The engine runs fine and it does seem that the only thing it needs to run for extended periods is the radiator. It started right up and sounded pretty smooth though. The problems with the car is mainly the rust issue with me. There was a large patch of rust behind the passenger door down on the bottom by the side skirt and a hole underneath the drivers side door. i dont know much about real body work and im not a fan of bondo. Opinions?

That's a bad place for rust - it's structural. It can be patched, of course - repair panels are available. But it's not a bondo repair, it's gonna involve real tools.

MCarp22 wrote: I owned and raced neons for 6 years. First time i drove my miata, i thought "what the berkeley was i thinking?"

Sounds familiar: after a multi year stint with ACR's and SRT swaps, I drove an E30, then an E36, and have spent a lot of time in a Miata. I don't miss the neon. :)