Buying a First Gen Miata, anything I should know? - TriStateTuners.com :: Home of Tristate Auto Enthusiast

Sublime1304 · 10-22-2012, 06:52 PM

As title says. I'm looking at a '96 Miata 5spd supercharged soft top today and just want to know if there's anything I should look for or anything vehicle specific I should know. Not the only one I'm looking at though

Not sure what's wrong with my Charger but either way, I'm picking a miata up whether or not I keep the charger or sell it. Thanks for the input

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Foolinaround · 10-22-2012, 06:57 PM

Goodbye trunk space,and do you actually fit in one? Not trying to make a joke but very few people fit in them comfortably.

Ask about the last time the rain rail was replaced,check for rot.

OutToWinPAHC · 10-22-2012, 07:01 PM

Does the early 1.6 have crank collar issues?

Sublime1304 · 10-22-2012, 07:17 PM

I do actually fit in it surprisingly

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Foolinaround · 10-22-2012, 07:19 PM

The 90-91 are the short nose cranks that are said to have a problem walking,just those 2 years.
His should come vlsd 1.8l

I don't like sitting in mine I don't feel comfortable and I'm only 165lbs and 5'9

c7scayman · 10-23-2012, 12:11 PM

Look for valve cover gasket oil leaks. Common with high mileage cars. Check for other oil leaks. If oil color is milky brown, that might be a sign that it has once overheated and might have a bad head gasket. Not a common thing with Miata's but something to check when buying older higher mileage cars. Check all fluids. If coolant is very low or you smell coolant when you drive it, that could also be a sign that it overheats. Check alignment and tires for uneven wear.

Just prepare for a complete tune up and maintenance. New plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor, fuel filter, air filter, oil change, new tires, new brake pads or rotors. $600 total if you do most of it yourself. The car has likely been driven hard in its life.

Make sure all speakers/electronics work and feel around for damp or wet carpet. Try to check one out right after or during a rainy day so you can find leaks, if any. Stains on the seat is a sign that the top was left down on a rainy day. Good Luck.

jpalamar · 10-23-2012, 12:28 PM

I think it is dumb as **** to buy another car until you know what the deal is with the Charger.

disturbedfan121 · 10-23-2012, 02:29 PM

its a 1.8 open rear unless it has pwr windows then its a B package which would have a torsen LSD, also M-Editions have torsens.

FocusDude · 10-24-2012, 04:59 PM

What's wrong with having two cars? And we are talking about cars, all reality and good decision making flew out the window.

Just make sure you bring it out to Warminster for a autoX or two. I know your a stones throw away. And don't put to much money in it, unless you autoX it.

SHOdude · 10-24-2012, 05:28 PM

look for rust bubbles starting under the quarter in front of the rear wheels, feel under them. Also rust in the trunk and bottom of the doors. just drive it hard and make sure the slave cylinder s fully functional

Sublime1304 · 10-24-2012, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FocusDude

What's wrong with having two cars? And we are talking about cars, all reality and good decision making flew out the window.

Just make sure you bring it out to Warminster for a autoX or two. I know your a stones throw away. And don't put to much money in it, unless you autoX it.

If I bought one, I would autox it lol. And yea I can walk there lol

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konawel · 10-27-2012, 10:44 PM

Remember my buddies miata i told you about with the sr20? Well the guy he sold it to crashed it, and the damage doesn't look too bad. For what your looking to spend you could buy this one and fix it and it would still be cheaper than the ones you posted, and i know the car well so i could tell you alot about it. The swap alone is worth more than what hes asking, so i would stronly recomend atleast taking a look.

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/3366102122.html

SHOdude · 10-27-2012, 11:38 PM

^^^ I need that!!

HickRocket1258 · 10-29-2012, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpalamar

I think it is dumb as **** to buy another car until you know what the deal is with the Charger.

This is TST, what do you expect?

10-22-2012, 06:52 PM	#1
Sublime1304 Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ivyland, PA Member #15678 My Ride: MK5 TDI Cup Edition Jetta, MK5 GLI iTrader: (1)	Buying a First Gen Miata, anything I should know? As title says. I'm looking at a '96 Miata 5spd supercharged soft top today and just want to know if there's anything I should look for or anything vehicle specific I should know. Not the only one I'm looking at though Not sure what's wrong with my Charger but either way, I'm picking a miata up whether or not I keep the charger or sell it. Thanks for the input Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Mike Burns - '10 TDI Cup Edition Jetta Photographer: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. , To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. IG: @mike_perfectstance

10-22-2012, 06:57 PM	#2
Foolinaround TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: McGuire AFB Member #9448 My Ride: 2016 GTI SE w/PP/Boeing C-17 Globemaster III iTrader: (2)	Goodbye trunk space,and do you actually fit in one? Not trying to make a joke but very few people fit in them comfortably. Ask about the last time the rain rail was replaced,check for rot. __________________ -John C-17 Loadmaster DenOfDebauchery

10-22-2012, 07:17 PM	#4
Sublime1304 Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ivyland, PA Member #15678 My Ride: MK5 TDI Cup Edition Jetta, MK5 GLI iTrader: (1)	I do actually fit in it surprisingly Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Mike Burns - '10 TDI Cup Edition Jetta Photographer: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. , To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. IG: @mike_perfectstance

10-22-2012, 07:19 PM	#5
Foolinaround TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: McGuire AFB Member #9448 My Ride: 2016 GTI SE w/PP/Boeing C-17 Globemaster III iTrader: (2)	The 90-91 are the short nose cranks that are said to have a problem walking,just those 2 years. His should come vlsd 1.8l I don't like sitting in mine I don't feel comfortable and I'm only 165lbs and 5'9 __________________ -John C-17 Loadmaster DenOfDebauchery

10-23-2012, 12:11 PM	#6
c7scayman Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Philly Member #9644 iTrader: (0)	Look for valve cover gasket oil leaks. Common with high mileage cars. Check for other oil leaks. If oil color is milky brown, that might be a sign that it has once overheated and might have a bad head gasket. Not a common thing with Miata's but something to check when buying older higher mileage cars. Check all fluids. If coolant is very low or you smell coolant when you drive it, that could also be a sign that it overheats. Check alignment and tires for uneven wear. Just prepare for a complete tune up and maintenance. New plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor, fuel filter, air filter, oil change, new tires, new brake pads or rotors. $600 total if you do most of it yourself. The car has likely been driven hard in its life. Make sure all speakers/electronics work and feel around for damp or wet carpet. Try to check one out right after or during a rainy day so you can find leaks, if any. Stains on the seat is a sign that the top was left down on a rainy day. Good Luck. __________________ 96 Mazda Protege DX 5MT 92HP, 96 ft-lb torque, 2378 lbs. - SOLD! 2005-2012 00 Porsche 986 5MT Est. 230HP, 205 ft-lb torque, 2777 lbs. - DD/Track Car. SOLD! 2010-2014 12 Mazda2 5MT. 100HP of Fury. 2300 lbs. DD/Autox 2015 - Current 13 MK6 GTI 2020 - Current

10-22-2012, 07:01 PM	#3
OutToWinPAHC Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tokelau Member #5081 My Ride: R33 GTS25T, RHD E46, Truck, part R32 GTR iTrader: (2)	Does the early 1.6 have crank collar issues?

10-23-2012, 12:28 PM	#7
jpalamar TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: May 2009 Location: Orefield, PA Member #13773 My Ride: '14 Mustang GT iTrader: (3)	I think it is dumb as **** to buy another car until you know what the deal is with the Charger.

10-23-2012, 02:29 PM	#8
disturbedfan121 Tri-State Addict Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: CNJ Member #3604 My Ride: 2010 GG EVO X iTrader: (7)	its a 1.8 open rear unless it has pwr windows then its a B package which would have a torsen LSD, also M-Editions have torsens. __________________ '90 Miata - 14psi 250whp 227tq ---Dead and parted To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. '03 MSP-7psi - SOLD.......'93 Sc300 5spd - SOLD '98 BMW Z3 - SOLD.......'92 miata turbo -Traded '10 Evo X- Traded in for .....'14 Jetta TDI 6spd man....... '99 miata NB shell Project....'96 Impreza w/v.1 STi swap

10-24-2012, 04:59 PM	#9
FocusDude Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lower Lower Bucks Member #6269 My Ride: 01 Focus ZX3 iTrader: (0)	What's wrong with having two cars? And we are talking about cars, all reality and good decision making flew out the window. Just make sure you bring it out to Warminster for a autoX or two. I know your a stones throw away. And don't put to much money in it, unless you autoX it. __________________ 2001 Ford Focus ZX3 - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

10-27-2012, 10:44 PM	#12
konawel Tri-State Aficionado Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: 856 Member #18036 My Ride: all kinds of nonsense iTrader: (0)	Remember my buddies miata i told you about with the sr20? Well the guy he sold it to crashed it, and the damage doesn't look too bad. For what your looking to spend you could buy this one and fix it and it would still be cheaper than the ones you posted, and i know the car well so i could tell you alot about it. The swap alone is worth more than what hes asking, so i would stronly recomend atleast taking a look. http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/3366102122.html

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