Anyone Miata?

I’ve been flipping over classified ads for a couple years, looking for ANYTHING that was both cheap and interesting that could be our third vehicle. Seriously, I was even looking at Saab Wagons when we were trying to decide if we wanted kids or not. I realize the 3rd car isn’t going to save us money, but I “might” slow down the odometers on our other two vehicles if it’s something fun to drive.

My wife has finally thrown up her hands and said, “Just do it, but it must be an automatic and here are the constraints:”

*Less than 65k miles
*Less than $4000
*Automatic
*Convertible
*Preferably has a back seat that’s more usable than the one in our AC taco.

My brother and his girlfriend have two NA Miatas and they’re both a blast to drive, so he’s trying to talk me into one. I’ve found a few Miata’s that fit all of the requirements, except the back seat of course. They seem like such impractical cars, but damn I want one to drive around on nice days. What kind of Kool-Aide have I been given?

 

I bought a 94 about 17 years ago as a summer toy. I thought I would drive it into the ground and then go back to a Porsche like I'd had before.
Funny thing, I couldn't kill it and it was just as much fun to drive.
I still have it, very dependable, easy to work on, and when I do need parts(regular maintenance) they're cheap and easy to source.
Try to talk your wife into learning how to drive a stick. A auto in a sports car is tragic.
Go to local auto cross events, miata's are very competitive.

 

I've got 4 of them. Two NA's and two NB's. Can't beat the fun factor! The answer above answers most of your questions. Love them...its an affliction!!

 

My brother and his girlfriend have a 92 (automatic) and a 94 (5 speed) and I think I might actually prefer the automatic.

I love the 5 speed in my Tacoma, but the Miata was frustrating with flip flops.

Either way, I’m hooked and can’t wait to find an NA or NB to cruise around in.

 

Was the word Miata just used as a verb?

 

I have a 2015 PRHT (Power Retractable Hard Top) for my fun car.

It is a blast and the PRHT will spoil you over the canvas top.

12 seconds to go from secure hardtop to complete convertible.

I got rid of a 2017 Wrangler that I bought brand new because the MX5 (it says Miata nowhere on the vehicle) was more fun.

The main thing I liked about the Jeep was the convertible and the Mazda convertible has it beat in spades.

There are 4 generations...

NA First generation. Very raw go-cart like experience. Tons of V8 swap stuff if you get bored.

NB Second generation. More refined and better looking IMO. Tons of go-fast stuff.

It's gonna be tough to get one of these later models for your $4000 budget, but I would at least take an NC for a ride as it's worth the extra over the NB IMO.

NC Third generation. MUCH more refined and significantly larger. You can find some of the early ones (2006 or so) for near your budget. Excellent 6 speed automatic with steering wheel paddle shifters. Tons of go-fast stuff available. This is the reason I got the last year of the NC instead of a new ND. Also, the PRHT of the NC disappears completely while the retractable hard top of the ND leaves the rear buttresses up.

ND Current generation. Not gonna be less than $4k unless it's wrecked. Got smaller again. A more "raw" experience than the NC and a lot of people like that. Also arguably the best looking generation. Still no Carplay/Android Auto though it is supposedly coming soon.

A very good, in-depth overview of all 4 generations...

 

Miata.net is the probably the best resource for everything Miata including an section with overview of all Miata options, colors, etc for each year available. Its thought at this point that the first and second generations are the ones that are going to be the most collectible. There are all sorts of permutations in terms of the first and second gens. Leather, cloth, manual, special packages, colors, wheels, etc. Most parts are interchangeable between first and second gens and both can carry a hardtop.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed driving my brother's NA around this weekend and could see myself owning one, but perhaps I need to expand my search to NCs since there's a chance that I'll DD it from June-October.

I did come across a very clean ‘92, with 60k miles, that's at the top of my list. The original owner claims that it hasn’t spent a single night outdoors and I completely believe him, but I’m a bit hesitant about 27 year old car that still has the original tires.....

 

Miata’s are awesome, automatic Miatas aren’t.

I used to autocross and do road rallies in a 1996 Miata that I’d done a bit of work to (raced in STS2). Lot of fun till someone T-boned me and totaled it.

 

My buddy has an Automatic Miata, I don't care for it.

 

There's nothing wrong with being hesitant to drive on 27 year old tires. That's a sure way to spin out in a normal driving situation.
Old rubber kills!
I run R compounds and rarely get 20k and never more than four years from them, but man do they stick.

 

I’ve owned 3 Miata’s you will not have any issues with those the engines are bullet proof

 

Other than the tires and routine maintenance you have nothing to worry about

 

I'd go with an NC if possible. It's bigger than either the NA or NB but it's more refined. If you're handy you can swap in a 2.5L Duratec (it's common in many Mazda and Ford cars...just make sure it's a non-Skyactiv engine) into NCs without too much fuss.

Also: a manual is the way to go on one of these!

 

I’d LOVE a manual, but my wife is taking a firm stance on the automatic and I haven’t hated driving the automatic NAs, so I’m not going to push back.

I’m not opposed to an NC if I could find one that was both low miles and flys under the budget.

I may make an offer on the NA if it passes my brother’s technical assessment tomorrow. It needs struts, but it’s a one owner garage queen and felt like a 4 wheel motorcycle when I drove it.

 

My first real tuner car was a NA miata, I replaced damn near everything on that car. Tein coilovers, work equip wheels, turbo, aem ems, rc 550s, roll cage, just all kinds of stupid money throw at a $2k car. It was like a gokart, loved that thing. Sold it when I had to move and didn't have a garage to work on it anymore. Kick myself now for it, but at that time I wanted to live in an apartment downtown.

 

Agreed with @rollin904 NA is probably the best platform to modify due to the after market support behind it and it handles like a street legal go kart Not to mention the way they drift also if possible I’d go with NA8 over NA6

 

Here's a nice Miata

707hp Hellcat powered Miata !!!!!


https://youtu.be/qEJPfPeDUoE

 

I picked up a 94 miata a while back as a fun to drive commuter. Ended up loving it. Coil overs, sway bars, strut tower brace, better brakes, wheels, tires, exhaust, intake, lighting, clutch, flywheel and a bunch of cosmetic modes later it wasnt much of a just a commuter. I loved driving that car. handled like it was on rails and i couldnt kill the 1.8L or 5 speed. I ran that car hard and it took it. I sold it when I no longer needed a commuter and still think about it. Kinda wish I still had it.

The NB's NC's are really nice but i love the look of the NA and the flip ups

 

I love them but trying to convince the other half why I need a 6th vehicle is a tough sell. They are stupid cheap and reliable. Easy to work on and parts are plentiful. Biggest downfall would be the auto. Lie and say the autos keep breaking and have major issues.