It is hard to believe that it has been over a year since I wrote here about my “new” car. But four seasons have come and gone, and my little Miata has happily been my occasional companion for every one of them.
This car was several “firsts” for me. It was my first two seater, my first bright red car, and the first car I ever agreed to buy sight unseen. As many ways as such a transaction can go sideways, it helps when you know and trust the seller as I did here.
When I left off from my story with this car, I had managed to go through a snowstorm, a carwash, and a quick zip into the garage, where it stayed until the salt was pretty much gone from the roads. John had driven the car regularly through all kinds of weather, and I had no doubt that the little Mazda would do it. I am also not naive enough to believe that a car that has lived most of its life in central Michigan will never rust. It has and will undoubtedly continue to do so, but I like to think that I can at least not accelerate whatever corrosion is silently at work.
I will admit that, at first, I was a little chagrined that there was no hardtop with it. I soon discovered that the little red convertible was plenty weather-tight, and neither wind, cold nor rain made driving the least bit uncomfortable.
Speaking of comfort, this car fits me like a glove, but I can see where folks taller than me (5’11”) would not enjoy this cockpit so much. Getting in is a bit more like getting dressed when compared to the relaxed slide into the seat of my more customary land yachts. My 6’6″ son was able to fold himself into it with the top up, and I wondered if top-down would make the experience better. It did not, as he reported that the windshield header and sun visor were exactly at his eye level, requiring either stooping or craning (goggles would help here) to see ahead. Driving it is out of the question because the steering wheel takes up all the space his knees need.
I will tell you right now that I have no fabulous stories to tell of scenic road trips or catastrophic but entertaining failures. I did, however, develop a slight coolant leak in very early spring last year. Did you know that these have nine coolant hoses? I ordered the set of them and replaced my leaker, with the intention of taking some time later in the year to do the rest. The rest, I have determined, is a really nasty job. One wag on the forum that I joined offered that he would happily help anyone do an engine swap, but if you ask for help with coolant hoses, he will be busy that weekend. The other thing that has kept me from finishing that job has been that every time I get near the car, it begs to go out and play. Really, it’s like a puppy. Only better, because it doesn’t whine when it’s alone in a cold garage. This car is just pure fun. At least once I fall into it.
The car came along at a great time, because last summer it made car number four in a house with four drivers. Actually car number five, as a certain Buick Lacrosse was living in the driveway too, and which needed to be driven occasionally to stay limber. This led to the Miata living in the garage with its top down, with the daily decision on what to drive decided by the morning’s weather report. This probably explains how I failed to exceed two thousand miles all year in the Miata.
As with any car approaching the age of twenty, there are some things I would like to do to improve it. Other than the hoses, I need to remove and lube the speedo cable to quiet it down. I am also trying to decide if the gear whine coming from the transmission is some tired bearings on the countershaft, or whether the box is just a singer. The good news is that according to the wisdom on the forums, used transmissions are plentiful and cheap, as they seldom break. And there is a glowing “check engine” light. Prior owner John (SeVair) told me that it had been diagnosed as a sensor in the exhaust system that he had been advised to ignore because the car ran so well. I have followed his lead, at least so far – because it still runs and drives just right.
This car has sort of made me acknowledge my bi-polar nature when it comes to cars. As I look back on my roughly thirty car history, virtually all of them have been either big and nautical or little zippy go-kart-like things. Very few of my wheels have been what most would consider “mid-sized”. And among the little zipsters (the 85 GTI, the 83 Colt with the Twin Stick and the 07 Honda Fit are the others that come to mind) this one does the little zippy fun thing better than any of them.
The Miata also has the added bonus that it is almost perfect as an “old car” in that the thing is so simple. It is no Model A, but as far as anything from the electronics era goes, it is hard to get simpler. And there is such a broad and dedicated fan base that is there for parts and knowledge.
The only problem with the car is not really with the car, but with me. Every once in awhile, the “old me” flares up, which means that my eye starts to wander in search of that new experience. My Miata would easily sell for enough to finance one of the less popular Studebakers that occasionally pops up on my local List of Craig, and I have still yet to own a fuselage C body Mopar. But then comes a nice warm day when I walk into the garage and see the little red Miata with its top down, saying “C’mon, get the Mrs. and let’s go somewhere fun.” And then we do.
“I will tell you right now that I have no fabulous stories to tell of scenic road trips or catastrophic but entertaining failures. ”
This is likely a very good thing as uneventful can sometimes be quite rewarding.
Nine coolant hoses? That’s frightening. I’m now curious what it looks like under the hood.
Having once driven a Miata long ago – and it was a revelation – I’ve since harbored an enjoyment of them that I’ve never had opportunity to act upon.
One last thought: For those of us whose name appears here on by-lines, this is one of the more popular cars as you and Roger Carr both own a version of this. The only vehicle more popular it seems is a Ford pickup with three at last count.
There is also Mike Butts, Dave Skinner and former owner Jim Klein, so even if I have missed anyone else, I think we win. 🙂
You are right. The oil lubricating my brain wasn’t working well at 4:15 am! ?
Add another, I haven’t written in quite a while, but I had one from 91 to 02. (Actually my wife had it until advent of No1Son in 96, then and only then was it mine…)
WRT the check engine light, it’s easy and cheap to check what it is. A reader at Harbor Freight is under $50/or if you want to play a little but you can get a Bluetooth OBD II transmitter for $20 or so on eBay, and then display all of your sensors in real time on your phone. Some of them even have a mode that displays everything mirror image, so by placing your phone face up at the base of the windshield you get more or less a heads-up display.
I have so far resisted the siren call, but *three* (count ’em, THREE) coworkers (all industrial designers, as am I) have Miatas. I’ve driven one (that regularly goes auto crossing and has all the fun bits), and can confirm that it’s a tight fit for someone who’s 5′-16″ tall. But oh! what fun to drive!
Add me to that count please. Silver over black 1999 (first of the NBs); got it in November 1988. There were no 1998 Miatas; the NB came out in March of 1998. I recently had my mechanic change the timing belt (it is non-interference), all hoses, and belts. Expensive. I did the timing belt because of age rather than mileage but didn’t want to get stranded. But I did get stranded because the fuel pump went. Am planning a life time COAL series that goes back to 1962 so this MX-5 will be near the end. After 18 years, it still makes me smile when I walk towards it with that plain metal key in my hand. Mileage: low 30’s. Not sure why photo is flipped – it looks ok on expansion.
It always make me smile. Again, photo seems flipped.
I’ve been sorely tempted ever since they came out. But it’s a tight fit….
I think Mike Butts is almost as tall as I am, and he did something to modify his seat (IIRC), which made it quite doable for him.
Sure is tempting, especially given the beautiful forest roads we have; it would be nice to look up at the trees while driving, ever so briefly 🙂
It’s not just your height, Paul, it’s also those size thirteen feet you mentioned yesterday.
When I hop in my Miata, I have to leave my size 11 dress shoes at home or I’m catching the edge of the soles on the back of the square pedals throughout the trip. I imagine your larger feet would occasionally catch regardless of your shoe selection.
Hi Jim, delighted you’re loving your Miata, everyone who tries one adores it. Here’s a repost of my earlier comment about the “foamectomy”. I have a CC meetup to thank for my Miata:
The height issue very nearly denied me the joy of Miata ownership. Thanks to CC I was saved. I’m 6’1″ with a 33″ inseam, meaning I’m prone to headroom issues. I drove a friend’s Miata, didn’t quite fit, and sadly gave up the dream.
Then at the first Oregon CC get-together in October ’11, fellow CCer Mark Clark shared the secrets of the Miata seat foam-ectomy. He’s taller than I am, he walked me out to his Miata that he’d driven all the way from K-Falls, and I fit nicely! It turns out there’s plenty of foam in the seat bottom, and it’s not very hard to slice an inch away. Here’s a link to the how-to at miata.net. (Thanks again Mark!)
I went to Craigslist straightaway, and my ’93 was waiting there for me. Hardtop included. I just barely fit without modification, either its original owner was tall and did the trim or the foam has settled over time. Anyway it’s been a joy – I drove it to work just this morning. So don’t let the headroom shut you out.
I am fortunate to be of a size and shape that is extremely average for my age. My wife says I am fibbing when I call myself 5’11”, so maybe its more like 5’10”. I can wear suits right off the rack and I can drive a Miata the same way. 🙂
I am glad to see that you are still enjoying yours. You were one of the hundred little nudges that got me into mine. CC has been quite the little matchmaker between readers/contributors and Miatas, hasn’t it?
Add another to the (former) Miata owner list. I picked up a ’95 M-Edition as a community college student, to replace the ’73 Sedan DeVille I had bought myself in high school (echoing what someone else here said about bipolar automotive tastes).
That NA Miata got me through college without a hitch. Never did a thing to it maintenance-wise, besides routine service, in about 40,000 miles. That impressed me all the more since, in the time I owned it, I threw lowering springs, adjustable shocks, uprated tires, a short-shift kit, a cold-air intake, and various body braces at it and generally drove it like a maniac – including the weekly five-hour freeway slogs from campus to see my girlfriend back home.
I was gentler with the ’99 NB I picked up after we were married, leaving it stock, but I still relied on it as a daily commuter. That Miata gave equally flawless service. And even though I’m 6’1″, I fit with room to spare – the footwells are very deep, so if you’re more legs than torso (as I am), you’ll fit. I still regret selling it.
As a tip to current Miata owners, Mazda now arranges an annual Miata owners’ track day at Laguna Seca raceway every Fall. After my Miata experiences, my mother bought an ’06 NC for herself and we now take it to Laguna Seca every year for this event. Family time, chatting with other Miata owners of all stripes (there is zero snobbery at these events) and clocking a few laps of Laguna Seca for free… what more could you want?
Sometimes it’s not the scenic road trips that matter; I had my CC out today in the warm and mild autumn sun just running an errand and was reminded (yet again) why I love old cars.
Smart buy, JPC. I’ve got a growing hankering for another Japanese car myself.
Nice update, Jim. I recently have caught myself looking at Craigslist again wondering what they go for these days…one never knows what may happen in my garage.
Such an entertaining read, JPC! You’ve actually almost sold me on the idea that I need one of these, myself. This was one leap of faith (bought sight unseen) that really paid off. Reading the text, I also forgot just how long the original MX-5 Miata bodystyle had remained in production.
I’ve always thought these would be fun, along with the Honda S2000, but at 6’4″ the cramped cockpits take all the fun out of them.
The S2000 has a little more room inside objectively, but if anything it feels more cramped since there’s more car up ‘around’ you (higher beltline and doorsills). I also couldn’t make friends with the electric steering of the one S2000 I’ve driven (huge on-center light spot, not much road feel. Could have been bad alignment).
The Miata’s dimensions are surely smaller, but it feels airier since the beltline and windshield are lower and you feel more out in the elements. The only caveat is that this really only applies to NA and NB Miatas; the NCs bury you just as badly as an S2000 and the NDs are only a little better.
I also like the Miata a lot. I am 6 ft 1in and I can fit comfortably in one. I was assisting the Maryland State inspection (MSI) tech with a 1997 Miata that was going on the lot when I worked at a Pontiac dealership back in 2000(I was an apprentice). I was told by him to take it for a spin to see how it drove. I took it out on the highway and hit the gas and I heard a large WHACK sound and saw daylight up above. It turns out somebody did not latch the top down and the thing retracted on its own via me hitting the gas. No damage was done and after I got off the highway and locked the top down, it was all good again.(It was too cold for open top driving)
It was a joy to drive.
JP, do other folks in Miatas that pass you wave? I noticed that every Miata diver I passed waved.
Yes, I do get waves. And give them, too. The other day, I was stopped at a traffic light and a guy in the passenger seat of the car next to me told me that he liked my car and that he has a 99. Miata people are just friendly. 🙂
I agree. Most Miata drivers wave and I wave back. I’m 6’1″ and fit in my 1999 with not much room to spare (have driver’s seat pushed and tilted all the way back against the cockpit rear bulkhead). Snug, but not uncomfortable. I try to not drive it with thick soled shoes. When I first got it my left foot hit the hood release cable. I took a cable-tie and pulled the hood cable up a bit and that was 18 years ago.
Didn’t Mazda have a commercial back in the 80’s where Mazda owners would honk and wave to each other?
Maybe I’m thinking of something else, Google can’t seem to find it.
The commercial with the wave: I think that was likely Saturn when they were a “different” car company. I know that they had one. Possibly both did.
JP: this reminds me of my old MGB. That was years ago, a 64 model in 72-23. Ex wife wrecked it. The biggest difference is that you have an expectation it will start when you crank your’s over. I was a biker for years and would be still but for a broken back and fused wrist. Expect people would find an old guy driving a sports car to be funny but don’t care.
Remember, only you and bikers know why dogs stick their heads out the side window. Is that a twinge of envy that I am feeling?
Yes, I get a wave from (almost) every mk 1, many mk 2 and a few mk3. MK4 too early to tell.
I’m a Brougham guy, but I’ve always liked Miatas. I’m too big for one, but every time I see one I think, “Best damn British roadster ever made!” 😉
Miatas seem to be one of those cars that you never hear anything bad about, other than their small size. And older ones can be had for quite reasonable money. It does get the mind to wander, at least until I realize that I have neither the budget nor the space for a fourth car. I’d love to at least drive one someday though.
27 years. For 27 years I have wanted one of these, and never owned one. I’ve driven several, and been tempted by many, but have never had one of my own. I have a widely varied wish list of vehicles I’d someday like to own if the stars align properly, but the Miata is the one car that I can confidently proclaim that I WILL own one day.
As they say, just do it! 🙂
JP, are you going to take it out autocrossing? 🙂 I drove in two SOLO II events back in college, one in an ’87 T-Bird and the other in my ’65 Mustang (whitewalls and all), and there were Miatas everywhere. Great cars for that type of sport. Looks like fun!
Everyone says that: “Ohh, you have to take it autocrossing!” I will admit it would be fun, but there is that other part of me that says that the car is almost 20 years old and really shouldn’t be thrashed if I want to keep it for awhile. I am also afraid that if I try it I will love it, leading to one more automotive time-suck that I do not need right now.
Ding ding ding!
I’m so glad I haven’t gotten bitten by the racing bug…too much money!
I’ve driven Miatas of all 4 generations over the last 5 years, as a “guest” driver at autocross events. I would not worry about “thrashing” yours. The old ones do fine with a dozen 80-second bursts of intense driving through the day. The only problems I’ve seen are on cars that were not properly maintained (e.g., old hoses and belts, which you’ve addressed). You’ll have plenty of fun in your stock Miata. There is no need to throw money at it, something that can’t be said for all cars.
Autocross will introduce you to a great community of car lovers. Every autocross I’ve attended had Miatas, and their owners have knowledge they are willing to share. That’s true across all marques. I found my independent mechanic through autocross friends, and the money saved has likely paid for the 100+ events I’ve done.
The big downside is that it IS a time sink. Events are generally all-day, all outdoors affairs. In my neck of the woods (metro Boston) we run in all weather except thunderstorms. I think that’s generally true everywhere.
I find spending a full day outside every week or two, hanging out with friends and engaged in a superfluous automotive activity to be a therapeutic respite from my “brainiac” job. As always, your mileage may vary.
I’ve done a few autocrosses as well, in bone-stock cars like a 1977 Ford Fiesta.
If it’s something you want to do on a more regular basis, I’d suggest a second set of rims with sticky tires as the first upgrade.
Thanks for the update JP, and good to hear that the MX-5 Miata is settling in well in the JP Collection.
You’re right on the size – I’m half an inch under 6ft and fit exactly, though sometimes I do wonder about a higher header rail.
But the real thing about these cars is that they guarantee you a smile every time you drive it, and unlike certain other roadsters from an island I know well, you can rely on it to get you home again.
I’ve had mine for 4 years, it’s 26 years old this year and would start before me in the morning if I put that flat key in it. For a first time classic, a decent days only daily driver or even a daily driver, they are a sound call. One of the reasons for buying mine was that I wanted a car on the driver side of the “drive/tinker” divide, and this certainly does that.
“and unlike certain other roadsters from an island I know well, you can rely on it to get you home again.”
You win the thread today, Roger. 🙂
These cars really do seem to be the best of both worlds. Sports car fun and Mazda reliability all in one package. I worked at a VW dealership which also had Mazda in their lineup for about 3 years, these cars are well built and have few problems. The parts manager’s son had a first generation, and being 17 years old lost control and caught a steel guide wire for a power pole and flipped the car.
The windshield was smashed flat, and it was touch and go for a few days in the hospital. But his son recovered fully. From the looks of the car he was very lucky.
If I decide to quit riding the motorcycle for weekend mountain runs, a Miata could very well be it’s replacement for a fair weather cruiser.
Thanks JPC, great to hear an update. Like so many others I am occasionally tempted by a Miata, always figured we’d get one for a temporary driver should one of our cars unexpectedly expire, but it hasn’t happened yet.
At 6’1″ I gather I’m at the upper range of those who can fit in an early Miata, but being a skinny Dutch guy my width isn’t an issue.
Funny how you should mention 9 rad hoses, I got 6 for my Focus last week and there’s another three small diameter ones I didn’t get. I changed as many as I could reach, and luckily could get to the one that was leaking. On the ones behind the steering rack that I could barely get a finger on, I gave up. Maybe if it needs another clutch someday I’ll have them replaced at the same time..
That’s a nice red Miata you got there. Hard to find one that’s clean and unmolested.
I had to chuckle over your “bipolar” comment regarding cars. I’m in my middle-age and reassessing the vehicles I “need”. Seems that I need/want (1) a two-seater coupe to get around (why do I need a sedan or wagon now that the kids and ex-wife has left me), and (2) a pickup truck for the home projects I am now getting into. Talk about two bipolar extremes. The only thing they have in common is that they are two-seaters.
By the way, a friend of mine had a Miata and he commented the battery is a hard-to-get item, i.e, “special application/special order” and is located in the trunk and hard to get at. Any validity in that?
Halwick, The battery is very easy to get to in the NB (2nd gen) model; this is the only Miata model I can speak to with experience. It’s in the trunk on the right (passenger) side and is easier (and cleaner) to remove and replace than in cars where the battery is under the hood. I changed it myself in a few minutes with a new one from BatteryMart.com (in 2014 the part # was MAR-8AM-U1R). It is a small glassmat battery and cost 94 dollars. It has the vents sealed and routed via tubing to the outside of the car. I have often wondered about the vent routing because my 1964 type 1 Beetle had a big old 6 volt unit with removable caps under the right rear seat with no venting at all.
Picture shows battery with masonite battery cover and trunk carpet removed.
One more thing. My other vehicle is an 2013 18.5 foot Toyota Tacoma double cab long bed 4×4 (with automatic). Between the two of them, I’m all set.
Want to know how to make a pickup truck feel like a limo?
Drive a Miata for a week.
Same trick makes a Honda Fit feel like a Ford LTD. 🙂
Mine is the older NA, and the battery is in the trunk. I have not had to change it, but was able to access it to give a fellow in my office parking lot a jump start one evening.
+1 to the above. No difficulties with the battery, it’s cleanly installed and easily accessible, just lives in the trunk behind an easily removed panel.
Thanks for the edifications. Guess my friend just likes to make things sound more difficult than it really is. Just one of the things about the car that I remembered him commenting on.
riplaut and jpcavanaugh, I like your “trick” on how to make a pickup/Honda fit feel like a limo. I can relate. At one time I had a 1968 GMC pickup and a 1974 Ford Maverick 2dr. After driving that old GMC for a week, then switching to the Ford it felt like I was driving a sports car.
The early generation Miata is a nice roadster and wish I bought one new…..if only the dealers at the time weren’t so greedy about the markup over MSRP
Great story, and thank you for sharing your experiences with us.
I hope to be able to afford my “fun” car in the future, so the saga of your Miata is a source of encouragement.
Mr. Cavanaugh, you are having entirely too much fun with that car, I’m gonna come over to your house, paint that car beige and remove the superfluous third pedal. That’ll teach ya.
I’m glad to see that you are enjoying your Miata. I’ve had my silver ’91 for 13 years and still enjoy every minute of the driving experience.
I’ve done the coolant hose set change out and did not think it was that bad. Some of the small hoses are a bit difficult but patience will win out in the end. Try to reuse the original clamps if possible rather than the usual worm screw units.
FYI, the seats in the ’96-’97 NAs are different from the earlier models. They are “scooped out” to increase the feeling of room in the seating position. This might help with the folks who are above 6′ since they can be interchanged in the ’90-’95s.
Ha! I was just thinking of doing a write up on the 1992 Miata I bought about a year ago.
Yes me, the VW guy, daily drives a Miata.
I just love the car. It’s just so simple and fun and it just works.
I guess I’ll hold off with mine so there won’t be two Miata write ups
No car engenders love quite like a Miata. They’re reliable, even when old, and stand up admirably to amateur motorsport. Simple mechanically and electronically, huge community of knowledgeable, friendly enthusiasts; low insurance rates; cheap parts; low-powered, so you can wind it up like a madman and not be in reckless driving territory but power upgrades are plentiful and well-understood and then of course, the raison d’etre: communicative, predictable, joyful handling. For someone looking at a two-seat, convertible sports car that always, always brings a smile, there’s no other choice. Miata Is Always The Answer.