I'm buying* Canada's cheapest, roadworthy**, 50 mpg*** Mazda Miata MX-5

[renault_megane_dci]

subscribed !

[AntiochOG]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

The result is the crank pulley develops a wobble that wrecks the crankshaft end = need new crank/engine.

It's a fatal flaw in the 1.6L 1st gen engine with the "short nose" crankshaft pulley end.

There's also a "loctite fix" procedure that may work if the damage hasn't progressed too far.

I'm of the opinion that if it hasn't failed after 25 years, it's probably not going to anytime soon. But mine is due for a timing belt, so I guess I'll find out soon.

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Many owners are averaging mid-high 30's mpg US. Low 40's are not impossible - half a dozen owners report that.

My experience has been mostly mid-high 30's unless conditions are optimal.

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

- 3 or 4 different hues of faded red paint; a couple of panels may be original

Anything that is still original will shine up really well. It's single stage paint and some polishing will bring it right back. The bumpers, mirrors, and rear finish panel will fade again quickly though in my experience.

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

An alarming amount of valve/lifter noise at first: hydraulic lifters devoid of any oil! It resolved itself reasonably quickly, and after that there was no ticking on re-starts.

I'd be surprised if this wasn't the case.

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

The engine stumbled a tiny bit when cold (missed a little), but was fine once it started to warm up. It pulled strong; no odd noises.

Try replacing the ignition wires. They are a known weak point.

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

THE GEARING IS ATROCIOUS and / or fun. 1-3-5 would be a very workable MPG strategy for this car. A taller final drive/rear end swap is an option. But why can't we just have fun 1-4, then a big overdrive for 5th?

I've always wanted to do a six speed swap, and swap out for a taller rear end. That way 1-5 would be like they are now, but with a big 6th gear. But, it's hard to justify the cost of doing that.

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Ignition key/seatbelt/headlights buzzer was on CONSTANTLY. No matter what I did, I couldn't get it to shut off!

I unplugged my buzzer the day I bought the car. I forgot how annoying that thing is.

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

It's strange: $750 feels like too much to pay for an old car in this condition, yet $750 is somehow a good deal for a Miata in this condition. A look at current prices backs this up, and my Miata-owning buddy says: "that's thievery on your part!"

Seems like a good price for a running Miata

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Remembered some more!

10) Power steering delete (common -- P.S. was actually optional in the first few years of the car)

11) Air conditioner delete (I doubt that it even works, but haven't tried)

PS/AC delete has been my best MPG mod. I also like that the steering feel doesn't change now when I do EOC. I depowered my power rack rather than swapping to a manual rack to keep the quicker ratio. Still isn't that hard to turn the wheel, even in a parking lot with wider summer tires.

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

These are OEM LRR tires from a 2014 Mirage, in 165/65R14 size -- same size, incidentally, as the 1st gen Insight.

I bet 165s are a ton of fun on the Miata. Driving at the edge of traction is so much fun in these cars.

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Also, I'm going to need something like this cover on the car year round anyway. Unless I replace the top. Which I'm not planning to do.

Tops aren't that expensive or hard to install.

Mazda Miata Convertible Soft Top & Plastic Window 1990-2005 Black Haartz Cabrio | eBay

You'd probably want to buy a new rain rail too.

[MetroMPG]

Wow, lots of feedback & info. Thanks, everyone.

Originally Posted by Merlyn2220

Some people might think you a heretic for modifying the body, but that's their problem...not yours!

Funny you should say that: I've read a few threads there about aero eco-mods (eg. rear fender skirts) that seemed to ruffle a lot of feathers.

2) The front fender flares will pay you big dividends if you widen them in front of the front wheels. IIRC it was worth several mph of top speed in track testing.

The massive air dam posted earlier in this thread seemed to effectively cover that part of the tires. I'll probably do that.

3) radiator... You can probably safely use a smaller radiator, since that one is designed to handle track racing all day.

Thanks, that what I figured. The rad I have on hand is rated for the 100 hp Swift GT. I haven't checked to see if fitment is going to be a big issue. If it is, I'll just replace OEM.

4) Make sure you replace the hoses, ALL of them.

Yup! The previous owner told me he already blew one of them.

Originally Posted by kurzer

the best tank ever was 5,84 l/100km, 40,27 mpg with 3 klicks. the record was normal backroad driving by my sister.

Thanks for that info. That's a respectable number and sounds like the type of driving I'll do most: scenic back roads, relaxed pace... except in the corners!

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Casanova

The number one rust spot for mk1 MX-5s is the back of the sills and the rear arch. Have a very thorough poke around that area.

The rear quarters have been resprayed already. I'm not sure why, but I'm assuming it was for rust in the wheel arches, and am not sure how extensive it was. The common problem area where the wheel arch meets the rocker looks solid though.

Originally Posted by AntiochOG

I'm of the opinion that if it hasn't failed after 25 years, it's probably not going to anytime soon. But mine is due for a timing belt, so I guess I'll find out soon.

I've had several owners say the same thing. If it hasn't self-destructed yet, it's likely OK. I'll be doing the belt also.

I've always wanted to do a six speed swap, and swap out for a taller rear end. That way 1-5 would be like they are now, but with a big 6th gear. But, it's hard to justify the cost of doing that.

There are multiple rear end options. I'd seriously consider the rear end meant for the V8 swap, but I'm not going to spend big money to get it. More likely is a trade with someone with a later, more powerful car who wants shorter gearing.

PS/AC delete has been my best MPG mod.

Thank you! That's great info, and extra encouraging because those mods are easy to do.

Next summer I just want to get a baseline of speed vs. MPG un-modded before I start messing around with it.

I bet 165s are a ton of fun on the Miata. Driving at the edge of traction is so much fun in these cars.

Ha! You just reminded me of the video Chris Harris did where he put 125 mm width space savers on a 480 horsepower Merc C63 AMG coupe and then proceeded to take it around a damp race track!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPh90yNX-mY

He LOVED it, giggling all around the track: "This is marvellous! Might be the best handling car I've driven in ages! Just a joy!"

Conclusion: "Narrower tires = fun. On the street, fun is better than speed."

[redneck]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Ha! You just reminded me of the video Chris Harris did where he put 125 mm width space savers on a 480 horsepower Merc C63 AMG coupe and then proceeded to take it around a damp race track!

He LOVED it, giggling all around the track: "This is marvellous! Might be the best handling car I've driven in ages! Just a joy!"

Conclusion: "Narrower tires = fun. On the street, fun is better than speed."

That looked like a lot fun...

However, it would have been very difficult to pull off if it weren't for the car having "ESP" (Electronic Stability Program) though.




>

[AntiochOG]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Conclusion: "Narrower tires = fun. On the street, fun is better than speed."

I couldn't agree more.

[Stubby79]

Hmm. Maybe that's why I enjoy driving my Firefly with the 155 tires, pumped up hard...I love sliding around corners!

[MetroMPG]

I was acquainted with a racing driver who had a small amount of input in the re-introduction of the early 90's Nissan Z cars. He actually advised them to spec it with narrower tires than they did. (They didn't take his advice.)

[wdb]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I was acquainted with a racing driver who had a small amount of input in the re-introduction of the early 90's Nissan Z cars. He actually advised them to spec it with narrower tires than they did. (They didn't take his advice.)

The folks who spec'd out the FT86 did though.

[eco_generator]

Originally Posted by wdb

The folks who spec'd out the FT86 did though.

Amen! General consensus was it is one of the 'funnest' ever. But everyone else just stuck to complaining about how it didn't have overwhelming power...

Better to have fun everywhere than power you can use for more than 10 seconds nowhere.