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Questions before buying a Miata
Hi all, I am considering buying a Miata and I have several questions I
hope you kind folks can answer. For the past decade I have driven Honda hatchbacks, which I like because they are reasonably small, durable, fuel-efficient vehicles that handle well. It sounds like the Miatas meet those characteristics -- and I am now looking for something smaller than the Hondas. >From consumer reviews I've read, the Miatas are also durable, long-running, reliable and reasonably fuel-efficient. Here's what I would like to know: How long is the average lifespan of a Miata? How much more can I expect to get out of one if I buy it at 100K miles? 125K? 150K? (I've seen some at nearly 200K). I know it depends on how it's been driven during those miles, but I'm trying to get a ballpark idea. What are some of the unique expenditures Miata owners have to undertake? For example, I understand the back windows tend to fade and need replacing. How often? How much does that cost? What other sorts of things, particular to Miatas, bring an added cost to the owner? If I'm shopping for one, what are some of the particular weak spots on these cars I should look for, above and beyond the usual engine checks, tire checks, suspension checks and so on? Also, in your experience, how much does it cost to insure a Miata in a major city if it's a female driver being insured? The reason I ask is that I've seen several of these cars in my price range (under $3500) but they are older cars. The car I'm giving up now was also older and in bad shape (compared to other cars of its age - a Honda at 136K miles is by no means an old car). I'd like not to spend thousands of dollars on repairs immediately if I can avoid it - I'd rather make a wise buy, of course. Anything else I should know? Thanks so much. I'm excited by the prospect of owning one of these cars! |
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#3
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I would add that the 1990 and early 1991 Miatas have a potential serious
problem with the crankshaft, especially when they get older or have just had their timing belt changed. miata.net has the details in the garage section. Leon -- Leon van Dommelen Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .) http://www.dommelen.net/miata EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen) |
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#5
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Thank you, Pat! The link you provided was especially handy.
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#6
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wrote:
> Thank you, Pat! The link you provided was especially handy. No problem, just go out to dinner with me and we'll call it even. Hubby is only invited if he picks up the check. ;-) Everything you could ever want to know about the miata is at www.miata.net. Just be careful, it is easy to get stuck there for a long time. Pat |
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Zog The Undeniable wrote:
<snippage> > > With plenty of long trips, maybe 200,000 is achievable from the Miata > (or MX-5 as they are called elsewhere). A town car might only make > 100,000 without major expenditure. And what causes you to make this statement? Several members of our local club have over 200,000 miles on their Miatas without "major expenditure" and without plenty of long trips. My 1990 has over 103,000 right now with no major expenditure on the engine, other than the 60,000 maintenance. > Hoods last up to 10 years depending on whether the car is garaged or > not. Cloudy back windows can often be polished clear again. A complete > new hood is 400-500UKP fitted, so maybe 800-900 USD? Then again, > everything is cheaper in the US, isn't it? Hoods lasting 10 years? Wait, do you mean "hood" as in the front body part of the car covering the engine or "hood" as in the conertible top? If you mean the convertible top, okay, I'll go with that. I got my convertible top replaced about 3 years back for under $700 US installed. > Gear shift lever boots perish after only about 5 years but are cheap to > replace. There is a very expensive service at 54,000 miles which > includes a cambelt, transmission oils, fuel filter as well as a normal > "major" service. It's actually recommended at 60,000 miles. I replaced the inner boots several years ago and on last check (this past Saturday), they were still okay. Just did a CAS o-ring replacement - had minor seepage there. The old ring felt exactly like hard plastic rather than nice flexible rubber - but it lasted 15 years. -- Iva & Belle.) '90B Classic Red.) #3 winkin' Miata .. |
#8
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"Iva" > wrote in:
> Zog The Undeniable wrote: > <snippage> >> >> With plenty of long trips, maybe 200,000 is achievable from the Miata >> (or MX-5 as they are called elsewhere). A town car might only make >> 100,000 without major expenditure. > > And what causes you to make this statement? Seems reasonable to me, most manufacturers list start and stop driving as "severe" driving conditions. A general rule I've heard often is 30 minutes should be the very shortest time an engine *should* run, 15 minutes for the oil temperature to come up to the boiling point of water and 15 minutes longer to boil off all the condensate. Much in-town driving would result in trips shorter then 30 minutes, my drive to work each day is around 15 minutes, trips to the store are usually 5 minutes or so. I'm using the "severe" service recommendations for my cars because of the driving that I do but I'm aware that the nature of my usage shortens the life of my engine by some undetermined amount. |
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