It is like a Lotus Elan but reliable - I did a thread on the Elan - some Miata comparisons at bottom of it

GRM has a great article entitled "Trash to Treasure" (June 2007, also on their website) where they show how to restore on a budget and cheap fixes. They also have a few other articles under Mazda for the miata. Good source for information.

If I remember correctly, the flying miata was able to pull around 1g on street tires.

I read the ad that Eric linked in your earlier post and thought 'If only my SC were sold', but then reality hit me. That looked like the ideal car for you in the ad, glad you got it.

I'd go (actually, I have, twice) with 15" wheels instead of 16" wheels. The 15" wheels will be lighter, handle as well, and give you a slightly better ride than 16" wheels.

Miata's really do best with smaller wheels. These days it's next to impossible to find a good tire for 14" wheels on a miata, but there are still plenty of 15" tires. 15x7, 15x7.5 or even 15x8. I'd run a 205 50 15 on all of them, but you could run a 195 50 on the 7".

You may want to look into a foamectomy. You take the driver's seat out, remove the upholstery and do some carving on the foam in the seat back and bottom. It'll give you a lower seating position and a bit more lateral support. You don't need or want to take too much out of the back. Actually, there's a very easy piece that you can take right out of the center that's not even attached. You can take A LOT of foam out of the seat bottom and still be comfy. I'd suggest that you remove the foam from the bottom of the pad. That way the foam still holds the upholstery up when you get out. You can also put some less dense foam back in if you want.

I performed a foamectomy on my old '97 miata and a more mild one on my current '04 (different seats, harder to work on) and it makes a big difference in comfort and support (at least it did to me)

I'm on my second miata, and have had 3 in the family (wife has one). All three have or did have 15" wheels.

Here's mine
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1283996773.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1308622351.jpg

My previous miata (black) before I lowered it and took of the spoiler, and the wifey's car (green)
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1308622223.jpg

This is a good place to get wheels for your miata no matter which size you get. I've done business with this place a few times. They have a large selection of wheels, tires, and lugnets that are miata specific (size, bolt pattern and offset).
http://www.good-win-racing.com/

Damn I didn't even know the Miata came with an automatic.

Truly a rare collectable! :D

+1 on the wheel choice. No need for 16s. You are much better with a 205/50/15 -- or a 195/50/15. Miatas are really susceptible to unsprung weight.

Thanks for the wheel info!

Although new wheels/tires are just a gleam in my eye for now.

Figure I have a year of work to get the car fixed up before I can get into any upgrades.

I was with a handfull of car guys at a party and a few non car guys.

A guy just bought a TR3. A non car guy who owned a miata asked what was a TR3?

"A miata for a straight guy" came out of 3 mouths at the same time.


Small Block fords fit better in them.

"A Miata that you will be working on every weekend" would have been my answer.

SmileWavy

Yes, I am familair with the Miata Monster.

What's this "automatic" thing you speak of? ;)

Hence fort lets refer to it as a "AT" to avoid my embarrassment. :D

It used to be that the hot swap was a Ford 5.0L, but these days the hot swap is a Chevy LSx motor, new trans and Cadillac rear.

This one just popped locally today. It is one of those rare automatics. :)

Mazda Miata M - 1995 Merlot

Shame about the "AT".:)

M edition means it has an LSD, good color, low miles, and a hardtop.

I think the early Miata will lose the gay'ness factor soon. Those things are trendy and fleeting. The early cars with some mods will eventually get the respect it began life with. I wouldn't mind owning one.

I rented a Miata with the 6 speed AT, paddle shifters on the wheel, a few years ago. The wife and I drove it all around the West Coast, Yosemite, Tahoe, Big Sur. Great Trip, great car.

I kinda like this blk/green scheme.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1360161508.jpg

People that get it, get it. People that don't - f- 'em! I've owned several "gay" cars (Mini Cooper & Boxster), both were a blast and I'd do it again. If I didn't need a daily driver that had seating for 5, I would own a Boxster tomorrow. My Mini didn't seem so gay when the owner of a fully built LS1 swapped 240Z autocross car couldn't shake me on a BMW club fun run. Fortunately there were lots of corners on that road, he had an ever so slight power advantage.:cool:

If I changed jobs and suddenly had a real commute, I'd pick up a cheap Miata in a heartbeat for use as a fun commuter.

Sorry, didn't make it past the AT :-) What? Really? Very sad, I think the Miata has one of the best shifting trannys out there. I've raced one and driven a friends 92 quite a bit. Anybody who thinks they are gay or a chicks car needs to check their self esteem meter. If I didn't need more storage (therefore bought a GTI) I'd own and track a Miata in a heartbeat.

You boyz are aware that they have been selling 911's and Ferrari's with automatic transmissions for years right? ;)

As Matt said, "either you get it or you don't."

Some people waste a lot of time and energy worrying about what other people think about where they live, the cloths they wear, the car they drive... Me? Not so much! :cool: