[95avblm3]

The block is cast iron and is pretty bulletproof. They require timing belt change every 60k miles (at least the '99 I had) but the head is non-interference, so if it snaps, no problemo. Water pumps are typically changed with the timing belt but the part was really cheap.

My brother has owned something like 6 Miatas over the years and I always appreciated them but never really had the desire to own one. I had an opportunity a little over a year ago to by a '99 non-running cream puff for $900. The car was in fantastic shape inside and out... but the timing belt was bad and it didn't run. PO had a quote of $2k (absolute highway robbery) to repair and just threw his hands up in the air. I bought it for a song, did a timing belt/water pump service and other maintenance items and it fired right up and ran like a top. At the time my daily was an '06 M-Roadster. While the M had more creature comforts and fit me better (over 6'), the Miata was much more nimble on its feet and much much more livable on a daily basis. It was a great car and I would definitely buy another if the opportunity came.