Need someone to vouch for the miata

[SP]

Hello there! If someone feels that a used miata around the 100,000 mile area would be a suitable car for a city driver for at least a year and wont strain a small budget with petty repairs constantly please send me an email at [e-mail]

[khorton]

A '99 with 100k miles should not be a big problem. An earlier '94 thru '97 would also be a good choice. When you talk about the even earlier '90 thru '93 cars you may start getting into issues.
That said, the car I drive lately when I want to be sure to get there is a '92 with 150K miles. But in the purchase price you should also figure on doing some preventative maintenance, like timing belt and radiator, that will cost about $400 in parts, considerably more if you have a shop do the work. Also, the older the car, the more it will probably be in need of a new top.
Goes something like this:
I bought the '92 2 years ago for $2500.
New Top $300 + $250 for install ( I went cheap, and wish I hadn't. Now I wish I'd bought the $450 dollar top).
Timing belt, all water hoses. new radiator - $400. Did the work myself.
New shocks. If it has original shocks, be sure that on a 100k car, they are shot. $450 ( I splurged on Konis). Also did the work myself
So for a total cost of close to $4k I have a very nice daily driver.
I also put on a roll bar and front sway bar, but those aren't necessary expenses.
So the total cost is closer to

[steve staveley]

I bought my 92 with 80,000 drove it for several years and now it has near 100,000 and its been converted to a race car. Compression check is good 190 all across the board. Car is at or near the rev. limiter many times in every race and it just runs and runs.

My guess is that clutch needs to be replaced about 100,000 - timing belt every 60 K ( and they aint kidding), otherwise the cars are near unbreakable.

I know one guy who rents racing miatas and he just puts the cage and racing suspension parts in and does nothing else ( assuming good compression on the check and not burning oil - and they don't ) and just races it as is. That speaks highly of the car.

If you like the car, it fits your price range buy it. Best British Sports Car ever built (yes I know it is made in Japan - its a joke.

[cindy croft]

I will vouch for the miata - in general. I'd been promised a '67 triumph for my 16th birthday then the car was stolen 2wks before the date. Ever since I'd been thinking about getting a roadstr and 20 years later & lots of research was down to looking at a 78-85 porsche targa or a miata nd one day the miata threw itself in front of me. 1994, black, 148000mi, new top, brakes & clutch, 1 owner, 1 accident, had my mechanic check it out - made the grade, negotiated price down to $2500. Love it more - 5 years, and a few mods later!!! Iwill drive this car forever!! Currently the nieces and nephews are jockying for shotgun over the holidays - some long or even overnite twisty rides!

have a mechanic you trust check it out - be comfortable with the price you pay and don't fret if you need to put a few $$ into it the first year to make it feel rite. If you ever enjoyed skateboarding you'll love the miata.

Best to you - cindy, Zena & her 'scoot