Which Year?

[BlownMX5]

Suppose you already owned a supercharged Miata (track car, not street legal) and wanted to get a second one to use as a daily driver? Also suppose that this second one was to remain mostly unmodified (cosmetic mods, perhaps). Which year would you get and why? Price is not really a consideration.

I'm posting this in the NB 01-05 forum mainly because I'm going to limit my choice to a nice, clean, low-milage NB. Still, there are many differences to consider between 99-00 and 01-05.

Thanks for your thoughts,

Pat.

[jwalton]

Which year would you get and why? Price is not really a consideration.

I would seriously consider Tom's '05. It may be SC'd, but it is in pristine condition and would obviously come from a known, high quality source. Also, plenty of us on the forum (me included) have seen and/or driven the car and can tell you it's a sweet deal.

Just a thought...

[Mx5-4me]

I would stick with a 99-00 if you are looking for an NB.. they use regular gas. it's not difficult finding them with low miles. there are a lot of people that keep them around for a 2nd or 3rd car.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

Although, at $14,9000 it's a steal, it won't work for him. My CARB certification is good up to 2003 only. The 05 is not CARB legal.


I would seriously consider Tom's '05. It may be SC'd, but it is in pristine condition and would obviously come from a known, high quality source. Also, plenty of us on the forum (me included) have seen and/or driven the car and can tell you it's a sweet deal.

Just a thought...

[BlownMX5]

OK, I found this '99 (http://www.carsdirect.com/used_cars/vehicle_detail/ul83411107/?src=430) with 76k on it for $7990. I drove it the other night and it runs fine and is very clean. I'm going to try playing the timing belt card on them. I'll say that with 76k on it, if they can prove that the TB has been changed, I'll pay the $7990; otherwise, they'll have to drop it by $500 or put a TB in it for me. Naturally, they won't have any service records and they certainly won't do the work. If they won't come down, I'll walk and hope they come running after me. It's already been reduced by $1000 from their original asking price. There are lots of '99s around here going for more than that. It's been a SoCal car since day one so there's no rust or anything. The top and interior are perfect and except for a small spot on the LR bumper where it looks like it might have been tapped, and the expected small scratches here and there, the body is really good. I like that color too.

Am I thinking clearly here?

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

At worst, you may need to replace the two cats. Personally, I know what I would do with the front cat. :)

[BlownMX5]

Remember, I'm in smog hell - err, California. Really? Possible cat replacement after only 76k?

Otherwise, what do you think of the car - and the price?

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

For the CA 99s, it is catS (plural). The smog gods demanded the air be real clean so they installed a pre-cat to clean the air before it got to the real cat. We have seen them with a lot less than 76K miles that worked perfectly well for the air flow of a stock engine but weren't worth a dime for boosted applications. Especially that little pre-cat.

[Bo0osted]

Since you said price wasn't an issue, I'd wait a year and get a used NC w/ the retractable hard top. That way, you own two miatas which are very different and can learn to love the slight differences between them. On that note, I love my NB and I'm sure you will too if you get one. A local owner has owned both and has commented on the difference in handling on the track between the two.

[BlownMX5]

Since you said price wasn't an issue...

Did I say that? :oops: Oh yeah, I did.

I see what you're saying. I mean, I suppose I could afford a newer one, but the thought of not having a car payment really makes me :drool5:. If I was going to spend $20k+, I think I'd just get a recent 350z or WRX, both of which I've driven and really liked. I haven't driven an NC but I have sat in one and I didn't like the seating position. The doors are really high, relative to your arms. I felt like I was way too far down in it. But, maybe I should drive one before I decide against it. Thanks for your idea!

[MiataMTF]

I would stick with a 99-00 if you are looking for an NB.. they use regular gas. it's not difficult finding them with low miles. there are a lot of people that keep them around for a 2nd or 3rd car.
Me too, I'd get another '99 or '00 and slap a FFS coldside on it (I can't live with an NA'd Miata after having the extra power). I'll keep mod'ing and fine-tuning my "track" car and keep the second one simple and reliable.

I set up my SC'd '00 for dual-purpose, adjustable suspension and a SC based on reliability as well as power. It's more than I can handle on the track (i.e. I need more experience ;) ). I'd actually go the other way and look to something like an Ariel Atom for dedicated track use (from what I've seen, I'm intimidated by the Atom).

[BlownMX5]

Well, I think I'm going to buy this '99. But as far as mods go, it'll only be wheels and tires and maybe intake and exhaust. I really believe that boosting and "simple and reliable" are mutually exclusive terms, based on my experiences with my '94 so far. I know exactly what you mean by being addicted to the extra power - I'm moving from a '99 SVT Cobra to this Miata as my daily driver. I will dearly miss the torque and sound of that Mustang. But it's getting a bit harsh to drive on a daily basis. It's low, stiff and loud. My SO, while she doesn't complain, will appreciate the Miata because it will be more comfortable on the passenger side and she will want to drive it too. She can hardly push the clutch in on the Cobra. I'm just going to have to do more track days with my '94, that's all.

[maggie]

My GF's car is a '99, mine an '02. She thought the '02 was better till I gave her my Bilsteins and installed the RB front sway. Now all she wants is the new car smell and cruise control. Go for the '99.

[BlownMX5]

Went to go buy it Saturday morning. Thought I'd better call just to make sure it was still there, they sold it about a half hour earlier :mad:.

So, the search goes on. I looked at a couple of '99s and '00s over the weekend but neither of them was anywhere near the car that first '99 was. You snooze you lose.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

The good ones go fast.

[snakebit]

Me too, I'd get another '99 or '00 and slap a FFS coldside on it (I can't live with an NA'd Miata after having the extra power). I'll keep mod'ing and fine-tuning my "track" car and keep the second one simple and reliable. Could you really find a neat power tweak for the track car and NOT try it on your road car? Like, for instance, a timing card plus a big-ass pulley?:tongue:

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

Timing card, 130mm pulley and 100 octane fuel for the track. 225WHP and 175/180 ft-lbs torque would be my guess. :-)

[Steve]

It takes a bit of searching, but the ideal NB is a "49-state" '99 or '00: No VVT and no front cat like the Cal-spec cars have. Bolt on one of Tom's Coldside kits, a muffler, and the shocks of your choice and call it good.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

Of course, with my Coldside, ALL years are good. ;)