Labor Day Update

So things are getting pretty dire with this top. I've had to limit driving the car significantly. The window is now only up because its propped into place, as the fabric around the inside of the main part of the top has shed the zipper almost entirely. The tape residue is unsightly, but I had to ensure the window would remain in place while the body shop had the car for a week. I was trying to prevent as much dirt and overspray from getting into the car while the rocker panels were being repaired.

For some good news, I was able to bleed the clutch system and replace the fluid. I used a siphon hose to withdraw the fluid from the reservoir and refilled with new. Using a tutorial from Miata.net, I was able to locate the clutch slave cylinder very easily (on the right side lower bell housing) I was able to access this by removing the RF wheel and jacking up the front of the car. Always use jack stands! There is an 8mm bleeder screw on the slave cylinder, much like a brake bleeder, and I removed any remaining bad fluid from that point.

The old fluid was completely opaque and a dark brown. Clearly, it had not been changed in quite some time. Thankfully, with some new fluid, the clutch seems to operate a little more smoothly than I was used to.

I moved on to siphon the brake fluid from the master cylinder reservoir, and replaced that with new fluid as well. However, the bleeders on the front brake calipers seem to be frozen in place. At this point, I did not attempt to remove them with extra force, as I do not have replacement bleeder screws on hand. I will try again to bleed out the remaining old fluid when I do a replacement of all brake lines next spring. I do not anticipate driving the car much until that point. This should give me ample time to set aside a few bucks for front calipers, should I need them.

I will include some better-quality photos in my next update, as well as better details of the completed rust repairs.

Four months later.

In the past four months, I have been using the Miata as a commuter car, and to travel around on weekends in mostly nice weather.

I have had quite a busy summer, and have not had time to properly chronicle my time in the Miata, so here's an attempt at such!

Since purchase, I have driven the car a little over 5000 miles, averaging about 1,250 miles per month.

Side by side, here is a photo comparison of my first Miata in 2006, versus my current one, August 2012.

Once I got this Miata tagged and insured, I set to get rid of the ugly aftermarket 14-inch wheels that really took away from the car's appearance.

This photo shows not only the ugly wheels, but the small spot of rust on the car as well. The tires were nearly brand new, and in great shape, so I decided to go with stock wheels, which were also 14". I was on a pretty tight budget, but managed to score a set of stock 94-97 wheels on Craigslist for only $100. The seller even offered to mount my tires for me!

The stock wheels did much to improve the overall appearance of the car, in my opinion, and it definitely fit into my budget. Within a day, I realized that the aftermarket lug nuts installed by the previous owner would not work with the Mazda alloys, so I would need to source replacements. At $6, new for OEM lug nuts, it seemed a bit silly to spend over $100 on lugs. However, Open Road Mazda hooked me up with a complete set of new take-offs for $60.

The Miata seems to encourage spirited driving, and the result was spent brakes after just a month of me owning the car. I sourced zinc-plated, slotted, vented rotors and replaced the pads and sliders. Here's a quick shot of the new lugs & brakes. Much better!

I replaced the valve cover gasket and PCV valve and eliminated a moderate oil leak from the top of the motor. I seem to have lost the photos of the oily mess, so here's one of the car after some cleanup!

The interior of my Miata has a few items which could stand to be addressed. Of course, the seats have some normal fading from being out in the sun over the past 20 years, but that has not bothered me too much. The carpet could use a replacement soon, as there are some noticeable tears on the passenger side. A careless passenger in heels, perhaps? I re-mounted the radio, cleaned up the dash, and replaced the shift boot. It looks significantly  better with these items addressed. I can turn my attention else where for now.

 This brings me to an important point: the convertible top. The top on the Miata has started to deteriorate significantly over the past several months, due to my frequent folding/unfolding of the roof, and the fabric which retains the zipper for the rear window has separated completely, in a difficult to access area. This wear has now limited my driving of the Miata significantly, as I cannot take the car out if there is the threat of poor weather. Also, without a rear window, the car is not secure to be parked in public places.

I have been shopping for a convertible top since this roof started giving me problems, and have found a suitable replacement.

I've decided to go with a Robbins Streamline top in canvas, with the rear defrost option. Yes, this will eliminate the zip-out rear window, but I think of that as a weak point for most tops anyway. My only concern with this new roof is the fitment compatibility of certain roll bars, which is something I am considering as soon as resources allow.

Before winter comes, I'd like to complete the following:
-Replace clutch and brake fluid.
-Replace Gear Oil with Redline
-Replace Convertible top
-Replace Spark Plugs

Most of this I should be able to accomplish, though timing is a challenge as my courses start Tuesday, adding to my already busy work schedule. There is the possibility that I will be taking the Miata to an autocross event next month, so more excitement for this car is on the horizon.

The Search for the Right Miata, Pt 2

April 22nd, 2012

After seeing the disarray that the white Miata had become, I was feeling a bit discouraged. However, I still hopped onto Craigslist that evening to continue my search.

I found a 1992 Miata that had been listed only the day before.

From the photos, the car looked to be in fairly decent shape, and the price was certainly reasonable. I called the seller to ask him some questions about the car. He said that it did run well, and that he's had it for the past 7-8 years or so. He also said that there was no rust on the body, which was great to hear. I arranged to see the car after work the next day.

Within an hour,  my phone rang. It was the seller.

"I just wanted to call and tell you, before you make the trip..."

My heart sank. I was sure he had sold the car to someone local. I knew it was too good to be true.

"I wanted to let you know I did find a little spot of rust on the car. Just wanted to make sure you still wanted it."

Wanted it?! Yes, I still wanted the car, which apparently had two small spots of rust. The seller said we could "talk about the price" which I thought was more than fair to begin with. You could say I was sufficiently excited about this car.

Monday morning at work was relatively slow, which allowed me to escape long enough in order to make the trek to see the Miata. I borrowed my boss's Ford Expedition and set out to pick up my tow dolly, and then down to the car.

I arrived in Somers Point mid afternoon, to a plain, small ranch house with an empty driveway. I got out of the Expedition and walked a few steps towards the house, when the seller, a short, slender man in his mid to late 60s greeted me from the driveway. He shook my hand and I followed him to the back of the house.

I walked past an immaculate fox-body Ford Mustang notch-back, and a 90's Dodge Ram 1500 that looked like it had never seen salt. In front of me as I turned the corner, was a late 80's RX-7, and the Miata, looking much better than I had expected.

"It looks good", I said, trying to hold back my enthusiasm until I drove the car. It took a real close inspection to find the spots of rust on the lower body in front of the rear wheels, but it appeared to be fixable without having to do major bodywork. The car had been painted once, but appeared to be a good job, as it shined up nicely, and all of the emblems were back in the proper places. I wasn't a big fan of the aftermarket wheels, but the rest of the car looked great!

The seller gave me the keys and I got in to take it for a ride. To my surprise, this car was equipped with the very same aftermarket radio which my first Miata had. This was a small, but funny coincidence. On the road, the car felt planted. The clutch engaged well. The brakes worked and did not pulsate. The top looked to be in good, usable shape as well.

I returned to the driveway after my short test drive, and smiling, asked the seller why he was selling the car. He said he wanted to spend more time on his other cars, and pointed to his garage where I saw this Camaro. No further explanation required! What a car!

 

I was confident that this Miata had been in the hands of someone who could take care of it, and purchased it for $2300. I think it was a great deal, considering the others I had looked at.

I loaded the car up and took home my bounty. I was now a Miata owner, once again.