What year car to get?

[lostinthewoods]

My wife is ready for a track car of her own since I got my STI. So I think we have it narrowed down to a miata. From looking at various posts and forums trying to decide which year model we should lean towards. This car will be more of a track car for her and maybe a spirited mt drives.

Any pros/cons to various year models. Probably want to get an after market turbo kit sometime in the future or look into a v8 swap. Who knows.

gracias.

 

[MiaTurbo]

I think the general consensious is that the 94/95 are the best years. 1.8l, no OBD-II, stronger trans syncros, and bigger rear. Bigger brakes than the <93, also more go fast parts for the 1.8l motor.

But if you want a car to put in a V-8 swap, get a cheaper 90-93 with a 1.6l the chassis is a little more flexible with out the extra bracing they started adding in 94, but a roll bar would fix that. since it's gonna be a track car, you need a bar anyways.

 

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

1999-2000
Reasons:
I love the 2nd gen body
The only years of the 2nd gen that do not have the PITA VVT
lighter than the later model 2nd gens
I prefer the handling of the 2nd gen
Flyin Miata now has a standalone ECU for the 2nd gen (e.g. bigger boost within our grasp, thanks to Hydra )

 

[Vampyre]

i am also looking into gettin a miata soon. i was looking at a 99 model is there any more good things to look for (tranny, diff) or anything like that

 

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

If you can, take someone with you who KNOWS miatas and can tell if it has the LS diff. I seriously doubt any salesman will be able to tell you if it is a sport package or not if it is a regular miata.

OR you could skip the hassle and look for a 10AE: in addition to my preferences, the 10AE has the best shocks available on a stock miata (mine has the Hard Suspension with the Bilsteins--look under the car for yellow shocks) which make them best for stock class autocross. 10AEs also have polished wheels instead of painted, one of a kind blue metallic paint, one of a kind matching blue top/carpet/suede seat inserts/steering wheel/shifter/shifter boot, carbon fiber look to the radio/a/c surround, the only model in 99 available with 6 speed, ABS brakes, strut tower brace....

I can keep going. That's MY recommendation.

 

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

add some pics of mine:

 

[crispixoo7]

go 2006! (thumb)

 

[Vampyre]

so i should look for a ls or 10th aniv.

 

[Vampyre]

and one more question. do any of the earlier miatas have limited slip. or do all those have one tire fire

 

[Rdshark1]

and one more question. do any of the earlier miatas have limited slip. or do all those have one tire fire

My "B" package 94 Laguna Blue has LSD...and it won't share with me (ugh)

 

[Vampyre]

so do all miata's have lsd. or is there any way to tell. i might just get an older one so i can just pay for it with a credit card. i would really like to not have a car payment after i sell my current car

 

[Rdshark1]

You might look at http://www.miata.net/faq/ for more answers to your questions. They have a section on the changes from year to year.

 

[lagunamiata]

Yeah, there is a link on Miata.net to - http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/5361/
That's about the best one I've seen that breaks everything down.

For the most part, if it's a NA (90-97) and the car has power mirrors, it has a limited slip. 90-93 have viscous, 94-97 are torsen. There are exceptions, I think the '97 STO didn't have LSD. The R-package cars (94-97 only) all have LSD.

Since I don't have a NB I'm not as familiar with how the packages break down.

Basically, decide if you want a NA or NB. Decide if you want leather or not. Then buy the best and nicest one you can afford that fits into your wants.

 

[Vampyre]

isaw the miata. net link right after i posted. are there any good miata forums. i might be looking to see if anyone is selling

 

[MiaTurbo]

isaw the miata. net link right after i posted. are there any good miata forums. i might be looking to see if anyone is selling

Miata.net classifidies: http://www.miata.net/cgi-bin/isc/classifieds.cgi?action=showsub&CategoryID=106&Session=43440dfb268be34a

While the asthetic values between the first gen, and second is entirly based on opinion, if you're looking to mod the car, I'd go with a first gen and save a few bucks. but I am a bit biased Also the second gen cars have a bit less interior room. the 'average' person wouldn't notice, but I'm 'big-boned'

 

[Rdshark1]

If you're tracking the car I would save $$ and not go for leather since you'll want to install some nice racing buckets anyway.

 

[lagunamiata]

Also the second gen cars have a bit less interior room. the 'average' person wouldn't notice, but I'm 'big-boned'

Too true! I've driven several newer than mine and when Mazda started adding door stuff the car got tighter. I don't even like the '97 with the extra padding at the back of the door.

The NC is a different story... nice room in there. But the damn cupholder is right where you put your knee!!

 

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

For the most part, if it's a NA (90-97) and the car has power mirrors, it has a limited slip. 90-93 have viscous, 94-97 are torsen. There are exceptions, I think the '97 STO didn't have LSD. The R-package cars (94-97 only) all have LSD.

Torsens are better and a 94-97 is what I would recommend for a 1st gen anyway.

(I love Laguna Blue...had to throw that random thought in there)
(random smiley (blowjob) )

 

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

Too true! I've driven several newer than mine and when Mazda started adding door stuff the car got tighter. I don't even like the '97 with the extra padding at the back of the door.

The NC is a different story... nice room in there. But the damn cupholder is right where you put your knee!!

It could be worse....Now that my pregnant belly is becoming obvious, it is actually easier for me to get in and out of the MX-5 than the RX-8, due the the large side bolsters in the 8... (hah)