What year should I choose

[Paradox]

I'm in the market for getting a NA Miata an I'm confused in which year to get. From my understanding the 90-93 models have many differences to there 94-97 model years. Which of these 2 sets of years in your guys opinion was the better Miata. And in your guys opinion, whats the flat out best year for the NA Miata. I'm looking for good comparisons between those 2 year ranges. And I also been hearing that the 1.6L was the better engine to build up, is this true?

Thanks in advance...

 

[mazdadude]

I prefer the NA with the 1.6L engine.

To me, it is the purest incarnation of the roadster concept.

The 92 is my favorite year as it has the extra bracing from the factory (not much but better than nothing), long nose crank, hardtop defroster, 1.6l engine, original MAZDA logo (not Mazda flame logolike on 93). I think there are a few more reasons, however I can't recall what they are right now.

To me, the 90-93 NA is pure and true roadster. The 94-97 are polished but still roadsters, the 99-05 has lost it's soul. I like the 06-up, but I have not driven one, as I do not fit in the car, so I can not comment. Of course this is just personal opinion, so make sure to drive one of each generation so that you may decide for yourself.(stfu)

 

[dquarasr]

Best NA

The early cars with the longnose crank are attractive due to their low weight, although, for pure lightness, as I understand it, the first year's car is the lightest. But I don't think any of them came with the longnose crank.

I personally like the torque and power of the 1.8L motors. I own a '94 B-package that I've had since new (and will likely keep until I am so elderly my keys are taken from me!!). I also have a '90 ex-Spec Miata that had a 1.6L. Admittedly, this motor was pretty used up, but after we swapped in a 1.8L motor and upgraded to 1.8L brakes, I was 14 seconds faster at Sebring (HPDE). That's a TON of time. Most of it was motor.

If I remember correctly, the early cars had a 4.31 rear end ratio, and the 94-97 models had 4.10. The '94 models had some extra bracing behind the rear seats, and also at the rear suspension (although I don't remember if some of this was also on the '93's, but I don't think so).

Another consideration is the wheels. The 1.6L alloys were 14x5.5, and the 1.8L were 14x6. Don't discount these wheels: the 14x6 weigh about 10 lbs, and there are 225-width tires that will fit on this wheel, although a 205 is probably optimum for street use. Later wheels with 15 or 16 inch wheels can change the effective final drive ratio (depending on tire size).

My opinion that the best overall is the '99 Sport model. These were still pretty light avoiding some of the weight gain the '00+ model years had. They also had a fairly strong motor, suspension similar to the '94-96 "R" package (slightly stiffer springs and Bilsteins), but again, if I remember correctly, had the 4.31 rear in spite of the larger motor. My son had a '99 Sport and it was quite a good autocrosser. I say this in spite of the fact that these had 15" wheels (again, my memory might be off).

The '99 Sport, IMO, has the best combination of motor, suspension and weight.

 

[ghettoracingkid]

So what was it about the 99 - 05 that lost its soul.

I never got to drive or own a NA but currently own a 02 NB.

 

[mazdadude]

So what was it about the 99 - 05 that lost its soul.

I never got to drive or own a NA but currently own a 02 NB.

No offense intended towards other Miata owners, as I said, it is only my personal opinion. But what I failed to mention was that the later Miata's still have 100x more soul than most other vehicles. (headbang)

For me, the Miata go-kart "soul" was lost when pop up headlights, 14inch wheels, and the 1.6l engine were banished. Now that is not to say these were not major improvements to the subsequent generations, it is just that it turned the Miata from a go-kart, to a sports car.

 

[dquarasr]

So what was it about the 99 - 05 that lost its soul.

I never got to drive or own a NA but currently own a 02 NB.

It's all about the honesty and purity of the car. Certainly a very subjective, "feel it" type of thing, but it's about the tossability, the way it turns in, the way it accelerates, the way it stops.

The later NA cars were very good, but there's just something about the early ones.

Also, there was a consistent weight gain that cannot be overcome with motor. Weight gain also impacts turning and braking, so hp to weight ratios don't always tell the whole story. I did find this listing the curb weights, HP and ratios by year (thanks to that poster):

http://www.norcalroadsters.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2227

 

[TheMAN]

some 99s and early 2000s have thrust bearing issues

the 89 apparently had slightly bigger sway bars that causes the car to be a bit more snappy

IIRC 94 was the last year to have a real oil pressure gauge until the 06s came out

boo to the NCs

 

[kcbhiw]

Just to correct a few bits for reference:

-No Miata (or B-series engine) ever came from the factory with a long nose crank. The 91.5+ models were supplied with what is known as the big nose crank which significantly improved the seating area of the lower timing cog and pulley. The long nose crank was a service item implemented to replace a failed short nose crank. Furthermore, the short nose crank is usually prone to failure only if the proper torque specification is not observed on the crank bolt.

-90-93 Miatas were the only years supplied with a working oil gauge. All 1.8L Miatas were supplied with the deceptive on/off indicator that resembled a gauge.


On a personal note, I'll take power over the 1.6. The 1.8L has a much better power curve that is only improved through its various iterations. Turbocharging, V8, whatever. The car is still too much fun, regardless of what engine it has.

 

[ghettoracingkid]

DQ, dont worry i wasnt offended or anything.

my little miata story goes like this.

It was 1999 and I was working at my uncles mazda dealership in the parts department. I used to make fun of and joke around about the miata owners and how they are a poor mans mid life crisis car or a middle class mid life crisis car. there was one guy who came in that had an NA and he had the shark teeth on it. Jokes for a few days. I ended up talking to the guy as he was picking it up and he was telling me about how while they look tiny and gay they are a fun driving experience and its like a brotherhood. and then he proceeded to tell me about miata.net.

I ended up telling a few miata owners about miata.net just becuase im a car guy. Fast forward a few years 2002(left parts in mid '00) came back to swap new cars from dealship to dealership (greatest job ever) and my first maita trip was down from long island to south jersey and back. both in miatas (02's). I didnt think i would fit and was worried about it. Did the job and fell inlove with that car. after that always wanted one.

just finally got one after my 02 protege5 hit 200700 miles and had problems that could easily be fixed but it was time. my cousin at the dealship jsut so happen to be getting in a 97 and a 02. the 97 guy pulled out and im glad becuase i got the 02 fully loaded (for the most part)

I would like to own a pre 97 and up until a few weeks ago I was looking for one to dump a supercharged 302 into. hit some finacial rough times.

Ive always felt that Mazda after about 01ish when they revamped there line finally got it right and took what what the rx-7 and the miata so great into the other cars. such as the protege5 then the mazda 6 and so on....

1 thing I dont like on a side note. is that they do 1 body type mode and do it to all. like the flaring front fenders on the NC's then onto the mazda6 .... and now that uge smiley face grill....

reminded me of the dodges with that big grill from years ago. all looking the same.

 

[dquarasr]

Just to correct a few bits for reference:

-No Miata (or B-series engine) ever came from the factory with a long nose crank. The 91.5+ models were supplied with what is known as the big nose crank which significantly improved the seating area of the lower timing cog and pulley. The long nose crank was a service item implemented to replace a failed short nose crank. Furthermore, the short nose crank is usually prone to failure only if the proper torque specification is not observed on the crank bolt.

-90-93 Miatas were the only years supplied with a working oil gauge. All 1.8L Miatas were supplied with the deceptive on/off indicator that resembled a gauge.


On a personal note, I'll take power over the 1.6. The 1.8L has a much better power curve that is only improved through its various iterations. Turbocharging, V8, whatever. The car is still too much fun, regardless of what engine it has.

Thanks for setting me (us) straight on the crank noses. Our 1.6L ex-Spec Miata had this issue, and we tried welding the crank pulley to the crank. Worked for one event, then we decided not to tempt fate and just went ahead and did a 1.6L - 1.8L swap, which my son effected. I also heard from another source that an even better way to fix is to drill two holes, 180 degrees apart, in the crank pulley and the crank nose, and secure the pulley's position with pins, sort of like a high-strength metal dowel. Haven't tried it but supposedly this is a good fix.

On the topic of the oil pressure gauges (OPG), my '94, manufactured in April of 1994, has a fully functioning OPG. It is real-time, reading near the top of the range when rev'ing with the motor cold, just over 1/2 when the oil is warmed up, and about 1/3 at idle after warmed up. It does not appear to be damped at all, since it jumps left and right approximately as quickly as the tach.

 

[mr_mazda329]

94'