91 Miata...are there any inherent problems?

[magomago]

Hi all,
I'm seriously considering purchasing a 91 Miata (lol...seriously considering a car whose prices have hit rock bottom Translation: I just started working and wanted something fun, yet cheap, to drive)

I checked out if there are any inherent problems online and only found one huge problem: Miata crankshafts http://www.miata.net/garage/crankshaft.html IF you get one of the few affected designs, you may get totally screwed, IF something happens. Now that is obviously I can't get checked out by myself (most likely have to take it to a mechanic to see if its an affected unit).

Are there any other issues that may exist? Is there something I should know? I know its a long shot since I'm asking for a specific year on a specific model, but who knows =)

TY

 

[iamwiz82]

The crankshaft issue is a biggie. I would go with a 1992 just to be safe.

 

[Arkaign]

At that age, the crankshaft may have already been replaced with the newer design. Print that out, and examine carefully, with an experienced mechanic if necessary.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Finding Miata.net has put you on the fast track to addiction

One of my next tricks will be to buy a trailer so I can drag my Miata along from job to job...

 

[magomago]

Arkaign, I'll go with what you suggested. If I'm interested enough, and it seems good enough, to take it to an experienced mechanic and have them check it out. If it comes out its the short version, unless he is willing to price the agreed price by 75% or greater of the cost to replace the crankshaft....I probably won't go forward under any circumstance. Here is hoping it is a mid 1991 though!

 

[Zenmervolt]

Why not just check the VIN? The article you link tells you where the split happened for the 1991 cars so you can tell from that which crank the factory used in the car.

From the article:

CAN I CHECK MY MIATA TODAY?

Yes and no. If your Miata is a 1992 or newer, forget this article. You have nothing to worry about. If you have a 1991 with VIN 209447 or more, you're safe.

ZV

 

[overst33r]

Please get a hard dog roll bar.

 

[magomago]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Why not just check the VIN? The article you link tells you where the split happened for the 1991 cars so you can tell from that which crank the factory used in the car.

From the article:

CAN I CHECK MY MIATA TODAY?

Yes and no. If your Miata is a 1992 or newer, forget this article. You have nothing to worry about. If you have a 1991 with VIN 209447 or more, you're safe.

ZV

I know, I read the article I'm planning on checking it. Whether or not it has a short or long (big? lol) bolt means little to me --> its still going to the mechanic. I guess i wasn't clear (as I look at it and realize that it sounds like only the mechanic will tell me)
sorry about ZV here is a :beer:

 

[Zenmervolt]

My fault for mis-reading. I thought you were going to have a mechanic look at the crank specifically.

ZV

 

[thedarkwolf]

How much is the car? $2k is pretty much the rock bottom miata price for a decent car, it runs and parts don't fall off going down the street. If it is anywhere near that don't expect him to move much of the price. If its more around $4k I'd look at a 94+ version for the bigger 1.8l engine, torsen, brakes, stiffer chassis, etc.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I recommend a 96' on, it would have the R134a refrigerant, and OBDII.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
I recommend a 96' on, it would have the R134a refrigerant, and OBDII.

OBDII is nice, but only rarely important.

R134a is a mixed blessing. Personally, I'd rather just refill an R12 system with Duracool if it needed new refrigerant. That's what I did with my 951 and it works beautifully.

ZV

 

[thedarkwolf]

Pretty sure my 94 uses r134a but since it works I've never paid much attention to it. Don't use the a/c much in a vert anyway. Mines turboed and OBDII just makes that more of a PITA.

 

[magomago]

It uses R12. It was in absolutely great condition. The guy is a MechE who knows how to take care of his toys. One last question though: I want to run a carfax to be sure...but carfax charges quite a bit! Is there a cheaper site that gives out the same information, or is the detail of carfax much better? Car fax is showing me 17 records (but costs 30 bucks), and autocheck is showing me 13 records (but only costs 15 bucks).

If the car history comes up clean, I think I'm going to be an owner of a new miata =)


BTW the VIN starts with 22 =) Long nosed version!

 

[Zenmervolt]

IMO Carfax is still the gold standard, but Autocheck isn't going to give you inaccurate information, just less of it. Still, $30 is what, 1% of the total price of the car? It's really not that much in the overall scheme of things if you're serious about the car otherwise.

ZV

 

[magomago]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
IMO Carfax is still the gold standard, but Autocheck isn't going to give you inaccurate information, just less of it. Still, $30 is what, 1% of the total price of the car? It's really not that much in the overall scheme of things if you're serious about the car otherwise.

ZV

ya I came to that conclusion before you posted. 30 bucks for peace of mind is good and it came out completely clear.

He emailed me saying he could come down to the price we negotiated...now its a done deal =) He wanted 3.5, I wanted 2.8 (I feel bad...I initially low balled him at 2 >< It really is in pristine condition and he ended up replacing quite a few things)...I budged upwards to 3 but wouldn't move, telling him that 3 is a good offer; he was trying to send me to 3.1 but I was hesitant. I said I needed to get back and sleep, and I'd contact him later.
I guess i don't need to cause he contacted me

y0 y0 91 miata =)

 

[Zenmervolt]

Enjoy the car. Miatas are ridiculous amounts of fun.

ZV

 

[thedarkwolf]

Sounds like a pretty solid deal to me.

 

[stag3]

im considering getting one myself for a toy especially since prices are rock bottom right now.
if you don't buy now you're gonna have to wait until winter again.

 

[ballmode]

I have a 2001 for a daily driver, I wish I had a hard top in the winter... as well as a LSD

 

[T2urtle]

this summer its either getting a 600cc bike or a miata for me. both roughly costing me $3000 =P

 

[Pliablemoose]

Originally posted by: T2urtle
this summer its either getting a 600cc bike or a miata for me. both roughly costing me $3000 =P

Miata
-much less likely to die in a crash
-It's a chick magnet, everyone screams they're chick cars, but trust me they're chick magnets...

600 cc sportbike
-more performance/dollar than any other motorized toy you can buy.

 

[magomago]

going to pick it up today xD....will post pics later. I have this feeling i'll be frequenting the garage more xD

 

[tweekah]

Originally posted by: magomago
going to pick it up today xD....will post pics later. I have this feeling i'll be frequenting the garage more xD

Congrats. I loved my NA Miata and was unfortunately cursed with the short nose issue. The Loctite fix bought another year of life until a coolant leak stemmed from not replacing seals. It was 145k miles and 17 years old at the time I sold it. Drove it like I stole it.

What I miss and specifically remember was the killer turning radius and headrest speakers. Definitely a fun car and anyone who says otherwise probably has never driven one.

 

[stag3]

i found a 10th anniversary with 71k miles for 7750
should i pick it up? i like that blue