Early 90's Mazda MX-5 Miatas

[Actaeon]

Wow, thats still expensive. That is a little over $6,000 USD. I paid $4300 for my 1994 C-package (loaded with all the options) that was in great condition. While the paint looks better now than when I first bought it, the paint is close to immaculate.

No accidents listed on Carfax, however, the PO bumped the front bumper into something.

 

[LtPage1]

Originally posted by: minendo

Reliability issues?

Extremely reliable in picking up horny older men and waking up with a sore ass after a night of cruising.

that about says it all.

 

[clickynext]

Originally posted by: Actaeon
Wow, thats still expensive. That is a little over $6,000 USD. I paid $4300 for my 1994 C-package (loaded with all the options) that was in great condition. While the paint looks better now than when I first bought it, the paint is close to immaculate.

No accidents listed on Carfax, however, the PO bumped the front bumper into something.

Looks like Miatas are expensive here in Vancouver, because that is absolutely THE cheapest 1994 I've seen. Most of them are around $10,000. 1990's run between $6000 and $7000. If there were any without accidents for the price you mentioned, I may just find a way to deal with the size, but at these prices, not worth it. 🙁 Too bad, it's a fun car.

 

[andylawcc]

so is 94 particularly better than all the other years? is the difference substantial?

and 94 is the year when they replaced the flip up headlights right?

 

[clickynext]

I believe a number of changes were made in 94, including bigger engine. They replaced the headlights in 98-99. Maybe I'm just being childish, but I like the eyelids.

I think the 2006 MX-5 looks really nice, though. It looks a lot more high class, refined.

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: andylawcc
so is 94 particularly better than all the other years? is the difference substantial?

and 94 is the year when they replaced the flip up headlights right?

1994 is the first year they moved to the 1.8L. This engine is found in all Miatas from 1994 to 2005, and will be replaced by a 2.0L in the next gen 2006. Throughout the years, the 1.8L was slightly revised with higher compresson, new intake manifold, Mazda's variable valve timing, rods, etc etc, but the engine is mostly the same.

Aside from the larger engine, in 1994 Mazda also revised the interior, added braces to stiffen the chassis, changed the wheels, upgraded the brakes, and offered the superior Torsen LSD (instead of the Viscious). The general concensus is that the 1.8L is the better car.

1999 is when they replaced the flipup head lights.

To summarize.

1990-93 = 1st gen 1.6L
1994-97 = 1st gen 1.8L
1999-05 = 2nd gen 1.8L
2006-?? = 3rd gen 2.0L

The 1998 model never existed.

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: andylawcc
so is 94 particularly better than all the other years? is the difference substantial?

and 94 is the year when they replaced the flip up headlights right?

The 94 is the best IMHO. Bigger engine, passenger airbag and the last year with a true oil gauge. It also has OBD-I meaning you can read the CEL codes yourself and there is less emissions crap. After 95 they switched to OBD-II.

 

[andylawcc]

yeah, I heard modder b1tch about OBD-II. but is it really such a big problem?

recently my car (celica) have to go through smog check, the engine light was on so I will have to fix it beforehand. after a long discussion here on ATOT, I took it to Autozone and borrowed their OBD II scanner for free, found out the problem, and fixed it (O2 sensor). Had it been an OBD-I only car, what would happen?
where I am getting at is, OBD-II seems to simiplfy life a bit.

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: andylawcc
yeah, I heard modder b1tch about OBD-II. but is it really such a big problem?

recently my car (celica) have to go through smog check, the engine light was on so I will have to fix it beforehand. after a long discussion here on ATOT, I took it to Autozone and borrowed their OBD II scanner for free, found out the problem, and fixed it (O2 sensor). Had it been an OBD-I only car, what would happen?
where I am getting at is, OBD-II seems to simiplfy life a bit.

Well with OBD-I, I simply connect the jumper and read the # of times the check engine flashes. That's gives me the error code. 😛