Work-in-progress: my 1999 Miata

[slugg]

I bought a Miata a couple weeks ago and I love it! The original owner had racing stripes on it, which were pretty lame. Getting the glue from the stripes off has NOT been an easy task. Well... here's what the car looks like right now in my garage. I just need to claybar and wax and it should be good to go!

Before:

After:

Crappy cell phone pic. Once the whole thing is cleaned properly, I'll try to take better pics with... my crappy cell phone. LOL

 

[KentState]

Nice car. One of the funnest automotive things I've ever done was going on a covered bridge tour with the Cincinnati Miata owners club. I had a Mazdaspeeed Protege at the time and the route followed the Ohio River which is very winding. Those cars did everything so effortlessly and took up such little space that the tight roads seemed huge.

 

[AMCRambler]

Wow Slugg. Nice job getting the stickers off. I saw your post about keeping or removing them and I never thought you'd get them off without wrecking the paint. Looks great.

 

[slugg]

Wow Slugg. Nice job getting the stickers off. I saw your post about keeping or removing them and I never thought you'd get them off without wrecking the paint. Looks great.

Lots... and LOTS of patience! It took almost 2 weeks for a reason

 

[punjabiplaya]

Lots... and LOTS of patience! It took almost 2 weeks for a reason

damn, that's some effort, but it looks like it payed off

 

[xSkyDrAx]

What was the mileage and price on that? It looks like it was well taken care of.

 

[manimal]

Nice car. Only car I would tolerate a racing stripe would be a real gt cobra

 

[jlee]

Nice - build threads FTW! What's the next project?

 

[slugg]

What was the mileage and price on that? It looks like it was well taken care of.

101.5K. I bought it from a local Miata club member. It's a 13 year old car; it has its little issues, but overall it's in fantastic shape!

Nice car. Only car I would tolerate a racing stripe would be a real gt cobra

You mean like every other girl driving one? I understand the Miata is a "chick" car because it kinda looks like one, but seriously, 9 out of 10 Mustang drivers I see are girls, including the GT's. Today I even saw a Saleen with a woman driver. Just saying

Nice - build threads FTW! What's the next project?

Once I'm satisfied with the condition of my Miata, I want to put some work into my 2000 Honda Accord. It needs some body work and minor mechanical love. I may leave the body/paint as is, I don't know yet... but the car has treated me well and is still a fantastic vehicle, even though it's boring. It has space, it's a mature car, cheap maintenance and cheap on gas. I see no reason to get rid of it; it's the perfect companion to my Miata!

 

[bbs lm-r]

I think you made a good choice removing the stripes. Looks good :thumbsup:

 

[Arkaign]

Beautiful work there. Fun cars, I wish I could fit in them without looking ridiculous. They're truly a bargain and very well engineered.

 

[slugg]

Here it is after the claybar and wax.

Now if only we didn't have a damn thunderstorm in Tampa, I'd go out for a fun drive!

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

Here it is after the claybar and wax.

Now if only we didn't have a damn thunderstorm in Tampa, I'd go out for a fun drive!

I cant see the rock dent in any of the photos. Good choice on removing the stripes.

 

[ballmode]

getting a hard top?

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Miata looks great! What is claybar exactly? Pardon for my ignorance..

 

[slugg]

I cant see the rock dent in any of the photos. Good choice on removing the stripes.

Unfortunately, you can see it from this angle

getting a hard top?

I would love one. Hopefully I'll find one that I can afford some day. Right now, I can't :-/

Miata looks great! What is claybar exactly? Pardon for my ignorance..

I'm new to this stuff too! No prob . Basically, you rub a piece of special clay, with lubricant, over the car paint nice and gently, over and over again. It removes all the microscopic pieces of dirt, old wax, or any other debris. When you're done, you're left with a very smooth surface. The surface then needs to be waxed because the clay removes all the wax.

 

[JCH13]

Subbing for more Miata fun.

Don't worry about rock chips/dents. Enjoy the car.

At 101k she's still a baby, my Miata has 165k on the original engine and transmission and has been thoroughly abused. I mean raced.

First work - change the shifter boots, turret oil, and transmission oil. These are typically neglected by previous owners.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

First work - change the shifter boots, turret oil, and transmission oil. These are typically neglected by previous owners.

Turret Oil you say?!

 

[JCH13]

Turret Oil you say?!

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab150/1fuzzydunlop1/1.jpg

Holy 90s batman!

 

[slugg]

First work - change the shifter boots, turret oil, and transmission oil. These are typically neglected by previous owners.

That's on the list! I temporarily fixed my rain rail (foil tape + glue) and it needs to be replaced. I don't know which is happening first, but the shifter boots, turret oil, bushings, etc are happening soon. I'll post pics as they're getting done.

I just keep having more fun with this car every day. I'm starting to feel bad for people who don't have one

 

[yhelothar]

Schweeet. Twilight blue = best color.
Here's a pic of it claybared, polished, buffed, and waxed

 

[Throckmorton]

I never used to like the NB but it's grown on me, especially since my NA started looking frumpy to me (from most angles)

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

Holy 90s batman!

hehe, I played that game SO MUCH back in the day. Good ole Interstate '76

Schweeet. Twilight blue = best color.
Here's a pic of it claybared, polished, buffed, and waxed

/whistle
beauty. Probably one of my favourite colors on a car.

 

[Imported]

I wish mine was twilight blue.. love that color.

 

[ballmode]

I prefer the 2001 AE edition blue out of them all.