Bought '93 Miata - what do I need to know?? (windshield, motorcycle)

[mrs1885]

Driving home Friday I passed the cutest little Miata. I've been dying to get rid of the Stratus I've been driving and I've kicked around ideas for every kind of car imaginable.

Of the ones I've mentioned here, everyone seemed to like the Miatas the best so when I passed it I had to go back and look. You know, just to look.....

I took it for a spin - top down of course - and I was done. Didn't even bother selling my car and giving them a down payment, just used the Stratus as a trade in and took the I got on the price.

So, I'm in love with it! It's a '93 and has 114k original miles and a clean CarFax. The interior is flawless, even down to the carpet. No dents or rust on it anyplace. My Stratus was a '98 and had 171k+ miles, so although I've gone 5 years older, it's definitely a step up in my book.

The only issue right now is I'm perplexed with the top. It's not a huge deal. I park in the garage at home and at work, so it's never out in the weather. I can't see my wanting the top up unless we're expecting rain anyway. But the fact is, eventually I'll be in the rain so I need to figure out how to get the top back up properly.

I put it back up this morning before I left and thought I had it closed properly. But when I got home and went to put it back down and clean the dashboard and such I realized it hadn't been locked in. I could have sworn it was.

My daughter and I both had closed it last night and fought with that top, tugging and pulling like mad to try to get it pulled all the way up and lock it. And it honestly seemed locked, but obviously wasn't.

Am I missing something, or is it supposed to be mega hard to get them closed and pulled back up tight? I read the owner's manual and it didn't seem like it should be this difficult. But then again, it's 16 years old, so maybe that has something to do with it?

[golfgod]

Congratulations on buying a great car. I've had 3 Miatas and the owners are often more anal than Porsche owners. I'd suggest you head over to miata dot org and join the fun.

golfgod

[mrs1885]

Originally Posted by golfgod

Congratulations on buying a great car. I've had 3 Miatas and the owners are often more anal than Porsche owners. I'd suggest you head over to miata dot org and join the fun.

golfgod

I was wondering this morning if there was a forum or board or Miata club or something - thanks!

[Houston3]

Increase your life insurance...
Just joking, my son had one and his wife hated him driving it..

His looked like this one...

http://images.automotive.com/reviews/images/96miata.jpg

And to think, I co-signed for that little thing...LOL

[mrs1885]

LOL!! They are positively adorable little cars! And now I finally have my 5 speed manual tranny back. That alone is worth celebrating!!

[Steve-o]

Wouldnt it be wise to actually research the car before you bought it, rather than buy it then do research? lol

Miatas are fun, but highly impractical. I have 2 friends who own Miatas and while they have fun in them, they regret how impractical they really can be at times.

[mrs1885]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Wouldnt it be wise to actually research the car before you bought it, rather than buy it then do research? lol

Miatas are fun, but highly impractical. I have 2 friends who own Miatas and while they have fun in them, they regret how impractical they really can be at times.

I actually did a good bit of research. My problems thus far are with my specific car though. From what I've heard from others it sound like my top is an after market that isn't properly fitted for the car. Joy. The top isn't in flawless condition though, so it would have had to eventually be replaced anyway.

I think they're only impractical to some. For me, I have no kids that will ever be in it; we have a family car for that. It gets wonderful gas mileage, a big since I put 60k miles a year on a car. They're very dependable, again helpful for the 60k miles a year. I very seldom every shop, and if I do it's to only pick up one or two things on the way home. I've driven a couple and knew I liked them; they seem to fit me well. And they're tons of fun.

Now what would be impractical for me would be a 9 MPG Hummer. I don't need the room, I can't afford that kind of service work on a regular basis, and the gas mileage would kill me. However, I do plan on trading in hubby's Explorer for an H3 some day. I do like the looks of them, as he does. He only puts about 3000 miles a year on a vehicle, so the maintenance won't kill us. And if that's what he wants, considering he's the one stuck home with the last 2 kids, that's what he'll have.

Practicality is truly as much a statement of fact as the looks of a car are. It varies for everyone.

[scottv]

Welcome to the club! You've discovered how much fun the little Miata can be! I would recommend this site: MX-5 Miata Forum

You'll get a hang of the top after a bit-you can tell if it's shut by looking where the top meets the windshield-they should be tight to each other. Also if you have a plastic window it helps to use a rolled up towel when putting the top down to keep the window from creasing and sitting like that. This will help your window last longer. And if it's dirty/cloudy try some Plexus plastic cleaner-can usually get it a Honda motorcycle shop or an Autozone type place may have some. Enjoy your Miata!

[gbugmiami]

They are by most of the accounts ive heard, great little cars. but it is what it is at this point, a 16 year old car. It will need maintenance and work to keep up. But im sure you are used to that, considering what you traded in!

I learned first hand how impractical they were about when yours was new, I was working at a record store. Some dude came in and bought 2 of the crates we sold to hold records in, and had 2 make 2 trips to get them home. I though it was a riot at the time.

[Deez Nuttz]

Miatas make great cars to drop Ford 302 V8's into.