Help with buying a 1990 Miata [Archive] (2024)

MX-5 Miata Forum > NA/NB (1990-2005) Miata > NA (1990-1997) General Discussion > Help with buying a 1990 Miata

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Ryan153

9th August 2019, 18:55

The person selling it is asking $5500 for it and I was wondering if with the list of stuff he did to it below, is it worth it?

Im the second owner
1990 mazda miata in an eye catching mariner blue (classic red HT, very smurf looking)
OEM hardtop with defrost (not hooked up)
Jass performance hardtop mounts
1.6 short nose
122,xxx miles
Always ran synthetic oil (oil change every 3k miles)
Newer ngk plugs and wires
Raceland 4-2-1 longtube header
Test pipe
ISR performance circuit spec exhaust (still have the resonated cat delete)
Cusco 3 point strut brace
Racing beat front sway bar with brace
Eibach rear sway bar
Properly depowered steering with polyurethane bushings & 5x racing rack risers
SPL parts bumpsteer inner and outer tie rods with heim joint ends
Circuit sports camber adjustable front upper control arms
ARP extended studs front and rear
Polyurethane front lower control arm bushings
New ball joints
New belt
AC converted to R134 (not functional at the moment from the power steering delete, need a delete pulley)
Flushed cooling system with fresh coolant
1.8 front brake upgrade (stops extremely well)
Smoked markers and front lenses with switchbacks and resistors (no hyperflash)
Sportrack roof rack
Yakima forklift bike mount
Yonaka type 2 coil overs (basically new)
Older hard dog single diagonal roll bar with harness bar welded in (questionable welds on harness bar)
ISR performance 240sx 4 Delrin shift knob
Delrin door bushings (brand new)
Delrin window bushings (brand new)
Dynamat extreme on doors and on trunk lid
New Dual electric fans set to ignition (put a new aftermarket fan switch in and it immediately broke, didnt feel like messing with it so I grounded the system)
Grip royal Hino knight steering wheel
15% tint on all windows 50% on windshield with visor strip
Compustar 2 way alarm/remote start (bypassed clutch safety switch, headlights set up to pop with keychain, kids love it at the car meets)
15x8 +25 Advanti storm s1 in graphite grey (excellent condition)
Newer federal 595rsrr tires in 205/50r15 (meaty)
Rolled and pulled front and rear fenders
JL audio W1 10 in bassworx ported box powered by an older JL audio 500w monoblock
JVC Bluetooth headunit w/handsfree
Led interior lights(sylvania zevo)
Led bulbs in tail lights and side markers(sylvania zevo)
Led independent dual beam jeep headlights
Baby bumper cut

interior is near flawless, except for crack on passenger side of dash. no rips on the seats.
clutch slave cylinder needs to be replaced, leaks a bit. was planning on putting a new one in with a stainless steel full replacement line.
pads and rotors were recently replaced with some cheap auto part store replacements, throw some hawk pads in and stainless steel brake lines and it should be awesome for the track.
those were my intentions with the car, but life has gotten the best of my time. handles on rails, extremely fun. not gonna lie, this car has a few bumps and bruises also has some clearcoat fade on the hood and fenders.

firstgenerationmiata

9th August 2019, 19:09

Hard to tell without seeing the car, but i sure wouldn't pay that much for what's listed. Depending on where you are, there are many nice Miatas for that much money.

Ryan153

9th August 2019, 19:25

Hard to tell without seeing the car, but i sure wouldn't pay that much for what's listed. Depending on where you are, there are many nice Miatas for that much money.

Heres an image, I hope.
https://images.craigslist.org/01414_5Pd4maGa0aQ_600x450.jpg

MK1888

9th August 2019, 19:44

Seller doesn't mention if the timing belt or water pump have been replaced, which are much more important than that other junk listed. Those big wheels don't belong on an un-turboed 1.6? The cat delete gains no power and only adds to the pollution we all have to breathe. Poly bushings are *harsh*, and if daily driven you'll hate. I have no knowledge of those coilovers, but searching on here with a proper web search and added keywords "site:miata.net" shows criticisms from respected members here. I wouldn't pay half the asking price given that I'd have to undo most if not all of the molesting done.

Ryan153

9th August 2019, 19:51

So, just from two responses to my question, I can tell its most likely not worth it and now have 2 questions.

1. How hard are Miatas to work on and more specifically, undo the molesting?

2. What are some good sites to look for used miatas on? Ive only been on east Texas Craigslist to avoid the sites with everything but what I want to look at on the page of search results.

MK1888

9th August 2019, 20:04

I have a '90. I think it's easy to work on. I even think the trans removal was not a big deal. But I've been shadetree wrenching for 30+ years. The car isn't terrible, but if you've never had one before you probably shouldn't jump in with someone else's racey mods. And just because the seller is asking 5500 doesn't mean he's going to get it. He may end up selling to a lowballer?

I would go look at and drive *normal* Miatas, even if you have no intention of buying them, so that you know what a normal one is like.

Ryan153

9th August 2019, 20:19

Do I just go to a dealer and test drive a new one or something else?

And are there any good websites to look at?

If its easy for a wrench turner to work on then it should be pretty easy for me. I am very young (not going to specify how young) but I work on planes and cars mostly just doing grunt work but Im surrounded by pros who can help me if I ask and if they dont know how to, then well be learning our way through it.

MarbleCanyon

9th August 2019, 20:27

I think that you ought to go see and drive a few NA Miatas before you put your money out. Personally, I saw about 10, and drove about 6 before I found the one I bought. (Some were not worth driving, due to rust, mechanical issues, molestation, etc).

I believe when you find "the one", it will be obvious. And, finally, there might be a Miata club near you. Definitely worth looking into. The guys (and gals) who already have a Miata will probably be glad to help you.

1994auto

9th August 2019, 20:30

For 5500 you can find a nice stock car in very good shape and find one that has some maint history on the TB/WP Seals, Clutch, that important stuff, not all the "stuff" this car has had done to it.

1994auto

9th August 2019, 20:33

Needs clutch slave cyc he says. All that work done to it and he does not bother to fix a basic part for the car to MOVE. I didn't see anything about the rag top??? The Red hard top looks silly. Dude move on and find a clean one.

Mariner90

9th August 2019, 21:57

It looks like the previous owner tried to order at least one thing off of every page of the Moss Miata catalog. I'd start by looking for one that has a well documented service history. I'm not against modifications, but the car design is really good and a lot of mods can make the cars less drivable in everyday conditions. I believe there are plenty out there in the $6k range that will suit you, just take your time looking.

Ryan153

10th August 2019, 00:06

So I took all the advice to heart and found a mostly stock 1993 Miata. List below of whatÂ’s been done to it.

A clean classic Miata for sale. It is a 93 model, the last year with the 1.6 engine. This miata runs good and comes with working ac and heat. It has power windows, power mirrors, manual door locks, Kenwood cd stereo, and separate usb port. The Miata also has an oem hardtop. Current mileage at 180k with 5 speed transmission, black interior with cloth seats, custom dash cover. It come with original set of 14 in. daisy wheels and 16 in. Mazda wheels. It has been serviced, 5 speed shifter rebuild, new shocks installed, new clutch slave cylinder and master cylinder, replaced the outside window door seals. Car needs new convertible top, headlight cover painted, and small dent on driver rear repaired. Negotiable on price. No trades.

It looks decent in the photos except it’s had no engine work.

ClayBelt

10th August 2019, 06:21

I’d say that one should be fine depending on price, but you should budget for a water pump/timing belt.

mrus

10th August 2019, 06:58

Ryan153,
You did not give us the sellers asking price?
180K miles is a hard sell.
Any Miata with that mileage is usually under 3K.

What do you plan on doing to any Miata you buy ?

huesmann

10th August 2019, 08:19

Does the $5500 include a box of earplugs and a 3M chemical respirator?

Ryan153

10th August 2019, 08:41

Ryan153,
You did not give us the sellers asking price?
180K miles is a hard sell.
Any Miata with that mileage is usually under 3K.

What do you plan on doing to any Miata you buy ?

He is asking $3250 for it.

If I get a Miata I was hoping to have something with a somewhat smooth manual shifter and that wasnt a slouch. Im not as experienced with most cars especially miatas but a lot of people here say they are great cars that will last.

Heres a link to the ad if anyone wants pictures.

https://easttexas.craigslist.org/cto/d/tyler-classic-1993-mazda-miata/6933291578.html

Schwanz

10th August 2019, 08:55

Always ran synthetic oil (oil change every 3k miles)
As soon as you see this, you know the guy is full of ****.

People write out these long lists of what has been done to the car, thinking each line is adding value. In reality it's almost always subtracting.
"Tinfoil ultrachrome steering wheel! (and bonus airbag light!)"
"Almost new cheapest coilovers on ebay!"
"Heavy and unwieldy beer tap handle shift knob!"

I'd offer $1200 for the first one, and that's dependent on the condition of the hard top.
The second one sounds okay depending on price. Properly maintained, 180k isn't too many miles.

ohioscott

10th August 2019, 09:05

Is there a local Miata club near you or a place that hosts a weekend morning " Cars and Coffee " type get together? The cars and coffee is just a morning get together of car people, usually a coffee place.
This way you may be able to see totally stock, unaltered Miata so you will have a base line to compare.
Going to a miata club event, there may be people there that are selling of know somebody selling a Miata.
Look through the garage section of this forum to see what common maintenance and repairs are about.

underthetire

10th August 2019, 10:45

As soon as you see this, you know the guy is full of ****.

I'd offer $1200 for the first one, and that's dependent on the condition of the hard top.
The second one sounds okay depending on price. Properly maintained, 180k isn't too many miles.

In his defence, the Yonakas are not EBay. They aren't that bad. A few of us run them. Not a high end for sure, but at least have proper spring rates for a miata.

ClayBelt

10th August 2019, 11:18

I’d pay close to asking on the second one. The hard top alone is like $800. I’d check it out, take it for a drive, and pitch $3k.

Ryan153

10th August 2019, 11:48

So far, the only one I have managed to find is a few hours from me and I can’t ask anything because the administrator has locked everything.

huesmann

11th August 2019, 09:27

Id pay close to asking on the second one. The hard top alone is like $800. Id check it out, take it for a drive, and pitch $3k.
Looks like that guy spilled some brake fluid...

ClayBelt

11th August 2019, 17:15

Looks like that guy spilled some brake fluid...

The south prices things ridiculously, what can I say. Not many sports cars and theyre all overpriced. My perspective may be a bit off as a consequence

popopopo

11th August 2019, 17:21

The '92 that's under 100k miles on the dallas craigslist looks more enticing.

edit: second car I was suggesting got sold :( . It was a '95, matching hardtop, 175k miles but looks very well taken care of, only 2nd owner and was used as a daily.

popopopo

11th August 2019, 17:24

So far, the only one I have managed to find is a few hours from me and I can’t ask anything because the administrator has locked everything.

There's an active meet every wednesday at Keller's burger in dallas. Also, join DFW Miata and Metroplex Miata Enthusiasts on facebook. There has been a few clean miatas sold in the last few weeks that weren't posted anywhere else.