Miata-Newbie

So let me open up my first thread to ask for a LOT of advice...

I was suckered into buying an '03 SE Miata, it was MINT clean, inside and out and it's the dark Purple Nardi version with everything stock.
That was back in May 17... got it for my 50 year b-day present from my wife. Well after owning it a little while I noticed a fluid leak... to dark to be coolant, so I took it into one of the best Miata mechanics in the Phoenix, AZ location to check out... here are the results...

Seal/water pump leak so thats easy... replacing all belts, seals, etc... $650. No biggie right? Then he couldn't start it... it would chug-a-chug but no starting... that was last Saturday at his shop so what he does is let me borrow his '04 Mazda Speed Turbo (silver) so I could have a car to drive to work while he narrows down why it wasn't starting... I got an update tonight that said he only had the crank position off by 1/8th of an inch and it's starting up just fine only it sounds rough and the check engine light does NOT come on before starting the car. After further investigation he found out the check engine light bulb got smashed and after he replaced it, the check engine light remains a constant ON now after it's started... after further investigation he find out (after a compression test) #1 cylinder is 130 while the other 3 cylinders are kicking out 160... so repair on this is close to $1,500-2,000 MORE to fix... he said the car won't be able to pass emissions so it needs repaired.

I bought a lemon I think... the previous owner suckered me into this and wasn't honest at all with me... I'm now left with a broken car and I bought it 8 months ago for $3,600.

I wanted to ask for advice... do I just drive it home and not do the work on the cylinders and store it until I either sell it either being dishonest at the condition of it or fix it and swallow my pride!??

Oh I forgot to mention that the Clutch is about ready to go out and the drive shaft U-Joints are worn so I hear a 'Tink' occasionally when I drive it. Is this car going to suck out all my $$ or what??

Thanks!

Miata-Newbie

.... well... ??

I see plenty of people have viewed this thread but no replies... I'm simply asking what you think... if this miata is a "Lemon"... a car that is just going to take all of my money?? What do you think??

After I spend $2,000 on rebuilding #1 cylinder I'll need to replace the clutch, rotors and even the antenna. (I was told the antenna was broken so that was why it didn't go up... being a dummy I thought it just wasn't going up... that it was modified which I liked... dummy me. I know now... after the fact.

Is it going to be worth it in the end?? or should I sell it and RUN!??

Jerry L

If life hands you a lemon, make lemonade! Seriously,

If this was my car I'd start shopping around for a used engine. I'f you're going to spend two grand on this engine you just as well get a new one for about the same price. (Or less) Lots of guys are sticking V8s in these things too, so anything from a 2 liter 4 to a V six to an LS3 can be stuffed in there. (The Ford 2.5 is a popular upgrade for the NC Miata)

Or you could just sell it at a loss and let someone else deal with it. I guess it depends on your situation. (And no, I'm not interested) :-)

Good luck!

Miata-Newbie

UPDATE!!!!!

Well I picked up the car after taking Uber for 50 miles north of me, paid the $$ for a fixed cylinder #1 and drove it home... now I found out I can't buy a 3 day registration to get the emissions done because when I entered the VIN number on servicearizona.com it came back saying it only allows this to be done 3 times per year!!! The previous owner who said he was the 'Original owner' must have used it 3 times this past year like the registration showing in the glove box with a different name and address on it... yeah right. SO I'll have to wait until 2018 to get the car emissions done... whew! What a mess and I'll have to save for 2 more big repairs... the clutch is going out, $800 and it needs a new drive-shaft, $250. SO for another $1,000.00 It will finally be 100% working! So I'll put into it over $6,000.00 for this car then.

Is it going to be worth it????

Thanks, Not to mention a broken antenna, soft top repair and rusted wheel rotors. I'll never buy another car without taking it to a mechanic first!! I trusted the guy too much..-Word of warning and a BIG advice to all of you!! I'm sooooo GULLIBLE!!!!

Why is it that I feel of selling the Miata NB I have now and buying an automatic NC, just because I think it would be a BLAST to play with the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel and because it's got 178HP, 2.0L engine, and my wife will be able to drive it because it's an Awefullmatic... errr I mean an Automatic?