Don't own one - my son is BEGGING for a Miata!
 

Hello from Chicago! Thought it might be a good idea to start learning everything I possibly can about Miatas....aside from watching them take turns on a track like they have glue on their tires and no brakes!

My son (a few weeks away from his 17th birthday) is completely in love with the Miata and I've offered to chip in for [drum roll please] his very own first car. It's not my favorite choice for a new driver BUT he's been driving my 2001 Bullitt now that the race season has ended....and I want my f*&$ing car back, lol!!!

I'll probably lurk around quite a bit, hopefully that's ok with everyone, so I don't screw up and buy a glorified piece of scrap metal - cause right now I can't tell one from another. Sooooo......if I do jump in on a discussion or ask a question? Try to remember I'm a newbie in this Miata world and go easy on me?

Thanks - Teresa

What are you looking to spend? That will sway my advice greatly.

Stay away from the '90-'93 cars because they had weak rear differentials, smaller brakes, and a few other issues. The '94-'97 cars are bulletproof and parts are cheap. The '99-00 cars were heavier than the earlier ones but had better breathing cylinder heads. In '01-05 they added variable valve timing to the intake camshaft for a few more horses and a broader torque curve. The Mazdaspeed versions were factory turbo cars from '03-05 but were heavy and had a very small turbo and an awful ECU. If you plan to ever add a turbo it is better to start from scratch.

There were special editions and special option packages along the way that had nice things like limited slip differentials and some had 6 speed transmissions instead of 5 speeds. It is also possible to find cars for sale with very well-sorted turbo and suspension systems, and even roll bars if you are interested. I am involved in several Miata forums and track my turbo Miata so I can try to aid you in your search if you'd like.

Give me some idea what you are looking to spend and what you are interested in doing with the car and I will try to point you in the right direction.

Here is a turbo Miata with a built engine and many thousands of dollars of desirable supporting modifications. The cheapo wheels that are on the car in the picture are not the ones he is selling with the car. He is selling 949Racing 6UL 15x8 wheels with it.

1997 Mazda Miata - $4750 - Miata Turbo Forum - Turbo Kitten is watching you test compression.

or this non-turbo one in Illinois (asking $2k too much):
1995 Mazda Miata - $6,500 - Miata Turbo Forum - Turbo Kitten is watching you test compression.

Non-turbo one Texas:
2000 Mazda Miata LS - $5700 - Miata Turbo Forum - Turbo Kitten is watching you test compression.

This is fantastic! Thank you so much and PM sent :-)