Time To Buy A First Generation Miata - Part 2

00:00 - Time To Buy A First Generation Miata - Part 2

This is part 2 of a 2-part series that explores why you should put an NA Miata on your bucket list. This small, fun, lightweight sports cars from Mazda was first introduced back in 1989 as a 1990 model and these first generation cars (the NA Miata was sold from model year 1990 through 1997) are going up in price. Bargains can still be found though, so now's the time to act if you ever considered owning one.

00:37 - My First NA Miata - From Stock To Supercharged

I talk about the early NA Miata's I have owned, starting with a 1992 NA6 Miata - a red A-Package car with a hardtop that started out stock but eventually got suspension, brake and horsepower upgrades, including a supercharger.

02:40 - Stock vs. Modified... Which is better? Both!

A Revelation: I swapped a drive in my supercharged Miata with a friend who owned a stock 1993 model and rediscovered the joy of driving an unmodified stock Miata. They're fun to drive even with the stock 1.6-liter's 116-horsepower!

05:00 - How I found my second NA Miata

My second Miata is a 1994 Laguna Blue R-package car (an NA8 example with the 1.8-liter engine). This Miata with its rare color, combined with options designed to enhance handling and reduce weight is still completely stock after nearly 10 years of ownership.

09:30 - Jinba Ittai

Mazda's original design philosophy that emphasized creating a car that becomes one with the driver.

10:30 - Pros and Cons - NA6 vs NA8

I explore the differences differences and similarities between the NA6 (the 1990-93 1.6-liter) and the NA8 (the 1994-1997 1.8-liter) Miata. These cars look almost the same, but there are some important differences between the NA6 and the NA8 Miata.

12:30 - How should you approach your search for an NA Miata and what should you look for when selecting a car?

Like location, location, location for buying real estate, when it comes to finding a great used car, the most important thing is condition, condition, condition. Miata buyers should look for cars in top condition with minimal owners, relatively low miles, stored indoors, recent maintenance, with no accidents and preferably stock (i.e. few or no modifications).

17:00 - Any Limited or Special Edition Miata Should Top Your List

The limited or special edition cars in the NA6 or the M-Edition or R-package cars in the later NA8 versions of the early Miata should be at the top of your list. These special cars and colors will, in theory, be worth more in the long run, plus they're a little more exclusive if you're looking for a Miata in a less common color or with more options. For more detail on the 1994 "M-Edition" and "R-Package" Miatas, go to:

Car and Driver/Oct. 1, 1994 - 1994 Mazda Miata Specials

https://bit.ly/3epb1LB

18:00 - Look for a Miata with a Limited Slip Differential

The special/limited versions of the Miata are more likely to come with a limited slip differential (the STO is an exception), which is a nice option when it comes to putting down power in this rear wheel drive sports car.

Call Mazda's customer service number to check if a used Miata you might purchase has a limited slip differential. Simply give them the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) off the car - you can find this inside the driver's door or at the base of the windshield on the driver's side. Using the VIN, they can tell you what options came on that car, what color it was from the factory, etc.

Mazda Customer Service Phone Number:

800-222-5500

18:25 - If it has a hard top installed, be sure to remove it and check the condition and function of the soft top.

This seems like an obvious thing to do, but it's easy to miss during an inspection and you don't want to end up discovering after purchase that your Miata needs a new soft top.

19:05 - Try to find a Miata that has had some of the typical major services already completed.

These services include timing belt/water pump replacement, clutch, tires, brakes, transmission and differential fluid change, etc.

20:10 - NA Miata's With A Stock Radiator Likely Need a Replacement.

The top and bottom plastic tank on the original radiator starts to turn green, so if you see a greenish radiator top tank, it's likely time for a new one.

20:30 - Original shocks last 30,000 to 40,000 miles

Outside of the Bilstein shocks on R-Package and the LE edition cars, the stock Miata shocks don't last much longer than 30,000 to 40,000 miles. Most early NA Miatas have had them replaced by now, but be sure to check.

20:55 - Recap - NA6 vs. NA8

Recapping the difference between the 1.6-liter (NA6) and the 1.8-liter (NA8) Miata, it really comes down to condition. Exterior color and option package should be considered next. After that, then consider the engine size.

20:10 - Extra safety features may make you lean towards the 1.8 or NA8 cars over the NA6. These extra safety items include a passenger airbag and extra side impact bracing built into the 1994-97 NA8 cars.

22:10 - Short Nose Crankshaft Issue On Early 1.6-liter Engines

One other issue to consider on the 1990 and part way through 1991 NA6 cars is what's known as the short-nose crankshaft issue. These early cars have a crankshaft with a shorter nose where the lower crankshaft pulley attaches. That pulley rotates the belt that turns the power steering pump, the water pump and other accessories. On the short-nose crankshaft cars, the bolt that holds the pulley in place is shorter and requires a lower amount of torque to hold it in place. It is also easier to incorrectly install the small woodruff key that holds the pulley assembly on the crankshaft. If this is reassembled incorrectly during a timing belt change, the bolt can come lose along with the pulley assembly. This is not a good thing. But what are the chances of this happening and how big of a deal is it? I'll link to an article below from Miata.net that explains the ins and outs of the issue so you can decide if it's something to worry about or not.

Miata.net: Lance Schall's Short Nose Crankshaft Article

https://www.miata.net/garage/crankshaft.html

23:45 - More Things To Consider When Buying a NA Miata

• Don't buy a Miata with a rebuilt or branded title.
• Don't buy a Miata that needs a lot of restoration work or repairs.
• Don't buy a Miata that's rusty. Even though there are less of them to choose from today, NA Miatas are still relatively plentiful, so pass on any that are better suited for the dumpster.
• Remember, "the next train passes in 10-minutes" If the NA Miata you are looking at turns out to be a dud, be patient. A better one will come along in a few days.

The following link takes you to a comprehensive buyers checklist from the good folks at miata.net. It covers the NA & NB Miata. Good stuff!

https://bit.ly/3VdfUbj

27:25 - NA Miata Pricing

Can you still find a decent $5,000 Miata for a daily driver? Yes, but it will be much more difficult then is was even a couple of years ago. Prices for a "driver" are probably more in the $7,000 to $8000 range, with better cars getting up closer to $10,000. Some of the special or limited cars might be found in that $8,000 to $10,000 range, but more likely will be priced higher. Some really good deals can still be found by spending time searching your local Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and other similar sites, but good cars with low prices sell in hours, so you have to prepared to look often and act quickly when a good Miata comes along.

31:00 - Some of the Best Examples Are On Auction Websites

Some of the best curated examples of the NA Miata will be found on auction sites, like Bring a Trailer (www.bringatrailer.com). You will likely end up paying more for BaT cars due to their generally better condition, and also because auction formats have the potential to drive up prices when two or more buyers get into a bidding battle.

However I have seen the opposite happen as well where a car doesn't hit the price one might expect, especially in a no-reserve auction. So be sure to check out BaT and follow the progress of no-reserve Miata auctions on the final day. Who knows... you just might pick up a near perfect example for a reasonable price.

32:00 - NA Miata Price Ranges

Again, a good $5,000 NA Miata will be tough to find. $7,000 to $10,000 is probably the "sweet spot" for good driver-quality or better NA Miatas that you can be proud to own. You will be more likely to find the special or limited editions of the early Miatas to be priced around $10,000 on up to $15,000 and beyond that in the $18,000 to $20,000 range, you're getting into the low-mile cars that appeal to collectors and you wouldn't want to drive them much. And the most expensive early Miata cars will be over $30,000, but currently that's still somewhat rare... at least for now.

33:10 - NA Miata Wrap Up

While they are still plentiful, NA Miatas are going up in price, so I think now is the time you should move on one if you have ever wanted to have one in your garage.