rconlon's Mazda Miata: Readers Rides: Classic Motorsports

1993 Mazda Miata

Started on Oct. 30 by rconlon

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This automatic 1993 Miata cost me $500 and a few hours labor. It cleaned up very nicely. My wife is the main user. It is perfect alternative to my Fiat Spider. My son has been driving this Miata while in university and someone cut open the tan top to take a look inside. I patched it and found an original unused top in black. The car is again completely factory stock and developing a patina.

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5 comments on this ride

Comments

Apr 26, 2009 7:10 p.m.
ZOOMX5:: $500? good find, must have needed alot of work though. My 1994 cost me $1600 and another $1000 to sort out a few things after.
Jun 19, 2009 9:14 a.m.
rconlon:: Top Radiator Rubber bits brakes Fuel cleanout De tree gumming T-belt Only 50,000 miles and mechanically very sound. Even the A/C works. It was a good find. thank you. Cheers Ron
May 13, 2010 10:31 a.m.
Rupert:: I'd say you did very well! And yes anyone who has a Fiat will need alternative rides. My X-19 would only crank over on rainy or even foggy days after I turned the headlights on and off twice. Then it started and ran fine! Ate right rear tires for breakfast, but was a ball to drive!
May 13, 2010 10:45 a.m.
rconlon:: Rupert, my Fiat has been very good for 60,000 miles and 12 years. I did sort out any weaknesses early on. I fear we abused these cars in the past and their reputaton suffered but this reputation keeps the prices low. Many Miatas are suffering the same iniquities. It is the fate of the inexpensive sports car. Ron
May 13, 2010 8:06 p.m.
Rupert:: I agree! For one thing, we in the US tend to consider automobiles as appliances & ignore them as such. However, we'd be remiss if we didn't recognize and note that both the Italian & English electrics & especially relays weren't the best in the world during this time period. Twelve years time equals at least !20,000 miles for a typical enthusiast car. Obviously you save your FIAT for the perfect sunny days. That's as it should be! I do the same thing with an old TR-3.