Anyone own a Fiat 500?
- Thread starter Scott
- Start date
Mazda's don't fair (fare?) very well on this list. Just throwing it out there...
https://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motor...least-reliable-used-car-brands-200322723.html
I know that the original Miata's (NA is Miata lingo for the first generation with pop up headlamps, ugly ass faired in lights are an NB model). The 1.6L engine was designed and originally built for a turbo charger, so it is over built for the natural aspiration that is used in the Miata, and is a prime candidate for a blower or turbo because of this. I forget the model year, think it's '91 and up is the preferred model due to a longer crank shaft snout than the earlier models had.
I hammer my Miata on a regular/daily basis. In truth, it has to be flogged to keep up with SoCal commuter traffic. There's a fair chance that the engine is going to see 5000 RPM in the first 60 seconds of operation from a cold start. The Miata was in one of the top 10 list's of the slowest sports cars ever built. My Kia Spectra will kick it's ass in a drag race...but you're driving a Kia Spectra. The Miata is a handling car, in all reality, perfect for your commute up/down the hill.
My dream car as a kid (dating myself here) was a Triumph TR-6, or an MG-B. When I got old enough that I could afford one I realized that Mazda had solved my problem. I could have an English derived sports car (the Lotus Elan was the inspiration for the Miata) with Japanese build quality! Of course when I bought it, I was immediately informed that I swung the wrong way, (so to speak), to drive a Miata. Back to the too old to give a damn rant about what others thought of my choice, the car met my needs...still does.
I can throw the top back, buckle the seat belt and be on the road before my buddy can get his helmet on, bike started and kick stand up. I drive with my hair blowing in t he wind, the bike guy...sweaty helmet. When it rains, leave the top up and turn the wipers on, too hot and traffic is a biotch (marginal for the family program, but now allowed on TV during prime time, the inner PC police is killing me, may have to get that checked!) turn the AC on.
My car has power steering (easy delete) and AC (not getting deleted). Hand crank windows, a union radio (works when it feels like it, still in the car do to tenure and a cheap/lazy CEO), and that's pretty much it. I somehow wore out a set of rear brakes before the front brakes, still on the same set of tires that were on it when I bought it. They are some sort of directional Michelin, stock alloy wheels. The tires stick like glue and wear like iron. Anyone else looking for performance oriented pizza cutters let me know, I'll check the model of tire.
Edit: You can run a Miata through the internet with a crap magnet on and find as much stuff as you can for a Jeep CJ/Wrangler. When I bought mine, I started looking immediately. For a change, I followed my own advice and went out and drove the damn thing (hard) to find out what it wouldn't do that I wanted it to do. Sadly, a better driver wasn't in my budget. Three years later, I still have more car than I do driver, but I'm getting better at hitting my marks. I've never had it to the track, but I've pushed my personal envelope a time or two (hundred) an twisty two lanes. The car always has something left (except for the seat cushion I've sucked up into my nether regions).
https://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motor...least-reliable-used-car-brands-200322723.html
I know that the original Miata's (NA is Miata lingo for the first generation with pop up headlamps, ugly ass faired in lights are an NB model). The 1.6L engine was designed and originally built for a turbo charger, so it is over built for the natural aspiration that is used in the Miata, and is a prime candidate for a blower or turbo because of this. I forget the model year, think it's '91 and up is the preferred model due to a longer crank shaft snout than the earlier models had.
I hammer my Miata on a regular/daily basis. In truth, it has to be flogged to keep up with SoCal commuter traffic. There's a fair chance that the engine is going to see 5000 RPM in the first 60 seconds of operation from a cold start. The Miata was in one of the top 10 list's of the slowest sports cars ever built. My Kia Spectra will kick it's ass in a drag race...but you're driving a Kia Spectra. The Miata is a handling car, in all reality, perfect for your commute up/down the hill.
My dream car as a kid (dating myself here) was a Triumph TR-6, or an MG-B. When I got old enough that I could afford one I realized that Mazda had solved my problem. I could have an English derived sports car (the Lotus Elan was the inspiration for the Miata) with Japanese build quality! Of course when I bought it, I was immediately informed that I swung the wrong way, (so to speak), to drive a Miata. Back to the too old to give a damn rant about what others thought of my choice, the car met my needs...still does.
I can throw the top back, buckle the seat belt and be on the road before my buddy can get his helmet on, bike started and kick stand up. I drive with my hair blowing in t he wind, the bike guy...sweaty helmet. When it rains, leave the top up and turn the wipers on, too hot and traffic is a biotch (marginal for the family program, but now allowed on TV during prime time, the inner PC police is killing me, may have to get that checked!) turn the AC on.
My car has power steering (easy delete) and AC (not getting deleted). Hand crank windows, a union radio (works when it feels like it, still in the car do to tenure and a cheap/lazy CEO), and that's pretty much it. I somehow wore out a set of rear brakes before the front brakes, still on the same set of tires that were on it when I bought it. They are some sort of directional Michelin, stock alloy wheels. The tires stick like glue and wear like iron. Anyone else looking for performance oriented pizza cutters let me know, I'll check the model of tire.
Edit: You can run a Miata through the internet with a crap magnet on and find as much stuff as you can for a Jeep CJ/Wrangler. When I bought mine, I started looking immediately. For a change, I followed my own advice and went out and drove the damn thing (hard) to find out what it wouldn't do that I wanted it to do. Sadly, a better driver wasn't in my budget. Three years later, I still have more car than I do driver, but I'm getting better at hitting my marks. I've never had it to the track, but I've pushed my personal envelope a time or two (hundred) an twisty two lanes. The car always has something left (except for the seat cushion I've sucked up into my nether regions).
Last edited:
