Yes, that’s a bold claim, being “cheapest” and “most reliable.” Especially when you consider the degree to which most gearheads drive their cars. If the average Joe McCamry or Susie Accord drives at two-tenths of their car’s ability on a day-to-day basis, we drive at six-tenths on the street. Give us a helmet and some track time, and we’ll be at eight- or nine-tenths soon enough.
With all that said, I have put roughly 25,000 miles on my car since purchasing it in June of 2008. Many of those miles have been foot-to-the-floor, 6,000 rpm miles. I find great pleasure in cruising up and down Route 33 West – a very twisty mountain road in town – at 40 to 50 miles per hour. At 6,200 rpm. In second gear. The entire time.
Nothing major has broken or needed attention. The plastic-topped radiator was the first “issue” that arose, and that could be considered a “wear item,” much like tires, brake pads, oil changes, and so on. Miatas are known to go 200,000 miles or more on the original, cared-for engines and transmissions. The key is cared-for. I make a good effort to keep up with regular maintenance – I know it will pay off long-term.
So… how about the car? Well, it’s a 1995. Mazda upgraded the first-generation Miatas fairly significantly for 1994. My car has the “big block” 1.8 liter engine that makes approximately 128 horsepower at the crank. Other improvements for the 1.8L cars include a passenger-side airbag, some rigidity improvements, bigger brakes, and a slightly larger gas tank.
I’ve modified the car a fair amount. See below for images and descriptions of what I’ve done to date.
My project thread with more details and tidbits about my Miata is over on the MM forums. Click here to check it out.
Racing Beat Cold-Air Intake
This was my first real foray into “serious” car modifications. It adds a great deal of throaty noise on heavy acceleration, and Racing Beat claims it adds about seven horsepower.
I’m not sure about the power claim, but the noise sure is nice!
Kosei K1-Racing wheels; 15×7
I bought these wheels from a MM alumni. Though they left the factory in a shiny silver finish, he had painted them several times with zero prep work. They were bright blue and the finish was awful.
I stripped the paint and re-sprayed them with some Duplicolor wheel paint. The gunmetal color looks far better than the blue, and the red lug nuts are a nice touch.
They’re currently wrapped in a set of Dunlop Direzza DZ101 tires, 205/50/15.
Mazda3 Shift Knob
The stock knob was not very comfortable, and somewhat worn out after fourteen years of wear.
This is an OEM Mazda knob, intended for the Mazda3. Very comfortable, although it’s taller than my stock knob so shift throws were increased just a tad.
Flyin’ Miata V-Maxx Coilovers
My stock suspension was getting worn out after 100,000 miles. FM produced this new kit, which takes coilovers from V-Maxx and modifies the spring rates and bumpstops for better performance.
It’s definitely a “value” suspension, but the handling has been fantastic thus far. My ride height is set around 12.5″ in the front, and 12.75″ in the rear.