MAZDA: MX-5 MIATA

CAR: 1993 Mazda MX-5 Miata COLOR: Mariner Blue
VIN: JM1NA3512P0412257
REALITY CHECK
I will not be selling this car for less than the starting bid. If it doesn’t sell, I will keep it, store it over the winter and sell it in the Spring when Miata prices are higher.
WINNING BIDDER
I will gladly pick up the winning bidder from either the Salt Lake International Airport, or the Provo Airport. To bid, you must have a buyer rating of at least 10, or you will need to get pre-approval from me to bid.
SUMMARY
This has been a very fun project car for me. I’m 44 years old and a serious car enthusiast. I’ve owned mostly German cars, but the Miata is a must own bucket list car. I never race my cars, or abuse them in anyway. To ensure quality, I like to do my own service, repairs and modifications, except for the jobs where specialized professional equipment is needed.
This MX-5 Miata needs nothing, but given that this is a Miata, the most popular roadster of all time, and the most raced private car in the world, the possibilities are endless. Read on for a list of everything I have fixed and very tastefully modified on this car.
All of the work below was done in the last 15,000 miles:
EXTERIOR
New Mariner Blue, high-quality paint with clear coat: this was the single largest investment I have made in this car. Many, many hours were invested fixing digs all around with the best materials. This was a $5,000 paint job (on this pint-sized car). I actually have not had the paint rubbed out because I like the way it looks and wanted to keep the coating as thick as possible. If you want it rubbed out, I’d recommend driving it home first, then finding a good shop to do it for you.
New R front spoiler;
New stubby radio antenna;
New & improved windshield washer jets;
New windshield washer hose;
ENGINE
New cam position sensor O-ring;
New cursed water plug;
New oil dipstick;
Mobil 1 High Mileage 5w30;
Marvel Mystery Oil treatments;
Ignition coil bracket grommet modification;
Ignition coil bracket 2 bolts to valve cover;
Seafoam intake and gas tank;
New fuel level sending unit;
TRANSMISSION
New clutch master and slave cylinders and fluid flush (synthetic);
New one-piece stainless steel braided clutch hose;
New speedometer cable with adjusted cable routing;
Changed diff fluid to Redline 75w90;
Blew out diff breather valve;
Changed trans fluid to Redline MTL;
Replace fluid in shift turret with Redline MTL;
New heavy-duty upper and lower shift boots (Rspeed);
EXHAUST
New Magnaflow high-flow catalytic converter;
BRAKES
Fix and adjust parking brake;
Flushed/Bled brakes;
CHASSIS
New Flyin Miata stainless steel frame rails (amazing difference - much stiffer chassis);
Penetrating thread lock on FM frame rail bolts;
Cleaned out convertible drain tubes;
Clean out all eight lower sill drain holes;
Spray penetrating oil in each hole;
Lubricate door window slides;
Lubricate weather stripping;
New passenger side beltline moulding;
New trunk lid pneumatic lift kit;
CLIMATE CONTROL
New R134A air-conditioning system conversion (blows cold);
New A/C receiver/drier;
New low pressure line;
ELECTRICAL
New Miata-specific battery;
LIGHTING
New H4 E-Code relayed headlight upgrade: I purchased the Hella H4 housings and Flosser 90/100w bulbs from BusDepot.com. I then purchased the wiring/relay kit from OctaneLighting.com. Lights are amazingly clear and bright. Hi beams are virtually weapons-grade photon torpedos which light up signs a quarter mile away.
New dark taillight tint, professionally applied;
SUSPENSION
Flyin Miata V2 suspension springs;
Tokico Illumina shocks rear;
New KYB AGX adjustable shocks front;
New polyurethane ball-joint boots (all joints regreased);
New stock NA upper shock mounts;
STEERING
Correctly de-powered re-greased and sealed steering rack;
New rack and pinion bellows/boot;
Power steering pump delete;
Stock adjustable delete pulley;
New accessory belts;
New tie-rod ends;
New front hub/wheel bearing assembly;
INTERIOR
New original Mazda key;
New MossMiata neoprene seat covers, black;
New Voodoo Shift Knob: Love this mod. The Voodoo knobs are larger in diameter and sit lower, effectively shortening throws. Double winner.
New billet aluminum pedals;
New thick rubber Roadster floor mats;
New upper cosmetic shift boot with OEM vinyl boot;
New factory climate controls faceplate;
New black felt tape on droopy eyeball vents;
New black paint for eyeball vent rings;
New black carpet trim fasteners;
Driver seat foamectomy; added memory foam;
Car has aftermarket CD/FM/AM deck with aux/USB inputs;
Defeat Auto-unlock doors mod;
WHEELS & TIRES
New 14x7 Enkei RPF1 (8.6 lbs each);
New Barum 195x60 all-season tires;
SOFTOP
New Robbins Streamline black canvas with glass professionally installed;
New MossMiata rain rail professionally installed;
New tension cables;
New latch pads;
New stock soft top leading edge retainer w/stainless steel screws;
Lube soft top latches with white lithium grease;
BOOKS & MANUALS
Enthusiast repair manual;
Haynes repair manual;
Owner’s manual in original case;
Many service, parts and repair receipts;
SERVICE/REPAIR NOT LISTED ABOVE SINCE 100,000 MILES
New timing belt;
New water pump;
New brake pads w/rotors resurfaced;
New window regulator, driver’s side;
New ignition wires;
New spark plugs;
New valve cover gasket;
Front right control arm;
ORIGINAL & EXTRA PARTS
Original ‘daisy’ wheels, plasti-dipped black with all-season tires;
Original springs;
Original antenna;
Many other original and new, extra parts;
IMPERFECTIONS
I'm not claiming this is a perfect car. Very clean and well-sorted, yes. A blast to drive, yes. A head-turner that gets attention wherever I go, absolutely. However, there are a few things to take note of:
- Having driven the car a few thousand miles with the new paint job, there are paint chips on the front bumper. I've very carefully been touching them up. They are all minor blemishes.- The driver's seat bottom cushion's side bolsters have seen better days. Given that I performed a foamectomy, which allows you to sink into the seat bottom more, the seat is quite comfortable and supportive. The good news is if you want to buy a brand new seat bottom cushion, you still can from Mazda.
-The shifter pops out of first gear about half the time if you don'thold it in. I just hold it in, which is fairly natural given you don'tdrive in first gear, you very quickly shift into second. Thetransmission is strong and feels good otherwise.
- There is a hairline fissure in the dash that is barely noticable. I've kept it well-moistened with vinyl treatment and the dash looks very good. Were I to keep the car, I would probably get a SuedeMat to reduce glare and protect the dash.

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