Mazda MX-5 Miata Forum

March 15, 2010

damaged Miata needs help!

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 9:20 pm

I washed my 95 Miata for the first time yesterday, and to my shock,
discovered that I had two dents behind the front license plate.

I returned the car to the dealer, and was told
1. They are not going to fix it (ugg), and
2. This happens to a lot of Miatas.

So, is there a perl of wisdom out there for taking care of this?  I am
obsessing over it, but can’t afford a new bumper cover.

Links

Run-Flats and Luggage Racks

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 9:19 pm

I screwed up big time; I drove a colleague’s 95 Miata.  Now, of
course, I WANT one.

I can overlook the myriad of impracticalities that give this little
magic thing so much character, save the trunk issue.  I have to have
enough trunk for a small amount of equipment, or I run into an impasse
in trying to justify this.

So I’m wondering about the viability of freeing up trunk space by
tossing the spare, and putting on some type of run-flat tire.  Is
there any trunk in a Miata with the spare tire gone?

Failing this, has anyone ever secured luggage to the so-called luggage
rack?  How did that work?  I see a lot of racks, but none in use.

And it’s true what they say, most decision making is a desperate
attempt to justify a conclusion you’ve already reached…..

Thanks

OE Horn + Aftermarket Horn Combo

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 9:19 pm

I am interested in installing an after market air horn while also
keeping the OE horn in my 1990 Miata.

I like the safety aspect of an air horn for a Miata.  However an air
horn might be excessive if all you want to do is to get the driver in
front of you to notice that the light has turned green.

I seem to recall reading, quite some time ago, about a setup that would
allow for the OE horn to be used for a gentle toot by quickly tapping on
the horn activator.  A quick tap would not invoke the air horn.  The air
horn could only be activated by a continuous depressing of the horn
activator.

I am aware of the possibility of setting up a switch to go from one horn
to the other, but as I recall, the article I read about this method did
not require a switch. ( I seem to remember this setup referred to as
"Fred’s Method" , but I could be wrong about that).

Any advice on how I might go about this dual setup would be appreciated.

Rick.

Re: "Glad to meet you !"

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 9:19 pm

"Glad to meet you too!"
Hi to you!
I’m Jason Grott from Sunrise, Florida, USA, and I am happy to meet you!
I am OK!
Sincerely yours,
Jason00


‘92 Classic Red – "Phoenix"
 Team Everglades Miata Club
 Team r.a.m.m.m.
 Team Miata World (1-800-832-3292)
 Team You paid how much for yours? ;-)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
http://members.tripod.com/~JasonZero

Help with Shock Choices

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 9:18 pm

Anyone have any recommendations for shock replacements on a 1990 Miata.
I’ve put 90,000 miles on it since ‘89 and even though most driving
seems  comfortable on the open road, it’s getting extra jarring on small
bumps.  I’m NOT looking for anything race style stiff.  Know of any
compromise level in a brand name unit?

Thanks

Bob Remick

Painting brake calipers…

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 9:17 pm

In my jubilation after replacing my steel wheels with the factory seven
spoke wheels, I thought, ‘How would those brake calipers look painted?’
Have any of you done this? Do you have any pictures (either on the web or
via e-mail)? Is it as simple as some paint (high remp necessary?), and
some masking tape? Thanks!

Craig

Popup headlight cover alignment

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 9:17 pm

I vaguely remember seeing a post about headligh alignment.
I have a 97 MX5. The right hand headlight cover seems to be about 5mm below
the bonnet line.
The bonnet doesn’t seem to be bent but that’s the visual effect!!
How can this be fixed??

Cheer
Vern

Pirelli and Dunlop opinions?

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 9:17 pm

Consumer Reports tire test in Feb. (p44) listed Pirelli P400, followed by
Dunlop SP40 A/S as first and second choice in their tests.  Since my driving is
relatively sedate compared to some of the wild people cruising here, I don’t
need the Yoko A520’s.  The CR tests are good, but we all know that a particular
tire can be a jewel on one car, and a total clod on a different make.  Has
anyone an opinion on either of these?  Or should I just buy the Pirellis and go
teeter around a couple of corners and report back here?

RSVP (French for lemme know, willya)

Joe

Red ‘93
Out of hibernation with new Robbins top today…Hooray!  
JBO…@AOL.COM

From out of the blue (warning low Miata content)

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 9:16 pm

Well, we all have that certain person in our past that we wish would
reappear and be a part of our lives again, right????

Well, last night at about 9 pm, mine called me.  Kara Smith, still Smith
mind you, even though last time I had spoken with her, she was engaged
to a fighter Jock….

Well, it turns out she’s not married, but does have twin daughters 6
weeks old, and is finally out of the Air Force.

Well, after a few hours of catching up with her, I was about to flip out
some of the coincidences in our lives….  relationships, friends,
family and personal.  Odd.

But I knew she had bought a car years ago, and I was impressed by her
choice…  What was it, I ask, a convertible, right??

Yes, she responds, a Miata.  

Oh wow, I say, what year???

1993, it’s Blue.

Blue?  Mine’s a 94 Laguna Blue (sorry Lance)

Yep, same damn car.  Exact same damn car.

See, I told you low Miata content…

Daniel J

March 14, 2010

More Dealer BS

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 11:01 am

Hey guys,

I found this Q and A in our local rag.  Typical of dealers trying to gouge the
uninformed.  Guess where I’ll *never* take my car?  Damn, that’s a bad
experience at all *three* local Mazda dealers.

David
‘90 White

———–

> Question: I have a 1990 Mazda Miata which I drive only in summer. As a result it now has only 70,000 kilometres. The service chart calls for a timing belt replacement at 96,000 km or five years. I am well past the time, but well short of the mileage. Since this is a fairly expensive service, I would like to know if the belt age is sufficient to warrant the procedure, or if I should wait for the mileage to add up.

> Answer: John Pichette, service manager at Carling Motors, replies:

You’re in a Catch 22 situation. As you know, the timing belt is made of rubber
and is subject to wear and stretching over time. You have not reached the
recommended mileage parameters, but you cannot discount the fact that the time
limit has been surpassed.  Should the timing belt break, the ensuing damage to
the engine valvetrain will make the cost of only replacing the timing belt
look small in comparison. My recommendation is to replace the timing belt now
as preventive maintenance.

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