Thanks to the airbags both deploying (why I didn’t have the passenger
side bag disabled, I don’t know), I suffered some damage to the front
end and of course, the windshield since the bags popped, smacking the
rearview into the windshield and creating a lovely spiderweb.

Beyond that, I’m now suffering the ill effects of some mechanical
problems.  Forgetting the body work necessary for a moment, I’d like
to focus on the under-the-hood problems I’ve been having.

Just recently, I noticed some peculiar issues when driving it.  I
would find that after parking it briefly, when I would try to drive it
again, it would often backfire on me.  Also, it was experiencing
difficulty delivering full power to the vehicle as i’d shift in gear –
I could hear it struggling to achieve speeds that normally weren’t a
problem.  Eventually after a few minutes of driving it, it would "kick
in" and start delivering full power again and operate normally.

During those times when it would have problems, it often died on me
when idling.  Now, I would have normally had this looked into much
much sooner but I was not in an economic position to do so.  And
recently this weekend, it came to a head – my Miata died on me.
Regardless of which gear i’d shift into, the car wouldn’t move.  I
immediately thought I had a clutch problem (60K miles and never had
replaced it yet).

Well, luckily for me I have just got a new job (and was meaning to
start getting the car worked on next week).  It’s currently in the
shop and indeed the mechanic says the clutch needs to be replaced.  He
hasn’t looked at any other issues yet.

I’m present here on the list to basically become more informed about
my car.  despite my obvious negligence in taking care of the vehicle,
I’m really not stupid.  I swear .  I was just broke and only had the
Miata as my primary means of transportation.

I don’t want to sell the car.  I want to get it fixed.  I know there
will be more issues in regards to getting it fixed (considering the
engine problem I had that I described).  What I’m hoping for here is
some feedback from the Miata experts.  What’s the best way for me to
learn more about my car so I don’t sound like a complete neophyte when
talking to the mechanic?  Can I come here for advice on what needs to
be fixed?  Once the under-the-hood issues are fixed, i’d like to get
the bodywork done and I would hope to not have to spend a fortune on
it, so I’m hoping you folks here can steer me in the right direction.

Maybe if I’m lucky enough, I may learn enough to do some of the work
myself.

What are the best sources for becoming less mechanically inept?

Even though i’ve been cruel to her with my lack of funds these past
two years, I really love my 1999 Miata and I don’t plan on selling it.
 She’s only got 60K miles on her and I’d like to put thousands more.

Any help or comments or sugestions you have would be most appreciated.

Myron Mychal
Owner of an ill 1999

I’d like something a little lower than stock but not too harsh
— progressive rate would be ideal.  My mechanic recommended
Eibach. But, they’ve been on back-order for 2.5 months, and
there’s no sign they’ll ever ship.

I asked about H&R, but he said they were a lot harsher than the
Eibach springs and wouldn’t be much fun for normal street use.

So, I’ve got two questions for the group:

 1) Does anybody know a retailer that might have Eibach springs
    in stock?  I’ve checked with mmmiata.com, and they don’t
    have them.

 2) Can anybody recommend something similar to the Eibach
    springs?  They need to fit a 96M (which has ABS), so Tokico
    is out, and I don’t know which others will fit an ABS
    equipped 96. Jackson Racing?  Apex?

–
Grant Edwards                   grante             Yow!  Have my two-tone,
                                  at               1958 Nash METRO brought
                               visi.com            around…

I reallly like the new "Swept Spoke" OEM wheels. Does anyone know if they
are available in sizes other than 16"? (It seems they are not.)

If not, can anyone recommend some after market wheels that look similar?
(Aside from what I’ve already looked at on Tire Rack).

Thanks

Thanks very much for any help.

any ideas?

ferris
black 94 v-spec

Regards and thanks to anyone who knows
KH

It has made me think about how silly it really is to have the
summer period in summer.  During summer, it is often too hot top
down during the day, while the drives to and from work are just
great.  On the other hand, during winter the temperatures
are unbearably cold, (and may even be hovering near freezing,)
in the morning and evening, while mid day is nice, also an
excellent time to work in the yard, and great for finding more
congenial climates down south in Latin America.

Whose idea was it to have summer in summer, anyway?

Leon

Earthlink reset all message numbers, so I may miss some messages.

–
Leon van Dommelen    Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)
  To reply to me, the word Miata must be in the subject.
                  EXIT THE INTERSTATES       (Jamie Jensen)