Miata Longevity

I was hoping to get everyone's opinions on this...

A little background: I've have my 1999 NB since 2001. Other than the engine light being on because of a corroded TPS, and the alternator going out a few years ago, I haven't had any trouble from it. I love the way it handles, and it's practically like an old friend at this point.

Unfortunately, it's quite a bit beat up. The roof was cut open a few years ago, and it's literally super-glued together. The windows either need to be cleaned or maintenanced, because they roll up and down really slowly. The TPS needs to be replaced, and the odometer just hit 117,000 miles today. (I need to have a serious tuneup done.) The steering wheel is showing considerable wear, and there's an annoying, seemingly random, off-and-on rattle coming from the trunk (or maybe it's the brake pads) that has happened ever since I got it. It sounds like my car's farting, and it's embarrassing. The boot somehow became corroded, and I had to throw it away. To top it all off, there are fresh hail dents from the storm a few weeks ago... which really bites since I had just had several major dents repaired in December. Unfortunately, I don't have a garage to keep it in right now, so I don't even keep it washed like I should.

117K sounds like a lot to me, and I'm worried that the car will become increasingly problematic as time goes on. Especially since it's had such a good run so far! I don't have the time or skill to do my own repairs, so I'd have to get a mechanic to take care of things as they came up.

What I'm trying to decide is whether I want to make a commitment to my Miata. There's a part of me that would love to sink lots of money into the car - to not only fix all of the problems, but get it looking and running better than ever. After all, why try to replace something that could be perfect with more care? And when the time comes, I could just have the engine overhauled instead of buying a new car. Wouldn't that be cheaper anyway?

But there's another part of me that would love to trade it in for one of the new auto-hardtop convertible Miatas, or a hybrid sedan. I can't afford to do this now, but next year or the year after might be the perfect time. I'd feel like I were abandoning an old friend if I did this, but then again, if my friend's about to die, I should maybe start trying to make new ones?

That's my story. What do you think? At 117K, am I just starting to break it in? Should I buckle down, fix the roof, fix the dents, and have the car thoroughly looked over and repaired by someone like Rogue? Or is 117K about when things start to go awry, and I need to start saving for something new?

Mine's over 160k and is still going strong... sounds like yours needs a little TLC :D


BTW, I suck at maintenance.

That's good to hear! I saw this post talking about high mileage. It sounds like they could still have plenty of life in them at 117K. Living in Arlington and working in Dallas though, that alone is 300 miles a week, and 15,600 a year roughly. Granted, I'll be through with my job by August...

My mother's car had 183k when it was totaled. She had 10 wonderful years with the car and very few issues.

The window regulator being slow is an issue of the grease getting hard and needing to be replaced. If you look on the forum and do a search you can find out how to do this fairly simply.

As for hybrid's. Been there and done that and I don't recommend it. wait until the Zero Pollution motors air car comes out. It's a lot cheaper and will supposedly get over 100 mpg.

I have 259900 miles on mine! Never garaged and the interior still looks great...better than half of the new cars I drive at work!

As far as mechanics go, as long as you keep up the maintenence on time almost any car will last 200k miles or more. A good throttle body clean/seafoam treatment, plugs/wires, air filter, O2 sensor maybe, etc. would be a good start if you have 117 miles and haven't done anything in a while.

*Dude, keep the car and fix'er up! You're driving a Mazda, not a Chrysler/Dodge product!

172k on mine. Still a daily driver.

Okay, you've all convinced me to keep it! I really wasn't ready to part with it anyway.

Radio-Active, thanks for the advice on hybrids and window regulators.

Now I have to decide what to get done first...

Its amazine how far a little TLC can go on one of these.

The Windows are an easy fix. Just a little time on a weekend to clean up the tracks and regrease them. The top will have to be replaced. Again something you can do at home. TPS is easy. Tune up is easy enough.

Timing belt and water pump probaby should be done at this point if they have not been. A bit more involved. Invite the guys over for a wrench party to make it fun.

Just rolled over 170,000 on mine. I think I bought it last year with 158 and been daily driving it. No major issues except a whiney transmission and a top with a few small tears. Eventually I'll get a NB soft top with glass rear window and replace the transmission and it will be good as new.

228,000 miles for me and it has been a DD for the past year. I always wonder if I should put more money in mine or not. Except for paint peel, my car is in really good condition for an 18 year old car.

I don't understand why folks are so quick to drop 300+ dollars a month on a "new" car, but don't want to spend anything on maintaining the one they have.

If you spent half a new car payment on your current car, it would be super nice and last until you are tired of driving it. :drive:

I do that, but may never get tired of mine.

Miata's are good for over 200k miles and engines are cheap.
Suspensions are very similar NA/NB, so older NA's can be upgraded and NB's maintained.

The interchangeability is awesome, and these boards are your knowledge.
Not much that hasn't been tried.

Sharpie has 225k plus, and you would never know it.
It looks, runs and drives like a new one.
We went on a 17 hour (1 way) drive last september and going 16 hours to "Deals Gap" in July.
This is in a 1993 with 180k.
It runs like a champ and gets 30mpg, but the smiles are priceless. :burnrubr:

We don't have car notes and don't plan on having one either.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rogue

I don't understand why folks are so quick to drop 300+ dollars a month on a "new" car, but don't want to spend anything on maintaining the one they have.

If you spent half a new car payment on your current car, it would be super nice and last until you are tired of driving it. :drive:

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What he said.

117k is nothing for one of these cars - IF you maintain it. Neglect it and it WILL be problematic. Show it a little love, it'll last practically forever.

I totally disagree, and strongly suggest you dump the car today! I'll even give you two dollars and fifty cents for it just to help the new kid out ;)