My First Miata - what I was missin!!

Howdy folks! I'm just getting used to my (new to me) 92 white MX5 - I've always been a rag top fan, from the first 60 Buick, to the 70 Bonneville, to the 79 MG-B, (which has been my daily driver for the last 5 years!)

So when I was handed the keys to one last week, I jumped at the chance to test drive it, and by the time I was headed out of the lot, knew I was about to own it!!

From the comments here, the 151m miles makes it just getting broken in; had the service center replace the belts, timing belt and water pump, and otherwise just service it, align it, and - the MG-B will be on E-bay after the first of the year!!!

Have one urgent need - I'm pretty sure the front bumper was just replaced - there are no gravel nicks or scratches - and the license plate assembly wasn't put back on. And I'm not in a hurry to give the Arlington boys in blue a second reason to hand me a ticket -my lead foot is more than enough!

I've been to the dealer - $ 50.00 seems outrageous for the skeleton assembly required so I'm looking for alternatives, and that's how I found this group. So if anybody has any front license mount ideas (I've written to trebensh...on this post about the one he posted, but I haven't had a response yet) I'd like to hear them - or - which of the yards along Pioneer east of Grand Prairie are likely to have MX5 relics that I can try to reclaim a license plate assembly.

Other than that, I'm happy to be here, and might just get caught up in MX, too....at 62, there's still room for new spice in my life!!

And any tips on keeping the top healthy, and protecting the fabric seats from any further wear would be appreciated...

Howdy!!

I tried emailing the fella that made the "Stiffy" brackets and have had no luck. I know he was having some issues the last time he was on the board, and that was awhile ago. (His last activity on the board was 27 February of this year.)

I'll try again... oh, and welcome aboard! :D

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Originally Posted by rrlawren

...I've written to trebensh...

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PS. - Just call me Bean. ;)

Welcome to tbe board! Once I bought by '93, I was kicking myself for not doing so sooner.

Welcome, from one sexagenarian to another. There are several people in their sixties and a few in their seventies that autocross. As Ozcop says, it's never to late to have happy childhood.

Welcome.... to the real world...



;)

Welcome rr!

I had an MG driver tell me there was no difference between his MG-B and my Miata. He was sitting in his car grinding on the starter when he said it. I said OK, walked over to my car got in and drove away while he was still grinding on his starter, but you already figured that out!

Look around and you will find that most Miata don't have a front plate. One of the few bad design ideas Miata kept. The bolts that hold the plate to the frame will puncture the front bumper with almost no pressure.

Several after market brackets are available that sort of work. Bean's Stiffy (I can't believe I just typed that) seems to be the best, but it is out of production due to personal issues and has a design flaw. There's a spring loaded one that fits in the front opening, but I've heard stories of people being stopped while using that kind because the plate is not visible while the car is moving since it folds back to allow proper airflow into the radiator.

My front plate is in the trunk. It has been there since I bought the car new in 01 and the dealer removed the front bracket at my request. If ever stopped, I will explain that the bracket is messed up and I am waiting for a suitable replacement. ;)

Just a bit of warning: Good link: Alligator Hide There's a lot of good folks and good info here. It is seasoned with perhaps too much ::BS:: but it is all in good fun :rolleyes:

Welcome!

I have a new stock mount I will sell you for $15. I bought it from the dealer after getting a ticket and found it wouldn't work with my car. Ended up having to get a side mount out of Japan.

Welcome aboard. Enjoy your new toy! ::Flag::

Just keep your front plate in the trunk. If you're ever stopped tell the officer you've ordered a bracket and waiting for it to come in.

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Originally Posted by onething

Welcome rr!

but it is out of production due to personal issues and has a design flaw. :

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No design flaw on mine. It works great. I wish the originator the best and hope he comes back around soon.

Congrats on your purchase. My dad is in his 60's and has done the One Lap of America and many other cross country trips. He also does track events each year. If you don't use it, you lose it. :burnrubr:

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Originally Posted by Sharpie

I wish the originator the best and hope he comes back around soon.

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Amen to that!

Welcome, rr! And Happy Holidays. It seems there are new additional Miata owners cropping up all over, including me (bought a week ago).

I had an idea about your plate dilemma as I don't have plates on mine yet either and don't relish the idea of stabbing holes in my front bumper cap when they come. I was thinking that there are those sunvisor doo hickeys where the plate either slides into a sheath or has straps to secure it to, perhaps a small satchel of sorts, but then attaches to the passenger sun visor with elastic-type straps (slides over the visor and hangs in the windsheild). What with our dinky visors, it couldn't stay all of the time, but it would stow easily enough in the crack between console and seat and could be put on or thrown up on the dash at a moments notice.
Just an idea.