Brother can you spare a...grille?

Bob I don't think anyone else has asked but I am curious why Mazda chose not to include a grill on the Miata. Was damage to the radiator not a concern or were there other reasons (i.e., cost)? Seeing how popular an accessory it is it leaves me wondering. Thanks!

Jamie Blumenfeld, Hartford, CT USA

A little bit of philosophy (about having the car a bit on the minimalist side) a bit of cost considerations (since we spent a lot on the chassis and had to watch the dough elsewhere, lest we have to buy really crappy tires) and with little aesthetic impact we just decided to focus efforts elsewhere.

Besides, it provides employment and economic stability for participants in the aftermarket grill trade, preventing a new Depression.

bwob

The Miata's not quite a WRC contender

I purchased on of the first (1990) Miatas and still own the car. I am moving to a small Caribbean island and the roads are sometimes a problem regarding rocky and uneven surfaces and conditions. I want to take the car but can do so if and only if I can raise the ground clearance by about 2 to 3 inches. Any ideas? Your time and help is greatly appreciated.

Terry Brady, Gladstone, NJ, USA

The suspension of the Miata, like that of any car, has a window in which it is designed to function. While there was a little 'slop' designed into the suspension of the Miata to take into account the fact that some people would lower their cars, there was never any consideration of things going the other way. As a result, the Miata won't cotton to having the ride height raised by much. At the absolute most 15 to 20 mm, a figure well below the 'two to three inches' figure that you mentioned. Given this limitation, my idea is to buy a tidy secondhand Suzuki Sidekick before you head to Bongo Congo or wherever it is you're going.

If you feel as though you have to take your Miata and must raise the ride height for your car, the only suggestion I can make is that you find a competent shop and have a set of taller springs wound for the car. But given the oddity of your request, you're really going to be on your own with this one. Good luck,

bwob

Grant is buried in Grant's Tomb

Bob, I am trying to locate an ad that appeared during the first year production of the Miata for a retro-look knock-off hub style wheel. I have exhausted my sources and cannot find any info on this wheel. I occasionally see a picture of a Miata with these wheels on but I am not sure if they can still b purchased. Do you have any leads where I might find some info on these "faux" knockoff looking wheels? I'd appreciate any info you have. Thanks (and have a wonderful holiday too!)

Regis Magyar, Alpharetta, GA

The only knock-offs I am familiar with are on Dayton wire wheels, made (logically enough) by the Dayton Wheel company in (is there a pattern here) Dayton, Ohio. I'd check them out first.

bwob

Hey Bwob, I'm not sure what's wrong with my cah. I warshed it the other day and now it runs kinda funny. Should I take it to the Yankee Workshop and have them take a look at it? Thanks, Nohm

Nohm, Bahstin, Mass.

Well Nohm, I think you ought to have a tawnik and get back to that carpentry shop of yours, crank out a few wardrobes for your customers so you make the next payment on your Miatah.

bwob, no Villa

Paternity question

Bob, I understand that you're the father of the Miata. My question, though, is...who is the mother?

Dan, Austin, TX

Serendipity. A real doll.

bwob

What vintage is that?

On a recently purchased 1990 Miata the previous owner thought that having just one windshield wiper was ,well, the way to go. I want to replace it with the two originals but am told there might be a production model change in the middle of 1990. Is that true and if so how do I determine the build date of this Miata?

Ron Spencer, Raleigh, NC

The build date should be on a sticker in the door jamb on the driver's side which is also a declaration of the car's compliance with US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. If it's missing, a call to Mazda's North American Operations Customer Service Center (linked at Miata.net in the Miata FAQ) could help if you let them know what your car's VIN is.

Regardless of vintage, all the parts needed to put it back to spec would be available at any Mazda parts department.

bwob

Decisions, decisions

Tomorrow I test drive an automatic Miata. I prefer having an automatic in any car....have discovered that there are a lot more manuals than automatics...am I making a mistake of getting an automatic Miata vs. a manual Miata?

mike, Austin, Texas

Not if you want an automatic. If you're buying the car for yourself, it shouldn't matter what other want or prefer. After all it is your decision for your car and - perhaps most importantly of all - your money. If you're worried about resale, Miata automatics seem to hold residual values in line with the manuals.

But you're making a mistake in getting an automatic only if you want a manual. Or vice-versa.

bwob

Your worst fears confirmed!

Not a question, but I can't believe some of the stupid stuff people ask you! Is it for real?

Liam O'Hagan, Sydney, Australia

I find it equally hard to believe, but it's real. Scary, huh?

bwob

Something to get all WRXed up about?

Hi Bob - Please give us your opinion on a car that is new to the States and has been receiving a lot of attention in the Miata.net forums - the WRX! I'm sure an enthusiast like you has taken one or two for a drive and I'd love to read your opinion! Thanks! Dave Young

Dave Young, Greenland, NH

No prob Dave. Shock horror, I like the WRX. I had my first drive in one back in January 1994 here in Australia (in comparison with a Mitsubishi Lancer GSR - predecessor to the Evo II through VII Lancers - which was indeed the better car) and was impressed at what Subaru had done though the early ones were a bit coarse.

By 1996 the car had a tidying up which helped and some more suds. In 1999 Subaru Australia added an STi version, pumped up to near-Japan levels and was either the fastest easy-to-drive or easiest to drive fast car I've ever come across. Though the standing-start 400 metre times were not much quicker than a conventional WRX, the STi was astonishingly quick in terms of passing speeds. Australia got a handful of the STi Impreza WRX 22B coupes and I had one for a week which was even more impressive than the STi I'd driven a year previously.

The current second-generation WRX (and the first one to arrive on North American shores) is a smidgen 'softer' than it's predecessor, but still a fun steer and probably a better car than the first-generation WRX. I guess a similar comment could be made on the relationship between the NA and NB series Miatas and the first- and current-generation WRXes.

To me the WRX is a good choice for OTM (though I personally prefer the Evo VII), is quicker than a Miata by a long shot but isn't my idea of a really fun drive in the way the Miata is.

bwob

It hurts when I do this

My 90 Miata idles at about 2000rpms, but when you turn the A/C on its drops down to the normal 900. I'm thinking the idle control valve, any ideas?

Ryan Bajgrowicz, Tucson, Arizona

Yup. Get it to a trustworthy mechanic or invest in a shop manual.

bwob

Six of one, a half dozen of the other

Bob, One of our local club members recently found one of the original "one off" Miata colors at an auto broker. He snapped it up for a song and is enjoying his "new" Pale Yellow Mica Miata

Question: Is this Yellow the very FIRST yellow Miata?

Mark Booth, San Diego, CA

No. It was the first licensed (in the USA) Miata which Mazda painted yellow, however. (See, I left myself an out in case some guy in Duluth crashed his Mariner Blue and painted it yellow in 1989.) The first yellow Miata was the Club Racer concept car shown at the Miata's debut in February, 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show. So it was the second one. It was one of what are referred to as the 'Color Test Cars".

It was one of six Miatas used in a study of potential colors for the MX-3, then under development. None of the colors was under consideration for use on the Miata In addition to the pastel Yellow Mica, the other colors were solid Orange, Metallic Raspberry, Deep Metallic Blue, Metallic Teal, and pale Metallic Green. All were built in the first quarter of 1990. As with the Yellow car in San Diego, the whereabouts of the Orange, Light metallic Green and Metallic Teal cars are known. The Raspberry car may be in Saint Louis and the Deep Metallic Blue car is rumored to have been totaled, although there's been no confirmation of that.

One of these six cars, the Teal one, has a page in the 'Member Rides' pages at Miata.net. Hopefully a couple more will follow suit.

bwob

Wake-up call - Vacation's over

The other day while off-roading my stock Miata, I noted the deep woods performance leaves a little to be desired. This leads to two(probably oft asked) questions.
1. Why wont my 32x12 monster mudders fit within the Miata fenderwells.
2. Why did you not design a larger engine bay to accommodate say, the 472ci motor that is in my mom's 69 Cadillac(it's been waiting in the front yard for 10 years for just such a swap)?

Other than this little area of complaint, the Miata is a great car.

ps. How do most owners mount their gun rack to the plastic rear window?

David Witherow, Peachtree City, Ga.

It's a good thing I just got back from vacation and am well rested...

bwob

Huh? One Miata better than ten 911s?

Okay Bob, no more 'I just bought a Miata, what now?' questions. I think everyone has thoroughly enjoyed your responses to questions and I for one appreciate the time and personal zeal you put into your answers. We know you like Blue Miatae, a cammy normally aspirated engine, stiffer suspension with a little more roll stiffness in the front than the rear, etc. Now for something different: What is your opinion on 'middle of the road' supercars like the Porsche 911, the Ferrari Modena 360, V-8 Lotus Espirit? I don't think anyone can rightly label these bread and butter supercars manhood stretchers so I will be surprised if you do. Have you ever taken any cars like these out for a spin in their natural environment (say, the A7 in the South of Germany) and if so what was your impression? Too much? Too little? Would you ever? Let us know where your thoughts lie outside and upwards of Miatadom -- what in this area appeals to you as well done, a balanced design, realistic, !
fun, emotional?

Jasek Hasek, Somewhere West of Prihago

I've driven a plethora of 911s in 993 and 996 and the Modena, but I haven't had seat time in the V8 Esprit. Turbo four, yep, but not the bent eight.

You hit the nail on the head with the observation that they're middle of the road supercars, though there's a bright badge halo with the Porsche and 360 which the Lotus lacks amongst the general public as well with many of the rich people who pony up for one of these.

While my seat time in Modena has been limited to Tokyo (hardly the best place to exercise one of these) we did do a little bit of sprint work on the Wan-gan Doro between Yokohama and Makuhari Great cruiser, rock solid at 215km/h (about where my courage runs out with somebody else's car on a public road, even at 3 in the ayem) and boy does it sound good. I have to admit I even kinda like the clutchless manual. The open model with the see-through glass panel in deck lid to show off the engine comes off as a real wank.

I've got this weird love/hat relationships with 911s. I like old (circa 1969-1969) 912s, but really don't care for 911s till the 993 came a long and tamed the rear suspension. My favorite of the lot (in both 993 and 996 form) is the Carrera 4, I suspect because it has the fewest rear-engine traits to deal with. Between the 993 and 996, I like the looks of the 993 more, but cannot stand the 1963 interior ergonomics. In that regard the 996 is light years ahead of the 993.

My exposure to Lotus Esprit has been limited to the turbo four and again in Japan, neither ideal situations. I guess my strongest memory of the Esprit, that sitting in it all I noticed was it smelled like a surfboard factory with nice leather chairs, isn't very positive.

In the case of the 911 and Modena, both are cars which almost certainly sell as much on name value as they do on any actual performance capabilities. This is not to imply they are weak as regards actual performance (and indeed I have no doubt if either was watered down it would come back to haunt 'em) but just that they're vehicle with a reputation which has transcended the hardware. If any thing, I have respect - not to mention envy - for the handful; of companies which have earned reputations like this, since it's done with deserving product.

But when it gets down to the cars I really love, I'm afraid my tastes are probably a lot more plebeian. I've got this really egalitarian attitude towards cars which makes me a lot more interested in those which are attainable by people who have to live on a budget. Anybody can make a no limit car which is designed to sell for a squillion dollars, one of the reasons I am impressed by the McLaren F1 as an engineering exercise, but pretty nonplussed by it as a car.

I'd much rather have a chance to do another Miata than ten Porsche 911s or Ferrari 360s. Not that anybody's offered any of those options to me.

bwob

Don't eat what?

My 90 Miata has 146000 miles on it. My friends 90 has less than 20000 miles on his. He would like to sell me his shocks. Can they be as bad as mine from none use? Do the seals go bad just sitting. Also when should I start thinking about my wheel bearings? Thanks Bob I appreciate the work you do.

Tom Trumble, Jax., Fl. USA

Words of wisdom from my pop:

1] Don't eat your own vomit

2] Don't go out with ex-girlfriends

3] Don't buy used shock absorbers

Words of wisdom from bwob; Buy a set of Konis, replace the rubber bushings and have the bearings done while things are apart.

bwob

Z3? SLK? Boxster? MR2? S2000? Miata?

As an owner of a fully loaded 2000 Miata, I am very impressed with it's overall balance. The power is great but the handling is what really set's it apart. Good job! It is as close to perfection as I need.

My question is, given that the Miata is considered an 'Entry Level' sports car, what cars specifically handle/corner better? The Z3 and Mercedes SLK look too heavy but I suppose the Boxster, MR2, and S2000 would be very similar.
I think I know the answer but if $ were no object would you stick with the Miata or would you go for an S2000 or Boxster?

Brad Tipton, Wiscasset, ME USA

If BMW spent as much time making the Z3 look like a sports car as it did making it look like a BMW, I might like it. But to me the things an ill-proportioned brute of a car with ham-fisted detailing. Thanks, but no thanks.

In V6 form I think the SLK's a good piece of gear, but by my standards it's way more boulevard cruiser than sports car. I've got nothing against boulevard cruisers. As an OTM, I'd kinda like an SLK with the 2.6 Mercedes bent six, a nice six-speed after I took it to Richard Straman to remove the folding tin top and put something quite Miata-like in its place. Man, a two-seater with a helluva trunk. That'll have to wait till a lotto win. Or two.

I really like the Boxster, especially in 2.7 litre form. Like the Miata it's got more brakes and chassis than engine (what some folks call underpowered), but I prefer my cars like that. To me they're underpowered if they're dangerously slow. The Boxster isn't. Then neither is the Miata

The MR2's not a bad drive, at least by my standards. In some respects superior to the Miata, inferior in others. I've never been especially of mid-engine cars as regards handling characteristics, sort of like preferences in pizza toppings. Not a matter of 'good' or 'bad' as absolutes. Perhaps this (the question of 'mid-engine flavor') would be a factor I'd give more consideration to if the MR2 weren't so painful (for me) to look at. Toyota does (or rather did, as a one-shot limited edition) a version of the MR2 for the Japanese market I kinda like, even though it's hardly a, ah, pretty car called the Zagato VM180.

The S2000 is a car I really, really wanted to like, but can't. The gearchange is great, the engine magnificent - on paper, and it's got Honda's S600 and S800 heritage under its belt. But I cannot stand the fact it's got more mechanical noise (and to me it is noise and not especially pleasant noise) than music out of the tailpipe. Despite the bragging rights of having an engine which revs to nine grand, the S2000 is no fun unless driven at WOT all the time (when it sounds like crap). I don't care for the exterior styling (other than the taillamps), I'm no fan of power tops and I think the interior is pretty putrid. I really can't figure if the steering wheel mounted waaay to low (and like the Miata's without any adjustment) is more annoying to me than the wannabe F1 pilot LCD instrument cluster. Flip a coin...

But if push came to shove, I'd opt for a Miata with a few modifications. Big surprise, huh?

bwob