Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.8 liter
Miata High Performance Battery ($140) 60-month manufacturers warranty.
Had to replace my Westco battery since my car alarm kept draining it when I left it unattended for 2-3 days. So, my mechanic recommended the Mazda High Performance Battery and it is twice the power and haven't had any problems since. I recommend this battery over the Westco.
Shop around for best prices.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter
New OEM AGM type battery for M1 and M2 Mazda part number 0000-18-135R.
Direct replacement no bracket modification is required. The new battery cost the same as the lead-acid replacement Mazda part number 0000-80-0MX5-WB at the dealer.
My original Panasonic battery was getting weak last year after 11 years of faithful service. I started looking for a replacement then. At the time the dealer only carry the lead-acid version and I refused to have it in my trunk. The battery finally gave up early this year and I have to get a replacement quick or leave the car in the garage. I found out that Mazda has a new AGM replacement battery intended for the M2, better still it cost exactly the same as the Miata lead-acid battery. The battery is a completely sealed unit without drain tube. I am glad that I waited and I hope that it will last as long as the original and give me another 12 years of trouble free motoring.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
This is the official Mazda "replacement" lead-acid battery, now that they no longer sell replacement AGM batteries. I received mine already installed on my '95 Miata when I purchased it from the previous owner.
I was not impressed -- this is the first car battery I've ever seen to leak. Besides corrosion on the terminal, there were fluffy white deposits on the carpet battery cover and other nearby areas, and the two metal brackets bolted to the trunk bottom were corroded along with their bolts. I am not sure of the installation date of the battery, but this is the 2nd battery for the 6 1/2-year-old car, so I would expect that it's only been installed for a few years. Electrically, it still functions, but because of the corrosion, I immediately removed the battery and replaced it with an AGM-type battery.
It's too bad Mazda stopped selling the AGM-type replacement batteries for the Miata. Based on my experience, I will never again have a standard-type lead-acid non-AGM battery in my Miata. I ended up replacing it with an Optima red-top (an AGM type) with a much higher capacity and the ability to handle standard jump-starts without difficulty; this required some modifications to hold-downs, etc. For almost all Miata owners, my recommendation would be to get the WestCo AGM Miata replacement battery -- it's just a plug 'n play swap.
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
Mazda replacement battery, part number:0000-80-0MX5-WB(fits all years/dealer) List Price, $86.50; core charge $10.00. Club discount of 10% for Indy Miata Members Net cost, $77.85.
Total of 10 minutes to install, very easy and new vent tubes are included. Battery bracket was moved up one notch to accommodate size difference in the height of the new battery. The battery fit the tray fine and was easily secured.
My Miata's original battery was just replaced on November 29,2000. My '94 accepted the new battery size easily by moving the battery hold down bracket up one notch in the body panel bracket. The battery cables remained unaltered and did not present any installation problems!
Speedway Mazda's, Indianapolis, IN., Ed Hicks had the battery ready to go after my Internet inquiry on price and availability the following afternoon after my phone call to confirm the purchase.
Under 5 minutes to remove
At long last! Mazda has finally gotten rid of the old Panasonic battery for the Miata. The new battery, part number 0000-80-0mx5-wb, is a vented, lead/acid unit built, I think, by Johnson Controls (the old Die-Hard builders).Replace- ment venting tubes are included with the battery that connect to the existing plumbing. The battery is a bit smaller than the original and has a bit more power. Otherwise, terminals are in the original factory position. Best of all, the list price is only $83.95.
So far, so good!
Needed a new battery for a 1990 Miata I bought and let sit for one winter month. Expected to pay $130+ for it, replacement product was $83.95 at Quirk Mazda in Quincy, Ma. A little smaller than original, bolted right in and fired up right away.
It was manufactured by Johnson something, not sure if related to your site sponsor. I just wanted to let other Miata owners that buying a battery at a Mazda dealer doesn't have to be so expensive. Ask your dealer if they are not aware of this replacement. I don't want to take anything away from WestCo, but shipping can be a problem with batteries. I don't know what the longevity will be, and I didn't get any warrantee info from the dealer. Maybe I can write the manufacturer.
I learned a lot about Miata battery stuff on the Miata site, thanks to all who shared their experiences.
| Back to Product Reviews | 20 September, 2003 |