Need help with your MX-5 Miata, I have a heap of technical guides here: kzfaq.info/sun/PLongVur9FFho3xHKJjbWPyYBQK0N9ADO5

I love watching videos like this after I buy a car

Been driving an NA as my everyday car for more than a decade. Wonderful vehicle.

First decent buyer's guide I've found, thank you very much.

Very interesting video Brendan and the bit about the automatic transmission made me laugh haha! I will be sure to recommend this video to drivers who want to buy their first Miata!

Another thing worth looking at is the frame rails to make sure they're not completely snashed. Many aftermarket frame rails are available but if they are smashed and you dont reinforce them, your chassis will feel like a floppy wet noodle

Nice vid! It's probably worth mentioning that on an NA it can be hard to hear the weird rattles and knocks when you hit a bump over the sound of the expected rattles and knocks when you hit a bump.

Friday i will hopely Buy my first miata. Its a 1994 with 130hp in dark Green. I Hope everything will be okay, because the Journey to the miata tooks about 5 hours. ☺️☺️

after owning a volkswagen i can't wait to have some reliability in my life!

Great video for real. I learned so much during those 17mins that i downloaded it to rewatch on my way to the seller so I don't forget to check those things

Bad paint overspray on front/rear wings and rocker covers.

I’m hoping to pick one up soon that popped up for sale about 20 minutes from me with only 55,000 original miles. This video helped me out a lot, thank you!

Fuel economy took a real dive. Having tracked a problem to the MAF, I cut out the top and in inspection found solder had sagged from one terminal to short the one below. I separated the circuit with a flick to the molten solder bridge and got back to normal. I siliconed the lid back and we lived happily ever after.

Finally a video that is cut to the chase with good editing and very informative. Thanks.

I’m dying to get a maita , to young to drive on the street yet but just to work on it and modify it , it’s my favourite car and they are getting more expensive by the day so I’ll have some saving to do , great video and keep up the good work

Thanks for this, I'm shopping for a NB this weekend actually!

Great video and very informative. Thanks! I've had three of these over the years. Big thing I found is that if the car has been in an accident they seem very hard to get perfect again, meaning take it out on a smooth road and get it up to 65 MPH and see if it shakes. This car is a unibody so when it gets out of alignment you will hate driving it. Also, make sure the top doesn't leak and look for a window that wasn't taken care of. These plastic windows must stay flat and not fold over when the top goes down. It IS a pain to use the zipper and release the window but if you want the window to stay nice that is what you have to do.

Nice informatife video am looking for an mx 5 as my first car and this helped alot.

The brake slider pins needed to be freed and greased on two NBs I've owned. I've heard they don't lube them from the factory!! My NC had plenty of grease, however. This was a very good guide. You've touched on all the areas that my months of research on the forums provided. If you need a quick top, check out the salvage yards. You may be able to get a top with frame that you can swap in with four bolts (NA NB frames are interchangeable but the vinyl or canvas is frame specific).

Thanks! I'm planning to view an NA soon and this is the detailed adivce I needed!

Really well done!

I got a 1.8 Miata with a automatic transmission and it’s still running fine

I had the same intake mod, it was done by a gentle man Mr. Loc Steward. Awesome mod!

that missing wiper cowl plastic is common. ALL Miatas I've seen are missing the longer piece and the short one is always left untouched 😂

Particularly great video ! hehe

I'm interested in buying a '99 Miata with 168k miles (270k km), so this guide is super useful. I've mostly ever driven and worked on '90's Nissan's and am used to that engine but I can't find a decent 2dr coupe that isn't beat up to all hell. I'm giving Mazda a chance

Nice, I’m on my second stock NA. Had one in the UK about 20 years ago, now I’ve had one in Queensland for a couple of years. I prefer the weather here! One day I’ll get a top with a glass rear screen, that’s a top upgrade if you drive roof up much ... not that I do ...

Very informative guide, thank you.

Best car ever! Hello from San Diego California 😊

Totally agree about the automatics; they are an abomination on a sports car (or any car, in MHO)! FTR, I drove my 1994 125K miles, after I bought it at 40K, and yes it did need brakes, tires, top, etc. (I put Koni adjustable shocks in when I bought it, which never failed), after reasonable amounts of time/miles, and I did replace the interior with new Katskins and a nice plush carpet, but the one thing that did fail, twice, nearly leaving me stranded both times, was the clutch slave cylinder, and mine never got spongy, it just suddenly stopped disengaging the clutch! But I forgave it that, as it was otherwise extremely reliable. I sold her after 11 years, because I also had an SUV which I needed more (a Toyota 4Runner, which I still own 14 years later, also with a 5-speed MT), I didn't have a garage, and didn't like taking care of 2 cars, HOWEVER, I plan to replace it soon (I now have several garages, and cars). Miatas are GREAT, FUN sports cars, that are also relatively cheap, and cheap to keep.

The facelift mk2 is really prone to rust on the front chassis rails, sills and rear arches, mostly in countries that salt the roads. Easy to fix and prefabricated sections for all are available, pretty much every body shop here in the UK has experience of MX5s.

Ahhh 😱 of course ... this is Australian... Uk weather is horendous so all our miatas are rotten looking as skid marked pants. They LOVE rust ... you’re so lucky to have a warm hot country

HI I'm 50 years old and bought my 97 MA MX5 Manual Blk/Blk soft top in 2016. When I purchased it, it had a clunk on 3rd, prev. Owner didn't do any maintenance. That Helped me negotiate a under her. KKB price point. So for $2100.00 worth $ 3100.00 Low miles just over 100k she was now mine, but 1 key and alarm fob for the trunk, doors and arm rest. Took it in and that clunk? I put back into her the money I saved at purchase. No rattles or engine sounds at all. After paying for a new drive shaft, later new radiator, A/C, Timing Chain, water pump and Alternator. I look on the bright side, I have meticulous service records and she is golden under the hood. Road trip in 2017 from CA to Georgia and back safe and sound. To comment for the older crowd, it's very low so if you have back, Hip or leg issues; it's not the best fit for you. However, this car is my fun car, mid life no crises, drive my grandson for ice cream, feeling good where ever you go car. I've noticed that bumps are feeling a bit harder on "my bottom" and looking into new struts. It's a classic ride for those of us in the classic catagory. In regards to parts, Mazda does not carry the soft top, window assembly, rain guard, speed sensor for the 1997 manual transmission (code B0500 unable to smog if not fixed) they state these have been discontinued. I suggest you pick up as many small parts in advance as they will only get more expensive. Pick a parts, seller/buyer apps (offer up, let it go, Craigslist or Ebay) or even FB Market you can find everything you need. Go for it! Enjoy!

The fact he said burn the car if it’s an automatic got me crying 😂😂😂

Thanks I saved this vid for when I’m buying my car 🙏

To be honest I love miatas and they are all far away from me so if I drive all that way and it’s rusty I’m still buying it because of how far I came

Nice video mate!

Great video- thanks for giving really good Miata-specific info! Cheers!

Great video mate. When I get the pennies saved I might be considering one of the 1.8 mark 1's. Either that or a Caterham/ Westfield. Hmmmm....

You missed two critical areas. The chassis legs and the drain hole area you did mention, if not kept fastidiously clean then you get water onto the back of the dills which also support the seat belts and those two areas are the main reasons to walk away from buying the car

Nice vid, I think about buying NA in the future, when I get my driving licence, this might help a lot.

Hi mate, just found this video, thanks for the info. I'm hoping to purchase and NA in the next few weeks. Two questions... 1. Is there a way to identify the short crank / big crank via VIN? 2. Is there a preventative "fix" for the short crank issue

Thank you for this, Will help me very much!

Great video, thanks! We are on our way to look at one now.

Best guide ever!

Great informative video 👌 Thanks a lot

your the best Brendon , thanks mate !

now i have to buy one

Very nice explained Video. Good information and no annoying birds in the background ^^ Hope to soon find my future Miata =) 1+ SUB!

Don't burn the automatic cars. Just use them for engine swaps so the manual cars stay original.

Great one, thank you!

Great video !! Thanks for the tips looking for an NA right nkw :))

very detailed, thank you!

nice tips. Thanks for the video.

I have been looking at getting an Mx 5 1990 for my first car. So this video is very informative. Thank you

Going to check one out later today, hopefully, it works out. But I can't stand people trying to sell 30-year-old low miles automatic miatas for 10k...

Great vid!

0:41 Orange Peel look on that front door in front of wing mirror. Bad respray that.

Thanks, but why does your car look like it was painted with a truck bed linner?

Great Video Sir! Informative... tempting to get one myself :D Anyways, whats with the Automatic Transmission? Any particular issues with that as compared to the Manual one?

very thorough video. thank u

Good guide, but no mention of the turn up Lights? I would think the Mechanismus breaks easily after 20 years?

Another awesome vid! Thx m8. @16:44 - where can I get a key cover like that?

Nice one mate. I brought a 1.8is back to France from the UK in May and I'm loving every minute of it. I spent 9 months in Melbourne in 2008/9. Great city, great country. Now that would be cool: live in Melbourne and have an NA as a daily😊😊😎😎. Just the job for a trip down to Belgrave and puffing Billy on the week-end. ... Great vidéo. Keep them coming. Any up date on Sams white 1.6 since the start up in épisode 5?

I should’ve known something was up when the car was grinding at start up 🙂 I ended up changing out the starter and it no longer grinds at startup

I am curious about the air intake. Pretty cool and by the looks of it seems to scoop some proper cold air. Would you be able to share who you made or from where you bought it? Cheers

Is a miata worth it? I have no license yet and I'm already looking for a car in advance I've been thinking of a 323f or a Toyota celica AT160 because of seats and trunk space But now I'm thinking of a miata or a Mazda 3

Do all of these things also apply to the NC? I know a lot of people hate how they look, but I like that it kind of looks like a mini rx-8. Your guide is really useful by the way, I haven't heard anyone actually mention any of the problems a mx-5 might have. Also I live in europe btw, so the chance to find an automatic car is quite low.

thanks man for the previous comment! When do you recommend modding a Miata and what mods should I get(after I convince my dad to get me a manual one)? Also where do you think I should get a Miata from? I’m from Australia (south west NSW) and so far the cheapest I could fine was around $11k. Is this a good price or do you think I could find a cheaper one in 1.5 years?

Shaky camera, but otherwise excellent video. Thanks mate! I laughed out loud at your tranny advice. Very funny!

Thanks dude👍

G'Day Mate Interesting video. I am now worried about me buying an automatic, as I can't drive manual. Ok all the best Shaun of NYC

Great video, very informative! My '92 NA had some of the issues you talked about (valve tick on startup, slow electric windows) when I got it. Second your advice about looking for a long nose crank since the short nose ones (pre 91) are eventually prone to fail. Im looking to get an NB now but the NA is still a fantastic car

Particularly

Thank you !

great vid - what price bracket should i be looking at for a solid condition nb miata in the australian market? and are there any good communities/sites you'd recommend to go to when looking to buy? i find that some of the prices on facebook marketplace, etc are unreasonable e.g upwards of 12k for high mileage. cheers!

check location of steering wheel.

Absolutely want one of these! I'll be on the market soon for one and I want it red with at least power steering, though I'm on the fence about whether a manual or automatic will do me best. Most people say manual is the way to go...any thoughts?

Take a shot for every time he says Particularly lol

Hi are you able to help me out l have petrol fumes in the cabin can you suggest where it could be leaking from thanks John

Have done a video on your other miata in that garage?

what rims are on your red na?

How come it’s best to avoid lead acid batterys?

Over all a pretty reliable car as long as taken care of, correct? I have an srt4 now and I'm tired of having a car that runs half the time lol

1.8s are not "better". They have more power, but they don't rev as easy as the 1.6 and the extra weight sort of offsets the small power advantage. The 1.6 is more fun stock, but the 1.8 has the advantage of being better when modded. They two are simply different and each have their good points and bad points.

Brendan, Is it true that Mazda's with a tan interior have posi rear ends? let me know if this is true or not. Thanks for the vid's Sonny Florida

If rear brakes stick, someone serviced it and didn't know what they were doing.

How often would you recommend you change the oil? How many months or miles

going to look at an mx-5 tomorrow, hopefully this will stop my buying a shitter lol

Can anybody tell me what the white car is behind him? It looks like a hardtop fastback but it's got Miata tail lights???

My gear lever looks more and more T-shaped every day. Could it be that it's gradually becoming automatic? 8-O

Is it the same sort of stuff for a 2001

Will you be putting a shrimp on the barbie after this video ?!

The automatic joke alone is worth a likr

Hi just a question I hope u can help me out looking at buying a 1.8na that was previously a auto it's been swapped over to manual.should I be worried about anything in particular.thanks in advance

If it ticks it rips

Why did you say to avoid shortnose pully? What does that mean and why to avoid it.

Hi, I wanted to buy a miata nc as first car. Is this a good idea?

Would a Miata be a good car to get for a 6 foot/180cm guy? I’m going to get a license next year so I got around 1.25 years to grow 4-5cm

Is a 1991 mazda na 1.6 hardtop with 98k miles in mint condition no rust worth buying for 8k?