It seats two. It's Laguna Seca Blue. My rust-free 1991 Mazda Miata.

[22AudiQ]

After an unsuccessful trip with 200HP4dr to see a terrible E30, I actually came upon an unbelievably clean Miata just down the road from me. I've been looking for a reasonably reliable, somewhat fuel savvy vehicle for a few weeks now and this seems to fit the bill. I just couldn't say no at this price and in this condition. And it's a TCL Darling!

1991 Mazda Miata in Laguna Seca Blue
100k
1.6L
5 Speed manual
Garaged every winter
ALL maintenance and service records
New clutch and top with glass window
Mild suspension upgrades (cross brace and underbody stuff)
Owned by an old woman and her adult son, who is in the local Miata club, since 1993.

Most attractive to me?

NO RUST-- the rarest feature on a car in North East Ohio.

I paid $3,400 after talking the owner down from $4,000. Rusty, abused examples go for $2500 here.

The Miata with my Audi. The Audi is going to be taken off the road to have some issues addressed. Rear wheel bearing, oil leak, brakes, etc. It'll be nice to have two vehicles when one is in the shop or on jack stands!



PO installed these aftermarket headlights. I like 'em.



The whole thing is getting a detail later tonight, including removal of the TERRIBLE fake wood trim.






The only body damage on the entire car:


And a trunk full of extra parts. Tonneau cover, bra, stock headlights, new pads and rotors...


New top with glass window:


It'll be undergoing a major detail over the next few days and I may have it looked over by my mechanic, just for peace of mind. The wheels are corroded, but I may be able to bring them back. If not, I'll likely respray them white or silver or just pick up a nicer set.

Any Miata advice is appreciated!

[Numbersix]

Awesome pickup! My '94 isn't in nearly as nice shape cosmetically speaking.

You'll have fun in that. The 1.6 is revvy in comparison to the 1.8.

If it has OEM dampers on it, they are shot. They don't last beyond about 50k. Something to think about. Refreshing the suspension--bushings, dampers--on any NA Miata and installing some sticky tires can totally transform the car.

[choochoo]

that looks really clean for a 91. Much better buy than that ratty E30. no miata advice from me, but did the PO bolt an aftermarket horn to the strut bar?

[Hufeisen]

Nice find! I think it is cool that the previous owner gave you all the other items. Usually when I sell a car, I sell off the parts or rarely depending on the buyer, will include it.

[mtdrv]

1991 Mazda Miata in Laguna Seca Blue

Congrats on the find!
To correct the color... What you have is Mariner Blue (90-93 models):


Here is Laguna Blue (94-95 models):

[SSLByron]

headlites!

[FlashRedGLS1.8T]

Hot damn!

[Dave Zero]

The wood trim is cool bro. Get the Nardi wheel and knob to go with it.

Maybe it doesn't work so well with the blue, but it's a cool little upgrade from the boring black, really brittle, cheap stuff they use for the surrounds stock.

Cool find. I miss my Miata. Great cars.

[Omnilith]

Looks solid.

Please don't slam it with funky wheels and ill-fitting tires.

[Smigelski]

At the very least the rear bumper has been repainted. The car didn't have clear coat from the factory, and that's what's peeling off.

Your car has the early 'shorty' rear mud guards. At some point, Mazda changed them to be taller, so they go up over the rear fender more and discontinued the shorter style. Those are worth a decent amount to some in the Miata community, so if you don't want them, sell them (don't throw them out).

Also: What the heck is that hanging off of the front strut bar?

[Dave Zero]

Wheeler dealer guy would use a "cutting agent" and a buffer to bring that paint back.

Whatever "cutting agent" is.

[DrFrisker]

just need some shrouds for those low rise headlights

[patrickvr6]

...but did the PO bolt an aftermarket horn to the strut bar?

It gives the owner something to toot during parades in June.

Wheeler dealer guy would use a "cutting agent" and a buffer to bring that paint back.

Whatever "cutting agent" is.

That is clear coat failure, the only thing bringing that back is a repaint.

[Dave Zero]

OIC. Those Miatas never had clearcoat from the factory, but it's a later respray. Bummer, maybe it's just the back bumper cover if there are no other peeling spots.

[Fisherson]

That is beautiful.

[Bias_Ply]

Looks like a nice car! I would just paint the wheels, as I understand "they all do that" and the painted wheels on my Miata look fine year after year.

[200HP4dr]

Good grief! That took long enough!

Great color. I guess the roadster trip was enough to convince you to get one.

I think you made the right choice. You'll enjoy this car for a long time.

Chris

[N2OInferno]

I'm ridiculously jealous. I haven't been able to find a suitable one for a decent price around here. Someday, though.

[Oliver@triplezoom]

Isn't that mariner blue? This is laguna blue:



Laguna seca blue:

[Bibs]

Very nice Smurf Blue! I love NAs, I had a '94 BRG. Check to see if this car falls into the "short nose crank" VIN category...It can be fatal, but should be avoidable. Read Miata.net.

There is a series of newer Mazda head units (Double DIN) from the early Tributes and ~2001+ Protoges...they fit in that slot perfectly, have the same connecotrs, and look pretty stock. It also gives you a fully modern head unit. They pop up on ebay frequently, and the details are documented on Miata.net.

I agree. The wood trim is bad...easy fix, though.

[zeewhiz]

Nice pickup, and in my favorite miata color ever, Mariner blue (right behind Merlot Mica). If my red NB ever needs a full repaint... she's gonna be MB. No question. Congrats, enjoy, and welcome to the club!

Oh, and mariner NB for gits and shigs:



not the best pic, but yeah.

[Roboturner913]

Man I remember when the Miata came out. It was 1989 and I was at the Mazda dealership with my dad who was buying a pickup and I fell in love with one that exact same color. I must've been about 12 years old. Still love that car.

[Mike0105]

Nice pick up! Have fun with it
Mike

[ValveCoverGasket]

you went looking for a practical comfortable car that got good mileage... and you ended up with a miata?

oh boy...

[Volkscience]

Nice buy! Congrats!

I was up in Ludlow VT about a month ago and stumbled into this little garage/dealer who had a pristine looking white E30 M3. I was completely sticker shocked though when I saw the asking price at 17k... my god these things still fetch a bundle and then some. Are people really paying that?

Here it is if you're curious...

http://www.carsforsale.com/used_cars...ries_146599312

They had a sweet orange 2002 too...

[initiation]

FWIW I don't think that strut bar is factory. Doesn't really matter, and I'm not even sure about it, just thought I'd point out the possibility. That's a nice NA in a bitchin' color. Leave the top down and take corners hard

[22AudiQ]

Awesome pickup! My '94 isn't in nearly as nice shape cosmetically speaking.

You'll have fun in that. The 1.6 is revvy in comparison to the 1.8.

If it has OEM dampers on it, they are shot. They don't last beyond about 50k. Something to think about. Refreshing the suspension--bushings, dampers--on any NA Miata and installing some sticky tires can totally transform the car.

Thanks for the insight. I'll look into the dampers. I'm thinking coilovers and some bigger wheels/stickier tires are in order. These little 14" wheels look like skate wheels.

that looks really clean for a 91. Much better buy than that ratty E30. no miata advice from me, but did the PO bolt an aftermarket horn to the strut bar?

Yeah, as I'm going through this car I'm finding a few odd things here and there. The guy must've loved doing electrical work on it because there are wires everywhere-- and many of them lead to nothing at all. No issues though, which is good!

Nice find! I think it is cool that the previous owner gave you all the other items. Usually when I sell a car, I sell off the parts or rarely depending on the buyer, will include it.

Same here! Some of it is going straight to ebay.

The wood trim is cool bro. Get the Nardi wheel and knob to go with it.

Maybe it doesn't work so well with the blue, but it's a cool little upgrade from the boring black, really brittle, cheap stuff they use for the surrounds stock.

Cool find. I miss my Miata. Great cars.

The "wood" trim is gone. It was peeling and I finally ripped most of it off at a stop light because I hated it so much. It look horrendous in person! I'm going to try to figure out what to do with the center area with the HVAC controls/radio because nothing is taking the glue off.

Looks solid.

Please don't slam it with funky wheels and ill-fitting tires.

A mild drop and some 15" or 16" wheels with nice, meaty tires is my thought. No worries.

At the very least the rear bumper has been repainted. The car didn't have clear coat from the factory, and that's what's peeling off.

Your car has the early 'shorty' rear mud guards. At some point, Mazda changed them to be taller, so they go up over the rear fender more and discontinued the shorter style. Those are worth a decent amount to some in the Miata community, so if you don't want them, sell them (don't throw them out).

Also: What the heck is that hanging off of the front strut bar?

Thanks for the info on the mudguards. I think they're staying on since I have a gravel driveway. All 120 HP spins the rear tires if I'm not careful pulling out of my driveway!

It gives the owner something to toot during parades in June.

HEY!

Looks like a nice car! I would just paint the wheels, as I understand "they all do that" and the painted wheels on my Miata look fine year after year.

I was able to really clean them up today with some Meg's Chrome Wheel cleaner, but they still look a little rough.

So I'm thinking about a repaint. Either white, silver, gunmetal or gold. Any opinion?

Good grief! That took long enough!

Great color. I guess the roadster trip was enough to convince you to get one.

I think you made the right choice. You'll enjoy this car for a long time.

Chris

I'll have to take you for a ride soon! If you can fit your feet in it...

And, yes, the Triumph did help to inspire the roadster bug. Darn it.

I'm ridiculously jealous. I haven't been able to find a suitable one for a decent price around here. Someday, though.

I've been looking for about 6 months, on and off. It's by far the nicest I've found.

Very nice Smurf Blue! I love NAs, I had a '94 BRG. Check to see if this car falls into the "short nose crank" VIN category...It can be fatal, but should be avoidable. Read Miata.net.

There is a series of newer Mazda head units (Double DIN) from the early Tributes and ~2001+ Protoges...they fit in that slot perfectly, have the same connecotrs, and look pretty stock. It also gives you a fully modern head unit. They pop up on ebay frequently, and the details are documented on Miata.net.

I agree. The wood trim is bad...easy fix, though.

Thanks! I'll look into that issue.

Nice pick up! Have fun with it
Mike

Thanks!

you went looking for a practical comfortable car that got good mileage... and you ended up with a miata?

oh boy...

Yeah, I don't know how it happened.

So far it's been good on gas and I feel really confident that I can sell it for more than I paid for it in a few years if I want to get rid of it. After the detail I gave it today, I definitely added value to it.

FWIW I don't think that strut bar is factory. Doesn't really matter, and I'm not even sure about it, just thought I'd point out the possibility. That's a nice NA in a bitchin' color. Leave the top down and take corners hard

It isn't OEM for sure, but it does seem to tighten the little car up!

[22AudiQ]

Did a major interior detail on it.

Removed the seats, the center console and used a Little Green on the seats and carpets. Looks a million times better.

Before:



Even after tearing out carpets and poking around, there are no signs of rust or accident damage.




After:






Noticed a very small rip in the top near the back window. Any advice for patching a soft top? Duct tape?


So far I've really enjoyed this little car. For a measly 120 HP, it's lively and fun and I find myself speeding a little too often. It's gotten polarizing reviews from family and friends, but I'm loving it.

I ordered a stubby antenna, new H3 bulbs for the headlamps and put in some LED tail light bulbs from Autozone-- anything I can do to make the car have more visibility on the road.

Next order of business is ripping out the horrible fog lights the PO installed and doing a full exterior detail on the car. I'll post pictures!

[200HP4dr]

I'll have to take you for a ride soon! If you can fit your feet in it...

And, yes, the Triumph did help to inspire the roadster bug. Darn it.

Hey! They fit my frame. You should swing by and assist in the Triumph water pump. I'll help you fix your crank nose.


Chris

[22AudiQ]

Hey! They fit my frame. You should swing by and assist in the Triumph water pump. I'll help you fix your crank nose.


Chris

Cool! When are you doing the water pump?

[choochoo]

don't let those little wimpy looking tires scare you.
must watch:

[zeewhiz]

Did a major interior detail on it.

Removed the seats, the center console and used a Little Green on the seats and carpets. Looks a million times better.

Hell of a difference in that carpet...

BTW, what do you mean by "a little green"... Simple Green?

[Tim@VMG]

That's really cool.

Threads like this always make me want a Miata....

-Tim

[Sporin]

Someday I'll lose a hundred pounds and own a Miata.

[zeewhiz]

Someday I'll lose a hundred pounds and own a Miata.

Me, myself = fat guy in a little coat. Fvck it tho... I enjoy the crap outta my car, and I still fit in it well enough to daily it comfortably.