how long do mazda miatas last

Asked by belladuna Apr 02, 2013 at 12:52 PM about the 1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata Base

Question type: Shopping & Pricing

18 Answers

48,655

you can make one last forever if you keep fixing the things that break. Its hard to asnwer a question like that.

16 people found this helpful.
176,215

The car is twenty two years old. What shape is it in?

7 people found this helpful.
2,085

This isnt a very specific question but for a general answer. the mazda miata NA and NB (1990 to....early 2000s) has either the 1.6 or 1.8 motor. both are small and stand up to abuse rather well. They can easily last 250K+ miles as long as maintenance is not overlooked. The only big weak point that I know of is the valves. Often, these motors (1.8 especially) will develop valve tick after 100K-150K miles. The only other thing I can think of off the top of my head is that the miata itself is sensitive to heat....the cooling system is not perfect so driving it on a very hot day (100+ deg F) for a long period of time can lead it to overheat. on the non mechanic relatedl side....the soft top rear window is horrible if it is plastic. It likes to fade from see through to yellow very fast, especially if the miata is left in the sun. The easy answer to that is to get either a soft top with a glass window or get a hardtop (which you will likely want anyway for long drives). We have two in the family (one 1.8 daily driver and one 1.6 track car) both great cars, very fun to drive. Our 1.8 regularly drives 300+ miles and has never given us any trouble and our 1.6 even lasted 2 seasons on the stock motor (turbo'ed) before it finally had to get a rebuild.

53 people found this helpful.
545

This link has a lot of models you can learn from and make your own educated choice: http://www.edmunds.com/mazda/mx-5-miata/ hope this helps my friend happy hunting :)

12 people found this helpful.
125

early ones need the occasional rag top replaced and had a weak crankshaft keyway and occasional issues with crank end play. The first results in a no start and teh latter, a clunk on shifting. Both relativiely eeasily fixed

8 people found this helpful.
480

Change the oil, dont let the coolant leak and drive "normal". Replace the timing belt at 60k and 120k and the miata is very capable of 300,000 miles.

20 people found this helpful.
230

My MX-5 just hit 240,000 miles. It was running great and then stopped running great. Lots of ticks and shimmying, and weird random misfire codes. They changed the fuel pump but used ford sparkplugs...said oil was in the pan... more problems...everything has been replaced, but still acting weird....slows down while getting gas...I love this car, had it for 10 years and the miles are mostly highway...what is this crazy random misfire code? Can anyone help?

23 people found this helpful.
80

my 94 miata has 300k miles and hasnt had any problems other then a little over heating for the first time today but that cause its 110 outside

8 people found this helpful.
110

My MX5 mk2.5 (2003 model) 1.6 ragtop has 188,000 miles on her clock and is still running well. She does long and short journeys winter and summer and has just developed a bit of rust - luckily it hasn't gone too deep so I can get it wire-brushed and treated and the paintwork resprayed without spending too much (negotiating with a few bodyshops at the moment). Her vinyl top is a bit cracked too so I used clear sealant (it looks like snots to be fair but only if you scrutinise it). Would strongly recommend these cars. Everyone who drive one loves it. They are hardy as well as fun.

6 people found this helpful.
40

1994 I am the original owner always garaged at night factory top replaced with sunfast top which group down very quickly Don't buy that I have been told canvas top is best Oil leak started about 100,000 miles now I am at 199,000 miles needs about a quart of oil every 2000 miles Engine ping with regular gas at 100,000 miles With premium gas no ping At 195k A. electrical short found at door that made fuel pump stopped working B. Same door mechanism broken perhaps by mechanic was repaired by body shop

3 people found this helpful.
40

Drivers airbag electrical malfunction diagnosis cost $400 and repair was $300 that was at 125,000 miles

1 people found this helpful.
60

I have a 1992 Miata. 265,000+. Don't buy the Stayfast canvas top the glass window is too heavy and will rip the zipper after two or three years. Airbag light goes on and blinks all the time. I was told the battery in the airbag itself is shot. They don't make replacements. Buzzer warning bell had to be disconnected, easy fix. Aside from timing belt replacements, I've had no issues. AC no longer works, went out around 200K. I bought it in Dec 1991, drove it to 205K. Gave it to my sister in 2005 she garage kept it until May 2017 and gave it to my son. He loves it, but said it's like roller skates on ice in the snow.

6 people found this helpful.
110

Re driving in snow: yes, these cars really are like rollerskates in snow or on ice. I thought my MX5 was handling the ice until one day when I was going uphill around a 90-degree bend and some teens ran out in front of me so I swerved to avoid them, and lost control for a horrible moment...the car is so light, she didn't skid far, and I kept a light touch and soon regained traction - but after that I got snow socks for the rear wheels. The only problem with these was they shredded whenever I drove on dry ground and it was a bother taking them off and putting them back on to drive on ice, so I invested in studded tyres for my rear wheels and soft snow tyres for the front wheels. Nokian Hakkepelitta from Finland are the studded tyres. Now my car has more traction than a 4WD.

5 people found this helpful.
30

I have a bp 1.8 sitting at 205000 with 60000 miles of redline,limit bouncing 180second plus wide open throttled, rag doll driving. Belt just snapped but no legit motor issues

3 people found this helpful.
30

I have a 2011 MX-5 GT hardtop with 100k miles. The paint on the hardtop and the folding area at the back has faded in the California sun. The audio system had to be replaced at about 70k due to a malfunctioning CD player. Two catalytic converters have had to be replaced: front and back. Now my mechanic tells me that the check engine light is on due to a compression ratio in one cylinder - it may require a valve job at a cost of over $2,500. I'm pissed about that as I have had this car meticulously serviced since new and drive aggressively but not abusively. I have no recourse with Mazda as the power train is out of warranty after five years. Other than that there driving experience is a complete joy and I plan to buy the newer model when finances permit!

3 people found this helpful.
30

I am mmdlish in So Calif. 2003 SE 1.8liter, 5 speed. I am a ragtop with a hardtop. Ive only had one owner. She bought me new jan 2004. I know california north and south and sideways. My owner likes 85mph. I look like new! I have 348,904 miles on me. I have a remanuf engine from lqk w/nearly 80,000 miles....my owner just cant give me up. Has a miata guru mechanic in O.C. S Cal. Take a look. I hope like me as much as she does.

3 people found this helpful.

I have a 1992 Miata with 249.9K miles. I bought it new in 1992. Kept till 2005 gave it to my sister in 2005. Got it back in 2017. I put 2,100 miles on it since. 3 timing belts, shocks and struts. Big problem with the crank up windows and a ripped zipper on the glass rear window. Stick with the plastic, it's cheaper and lasts far longer if garaged. Not for the weak of heart driving in snow at highway speeds, unless your the ace of test pilots.

I have 2010 Miata with 45 thousand miles on it the emission code came up what might I be looking at and cost.

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