Reader Ride: Gianni’s MX-5 Miata
It has been a while since we’ve had an edition of DT’s Reader Ride
feature, also known as a festival of funk, fungus and Fiestas! Regular contributor Gianni noticed the pause in Reader Ride features, and he was nice enough to send us some details on his (NA generation) MX-5 Miata.
Year / Make / Model / Trim ?
1991 Mazda Miata in A package trim. One step up from the base model with alloy wheels and power steering, but still has manual, roll up windows. Optional AC (doesn’t work – just needs a recharge)
How long have you owned it?
6 months.
Why did you buy it?
Sold White Rabbit (http://www.dailyturismo.com/2014/06/reader-ride-follow-white-rabbit.html) to move on to another car on the bucket list. I couldn’t afford one of these when they were new in ‘89, so I wanted to sample a stock one. Also it had been about 20 years since I owned a convertible. This one had 46k on the clock, two long term owners and the original top – so it spent most of its time indoors, but was driven enough that it didn’t have non-use issues.
What do you use it for (commute, fun, racing…etc)?
Fun, drive it work every so often, my 17 year old drives it some. He wants to autocross it.
Is it stock or modified? If modified, please list some modifications.
Stock, other than the dreaded previous owner replaced the stock airbox with a Jackson Racing “high flow” intake. I don’t think it adds any hp, but it does make a nice twin cam intake sound. I think I may have to switch back to stock if we start autocrossing. It will probably bump us out of the stock class in into prepared, where we won’t be remotely competitive.
What was the most memorable day in your car (proposed to wife, 3rd child born in back seat…etc)?
Driving it home and almost being flattened by a Suburban. Added air horns soon after.
What was the most catastrophic failure of parts/components?
The dreaded previous owner added a secret kill switch to disable the fuel pump. He used crimp on connectors and a little too much enthusiasm, causing an intermittent connection. It took a while to diagnose random no starts until I narrowed it down to the switch. Eliminating it solved the problem and got us to the expected level of Miata reliability.
What makes you want to keep owning this car?
Top comes off and the Alfa it shares the garage with doesn’t seem to be jealous of it like it was of the GTI and all the attention the GTI got.
Will you ever sell it?
Probably at some point it will be time to move onto the next car on the bucket list, but not for the near term.
A couple of pictures here, and some videos Gianni took of his 17 year old doing the Tire Rack Street Survival Skills school back in November:
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Got your own ride and want to share? Send us some pics to tips@dailyturismo.com. You can just free form your words,
or follow this questionnaire .
Year / Make / Model / Trim ?
How long have you owned it?
Why did you buy it?
What do you use it for (commute, fun, racing…etc)?
Is it stock or modified? If modified, please list some modifications.
What was the most memorable day in your car (proposed to wife, 3rd child born in back seat…etc)?
What was the most catastrophic failure of parts/components?
What makes you want to keep owning this car?
Will you ever sell it?
Nice ride, Signore G. I've always liked that early Miata blue and it's rare to see one so nice and unmolested now. Che bella macchina.
I'm hoping this Reader Ride post serves as a challenge to the commentariat to post their rides: K2 Mystery Car, mrkwong, Sean Scott, bobinott, Fleetwood T. Brougham, doctordel, TRD guy (j/k couldn't resist a poop joke)…
10-4 Challenge noted and accepted…..I'll try to get some nice shots of the 2002 and a short write-up to forward once the weather gets a little nicer around here. Nice Miata—-seems like it checks all the boxes for what you'd look for in one of these–great score.
Looking forward to seeing and hearing about your aught-2.
Gianni, I love that TireRack (who are awesome anyway) held the driving day in the wet. Smart. What do you do for Advanta?
If you are going to live in western Washington, you better get comfortable with driving in the rain! Advanta is the name of the buildings I work in. I work for a large software company based in Redmond, WA.
Aha! Thought it might have something to do with the bank. Not so much; just a guess. Are you a programmer, owner or management?
If he's the owner of a large software company based in Redmond, WA, I'd be really surprised if the NA Miata would be the first reader ride he'd be sharing with DT. Think more along the lines of Porsche 959…
i'm thinking more along the lines of Boeing 787
I actually am an owner, but my ownership percentage is something like 0.0000000000001%.
Sounds like the typical marriage.
My favorite early package and color. 1991 didn't have the short ended crank did it?
Early '91's do, The serial number cut off is documented on miata.net. My car was built in August, 1990 so it has the SNC. It's not a big deal, it only becomes an issue when you change the timing belt and don't follow the procedure to use the correct replacement crank pulley bolts, correct torque and locktite. There are some SNC's out there with 300k miles on them.
Great idea, Gianni. Where were you when I needed you on the Hood Challenge?
Here's my NA JRSC M45. New Tiens this spring. That's one of my students attempting to steal it.
[img] 4.bp.blogspot.com/-PvumT4kKdno/VPdUWRjCIsI/AAAAAAAAGE0/LrSNvR4vaTk/s1600/31031_10151581541894310_1503888396_n.jpg[/img]
And here's the Shadowagone, which I posted before.
[img] 2.bp.blogspot.com/-MDF_sFPN8ZI/VPdUTH9gHWI/AAAAAAAAGEs/qVTbera4-JQ/s1600/skidmarks2.jpg[/img]
Shadowagon. Just Shadowagon.
I couldn't keep up with you and TRDsmith…
Huh? Sure you could. You just got bored and have a life.
[img] img.picturequotes.com/2/3/2166/what-you-talkin-bout-willis-quote-1.jpg[/img]
My two teenagers use that expression. Their friends have no idea what it means…
Ha ha! It's awesome that you've educated them on the finer things in life, "Diff'rent Strokes" being a perfect example.
BTW, have you done the droopy eyeball vent repair yet? I need to do that this spring. Been putting it off. If you have, any pointers? Last summer I did the rain rail gonzo repair and it nearly broke my spine in about a million pieces. But it worked like a charm.
No, I have one eyeball that is getting a little lazy. I was dredding the invasive fix, but I saw a clever post on miata.net a while back. Go to the fabric store and buy some adhesive velcro tape. Stick the fuzzy side to the eyeball and it won't move until you move it. Very clever.
I've been just too lazy to do it and normally the top is down 99% of the time. But it's getting a bit old. I've seen the stuff online, but I found the suggestion of felt instead of velcro an interesting one. Sounds like a lot of people bust stuff up when they try it. I've got a bone tool (hey now, no jokes) that I think will help with that. We'll see; something for the Spring!
[img] edgecastcdn.net/800034/ perpetualkid.com/productimages/sm3/DASH-2340.jpg[/img]
The previous owner of my NA installed a monster sound system that has zero place in this car; the entire trunk is filled with a subwoofer. It's frankly retarded but every time I pop open the hood I get the giggles over the absurdity of it and can't bring myself to remove it. It's like a humorously shaped tumor or something.
So how about doing a write up for Shadowagon and your NA?
Any time. Vince has but to say the word.
I've never gotten an invitation from Vince. Maybe I'm not on the A list 🙂 You can just write it up according to the template above and send it in to tips@dailyturismo.com along with some pictures.
Welcome to…
[img]data:image/png;base64,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[/img]
Here's my '83 Longbed SR-5 Toy. Ice-cold A/C, front and rear Detroit Truetrac lockers and 4.88 gears. I am going to sell, hope to replace it with an '85 4runner soon.
[img] chargeandride.com/hilux/IMAG0217.jpg[/img]
Awesome truck. I've driven many a Hilux.
Looks like a really fun ride Gianni. Beautiful color!
My car has been exposed on here before, but it wasn't quite done.
Here it is all put together.
[img] i10.photobucket.com/albums/a106/sscott55/P9250094_zpsc0e31a3d.jpg[/img]
That is a stunning vehicle you've got there, Sean. Just a knockout. Looks like a tremendous amount of work was put into it. What's under the hood?
Thanks K2!
Drum roll please…..a SBC 350! I know shocking and creative. It is however built up pretty beefy. I am still saving up for a supercharger.
Oh, yes that's right. I think you were one of the first Reader Rides. Nice to see an update on progress.
Anybody else experiencing difficulties with DT? I couldn't reply directly to your comment, Sean. So here it is. I think your choice is a brilliant one! That engine leaves you so many options…sounds like that's exactly what you're doing! A supercharger is such a cool way to go – I have one on my NA. What's your daily driver?
Right now it is an e46 330i that I am already messing with and a x5 (both stick!)
Cool! Sounds like you're enjoying your BMWs.
Reply to comment now seems to be working again. It might have had something to do with the fact that I was running a million things simultaneously on my computer.