/ /

Solid, running, driving project car

  • Location: Mount Crawford, Virginia, United States
  • Make: Mazda
  • Model: MX-5 Miata
  • Type: Convertible
  • Year: 1990
  • Mileage: 259,762
  • VIN: JM1NA3510L0143282
  • Color: Blue
  • Engine size: 1.6
  • Number of cylinders: 4
  • Power options: Air Conditioning
  • Fuel: Gasoline
  • Transmission: Manual
  • Drive type: RWD
  • Interior color: Black
  • Drive side: Left-hand drive
  • Safety options: Driver Airbag
  • Options: CD Player, Convertible
  • Vehicle Title: Clear

1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata Description

Here you see a 1990 Mazda Miata project car. It was the previous owner's daily driver, which inspired him to install a new soft top shortly before selling it on to me. I acquired this car to be a weekend runabout, and had thoughts of putting a roll bar in it for occasional track days, though I've never so much as autocrossed it.I replaced the clutch, brake pads (Hawk HPS) and rotors on all 4 corners and all fluids.I've also upgraded the brake lines and clutch slave cylinder line to Goodridge stainless pieces.The car has some electrical foibles which I assume are related to a radio install which occurred before I knew of the car. Fortunately, these are limited to a slow drain to the battery and the parking lights coming on when the ignition is powered.Though I have owned the car a while, I have put many fewer miles on it than I had expected to, so the clutch and brakes are largely indistinguishable from new. The tires, on the other hand, are entirely new. The previous set had dry-rotted, so baby has new shoes with less than 15 miles on the set.Also new is a high-capacity Yonaka all-aluminum radiator. The end-caps came undone on the original, and my rule of thumb is to upgrade every part that I replace, if a reasonable upgrade is possible. This radiator is much more than reasonable, and could probably cool 2-3 of these cars simultaneously.Though the ignition key is broken, the car starts normally with a stub the previous owner made from the original key's remnants. I do have a good O.E. key for the trunk, and a replacement ignition cylinder is included with the car. Transmission shifts well, clutch and brakes work perfectly, and all lights function as they should.Soft top is in excellent shape and works smoothly. Engine starts well and runs on all 4. The exhaust system will need some attention, as there is a very minor gasket leak at the front, and the tailpipe doesn't quite line up with the notch in the rear valence.
The driver's seat has wear in the outer upholstery, but the foam within is in decent shape.
Various bits like the glovebox, original "daisy" center caps, original spare wheel/tire are included, but the gear shift knob went walkabout and decided not to return.
Paint is in reasonable shape, but has some plasti-dip covering it in sections, and the primer on the hood is releasing from the aluminum. There is no credible rust that I've seen anywhere on the car, and the original floormats are present.
Feel free to ask questions or request additional questions about the car. I'm not out to sell a wreck or a pig in the poke. If you're wondering "why didn't the description mention X" or "I wonder what the XYZ looks like"... Send a message, and I'll oblige if I can. Yes, there is a reserve, but it's probably lower than you think. Yes the car looks like a bunch of horrendous NA tragedies for sale around the internet, but no, it is actually quite good. That's why it's taken me nearly 2 years to decide to sell it.
The foundation is present, all that's needed is a new home with someone who can spare a few weekends and enjoy many more with this car!

Miata

Video will open in a new window

[panorama4a80] MOBILE USERS copy/paste this video link into a web browser https://youtu.be/Zrb4L57jTLg Happy Bidding!