Chowcow

Hey all,

I'm looking into purchasing my first Miata. I'll be needing this car as a commuter and maybe weekend autocross (I've never done xcross before, but would like to do it once or twice). I don't have a whole lot of money to throw at a car anymore and have a budget.. don't laugh (first car), 5k (insurance around here, Ontario, will run me 3k a year). So I'm looking at 1990 Miata's with around 120k on em. I'm conducting my preliminary research on these boards and would like to ask you guys what the common problems are for the 90's Miatas? Anything major I should look out for? What should I inspect when I'm looking at the car? Where can I find a used turbo? and lastly,

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ341180325

I noticed you guys were trolling this car. I'm not a fan of the rims or paint job, but if its been modified to that length and has a NON-ebay turbo (it just says t3-t4) then would 5k be worth it?

Thanks alot!

Chowcow

http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ312048610

Can someone also give me an accurate valuation on this car? I hate the rims and the lip kit.. Just like the Garett turbo. What's the general consensus when buying a used car with a turbo? In the ad, the women states that she purchased it from a guy who lost his license due to racing.

dustinb

OK seriously, pretty much all the questions you asked are easily searchable/findable. First off, why limit yourself to a car with 120,000kms? It's not like anything higher then that is magically in worse condition.
#1 - Common Problems for a 90: Could be just about anything depending on what condition the car is in. The usual things we see with the 90 is exploding differentials and a crankshaft pulley that can break off.
#2 - Where can I find a used turbo?: Really? I would check pretty much anywhere that sells used car parts - here in the buy/sell section, autowreckers, other car forums, ebay...
#3 - That car you posted: I have no idea what is in that car, and from what I can see, I would guess it's not pretty. If you are interested go check it out.

Seeing as how this is your first car, I would highly suggest you read the DIY turbo sticky post on this website a few hundred times, and also buy the book Maximum Boost and read it.

dustinb

Looks like a 1999 miata with a flyin miata turbo kit on it. At least the turbo kit is a decent piece of equipment, but who knows what the overall condition of the car is.

buffon01

iTrader: (9)

Best and more practical year for boost were the 94-95.5(OBDI) cars. I would get a 1.8 instead of a 1.6 due to a larger displacement and the tranquility that your differential wont go kool-aid man on you any second.

If 5k is your budget, try to hunt down a 94-95 m-edition or r-package.

buffon01

iTrader: (9)

I don't trust people that put body kits on cars...

fooger03

iTrader: (2)

This might help with your search for a 90s car

https://www.miataturbo.net/diy-turbo-discussion-14/your-path-power-selecting-your-starting-platform-eliminating-weak-links-56507/

redturbomiata

iTrader: (5)

what did you do to make your insurance so damn expensive, im 18 and i pay like $50 a month. second i would recommend not buying a car that someone else did FI on unless you have someone from here check her out, or buy from the classifieds on the forum. speaking from experience some people just dont do the work right.
a nice car from the forum https://www.miataturbo.net/cars-sale-trade-6/1994-mazda-miata-%246500-63062/