How many miles on a Used Miata are considered too much? Especially if I am considering obtaining 200hp (turbocharged).

I have just been skimming these forums and from what I have gathered, the miatas are good till 200k miles

 

i bought mine with 200,000 from brooklyn (city driver) for 800 .the motor was done though.

 

Depends on how well the car is taken care of. You can find cars that only have 30-40k on them and totally ran down due to no maiteance performed and it is abused, and then you can find cars with 200k+ on them and they are in close to "new" condition. Ask to look at the vehicle, drive it, take out the spark plugs and look at the condition. (They are the windows into the motor) Try and perform a compression test prior to buying it. Mine has 164k on it and runs like a charm.

 

Mine has 228K and has been boosted for the past 20K. If it blows, I will build bigger and better.

 

Engines are cheap. The value of a Miata is in the body, paint, fit and finish etc. 200k plus engines running boost arent that uncommon. I sold a cared for 165k engine to a spec racer, his engine builder said it was immaculate inside, just like brand new.

 

if the car has 100k+, be prepared to buy another motor when buying...but expect to get 200k out of the car when daily driven.

 

Mine just rolled over 140k, and I just installed a 10psi turbo that will make near 200rwhp. Compression tests showed the rings still held good. I'm going to tune it right and drive it hard, and I hope to reach 200k before replacing the motor. When I do, I'll simply find the cheapest/lowest mile stock 1.6 I can and repeat.
Proper preventative maintenence, good oil, Miata specific **** like CAS sensors/timing belts/plug wires/etc... will go a long way to making your car go a long way.

 

I don't want to pick a fight or anything, but how do seals, gaskets, and belts keep internals happy? The car can leak oil and break belts and still not affect bearings, rings, and cylinder walls.

 

They don't, but mine has 228K and the compression and leakdown numbers are:

#1 - Compression: 170 Leak down: 1%
#2 - Compression: 165 Leak down: 6%
#3 - Compression: 165 Leak down: 4%
#4 - Compression: 175 Leak down: 3%

I bet there are brand new motors out there with worse numbers.

 

i just bought a 99 with 111,000 on it. It had been raced (autox) but is in like new condition as the guy was really ---- about upkeep

 

Read the last sentence in my post. I knew somebody would say something like that and so I specifically mentioned preventative maintenence.
Change the rear main when you install a clutch. Change the front if it starts to leak (change the timing belts at the recommended intervals and while you've got it apart to change the front main.) Headgaskets are not a problem on low boost apps with this motor.
What else were you thinking about. Remember, we're talking about 200hp here.
If Savior said he were talking about 400hp, then of course things will change.

 

My sister's 90 had 278k on it when my brother-in-law bought it from her and it was in superb condition mechanically and aesthetically. Unfortunately he got rear ended only after two weeks of ownership.

 

I wonder how much longer my 150k motor will last from doing track events NA. I don't know when I'll actually start the turbo stuffs.

 

If it has been maintained - and continues too, it will last a long time. It will just continue to get weaker and weaker.