Would you drive your turbo Miata cross country?
 

Would you drive your turbo Miata 1/2 way across the country?


Reason I ask, I am looking at purchasing a turbo Miata, however, it's in texas and I am in Maine. It wouldn't bother me if it was a stock Miata. What do you guys think?

I seriously considered driving from the East coast to the west coast and back this summer in my boosted miata. The only reason I am not is I do not have the funds for it. Other then that as long as it is properly maintained there is no reason it could not be done.

Yes I would it's very reliable.

I wouldn't rely on a car I don't know turbo or not.

I think thats the toughest part for me as I don't know the car.

I am fairly comfortable with the way the car was built as its a quality kit & looks like it was installed well. Previous owner has been through many track days so it should survive crusing just fine.

Good shake down, maybe take a few tools, hoses and so on.

Take internet access with you. Hit a problem, post here. We have helpful members in just about every town you will pass through.

Good idea. I will have laptop with me. You guys are resouceful. I like it.. Instead of jumping on here and saying bad idea...

post of info and pics on the car your planning on getting.... if its reliable, why not...

Send someone from here that's close to the car to check it out for you. When you go pick it up (if they ok it) buy 'em a beer or 8 and have a nice ride back.

If it's internally wastegated you could always just disconnect the wastegate and not drive in boost.

I am not really worried about driving in boost as I won't be driving home like it's a track day. I am more afraid of the other things like trouble with the megasquirt or having trouble with a coolant line or bolts backing out or other stupid stuff that is easy to fix, but may not be so easy on the side of the highway.

The car is Eraser X's old car. It was sold, but the new owner needs to sell it for reasons I don't want to get into here. I like the car because it is essentially what I would build if I had to pick the parts I wanted on a car I built. Also really like southern cars as the north east has rust issues.

details
https://www.miataturbo.net/cars-sale-trade-6/1996-mazda-miata-%249250-47568/

I did it in four days in mine...

I'd say budget an extra week for sorrows.

You can also look over everything, literally, with your eyes before starting the trip. There's really not that much to look at.

Also get AAA plus

and

bring a full load of tools, jackstands etc.

Already have AAA plus as I have an old vw for a daily driver. I was going to carry tools never thought about jack stands. Maybe some small ones so I can keep the baggage down.

Maybe I should post my proposed tool list for ideas.

I would have no problem, i made it halfway in mine seamlessly, it really just depends on your maintenance.

I've driven mine from San Diego to Phoenix and back, twice. That's some pretty brutal desert. No worries.

San Antonio to Portland OR. No problems.

I'd say no problem...

CHeck your oil regularly and keep an eye on coolant hoses and such.
You should be fine...

Definately get someone on this site to have a look at it for a piece of mind.

Oh and 1 more thing, why are all the turbo Miata's in Texas?

They're not, they're all in NOVA.

Wife and I team drove 5000 miles on a vacation a few Summers ago.
So. Cal. to Idaho Falls (on the first day?!!), then Yellowstone, on up to Montana, over to Mt. Rushmore, then Nebraska, through Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and then back home. It was basically 100 degress everywhere we went. No problems.

Installed the turbo myself. Started with a used BEGI 4.2 kit and upgraded it with a few bits from FM and BEGI. Motor had over 100k miles. These are great cars - specially on a long, steady-state cruise. Just watch the gauges and pack a few tools and spares. I took spare belts, silicone tape, a set of combo wrenches, 1/2" and 3/8 ratchets/sockets, screwdrivers and pliers. Didn't need any of it.

As has been said, all depends on the quality of the installation on the kit. I would think the seller/installer would go over it for you as a courtesy knowing you were going to drive it cross country.

Not if it has a 3" exhaust or no muffler. In that case bring earplugs.

I also recommend bringing gaffers tape. Better than duct tape.

I'm about to drive my car 5-hours away, run TT in it, then drive it another 5-hours home. The difference is that I know the car is properly sorted.

I wouldn't.


I mean Im sure its reliable enough to make it but it needs a lot more leg room and a lot less decibels to be considered for a really long trip.

I will have earplugs with me. Anyone know how loud the enthuza exhausts are with the resinator?

Thanks for the line on gaffers tape. Never heard of it before, but it looks like neat stuff.

On the plus side for going to Texas, at least I'd get to eat some real Texas BBQ. Nothing like it..

And bring a shotgun.

For safety or to go to the range with?

this:

and this:

I let two people I had never met in my live drive my car from columbus, ohio to LA. Then I flew out to LA with a buddy, and spent a week driving back. I met one of those two people while I was in LA, the other I hope to meet soon.

The car happily made it both ways.

I already have. Drove from Monterey, CA to Jacksonville, FL (via San Angelo, TX) and then on to Fayetteville NC. Some earplugs would have been nice with the 3" non-resonated-nor-catted Enthuza.

FWIW, I made it from San Angelo to Jacksonville in 19 hours. Not the smartest thing I've done..

Would I drive my whip across the country? Yes, and I plan on it.

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:d...ike_swoosh.jpg

Does anyone one have an concerns about the Megasquirt or are they fairly robust & reliable?

Also, someone contacted me via pm about asking price. What would you guys think is a fair price? It's hard to put a value on things because I know what it would cost me to build, and you never really get your $$ back out of a project when you sell.

I have been using MS since spring 2007 without any issues that have not been caused by me. As long as it is tuned correctly then there should be no issues driving it across the country.

When properly tuned and assembled the megasquirt is nearly reliable as the stock ECU. Ive been on a couple 1,000+ mile trips with mine, no reliability issues.

I know everyone is saying to pack tools, but that's bullshit. Pack a tow truck.

A tow truck is going to be hard to check at the airport.

Also, how hard is a decent Miata hood to find? This one has some hail damage. May be good opportunity to get one with a vent.

Bellingham, WA to San Antonio, TX. Took a couple scenic routes but made it back in 3.5 days (2500 miles). The only issue I ran into was overheating through the Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas heat but that's an issue I'm sorting out right now (most likely lack of ducting).

Bring Internet Access for sure. If you can pack tools on the plane that'd be great.

If not go drop $30-40 on the basics at wal-mart before leaving the general area you buy the car in.

I did 5-6 800 mile round trips in mine, all without a single hiccup. If your really worried, its far cheaper to have a car shipped then it it to fly down and drive up. Just have someone take a look at it for you.

I checked that and its about 1/2 as much to fly & drive. I am looking at $1000 to ship or $300 for ticket plus gas which I estimate around $200+/-. I have a few places I can stay along the way. Theres food, but I gotta eat here too.

Thanks for all the advice.

i drove mine on a 2 hour drive each way and blew it up lol. so....no

Learn how to tune :jerkit:

Would I drive cross country....Hell yeah! I already made a few 1000 mile hauls and it was smooth as butter.

And of course a big +1 on bringing tools and a few spare necessary parts.

sub 12AFR through the needle, and 10 from 1500 before up until redline, pretty sure it was on the safe side.

I thought you popped it when you were drifting while pounding the revlimiter?

no. i popped it at 55mph on the highway in 5th gear....randomly lol.

:confused::confused::confused:

sorry, 3 times a week for hte past two weeks it has been bouncing off the rev limiter. i was driving home from north carolina when it popped.

that comment was merely that it is a car that is not babied

I've done it...no problem. I even did a track day in the middle and set 2nd FTD. 5,500 miles in under 2 weeks.

After watching and crewing a 24-hour "Cump-Car" race...I ahve a new found respect for shitbox old cars.

Thanks for all the opinions guys. I am will be trying to schedule a time to pick the car up in the next few weeks.

3 pages and no one suggests the only item truly needed to keep a turbo Miata on the road????

^ Truth. Rainbow zip ties are required to keep the miata on the road.

Haha good one. I will be equipped with duct tape, zip ties, jb weld and other necessary tools for roadside repairs.

I used to keep a socket set and laptop handy for every out of town trip. After a few months of zero issues I don't even carry a spare tire on my 45 min highway commute.