So basically all downhill? Lol

 

Well, I'd guess 70/30 and the downhills weren't super steep. Coming back the trip averag only droped to 76mpg, and I was going pretty fast up hill. (ok ok keeping up with traffic)

 

 

I hate you. Reading this thread made me start looking for one , which lead to me buying another car....

i have 5 cars now, and no garage

 

eyyyy what did you get?

 

Pretty much the exact same as yours, lol.

2000, silver 5spd, 260k, same clunk in 1/2, batt is fubar, and it leaks a bit of oil, for $1650.

It even came with a set of 14in miata wheels with snow tires on them.

 

haha hell yeah. Try to get the oem aero rims and bridgestone RE92 tires.

Don't even replace the battery, look up the proper way to remove it. Still get low 60's mpg You lose 200 pounds, so that alleviates the need for bat assist in most cases.

Here is a list Balto sent me about things to check/replace under new ownership... he was an insight mechanic iirc

1. spark plugs that match your head stamping, torqued to 17ft/lbs
2. Air Filter
3. Oil change with mobil 1 0w20 advanced fuel economy
4. Trans fluid change- fill trans when the car is level with the ground, otherwise you underfill
5. clean egr plate- this is really easy
6. Valve adjustment
7. Check firewall inside behind clutch, if wet, need to replace master cylinder soon
8. Get a hybridautomotive grid charger for your pack. (if you want to keep a battery) Extends the stick cell battery pack's life by 2x or more, and can even revive a "bad" pack with special deep discharge and trickle recharge cycle.

Or do what I've done so far... absolutely nothing lol. Just put gas in it every few weeks.

 

wait so you guys are just dumping the battery and ignoring hybrid altogether?

 

Piiissst,
hey buddy, wanna buy a turbo?

Look at the turbo off a one liter ecoboost. From what I understand it seems a turbo seems to promote more lean burn at normal throttle inputs.

 

I am not, my battery is still ok. It is an option, though. The battery is not integral, the car is still an extremely effective commuter because of the lean burn and aerodynamics. It has a starter, as well, so no modifications are needed after IMA (integrated motor assist) is removed. Usually the electric motor is used to start the engine.

Someday, but for now I will not spend any money, and continue to save.

 

But that turbo would help you hypermile even more!

 

First full tank... 674 miles with 10.3 gallons, driving normally, keeping up with or passing traffic.

 

 

The lifetime MPG of the one I picked up is 46.3mpg. It's been neglected for a while...

Balancing/cycling the battery now, new tires are on teh way too.

 

I've always wanted one of these and almost bought one to replace the vic. But I didnt because all the ones up here at 280k+ miles and most people seem to own like 2-3 with at least one parts car. Seems like another miata. I'd probably also K swap in boredom and still get over 40mpg.

 

Thats because they never rust... the engines run longer than just about anything thats not diesel. The parts cars get used for all the stupid popits and hardware that fail befor the rest of the car.

 

 

Maybe Balto will comment more on the topic, but they are quite cheap to maintain, 280k on the engine is less than half it's service life. Get one.

One of us. One of us. One of us.

 

Nice! Im sure it will thank you, and bring you that strange joy/pride/smugness of saving more money than anyone else on the road.

 

I was ready to move on a new car, then: