Hello, a little advice would be nice!
12-17-2008, 02:00 PM
#1
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Hello, a little advice would be nice!
Hello every one my name is Alex. I live in Omaha Nebraska.
Heres a little info about me,
I'm still in HS, im a senior and i run track!!! notice my name
My parents are a little strict and haven't let me get a car....but now i'm 18 woot
I would really like to get a miata and have herd great things about the 1990-1997 era...NA??
I would really like to buy one and mod it but i'm on a tight budget of about 3k...
If there are any people that can help me out i would really appritiate it!
Thanks
Alex
Heres a little info about me,
I'm still in HS, im a senior and i run track!!! notice my name
My parents are a little strict and haven't let me get a car....but now i'm 18 woot
I would really like to get a miata and have herd great things about the 1990-1997 era...NA??
I would really like to buy one and mod it but i'm on a tight budget of about 3k...
If there are any people that can help me out i would really appritiate it!
Thanks
Alex
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12-17-2008, 02:17 PM
#2
welcome..
you're going to have to be a lot more specific with your questions. we are all here to help each other out, and do so, but before asking any questions, I suggest you sit back with a good cup of coffee and read through all the FAQ's as well as useful saved threads, they will help you out tremendously. then you can post your good questions and be helped
you're going to have to be a lot more specific with your questions. we are all here to help each other out, and do so, but before asking any questions, I suggest you sit back with a good cup of coffee and read through all the FAQ's as well as useful saved threads, they will help you out tremendously. then you can post your good questions and be helped
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12-17-2008, 02:29 PM
#5
While $3k for a "modded" miata sounds ludicrous, in this economy anything is possible. Hang out a while, keep scouring craigslist, and you will eventually find one.
I got mine for free, but it had a blown motor. This is an option though, as junkyard specials (motors) sell for $600-800. This will also give you an easy opportunity to swap the clutch, and clean up engine bay.
Also, spend as much of your budget as you can on suspension. This is really the Miata's strong suit, and will give you much more enjoyment quicker for the dollar spent. I also don't advise any huge power gains without having more control from suspension, steering and braking. Depending on the condition of the vehicle you find, this could simply mean shocks and brake pads, or mean buttloads of bushings, tie rod ends, and bump stops/mounts.
Either way you need a car first, and you want to find a car that gets you as close to your goals as possible.
So now you need a goal.
If your goals is something outrageous that involves replacing nearly everything on the car anyhow, it doesn't matter too much what you find, just that it's cheap.
If your goal is just to stiffen suspension, and double stock output, try and find something in as decent shape as you can, with a 7" rear (lsd if possible).
Decide what you want (specific), what you are capable of, and maybe we can help plot a path to get there.
I got mine for free, but it had a blown motor. This is an option though, as junkyard specials (motors) sell for $600-800. This will also give you an easy opportunity to swap the clutch, and clean up engine bay.
Also, spend as much of your budget as you can on suspension. This is really the Miata's strong suit, and will give you much more enjoyment quicker for the dollar spent. I also don't advise any huge power gains without having more control from suspension, steering and braking. Depending on the condition of the vehicle you find, this could simply mean shocks and brake pads, or mean buttloads of bushings, tie rod ends, and bump stops/mounts.
Either way you need a car first, and you want to find a car that gets you as close to your goals as possible.
So now you need a goal.
If your goals is something outrageous that involves replacing nearly everything on the car anyhow, it doesn't matter too much what you find, just that it's cheap.
If your goal is just to stiffen suspension, and double stock output, try and find something in as decent shape as you can, with a 7" rear (lsd if possible).
Decide what you want (specific), what you are capable of, and maybe we can help plot a path to get there.
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12-17-2008, 02:35 PM
#6
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Thanks
I'm sorry if i confused any one i want to get a miata and MOD it myself...i want to DIY as much as i can!! and i probs want 2 just redo as much of it as i can b/c then i can learn more about my car right?
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12-17-2008, 03:20 PM
#9
Seriously, reading is your best friend when looking to build a car.
Your reading/posting ratio should be near 100/1. Otherwise, you will get pounded and laughed at.
You still have not addressed any other the issues posted by 18psi and I.
**** poor start to a poor man's uber project if you ask me.
Let's make this simple:
1. What is your goal?
2. What will you use it for?
3. What are you capable of doing yourself?
Your reading/posting ratio should be near 100/1. Otherwise, you will get pounded and laughed at.
You still have not addressed any other the issues posted by 18psi and I.
**** poor start to a poor man's uber project if you ask me.
Let's make this simple:
1. What is your goal?
2. What will you use it for?
3. What are you capable of doing yourself?
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12-17-2008, 03:27 PM
#10
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ugg, i am reading all the FAQ post so idk yet...My goal is to have a ride that i can enjoy, mostly driving around town not really interested in drag racing.....a little driftin for fun...even through my record dosen't show it i'm a mostly fast learner...and have medium amount of knolage in the ways of cars...
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12-17-2008, 03:44 PM
#12
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HAHA, im sorry but one im sick right now so my brain isent working the way i want it 2...
i would like to eventually get out around 220hp mabe 200tq or something like that...enuff to beet the average ricer around...
i dont really have that many tools besides the obvious...no special power tools or anything so idk about fabrication...
im not sure what to really ask...first i want 2 buy a miata...but b/c of my tight budget i dont really no what 2 look for or ask about...and all the miatas that are sold on here are 1 outa my price wrange and 2 already modded wich i dont want b/c i want 2 DIY as much as i can!
i would like to eventually get out around 220hp mabe 200tq or something like that...enuff to beet the average ricer around...
i dont really have that many tools besides the obvious...no special power tools or anything so idk about fabrication...
im not sure what to really ask...first i want 2 buy a miata...but b/c of my tight budget i dont really no what 2 look for or ask about...and all the miatas that are sold on here are 1 outa my price wrange and 2 already modded wich i dont want b/c i want 2 DIY as much as i can!
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12-17-2008, 04:06 PM
#13
I would say first of all there is a difference between bolting parts on, and DIY.
Breaking it down into three degrees of pricing:
KITS: $3000-$5000
Order, bolt on, drive away.
MIXING PARTS: $2000
Lot of homework, searching for deals, but little mechanical fab work or in depth knowledge needed, as parts like downpipes would be jobbed out ($400).
DIY: $1000 minimum
Cheap, awesome, and you learn a lot. Lots of fabrication and studying involved.
I only go through this as I'm really only a couple of steps ahead of you, being a newb here myself.
FIRST: Get a car! You can find one in your price range.
SECOND: Sort the car out. This will involve replacing whatever the PO has been skimping on (they always forget to tell you brake pads are about to start scraping the rotors). This can range from a simple tune-up and inspection of systems, to replacing lots of parts.
THIRD: Upgrade present systems to support later power add ons. This is where I was talking about suspension and brakes. Even if you aren't going after a "big brake" mod and fully adjustable suspension, almost every used MX-5 will need shock soon, and atleast a brake bleed, systems check. I personally recommend stepping up to some performance shocks/springs/bushings/mounts as this will definitely give your Miata back the agile spirit it had when new, and then some.
FOUR: Mooooar powwa! Now that you are completely broke but have a dependable vehicle that is hella fun to flog on curvy backroads you decide you want to slap on a turbo and start smoking folks. But not so fast! There is a lot more involved here, and that's hopefully what you're finding in the FAQs. This is where I'm at now, and I have to stop myself from just buying turbos and parts, as I plan to first handle engine management, so nothing is holding me back when it's time to strap on a turbo.
Breaking it down into three degrees of pricing:
KITS: $3000-$5000
Order, bolt on, drive away.
MIXING PARTS: $2000
Lot of homework, searching for deals, but little mechanical fab work or in depth knowledge needed, as parts like downpipes would be jobbed out ($400).
DIY: $1000 minimum
Cheap, awesome, and you learn a lot. Lots of fabrication and studying involved.
I only go through this as I'm really only a couple of steps ahead of you, being a newb here myself.
FIRST: Get a car! You can find one in your price range.
SECOND: Sort the car out. This will involve replacing whatever the PO has been skimping on (they always forget to tell you brake pads are about to start scraping the rotors). This can range from a simple tune-up and inspection of systems, to replacing lots of parts.
THIRD: Upgrade present systems to support later power add ons. This is where I was talking about suspension and brakes. Even if you aren't going after a "big brake" mod and fully adjustable suspension, almost every used MX-5 will need shock soon, and atleast a brake bleed, systems check. I personally recommend stepping up to some performance shocks/springs/bushings/mounts as this will definitely give your Miata back the agile spirit it had when new, and then some.
FOUR: Mooooar powwa! Now that you are completely broke but have a dependable vehicle that is hella fun to flog on curvy backroads you decide you want to slap on a turbo and start smoking folks. But not so fast! There is a lot more involved here, and that's hopefully what you're finding in the FAQs. This is where I'm at now, and I have to stop myself from just buying turbos and parts, as I plan to first handle engine management, so nothing is holding me back when it's time to strap on a turbo.
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12-17-2008, 04:17 PM
#15
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ok, thanks for the advice!! were would you all recomend i look for a miata? and secondly i only want 220-200 b/c i dont think i can handle more for starters! im a good driver and all but more than that with the waight of the car seems like alot!
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