Mygrainman

Hello all..
Mygrainman here in southwest Washington State.
A little background-
When I was 12years old my dad took me to the Portland International Auto Show. I can remember being in awe at all the crazy concepts, and shiny new cars that nobody had seen yet... It is one of my fondest memories. I came home with a big bag full brochures and swag, and spent hours staring at the pictures and specs, dreaming of the day I could drive, and maybe one day even own of these beautiful cars. The two that really stood out were the new BMW 850, and super cool little roadster called the Mazda Miata. My dad had previously owed a couple Mazda GLC’s and my sister’s boyfriend had just given her a sweet little red RX-2 with a 12a swap that I really wish was still in the family so I was already a bit of a Mazda fan. That Miata made a huge impression, and I vowed to get one some day.
30+ years later I came across a very 90’s decorated 97’ Miata. A literal barn find. The previous owner had some major health issues, so it’s been parked in a barn for the last 5 years, and she didn’t really drive it much before that so there is only 68,000 miles on it. I feel like I’m in a good enough position to rationalize a nostalgia project, so my inner 12 year old got his wish. It really wasn’t until after I got this Miata home and started researching parts and upgrades that I realized how many options I had. The good deal I got isn’t looking so good for my wallet after all. What did I just get myself into?

Ive had the car a few weeks, but the back window crumbled when we opened the top for the first time in 5 years, and we’ve only had a handful of dry days(new Robbins Panorama inbound from moss) so I’ve only had it out for a couple of short drives around town... Plus after sitting flat in a barn for the last 5 years the tires were rotten, and I had to get them replaced before I was comfortable really sending it. Today was the day. After a little Italian tune up with some fresh Premium U, it ran perfectly, cornered like on rails, and it sounds fantastic. I haven stopped smiling since I got home.... But.... It really needs about 100 or so more ponies.

So here I am. The plan is to add a piece or two here and there as time and money allow. Ultimately I’d like 225-250 at the wheels, and a decent suspension to hold it down. nothing extreme... just enough power to zip up the windy Pacific Northwest mountain roads with a little to spare, but not so much that the suspension needs to be uncomfortably stiff and my wife can’t drive it to work on occasion without killing her spine.
I say “it’s the plan”, but I have the tendency to lose patience and jump in with both feet, so I want to make sure I get a good handle on what I’m doing before I do. So I’ll be here scouring threads and posting questions until I can fake my way through it.
thanks in advance for your input and advice!

***I still want an 850i some day, but a sorted example is at least 10x the money, parts and maintenance on that v12 are outrageous, and there is Zero aftermarket support... not holding my breath***

Here she is the day I picked her up..I limped it home, but to get road worthy I had to replace the battery(not cheap),all 4 tires(just a set of all season 205 50 15 for now), replaced the hood latch, and had to bleed the clutch. I just ordered a new top, and since I just recently (barely)walked away from a VERY violent roll over accident... before I do anything else to make it faster, my the next investment will be a roll bar...
Don’t mind the gaudy stick on chrome trim....it’s all coming off...I’m blacking everything out, and Plastidiping the wheels bronze gold for a temporary fix. I have my eye on a set of demon camber wheels, and a full wrap when I get the mechanicals squared away.

Dr.Sep

Good find! Welcome, the forums can be really helpful so long as you do some research first and don’t ask for spoon fed info 🤣

good call on the bar, hard dog or blackbird fabworx are generally good places to start looking

Dont see a ton of black NAs around, mine is black too!

Mygrainman

Thanks! I was a mechanic for a minute, so I’m not going to need a bib and a booster chair, but its nice to have a place where I can learn from other peoples experience instead of my own mistakes😁
Now that you mentioned it, you don’t see as many black NA’s around, and a lot of them have the tan interior...Coincidently my F-150 is a black on black FX4 with the twin turbo Ecoboost motor, so obviously I gotta get the Miata boosted so they’ll match... 😎.