Mmmm, lets hit this off.

Im chris, own a VZ Storm 05 for work (140k km). Its pretty.

However lugging around around 500kg of tools for 16L per 100km is driving me insane.

I have always wanted an mx5 and i believe its now time to get one... A used 2015/ new 2016 is probably not on the cards. So im liking the idea of an older low km model with a little diy thrown in.

I'm a carpenter who has a decent background of steel welding. So i have more tools then ****** with clamydia. Happy to fab my own turbo headers and whatnot. However this doesnt extend to tig so ill work that out when it comes .

My current Miata status is: looking to purchase. Aiming at a 2003 1.8 NB8B with < 100,000km for 10k (Aussie bucks). Will be test driving over the next couple of weeks with hopefully owning one after the xmas break.

Currently looking at a WRX turbo, custom manifold / DP. Ill work out the rest when i get there.

Edit: Any reason why i shouldnt be going for a 2003 model?

Cheers!

 

Welcome to the forum. 2003 is a good enough year. It will require a decent ECU or an add-on device to control the VVT but that's not a big deal.

 

adryargument, congrats on signing up at the best site on the web!

 

All Kangaroos are edible!

And I wouldn't insist on the <100,000km goal. I bought my '03 at 185,000miles and it survived 5 track days and a number of autocrosses so far.
These cars last and last and last. As long as it looks good and drives well, buy it. if you turbo you'll be replacing most serious wear-parts with something better anyway.

Make sure to get a six-speed for more torque handling capabilities.

 

Cheers guys, will report back in when im driving my new toy.

 

Definitely go for the 8B, our of ours (Aussie ones) get the 6 speed, flat top manifold and Sport brakes as standard.

 

They come with a flat top? Awesome!

Have a MS3 Basic + Innovate wideband on the way. Just need the car! Hopefully in a week or two.

 

About to buy a British green 2000 5spd and @130k Km. (80k miles?)
Its in mint condition exterior and interior.

All looks good except it veers left with wheel shudder at all speeds.
Now considering I'm saving considerable $$ with this purchase and intend on replacing suspension down the line...

Did a fair bit of research and I'm thinking it's could be as simple as a wheel alignment.
Thoughts?

 

tires, bent wheel, brakes, bushings....
the possibilities are endless, but usually not terribly expensive.

 

Don't do it!

The 8B has bigger brakes, ABS, more bracing, flat top manifold, VVT, 6 speed gearbox, main bearing support plate, beefier oil pump, easier routing of intercooler piping (hole behind headlight), better seats, way better/brighter headlights, the list goes on...

Going with the 8A is a false economy if you are doing it purely on $$ basis.

Also we only got the 8A in Grace Green so maybe it has had a respray?

 

It is grace green.
Still deciding. I like the 5spd gearbox. Abs may be an issue...

 

The shift is nicer in the 5 speed, but I stripped 3rd from two of them before changing to 6 speed. Not a cheap swap.

 

I think my version of street turbo, may be a tad gentler than your track car!..

Meet Taylor, my new 2000.
Bah can't edit photo on this phone. Will fix it later.

 

Yeah, I guess if you are keeping it sensible, but I wasn't disciplined enough for that!

Looks mint!

What's first on the list? My favourite bang-for-buck mod was a LSD.

Also from the rego it looks like you're in QLD, I have a bunch of tools and stuff if you need a hand.

 

Will see how far i get!

ECU on order, Wideband already.
Probably aiming for turbo components and mod plate first - the big costs, then proceed to stuff like LSD where i can easily add them down the track.

May even do an ABS retrofit at some stage. Will see how she goes over the next few months first.

I have all the carpenters tools so i should be able to do most things. Engine specific tools may get me in a bit of a pickle but i always have a standing by.

Oh and for someone who has like 5 hours clocked on a manual a decade ago... Had a blast today. 2-3 hours of driving, few wheel spins. two or three stalls. All in all i'm pretty bloody confident now.

 

Loving the car, just came back from holidays and did the 130k service. Oil filter was practically welded on. Took way to long.
Removed the old tape deck and installed a new Bluetooth unit. Wiring did my head in.. None of the wires match.. ..

Anywho it appears I have Bose speakers and wiring with an oem tape deck. Of course we don't have the correct harness here. So I snapped the plug off the radio and soldered the units wires onto the back of the pcb.

Works well. No need to get new speakers!

Next step coilovers while I wait for the ecu.

 

So frustrating when people buy an NB8A with the intention to modify it for performance. Especially after asking for advice from people with experience.
It will cost you more in the long run. Sell it before you do much more to it. Decent NB8B's can be bought for $8,000 now.

 

Again I'm after a weekend car mate. I understand where your coming from but I don't intend on chasing times. It's more for enjoyment. Performance is just a by product. Whether I end up with a few less bags of kittens at the top end isn't really important.

 

Hi.

There are a lot of terms I've never heard of in this thread. Which one comes with the 6speed and 3.63 FD? Get that one.

 

That would be the NB8B.