10 Tips For Buying YOUR Perfect Miata | Mazda MX5 Miata Buying Advice [NA and NB] 

See my Miata's full build parts list here: tinyurl.com/5a3ksb8k

I was given a good tip ages ago to get an idea of how the car has been treated. When you go for a test drive get the owner to drive it for the first half hour. Say nothing and observe. You'll soon see from his/her driving style how it's been treated recently... It's surprising how much you can learn.

The front and rear main seals are notorious for going bad very very slowly, so do watch out for those because I’ve seen super well kept Miatas that have slight front or rear main seal leaks, or even both. Neither one is a crazy job if you know how to handle basic hand tools and have an auto parts store that can lend you the special tools. Hope this helps!

After this I feel like mines pristine. Only 100k miles and supercharged, oversized radiator, Kosei K1 rims etc. Great vid man.

I own a 94 and I’m proud

Wanted to say, I watched this video back when it came out nearly two years ago now. I knew I wanted a miata for literally 5 years but never pulled the trigger. Then, this year, my other car's transmission blew up and wasn't worth fixing. So I started looking for a miata. Found a 39,000 mile NB. Used this video as reference and everything checked out. Car was around half price (6,000 USD) because it had been in a minor fender bender. Was rear ended by a truck which dented the trunk lid and broke a tail light. They replaced it and had it repainted, but still were having trouble selling the car. I don't know why though, even the panel gaps back there look like it just rolled off the showroom floor back in 05'. Brought a mechanic friend along and we both concluded that it was mint. I bought it and drove me and him nearly 2000 miles home. so far the only problem with it is there is a small leak in the soft top/rain rails. Most fun car ever. I plan to try to build my own mazdaspeed miata out of it (turbo, aim for 200 or so horsepower, lowered on coilovers and nicer wheels) and install a reproduction of the mazdaspeed NB front splitter and spoiler. That's all going to happen over the next year or so. I'm extremely excited. I also want to track down a decent hard top which is easier said than done these days. $5000 for the OEM ones now, yikes. Will probably just buy a shitty aftermarket one and persuade it to fit properly.

Well done. Simple and to the point.

Great work. A worthwhile watch for anyone considering a Miata.

Great Miata video , been a owner for over a year now 🙏🏎💨

Great video dude!! You were so thoughtful about all the specifics. Great job good sir! 😎👍

This is a really helpful video. Im bookmarking it for later. Thanks man!

Great information, good job!

great video! My sons using a miata as a base for a build! LT4 v8, custom body, 32 ford front end. He just wrapped up a 6.2L hellcat swapped 4x4 c10 as his senior year project. He still has an old datsun z to build, a none running s2000, hes started on a '78 bronco with a 6.4 hemi from '22 ram on a stand waiting to go in, hes got a c30 cab he needs to build a frame from scratch for and has a cummins setup already done on the side. He plans to build his own 4 season alum/carbon fiber camper with a pop top for that c30. Good to see other folks still enjoying wrenching on cars!

Flawless presentation. Thanks!

I really like the way you explain, great video!

6:28 when you're ”young kids” lmaooooo

Great tips! Thanks.

Thanks for posting!! Very good info my friend! DMAX

Great video

Great video. Owned a 91 for a while many years ago. Going to look at a 01 in a few days.

I’m two Miata videos in and you definitely called me out in the first second of this video 😂

Thanks 🙏 great video

Excellent tips!

Just make sure the frame is straight and install the Roadsters V8 kit and a LS3 engine. Should be perfect!

Nice vid bud 👍🏼

checking out a 2000 mx-5 this weekend, can't wait to purchase it like you said I should definitely get the feel first :)

Brilliant in-depth as per usual. The ABC Australia military expert seems to be talking about a completely different military campaign

i’m going to check out an NB this weekend. everything checks out on paper hopefully it holds up when i see it in person. i’ll be sure to keep this vid in mind!

I have a 91 Miata it’s amazing

Late reply but I'm still looking for a Miata (hopefully under 7k) but it's hard since they sell quick.

Thank you 👍

I just got a 93 for free , previous owner didn’t have time to continue working in it . He put a engine and tranny from a 96 . All I need is to wire up everything. This was my wife and I dream car before my wife got pregnant back 20 years ago . Now is our turn .

No plans on buying one, I still drive my 1993 I bought brand new with just about 200k miles on it now, love it still.

I like your videos.. Informative and to the point. Although I'm into 2nd Gen F-Bodies (had and autocrossed about a dozen of them over the years), my son has gotten into Miatas. Unfortunately, one of my best friends was killed on his motorcycle a couple weeks ago, he had (has) an NA, that he had the transmission rebuilt in about 3 years ago. He disassembled the car, pulled the tranny out, had it professionally rebuilt, and never finished putting the car back together. It's now sitting in pieces on stands in his garage, where it's been for the past 3 years or so. I am considering buying it from his daughter, after it is probated where she can sell it, so I will have to figure out how to put it all back together. It is I think about a 94 model. He totaled it (rear end collision, smashed the hood and radiator support so enough damage exceeded the insurance value, which he bought the car back from the insurance company and repaired it himself.... no idea what the repair quality was, but he drove it a couple years after the accident). It has around 240k miles on it, so it is well used. I am wondering what value it may have in its condition right now. I want to honor my friend and put the car back on the road, and I don't want to insult anyone with a crazy low offer..... I also don't want to pay more than it's worth. Any thoughts on what all I need to look into before agreeing to buy it and restore it? BTW, I have built several Camaros from the ground up for many years, so mechanicing isn't exactly foreign to me. I have never worked on a Miata before however. I am getting excited to get this car in my garage and start on it, which I expect will take a couple months. My son wants to work on it with me, and it be his car (as he has just sold his NB).

my 90' Miata is all stock and I'm keeping that way

When looking for an NB miat a great thing you can find is a Mazdaspeed NB

Hello! I recently saw a 12k asking worth it for a 1992 miata? I am planning to autocross but also a daily, so it comes with proper legitimate suspension (Ohlins DFV Coilovers) balanced and tuned at a race shop, door and roll bars, real momo seats, upgraded inter cooler, etc? It was auto crossed for 2 years(18-20) but very detailed service records and looked loved with a lot of attention put into it by professional shops, and personal work with other cars such as r33 and a rx7(imo he prob knows a thing or two). It also comes with the stock seats and other oem parts, thoughts?

I own an NB with Door jamb Rust😂 still a fun car though

Sir, this is a superb video and you have a serious future as the next Michael Buffer. The world of boxing needs you as a ring announcer...

its honestly amazing how long these machines can last

Just got a 90 with 160k and service records since 100k, no rust paint is tough but oh well it’s a single stage clear and it’s spend it’s whole life in New Mexico

Hi mine is all ariginal mint 2000 and alls I did was take out the cat and added tecna coilovers just need tires n rims😊

Cash 7:36 the green radiator spray with Krylon satin black all new again lol love your vids. best to you hmu if your in Lake Zurich Illinois

CT plate? How did you find one so nice here? I’m struggling. I just need something cheap that runs. Doesn’t even need to look nice, I wanna work on it.

Just checked everything on this list, just bought my first Miata. Think I got a good deal. 1993 Miata NA Hardtop with 93k miles. For only $7500

My Mx5 is 1990 UK car and has 67,000 miles....its all standard. Its my second 1990 mk1

Hello sir, you seem to be quite knowledgeable about these miatas. I am 19 and looking to buy my first project car. The vehicle I have found is local and roughly $5k. The frame has about 190k miles on it and is rusting in the front by the doors as you mentioned in the video. It is the 1990 model but the owner has done the 1.8 engine swap. Was wondering if you could determine whether this is something I should approach from the provided details. Or will I be biting off more than I can chew as a student with little freetime and automotive mechanic experience.

Thx very much 👍 I'm getting one for my 17th birthday

NICE DOG !!!😍

Saw my little cousin watch this, guess she already has plans😂

Do the seats bother you???? Do they go back

Thank you for the tips. I'm planning to buy a old used miata. It's 2005 miata mx-5 gx convertible. Original owner sold it to the dealership. The dealer price 9K + Tax and registration. Mileage 68k. I'm going to test drive Tues Feb 16. Is the price ok. I m going to use the car just for pleasure my retirement car. Help me asap. Aron Marbun

I’m about to bid on this 97 Mazda mx5 anything else I should want to look into about the car?

trying to buy a NB manual miata 2003-2005 what would be a ''decent price'' for one with really. good condition and 100k miles ish ? thanks

hi, i have seen few of your videos, and it seems that you you know miatas, so i wanna ask you, what engine in miata is better? 1.6 or 1.8? i am asking because i wanna buy one when i be adult, but when i see miata it is most of time 1.6 is it because they are cheaper, or just better engines?

bro how you get a camera angle to make a miata look big. good vid thanks!

I have one in a garage since 2008,What advise to do before putting back on the road mechanically Tires need replacing naturally

I like your dog 🐕

My 97 is my daily. It’s awesome driving something fun and unique among the boring shit boxes everyone else drives.

I’m looking at a 1990 blue mx-5 na with 67k miles, one owner, hardtop, and they’re asking for $9,800, is this a good price?

What about nc prht for daily cruiser?

Yo, what wheel size and tyre size you got here man. Are you on coils too?

Man I see prices below $5000 everywhere but you only get junk in germany for that price. Good miatas are around 12k€ here :(

What tires do you have ?

Where can i buy one tho btw i live in the philipines

My neighbor has a Miata parked in his drive away for a long time and they had it for sale sign but idk how to ask how much or if they would take 200$ Bc idk what’s wrong with it

Looking for a video that focuses on rust spots and fixes.

Is a Mazda MX-5 '91 sold at 10k with a hardtop with 10.000 miles and looks completely new with some mods worth it ?

Found one in my area that's been listed for about 2 weeks. 1993, 220k miles, no visible rust, no dings and 99% clean paint (at least the paint visible outside the copious amounts of sponsor brand stickers). Soft top is also pretty good condition on the outside. Super clean interior. From the wheels and stickers, I assume it was an autocross Miata. Asking price is $3900, dropped from $4100 last week. I'm curious if there's something wrong with it since it's been listed for 2 weeks and was price dropped a week into the listing. And the potential autocross usage has me wondering if it's badly beat up under the hood. Otherwise, I think I will try following up on it regardless. Not sure if it's a good deal or not, but with the information I have, I wonder if that price is a good deal in today's market or not.

Also ask for a CarFax report.

I want one😭. I will see one tomorrow. The owner said that it would need a new starter and that the radiator leaks water. They ask for $3000 but I wouldn't like to give more than $1800

The MX5 is the best value car in the universe, ‘value’ being pounds(or dollars) spent for units of fun gained.

My issue is I cant even find the miata I want or don't really know where to look for one

found one mint 1994 na M edition with only 45k miles on it, asking 9k for it though, not sure if its a good deal..

i love miot

I want to do an EV swap on this, so I guess the condition of the whole ICE and everything surrounding it doesnt matter, or is the resale value of these parts very good?

What tires do you have on it?

I’m 15, in my freshman year of high school, and I want a red ‘94 NA Miata, but I don’t think it’ll be seen as a manly car. It might not seem important, and it won’t be after high school, but if I’m gonna get made fun of for having one, I’ll get made fun of for three years straight. I got a 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser at the moment, and that was the plan for when I turn 16, but me and my parents both agree that the blind spots are horrendous and have bad gas mileage, so we’re thinking about selling it and buying something else with the money from that. Is it worth the potential bullying?

What mileage is too high mileage for a NB if its mint otherwise? 220k

Does anybody know where to buy a 94 miata in sweden????

Sway bar update?

Currently 15 and my birthday is in april. I am looking at this one miata which was garage kept but has 174,000 miles. It is $4000...thoughts? It's a 96.

Do all mk1 miatas come as convertible?

How many miles is to much for one of these?

I'm new to all this. Can someone tell me how much is too many miles for this kind of car ?

Miss my NA :(

I want my first car to be a 1990 NA Mazda Miata

5:21 man if only i could get a shitty miata for $3k now

I need help and if you can give me and advice I’ll pay you for that but I don’t have experience buying cars but I really want a Mazda Miata Can someone help me please 🙌🏻🤲🏻🙏🏻

guys make sure you know that these tips only work in north amarica and nebraska as atated in the title [NA and NB] ✔✔✔✔✔✔✔✔✔✔👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

whats the price range for the na?

1000$? here it is 14000$ for an 280000KM driven NA. in a ok shape. wtf.

AC? It's a convertible, the wind is your AC.

I’m just hopping the dude shows up after driving 3 hours

When we got to the rust part, i don't even want a car anymore, i rather buy a fucking bike

Owned 3 miatas since 2010. No roll bars and race seats dont add value to a NA and NB. They're things you do becuase you think they are cool in 2012. If you buy a NA or NB leave it fully stock and just enjoy it. Its fun modified yes, its also perfect the way it is. I even think it sounds race-y without an intake and exhaust. Seriously the miata stock vs modded thing is even worse than the S13 or S14 community. But noone cares because people still think its gay. (now that thats offensive they tell you they think its gay by saying "I dont like convertibles". Thats code for "i think its gay")

no a/c = more power

may-ten-NUNCE

sucks that the cheapest miatas here are €5,000...

Who would bring their Miata to get groceries that’s just not practical