How To Make Your "New-To-You" (Used) Miata Better! (FM Live) 

a quick synopsis of my journey, just because yall are fellow gearheads & wil appreciate this... ok, so im now lookin at takin my wifes stock 99 miata project car, that she has totally loat interest in, & makin it my new daily, thus ur video is very timley ...& heres the WHY... so, first off, full confession, i was a "muscle car or no car" kinda guy & quite frankly a "miata-hater" & i bought the car under protest as a gift for my wife, & i had less than zero intrest in this little tiny thang parked in my way, takin up part of my driveway ...ok, that was, until... until a beautiful sunny october afternoon in the tennessee mountains... perfect flannel shirt weather with the top down... so i droped the convertible top (to which ill add, i also did not like convertibles) down & hit the twisty mountain back roads... & to my surprise, i COULD NOT wipe the SMILE off my face! ...this lil bone stock 99 miata on cheap all season tires was WAY MORE FUN on these winding mountain backroads than my purpose built auto-x ready (suspension, tires, brakes, etc.) ls1 '98 formula firebird! ...i am now a "miata fan" ...so thank u for ur videos, this one in perticular, theres some good tips there, & thank u sirs

Never had a car so customizable. I've never owned a vehicle that felt so much like mine. Rain drains clearing and inside fender cleaning are definitely things to check out for new owners. When I pull my carpet for the frame rails and sound deadening install I'm going to place 2 five yen coins I ordered off eBay that are the year my car was made. Heard they used to come with them for good luck. A nice thing about preventative maintenance with sensors and some parts you can keep the old ones as emergency spares. Because technically they haven't gone bad yet just replaced. Also your interior is sad And dirty. 303 makes a great detailer and so does trim shine. And get some floor mats man. Sheesh. 😉

This was an amazing video! I'm buying an older Miata and restoring it for my little brother. This is exactly what I needed! I just want the car to feel as new as possible

Thanks Keith , just sold my 1995 to a young friend and his wife , she's never driven a stick . He will enjoy watching this video and they will have a smile on their faces just like I always did when driving a Miata .

Great advice for any "new to you" car. A deep cleaning can reveal so much about the condition of the suspension, the interior, AND the body.

Full Synthetic Oil change, trombone cleaner for bonnet drain, fix a flat kit, DC air inflator, tire patch kit, seatbelt retainers and tensioner swap, touchscreen stereo, metal coolant overflow tank, power steering fluid flush, AMG battery, fitted leather seat covers, fog lamps and relay kit, tinted windows refresh, trunk pistons replacement, floor fabric inserts, new wiper blades, buff glass, buff paint, light strip in trunk, car cover, spare key mounted under the chassis, PDR dent removal... You have to love the aftermarket parts for Miatas...

Great video guys ! I bought a mint 2010 NC prht here in Western Australia (60000 Kms) . I did everything you suggested in this vlog . An essential thing on the NCs is to change the coolant header tank , as they are renowned for leaking with catastrophic results sometimes. Even though we have the perfect climate here I found all the paint was peeling off the black parts under the car & bonnet. I ended up getting them blasted & powder coated . Have purchased several parts from Flying Miata & found your service Brilliant. Best wishes Simon

I have spent the last year doing maintenance and tracing down sqeaks and rattles on my 09 NC. Even though there were just a few issues, as Keith said it just makes the driving experience better.

The biggest easy one I can think of is making sure that it's clean. A clean car simply feels better

Love the channel and company. My 99 has many FM parts and you get what you pay for... quality products and great customer service (when you get a hold of them...they are always busy...and rightfully so lol). -Turbo kit -Hood shocks (must have) -Motor mounts (process of going in now) -Happy meal clutch kit (also process of going in now). I know I'm forgetting something..... Other companies -Hard dog rollbar -Mazda shifter short shifter -Torsion differential 3.9 LSD with polyurethane bushings (also process of going in now). I know I'm forgetting something.... Anyway, love the company and keep doing your thing

Thanks, I too just bought a Miata with 130k miles (an '04 MSM) so this was really helpful to me. I just ordered your ILM motor mounts and shifter rebuild kit to freshen it up some, and have been thinking about suspension bushings too, so I'm looking forward to that upcoming video on how to change them. You guys put out great Miata content.

This is excellent! Just bought an NC. Tires were original at 12 years old! Seller paid for new Michelins.

Can confirm, bushings and suspension is the best you can do to them

I inherited a low mileage 1994 MX5, and am performing the basic maintenance and am wanting to go through it to improve the handling, and longevity. I would love a hard top for it.

Really helpful, and very timely for me. I especially appreciated what you said about the importance of details in the interior.

I just replaced a 1992 timing belt. It's so stiff it can stand up on its own! One other thing I found made a big difference to me was the Mike Phillips treatment - clay bar and Meguiar's No 7 to re-oil the single stage paint. It took days but gosh that Classic Red is SO much deeper.

I just picked up a 2004 Miata (for $1900, somehow!) and although it was decently maintained by the previous owner, it is higher mileage! Thank you SO much for this video! I will definitely be using this video for the next few weeks and my first few steps!

Hmm, I have 322,000 miles on my '90 Miata and still have the original bushings in its maybe it's time to finally do them. I figure I might replace the top hats on the struts at the same time as they are also old and they would be a lot easier to do when everything is already apart. Overall though despite the years and milage it drives very nicely which is a testament to how well these cars were built and designed in the first place.

Make your life easier and get some of the speed bleeders from Flyin Miata for both the brakes and the clutch, makes it fast and easy and motivates you to do it more often.

Ottawa to Colorado sounds like such a fun trip to take in a new (to you) Miata

I still drive my '93 that I bought new, so haven't had to worry much about a new to me used Miata.

I recently purchased a 2002 NB w/38K miles. This video is super helpful to get the car perfect!

My father passed his 1990 Miata NA to me. It only has 60,000 miles on it, I think. I may have to look into some of those suggestions about alignment, bushings, etc. Thanks!

Love my miata and sadly i bought it from a 17yr old k8d that abused and clqpped it out do o have spent the past 3 years bringing it back to life and also dunping around 20k in mods lol mainly engin n power mods 🤦🏽‍♂️ lol so now i have a 300+hp big turbo miata running 30psi of boost with a hood dump as my daily driver 🤣 and love it altho ppl either love it or hate it with how i have gone with a "clapped out sleeper" look to it 😅 anyway peace and love to all keep it rad stay safe and build on and keep the miatas shinning lol 💪🏽🤘🏼🤙🏽🏎🦸‍♂️🧑🏽‍🔧🤣✌🏽

Especially for the NA's and NB's, DONT FORGET to check the CRANK PULLEY! They are held together by rubber and can definitely leave you on the side of the road if you don't check it. (Speaking from experience).

What are (Flyin' Miata) thoughts on aluminum rods: BME, R&R, GRP, MGP, etc... What are (Flyin' Miata) thoughts on the MaxSpark PNP Ignition Kit for '01-'05 Mazda Miata Awesome YT show. Thanks for sharing.

-suspension (bushing) -tires -break system -bump stops (cheap) - time belt -coolant -radiator - tiny error you notice (high idle as an example) - fuel injectors and filters - interior optical flaws and hunt down raddle sounds - paint refreshment

I bought a 92 Miata and we've had to do so much work on the engine. Past owners didn't fix problems as they came up, I'm guessing, so we're working our way through the layers of problems. Once it's running right I'm gonna be doing some major maintenance on suspension, brakes, and tires too because I can assume they didn't do any maintenance on that either.

when i got my nb miata, I had to change all of the fluids 2 times. The brake fluid was full of air and looked like sweet tea :)

I'm too particular, so I decided to resto-mod my Miata. Now it will be better than new. Just finishing getting it back together after going through every nut and bolt.

Thanks, Keith!

On the front bumper decal for the 1.6's, I ordered one back in 2020 from Atkins Rotary (P/N NA04-51-711) and it came in Mazda packaging. Maybe there is some new old stock still out there?

Great video. But for the newbies, fix all the mechanicals/ suspension, bushings, end links, decide if you want to lower or raise the car, change wheels, replace tires THEN do a quality alignment otherwise you’ll have to do it again, isnt cheap

I have really been wanted to get a hard top for my 1990. What’s the best way to get one and color matched? I’ve read a lot of after market tops are hard to fit.

i enjoy my red 90 miata with a hard top. looks just like that one

Man that car is an absolute little beauty! 👌

Lovely red!!!! You didn't mention water pump change. Since I need to do my timing belt, do you thing i should replace it too? Mine is a 2004 nbfl 1.8 146 etna velocity red

Cant wait to do these things on my na miata 😊

useful video and very nice looking miata. cheers

Where was this video 2 weeks ago lol. I just redid the suspension on my 01, but hadn't considered the bushings. Now I'm wishing I did it all at one time. My wife is becoming increasingly concerned about how much time I wrench on my new car 😅

I just acquired a 2012 Grand Touring PRHT. It had a blown engine. I'm getting a new Mazda engine installed. She needs TLC. I'm ready to begin

I have the same exact problem idling 1250

Great video, thanks!

I have a squeak that comes from the ear level on the drivers side. It sounds like the rear drivers side shock or the soft top. Mystery squeak!

What difference did you notice getting the fuel injectors cleaned? I have a 99 NB with 142k miles. A fuel filter that hasn't been replaced in a while as well that I'm planning on doing soon.

I predicted new suspension bushings and new shifter boot. One out of two.

Thanks for information. I look forward to the day I get my new to me 3rd Miata. Can you give some insight on manual vs automatic transmissions in the Miata?

Just replaced a ‘60 TR3 with a ‘93 NA, I’m having trouble recognizing what might be worn because it feels so much tighter than the TR3, but it is still a 30yo car built to a low budget. The Triumph sounded better though.

Beautiful detail job on exterior. My 94 bought new still uneven colors from Florida sun. Yours has a really nice shiny finish. What did you use?

Where is the video on quieting convertible top frame?

Did the ‘93 have the sticker on the bumper?

Hello Flyin Miata ( Keith Tanner) I live in the UK, so I own a 1.6l MX5 Mk1 NA 96. But my car is suffering with rust. Especially the lower part of the A-Pillars & rust showing above the door upper hinge area & inside the front wings. How does this rust form, how can it be treated inside & out of the car. I have also experienced a rust hole forming on a A-pillar where the rain water drains down from the Softop/Hardtop to the rain tube at the front. Can you please, cover this issue in one of your excellent information videos. Thankyou Very Much. MJ

I'm having a similar idle problem on my 96 1.8 NA. Could you give more details on how you solved that issue. Thanks!

I got a 60k 93 Miata from my grandma

Just got to the sticker part. Was the 1990 model the only without the bumper decal?

I’ve got a hardtop but it got some wind noise at the window only driver side has anyone an idea why and how to fix it

Great video! Do you have any recommendations on where the best place to look for a used NA would be?

I want to take my rebuilt title NA to you guys..been through heck with it from bent alternator brackets to a motorcycle battery in it when I first bought it!🤣

Ive been in the market for a miata and where im from they charge alot of money for them, even for NAs. I have a friend who's selling their 1990 model for a decent price but tells me the engine has been rebuilt. I dont know much about engines so my question is if the engine less reliable now that its rebuilt.

Nice tips. I missed the slider pin lube when I redid my suspension last year. I would be interested in your specific tire selection. Are you staying with the stock size? Iḿ running all seasons right now and would love to hear what you chose.

Awesome thanks

There's a beige soft top resting in the background. What color is the body painted? Looks quite stunning!

Great review. Wld u do anything abt the classic lifter tick in first few mins after start?? Replace exhaust side lifters. Use best 8 on lifter side and clean/flush???? Or Just live with it … it’s v typical on NAs with HLAs

Michellin in 185 60 R14? I couldnt find name brand 14's anywhere.

1992 1.6l Euro car (Spain) I feel a bit of play on the accelerator pedal. It’s a bit loose and shakes sideways ever so slightly. I tried tightening the throttle cable but that didn’t work (I only managed to scare the shit out of myself when the I started the car and it shot itself to 6,000 rpm). Any thoughts on how to fix this? It’s making me quite upset

Keith, awhile back when you were talking about rolling fenders, I thought you mentioned that an ND would accommodate 245-40-17s. As I have discussed that with friends I’ve gotten pushback, so I want to ask a slightly different question. Will I have any problem fitting and driving 225-40-17s on my 2021 ND2 sport without any fender mods or suspension changes? Thanks Tom KC3QAC

Something i noticed while driving my 1990 miata was that the ride quality was a bit lower than another miata i drove. I felt the bumps a whole lot more and don't know what kind of upgrades i should look into. Any suggestions on that?

Looking into buying a Miata have it lined up but has a rattle at about 40 mph. There is no rattle above or below that speed. Just wondering if anyone had any potential diagnosis for the issue. Thanks

i have a question, hope it's not too late to ask it! i have a '92 with a hard top in Mexico and sadly, there aren't almost any NA/NB Miatas around to have a reference on what stuff should look like when they're fully taken care of. the issue thats driving me nuts is that the soft top latches rattle a lot: on the hard top there are a couple of 'tabs' with a bit of foam that are seemingly aligned to be on top of the soft top latches, but they are a couple of inches to high to actually touch each other. my solution to the rattling has been to put a small cloth folded between the tabs and the latches to push the latches down and shut them off, but of course its not the most elegant one. my question is: is the hard top supposed to have something there that helps maintain the latches in place? or is it more of an issue with the latches being way too loose so they rattle? hope i explained myself good enough. and thank you Keith and the whole FM team for the great content you put out here for us :)

Anyone know where to get a Miata worked on in the Chattanooga TN area?

Guys, I gotta know... the blue NA with the tan roof and Kogeki's in the background... what paint colour/code is that? It's not Mariner?

Do you have any recommendations for 1996 seat covers or replacement? Thanks.

I owned a 94 Miata back in highschool and drove it for 5 years before I sold it, the car was no AC or PS from the factory was this called a enthusiast edition or just the cheapest spec model?

I have the same year miata what all should I change out to make it have more power and get better gas mileage and over all what parts need updated

I thought 1.6s sat a little higher than that? Looks like the perfect ride height but have the springs been switched or something? Also, what alignment settings do you recommend for stock NAs?

When will y’all Restock on the happy meal kits☝️

I miss this sort of channel for the Nissan Z cars. Those cars are all about making it louder and uglier. I need a down to earth resource.

Interesting how it has the roadster sill trims?

Any tips on getting rid of the ppf noise through the drive train? I've tried torque to spec etc a few times but the noise is still there.. drives me nuts

Step 1. Actually take care of it and do the proper maintenance Step 2. Don't abuse a Small Engine

Is 1200rpm not a normal idle? 2001 NB2 here

Don't use a diaper, use a microfiber 😉

Vibrations at 35 miles an hour

WOOF!

Pretty much exactly what I did to my BRG 92 Eunos V special, just waiting on the new paint to be finished

What sucks is having bought a Miata with clearcoat peel. Without the money to pay for a fancy paintjob it just looks like a total hunk of junk no matter what you do.

1. Get rid of the ugly rims

You guys are stealing our Canadian cars and making it hard to find one and one at a reasonable price.

Adjust your pedals!!! Take the slack out of the throttle and clutch pedal. Huge difference in driving feel.