What can you tell me about my '92 Miata?

1. Ride, when and if you need shocks go with something like a monroe. Stick with 14" rims, if it has 15's drop back to stock wheels.

2. I put vinyl tops on mine off of e-bay (ones of the three window design) but the back window does not unzip and some do like that feature.

3. A good set of wrenches and sockets covers about all the tools you will need.

4. Problems; slave cylinder, fuel pump relay, Fan relay, coolant temp sensor for the ECM, cracked welds in header, front and rear engine seals at about 120 K engine miles (get the front done with the timing belt and the rear when you do the clutch), water pump (when you have the timing belt done next time) and that is about it from the ones I own. All of these are trivial problems compared to many other car, but you asked.

5. Making it a better car depends on what you want. I have added OBX headers, mega flow cat, Monza exhaust, light weight flywheel and K&N filter panel to mine. One has all seasons on (my winter miata) and the other rain tires (summer Miata). Both have drilled rotors (no slots).

Miata's are picky on air pressure, if it is too low or to high you will get a wheel vibration at about 65 mph.

5. If your car is running right now, don't worry! Miata's one weak spot is those who mix beer with engine maintenance. The key in the crankshaft can go in about 8 ways and look right to a drunk, but only one is right. The failure to put that key back in right results in crank shaft failure. Some claim it was a manufacturing defect, but this basic engine was used in a lot of cars not subject to drunk mechanics and they did not have a problem.

Other drivers claim the differential is weak, but most of the ones that have failed were being used for burn outs and power slides. So I maintain that the problem is the operator and not the car.

A word of warning the handling in a Miata inspires the driver to go faster. Please realize that this car corners like a go-cart but it does have its limits. Exceed those limits and the car can end up totaled. So work up to your comfort zone and beyond it slowly- hopefully you will find the limits of handling with out getting too far in over your head.

Some call the Miata a girls car, well it needs to be treated like a lady. It responds better to a soft touch then a heavy hand or foot. This is something some men just can not adjust too and that is a shame. A filly is a much better ride is some ways then a stallion and if you want a ride that you know will get you there a filly is the one to take. Just like a filly, given the right distance it can out run a stallion. So enjoy!

Miata's are a driver's car, it was made for the people who want to feel the road, drive fast, take sharp turns that kind of stuff. Part of the reason why the suspension is rough is because it's so low to the ground which gives the shocks less time to absorb bumps and whatnot. The best thing you could do is jack the car up and put it on jack stands then check the bushings, ball joints, and suspension components that may be worn or not.

In my opinion a miata is a great car as long as you're not worried about leg room or carrying stuff. Great gas mileage, good acceleration, good looks, reliable.

1. Getting All Season Touring or Comfort Tires will be better for comfort.

2. Just go with the cheaper one. Either way, they should last 10 years.

3. Oil change every 3000-4000 miles if you drive rough, every 5000 miles if you drive normally.Change air filter every 7000 miles. Give it a Tune up every 90,000 miles. Make sure all fluids are topped off. That is all.

4. Nope. They are extremely reliable and have 0 common problems. They are known for Not breaking down.

5. Around 100,000 miles, usually a gasket or muffler or timing chain/timing belt goes bad. Just save up for those repairs. They can be expensive, but worth it in letting your car run for another 100k. The mileage you bought it at is the mileage cars usually need lots of maintenance done for the nest 100k such as Tune up, new belts, coolant flush, fuel system cleaning, new fuel filter, etc.

that car is small small small!!! a Jeep Wrangler has a longer body length than that! they are also a pain in the hide to work on because the engine compartment has everything mashed in together and on top of each other. the reason why it probably rides rough is the tires; when they need to be rotated, a lot of people don't know that they need to be criss-crossed, meaning instead of swapping the front with the back, the rear passenger needs to go to the front driver position, and so on. it helps with an even wear for such a small car.

but if the tires are probably newer than i'm imagining, it probably needs to be realigned, which won't be costly. it's a good find for a car, though. they last a while because the car is light, and the small motor doesn't need to work extra hard to get itself going. that's all i have to share.

First, check your tire pressures. The factory recommends 25 psi. Many people put in over 30 psi. This makes them drive rough and act skittish.

unlikely you will break the shifter preserve and in case you do, a clean shifter from ebay is $50. Edited: The shifter preserve has a rubber insulation in between the indoors and outer area. in case you tear the rubber(it you break it that's the main possibly factor that would break/tear first) you could glue it back on with some sturdy epoxy.

This is where you'll learn the most: