1991 Special Edition

[Chief_Wiggum]

UPDATE: Now, it's mine!

This is opposite of the ones i usually post and seems almost like too good to be true. Anyone see any obvious warning signs. Spare rebuilt engine and transmission, all the other goodies for $5500 OBO? Thoughts from those with more experience than I, please.

1991 Mazda Miata Special Edition

1991 Mazda Miata
British Racing Green Special Edition #1943 of 4000
36,360 miles
Very clean and well maintained
Clean title
Power windows
Leather interior will come with car
Limited slip differential
Ice cold a/c

I don't have time to drive this car as much as I'd like so it's time for it to move along. I have modified this car quite a bit, but I can return it to stock if the new owner desires. This car is in excellent condition, apart from the paint blemish seen in the pictures, and is extremely fun to drive. I have MANY spare parts for it as I intended to do some track days with it. I also have all of the factory parts to return it to stock except for the wheels. Below are lists of spare parts that will come with the car if desired as well as aftermarket parts already installed. I'm asking $5,500obo for the car as it sits, including all spares and stock parts, or $4,000obo for the stock car with no aftermarket parts. Of course we can negotiate for anything in between. Please call, text, or email with any questions or if you want to come take a look.

Spares:
-extra 5-speed transmission
-various interior and mechanical components
-spare 1.6L engine freshly rebuilt (no problems with current one, spare only)

Modifications:
-TRM 15X7 wheels
-Brake conversion to 1.8L car size
-Carbotech 1521 brake pads
-ATE blue racing brake fluid
-Racing beat adjustable sway bar end links
-Flyin Miata sway bars front and rear
-Flyin Miata V-maxx adjustable coilovers
-NB top hats
-Flyin Miata stainless steel exhaust
-4 to 1 header
-Resonated cat delete pipe
-GV replica front lip
-Moss Motors turn signal intakes
-Track Dog Racing cooling panel
-Mishimoto aluminum radiator
-Racing Beat intake with K&N filter
-Powdercoated valve cover and intake manifold
-MOMO Race leather steering wheel
-NRG steering wheel quick release
-ProCar Innovations seat mounts
-Sparco Sprint FIA certified seats
-Schroth DOT approved 4 point harnesses
-Hard Dog M1 Hardcore Double Diagonal roll bar
-Touge Run rear spoiler
-Pioneer stereo and speakers

[Code Monkey]

Nothing unusual, ask for the VIN and if it checks out go for it. A 1.6 engine can be had for $400 or less, a used transmission for $300.

[Chief_Wiggum]

Originally Posted by Code Monkey Nothing unusual, ask for the VIN and if it checks out go for it. A 1.6 engine can be had for $400 or less, a used transmission for $300.

That's good gouge, thank you. I'd eventually look to drop a new(er) 1.8 or stroker 2.0 before adding a FMII turbo. The wife just gave me the green light...so time to decide how serious I am about it.

[SpencerC]

Looks fine to me. The low miles are nice, thing will run forever. Looks like a pretty good build. Worth it if you want all the aftermarket parts for sure.

[Chief_Wiggum]

Update; owner says only 36K on the body & transmission. the original engine was pulled for turbo build, funds ran short and putting it back together. the engine in it is a long nose crank 1.6 with 59K miles on it from Mazda Mart in Atlanta. I'm leaning towards car and parts only, no spare transmission or engine. any future engine mods would be 1.8 or greater with turbo.

[Lex]

Check for rust in front of the rear wheels. The early cars were prone to collecting water and rusting there.

[SpencerC]

Originally Posted by Chief_Wiggum Update; owner says only 36K on the body & transmission. the original engine was pulled for turbo build, funds ran short and putting it back together. the engine in it is a long nose crank 1.6 with 59K miles on it from Mazda Mart in Atlanta. I'm leaning towards car and parts only, no spare transmission or engine. any future engine mods would be 1.8 or greater with turbo.

Odd that you would replace the 1.6L so early, unless he had the short nose crank issue actually present itself, even then, that seems like low miles for it to happen, plus why does he have two 1.6L engines, seems weird, but looks clean, you run the VIN already?

[Chief_Wiggum]

Originally Posted by Spencer@CorkSport Odd that you would replace the 1.6L so early, unless he had the short nose crank issue actually present itself, even then, that seems like low miles for it to happen, plus why does he have two 1.6L engines, seems weird, but looks clean, you run the VIN already?

He said he pulled the original motor to build it for turbo, but then ran short of funds, so it's being reassembled. The replacement (in the car) was to use while the other was at the machine shop. Here's the VIN if anyone can run it (already PM'd Raider).

JM1NA3519M1228195

[SpencerC]

Post the VIN here: http://www.mazdaspeedforum.org/forum/foru...7/index44.html

Sounds more legit with that reasoning for the motor.

[Chief_Wiggum]

Report didn't show any surprises. Just asked about the top and any rust .

[Chief_Wiggum]

Originally Posted by Lex Check for rust in front of the rear wheels. The early cars were prone to collecting water and rusting there.

Not a spot of rust anywhere on the car and the top is original, but reportedly in good shape and leak free (for a 23 year old car anyway). Seller is currently out of town -- planning on making a trip to see it this weekend.

[Quigs]

Wow, that interior looks super clean...good luck with the buy if you decide to go through with it.

[Chief_Wiggum]

Originally Posted by Quigs Wow, that interior looks super clean...good luck with the buy if you decide to go through with it.

Thanks...trying to work the logistics of getting there.

[Chief_Wiggum]

Boom...I got the gheys! Pics later. Thanks for the advice everyone.

[beachshoer]

Welcome to the club.

[Chief_Wiggum]

Picked it up yesterday, drove 4 hours home to include the worst downpour I've experienced (23 year old top didn't leak a drop). Love the car...absolutely love it. The previous owner took excellent care of it and put quality parts on it (see first post). I also got the original springs and shocks, a hoop roll bar, original front turn signals and some other goodies I'll sell to fund fixing a couple of bad paint areas. It is, however, SO SLOW -- as in no torque (especially since i'm used to the MS3 -- which I'm keeping). I only tried to shift into the non-existent 6th gear twice. Since I don't have to save for suspension mods, the power mods will get to happen sooner, though it will take a while to rebuild the Miata fund. I cant wait to autocross it next month. I paid $4500 for it, I feel like a got a heck of a deal. Thanks to all who provided sage advice @Code Monkey; @Raider; @Lex; @spencer@CorkSport

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[Dralphy]

Very clean! I think you got yourself a great deal. Now if only there were deals around here like that!

[beachshoer]

The slowness won't seem so slow around those corners on the course.

[SpeedThrizzle]

Dang what a clean car

[Code Monkey]

You got a great deal, enjoy!

[SpeedThrizzle]

That car would look so nasty with a hardtop

[Chief_Wiggum]

Originally Posted by SpeedThrizzle That car would look so nasty with a hardtop

In due time...

[Lex]

Looks great - have fun - that's what it's made for! OH ... and boost .

[Neverlift]

Originally Posted by Chief_Wiggum I only tried to shift into the non-existent 6th gear twice.

Install a MSM 6 speed. Make life easier on yourself.

Best looking NA I've seen purchased on this site recently. I think once you get sticky tires on those wheels, you may want to rethink the suspension components.

First mod, foamectomy. Those seats are great for it.

[Chief_Wiggum]

Originally Posted by Neverlift Install a MSM 6 speed. Make life easier on yourself. Best looking NA I've seen purchased on this site recently. I think once you get sticky tires on those wheels, you may want to rethink the suspension components. First mod, foamectomy. Those seats are great for it.

Thanks, I'm still shocked when I look in my garage and see it. Sticky tires are also on the list of future purchases...buying tires for this car are like a 50% off sale compared to buying them for the Speed3.

[beachshoer]

Had to laugh when I read you also try to shift into the phantom 6th gear. Honestly I still do it occasionally in our stock 01 on the way to races. Our built 99 has a 6speed.
+1 on the cheaper tires. We were running a staggered setup on the speed and was a pain ordering 255 wide fronts all the time while the rears lasted a couple seasons. With the miotters I spend 1/3 less and just rotate them around. Last so much longer too with the light weight car.

[Chief_Wiggum]

In addition to remembering to stop shifting after reaching 5th, I have to remember how to drive without relying on anti-lock brakes and stability control. Not to mention the last RWD car I owned was a 1977 Toyota Celica GT and that was in the late 1980s.

[Code Monkey]

You guys use 5th? Just rev the shit out of 4th.

[Neverlift]

Originally Posted by Chief_Wiggum In addition to remembering to stop shifting after reaching 5th, I have to remember how to drive without relying on anti-lock brakes and stability control. Not to mention the last RWD car I owned was a 1977 Toyota Celica GT and that was in the late 1980s.

Yeah, I am sure there will be some panic moments locking up those front tires. Threshold braking is fun in a Miata because you can go from a full skidding lock up, and then right back to proper braking with very little pressure difference on the pedal. You just have to become aware of the fact that releasing pressure slightly on the brake pedal will do you more good than panicking and pressing harder.

[Chief_Wiggum]

Originally Posted by Neverlift Yeah, I am sure there will be some panic moments locking up those front tires. Threshold braking is fun in a Miata because you can go from a full skidding lock up, and then right back to proper braking with very little pressure difference on the pedal. You just have to become aware of the fact that releasing pressure slightly on the brake pedal will do you more good than panicking and pressing harder.

I'll definitely have to retrain the brain. Previous owner upgraded the brakes to the 1.8 engine size, added stainless lines, carbotech pads and blue fluid -- so they work really good. I've locked them up a couple of times already, once in the rain and the other when a minivan tried to merge into the side of me.

[SpencerC]

Lol at the "tried to shift into 6th" I've done it a few times myself. Though the Miatas are slow, I never get enough of just WOT it everywhere, and never worrying about tickets, or unsafe speeds. Especially around corners.

[beachshoer]

Our 01 is the LS model which has the bigger brake package on top of my dumbass thinking hp+ pads worked great on the speed so of course they would be awesome on the Miata. Wrong. Stops on a dime literally . Almost too touchy. Slideways finishing on numerous autox runs.

[Chief_Wiggum]

Originally Posted by Spencer@CorkSport Though the Miatas are slow, I never get enough of just WOT it everywhere, and never worrying about tickets, or unsafe speeds. Especially around corners.

LOL; that gives me an idea for personalized plates "I M WOT"

[SpencerC]

Originally Posted by Chief_Wiggum LOL; that gives me an idea for personalized plates "I M WOT"

That would be awesome. The joke would work well on straights in front of people, and in corners as you pull away from others. ha.

[Chief_Wiggum]

Originally Posted by Spencer@CorkSport That would be awesome. The joke would work well on straights in front of people, and in corners as you pull away from others. ha.

My only concern would be people might think it means 'with-out testicles' since i'm in a miata. Oh wait, I don't give a crap!

[dale_gribble]

Never liked a Miata that wasn't a MSM until I saw yours. Looks good. Congrats. I would rock that.

[beachshoer]

Originally Posted by dale_gribble Never liked a Miata that wasn't a MSM until I saw yours. Looks good. Congrats. I would rock that.

You ain't seen nothin yet.

Seriously though if the gods for some reason smile upon you and you come across a decent black hardtop......Now that would look mean and clean.

[Quigs]

So glad you picked this up. It makes me want one so freaking bad. Awesome buy!

[Tyhackman15]

Love the car, BRG combined with the tan interior is sex

Edit: get some rivals for it. You'll love them.

[Chief_Wiggum]

Originally Posted by Tyhackman15 Love the car, BRG combined with the tan interior is sex Edit: get some rivals for it. You'll love them.

Thanks -- it also needs a FMII turbo kit (and engine build)!