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Mazda MX-5 Miata (2005 and earlier)

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#3556 of 4340 1990 Miata question by cabstewart Apr 27, 2004 (5:50 pm)
This question may be asked a lot but here goes... I have a 1990 Miata with approx 98K miles - I love driving the car but it rattles a lot and seems loose. When I look at Miata parts sites (like MMMiata.com) I see lots of parts like a subframe brace, rear brace, rear stabilizer brace bar, sway bars, etc. Our car is not used for racing - just fun drives. What, if anything, will help to solidify the car for a low price and home installation (my husband is handy but not a mechanic) and reduce the amount of rattles?   Thanks in advance!
#3557 of 4340 Miata rattles by kymike Apr 27, 2004 (6:29 pm)
You can make your own front subframe brace with a piece of c-channel iron. I have not seen a homemade rear brace. I would recommend adding both braces. Sway bars will not stiffen up the ride, only help if you drive aggressively. The other item to add would be the cockpit brace that extends from side to side behind the seats. The addition of all of these will make a world of difference. Finally, I would recommend new shocks if you still have the originals.   Add one item at a time in order to really guage how each pice impacts the ride.   What city are you located in? I'm certain that we could point you to a local club where there would be plenty of help installing any of these items.   Let us know what you add and what you think about the changes. Replies to this message: cabstewart (May 06, 2004 6:01 pm) kymike (May 07, 2004 9:46 am) cabstewart (May 20, 2004 7:47 pm)
#3558 of 4340 Bracing by ateixeira Apr 28, 2004 (5:20 am)
They added the rear brace for MY1993, the front one for MY1994, IIRC.   So my '93 has the rear brace, I added the front using C-channel steel as suggested above. Piece of cake, just buy a 2 foot or longer section at the local hardware store, cut to size, and bolt it on. Use the same holes used by Mazda for the 1994 and later models. I fished the bolt down from above using a coat hanger, since access is too tight for your hands.   If you're serious about doing this yourself, I can e-mail you some photos, let me know.   The rear brace has a bend in it, so that would be tougher. I'd yank one from a junk yard, I mean, "parts recycler".   Cockpit brace too. Though I don't have one.   Though mine still gets shaky above 65 mph so I think the shocks would be the biggest improvement to the ride.   -juice
#3559 of 4340 squeeks, rattles and shocks.... by markinatl Apr 28, 2004 (11:10 am)
There is a whole page at miata.net on squeeks and rattles....   http://www.miata.net/garage/noises.html   Since juice brought up the subject of shocks, I have 78k miles on my '92 and it is riding a little ragged with the original shocks. Yeah, it is that time pry open the wallet and spend some more money on the car. But I'm trying to keep this as a fun, reliable, and CHEAP vehicle. Preventative maintenance by the book. I'll spend a little bit extra for quality and for sport. After some preliminary shopping, for shocks I'm looking at adjustable Koni's (they are on the wife's bimmer) or the OEM Bilsteins Mazda put on some of the earlier first generation sport package Miatas. Quotes I am getting are about $450-500 for the shocks. And about $240 for installation. I don't want to lower this car, so I'll probably keep the original springs. Anybody have any insight or thoughts on the subject? Thanks.
#3560 of 4340 by ateixeira Apr 28, 2004 (11:41 am)
Yeah, it gets expensive. I may try to do this myself or get a friend to help me to it next time I head out to Summit Point.   -juice
#3561 of 4340 shocks by kymike Apr 28, 2004 (4:09 pm)
Both choices are good ones. Another good option that may be cheaper is the adjustable KYB AGX. Several Miata.netters have these (me included) and are very happy with them. They may be a less expensive alternative (<$400 for the set)than the others you mentioned above.
#3562 of 4340 May have found a keeper by thel Apr 28, 2004 (4:31 pm)
I just put a deposit on a 1990 A-package with 123,000 miles. It's got a hard top and it is for sale at a Mazda dealer in Kansas City. Hopefully, since it's a Mazda dealer, the car will be as clean and fresh as the wind-driven snow. If so, I'll buy it for $4500 and sell the hard top...
#3563 of 4340 Yep, it's a keeper! by thel May 02, 2004 (5:23 am)
I've spent the last couple of days checking it out and restoring the paint.   1. I used Maguiar's #1 cleaner 2-3 times.   2. Then I used Maguiar's #2 polish twice.   3. Then I put on a coat of Nu Finish.   Now the paint looks almost brand new and I've got quite a pile of reddish pink applicator pads and terry towels.   I've also replaced the weak 20W original speakers to improve the factory head unit. That will go soon as well, but there are other priorities first.   Namely, the soft top is horrible. It provides little protection from the rain and needs a good cleaning...oh well, I look at it as an excuse to get a no-zipper glass window top. My family used to have a professional upholstery shop, so I think we can probably install it ourselves.
#3564 of 4340 99 Miata LS by justin May 02, 2004 (6:27 am)
how is the Bose system in the 99 Miata LS? i am thinking about getting one as a 2nd car...   outside of the #4 issue, anything else on 99 models that i should be aware of?   thanks.

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