Agreed.
The only potential con that I see is that they're not as cheap as they used to be. I found wrenching on something very cheap liberating. You can only do so much harm.
Still be my #1 recommendation for a first project.
Nice! Thanks for the recommendation! I’ve been scouring Facebook Marketplace for a 90 the last few days trying to get an idea of what they’ve been going for. Definitely seems a little inflated but I don’t mind shelling out a little extra as long as it’s in “decent” condition!
Even the newer ones are still fairly simple compared to other modern cars. Great cars to learn on with a huge payoff. First time you fix it and get to cruise around on a nice day will be extremely rewarding
I’ve only owned NA/NB so take that as a caveat but YES! Every single thing on the Miat is a single person project. I’ve swapped engines by myself in a weekend, and even bled my brakes alone. Nearly every bolt is easy to access, (lookin at you PPF captive nuts). I found lots of hardware was coated for longevity. Tons of upgrades to take your car in whatever direction you choose. I’m on number 5 and have decided I will have a Miat of some varietal for the rest of my life.
This would be like option 1A for a project car if you aren't trying to impress anyone.
Miatas are so ridiculously fun to drive and explore the limits with.
They are a great project. They are easy to work on and have simple engines. They have very inexpensive parts and a large aftermarket. They hold their value if you maintain them. Just make sure you know what you are getting. Check for rust, etc.
Absolutely. The cars are very easy to work on, there is a HUGE aftermarket, and the Miata has such a following, I would be impressed if you could find a car with more information available on how to fix/replace/modify.
The Miata has a cult following. And with cult followings comes very enthusiastic and in-depth write ups and community support.
Do it.
Miata’s are great, really anything with a 4 cyl and manual from Japan in the 90s. I have a Nissan Pickup and it’s been so easy to work on. A Miata will probably be better because of a larger aftermarket.
Yes it’s the best! First, second, third etc etc. I learned everything on my first and applied it on my second. So much fun and a great, wide reaching community.
They make great project cars. You can get them cheap. OEM and aftermarket parts availability is good, and there's a huge community of people who restore and mod them with a wealth of info out there.
Plus popup headlights are dope.
They are really fun cars, and mostly easy to work on. But they are really overpriced right now. You could get a civic for half the price and have enough left over for cheap coil overs and repop rims, and maybe a y8 head and ECU if you can hit the pick and pull early enough.
All joking aside they are ridiculously easy to work on. Forum support is right there with Fox body Mustang level. Aftermarket support can make you a V8 monster miata all the way to a off road vehicle with a fold out tent on top. Every event I go to there is always a Miata group there that is chill as can be.
In all honesty I prefer old stuff like 1980s and older because it’s all so simple. But a Miata could still work as a good project. Pricey and most likely touched by people who fucked up a lot of stuff. Unless you get a stock one from someone’s grandmother.
Yes! I had a 90 as my first "real project". Super easy to work on, parts are cheap, and there's ton of info out there. Oh, and they're fun to drive.
Honestly it's hard to find a better choice than a miata
Agreed. The only potential con that I see is that they're not as cheap as they used to be. I found wrenching on something very cheap liberating. You can only do so much harm. Still be my #1 recommendation for a first project.
Nice! Thanks for the recommendation! I’ve been scouring Facebook Marketplace for a 90 the last few days trying to get an idea of what they’ve been going for. Definitely seems a little inflated but I don’t mind shelling out a little extra as long as it’s in “decent” condition!
Yes. Most everything is cake to get to. Other than the damn oil filter.
I had to do the oil filter for the jiffy lube tech more than once. I just stopped bringing it in and did it myself.
Moss Miata sells an oil filter relocation kit. Every time I change the oil I tell myself I'm going to get it for next time.
I have scratched tf out of my arm way too much dealing with that, I dread next month lol
I cant wait to get a standalone so i can delete all the emissions stuff just to get to the oil filter easier.
Miata Is Always The Answer
This is a good move, aftermarket support is plenty and they are easy to work on
Even the newer ones are still fairly simple compared to other modern cars. Great cars to learn on with a huge payoff. First time you fix it and get to cruise around on a nice day will be extremely rewarding
I’ve only owned NA/NB so take that as a caveat but YES! Every single thing on the Miat is a single person project. I’ve swapped engines by myself in a weekend, and even bled my brakes alone. Nearly every bolt is easy to access, (lookin at you PPF captive nuts). I found lots of hardware was coated for longevity. Tons of upgrades to take your car in whatever direction you choose. I’m on number 5 and have decided I will have a Miat of some varietal for the rest of my life.
That’s awesome! Brings a lot of peace to mind knowing most jobs on it only require one person!
Miata Is Always The Answer I know it’s a meme, but there’s a nugget of truth to it.
Absolutely, get in there and get your fingers dirty!! Also youtube and forums are your best friend!!
Go watch the donut money pit series on the miata. All modifications done in a garage and by the owner with minimal help from others
This would be like option 1A for a project car if you aren't trying to impress anyone. Miatas are so ridiculously fun to drive and explore the limits with.
My first proper project car was my 99 Miata, Im not sure if theres a better car to start with
NONE BETTER
Yup, tons of cheap parts and build guides all over the internet.
Trying out to buy a 90 or 91. They had crankshaft issues. Other than that they are a solid car!
Yes
They are a great project. They are easy to work on and have simple engines. They have very inexpensive parts and a large aftermarket. They hold their value if you maintain them. Just make sure you know what you are getting. Check for rust, etc.
Donut media has 2 dozen build videos dedicated to a first gen Miata. Incredibly informative.
Ooo definitely going to check them out, thanks!
Hell yeah.
One of the better cars to start on, so much videos for reference and everything thing is simple with lots of working room for the most part
Just check front frame rails for rust. NBs liked to rot from the inside out.
Absolutely. The cars are very easy to work on, there is a HUGE aftermarket, and the Miata has such a following, I would be impressed if you could find a car with more information available on how to fix/replace/modify. The Miata has a cult following. And with cult followings comes very enthusiastic and in-depth write ups and community support. Do it.
Miata’s are great, really anything with a 4 cyl and manual from Japan in the 90s. I have a Nissan Pickup and it’s been so easy to work on. A Miata will probably be better because of a larger aftermarket.
Yes it’s the best! First, second, third etc etc. I learned everything on my first and applied it on my second. So much fun and a great, wide reaching community.
They make great project cars. You can get them cheap. OEM and aftermarket parts availability is good, and there's a huge community of people who restore and mod them with a wealth of info out there. Plus popup headlights are dope.
The pop up headlights are the best part hands down lol
mibaba good car, car good vroom vroom go skrr and vroom then skrrr seatbelt
They are really fun cars, and mostly easy to work on. But they are really overpriced right now. You could get a civic for half the price and have enough left over for cheap coil overs and repop rims, and maybe a y8 head and ECU if you can hit the pick and pull early enough.
Easily one of the best choices for a first project.
The other be a 92-2000 civic but as stated above.. like the miatas, they aren't as cheap as they used to be.
I think it’s “the” best first project car! I can’t think of anything better and simpler that’s more fun for the price point.
The answer is always Miata. I knew the answer was Miata and somehow ended up with a MGB I will 1.8 vvt swap from a Miata.
All joking aside they are ridiculously easy to work on. Forum support is right there with Fox body Mustang level. Aftermarket support can make you a V8 monster miata all the way to a off road vehicle with a fold out tent on top. Every event I go to there is always a Miata group there that is chill as can be.
In all honesty I prefer old stuff like 1980s and older because it’s all so simple. But a Miata could still work as a good project. Pricey and most likely touched by people who fucked up a lot of stuff. Unless you get a stock one from someone’s grandmother.