Miata's reliability.

I'm currently looking at buying a 1999 Miata with leather seats/power windows and locks. It has 117,XXX miles on it and I was wondering how their reliability is. My father seems to think that any car with over 100,000 miles on it is junk, and usually I would agree. But the miata engines seem to be, as far as I can tell, bulletproof. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

IMO be wary of a 99 w/ over 100 thou miles!!:2cents: Depending on maintenance history, Miata's have been known to exceed 150 to 180,000 before needing a rebuild. Regular oil changes, tune-ups, timing belt changes every 60,000 (meaning w/ 117,000 you'll be due soon) had to be done, as required or else walk away! I found a 92, 1 owner w/ 73,000 miles for $5500!! SO good deals are out there. Best of luck...

Well, bullitproof, perhaps not. But they're pretty reliable cars. I have a '91 with 133K miles on it, and I'm having some problems. Actually, my engine and transmission are both about shot to hell, but I blame that on poor maintainance. My mother had the car for about a year before I did, and she didn't know how to check the oil. It was my father's car to start with, and he didn't do as well with it as I think he would have liked, but... The point is, if you can take care of them, they're not going to fall apart on you. They're tough little cars. They have some spirit, too.

Just because I car has over 100K miles on it doesn't mean that it's a piece of junk...

117k does seem like a lot of miles on a '99 but as long as its been looked after and regularly serviced you should still have many happy motoring miles left.

I know quite a few that have done near on or more that 200k and they are still going strong.

In Nov, 2006, I bought a '99 with 104,000 mi. The only engine modification is that the air intact has been redirected to pull through the front bumper where one of the driving lights would go. I've put about 9,000 mi. on it since. I've only changed the oil a couple of times (I'm using Castrol Full synthetic and it uses half a quart every 3000 mi). I've just replaced the ignition wires with NGK Blue High Perf and the spark plugs with NGK Platinum, G-Power. All the old plugs had that nice tan color of healthy combustion. If I let the car sit for a few days, when I start it, there is a tiny bit of white smoke, probably leaky valve guides, but not a big deal. This car runs strong and can do 100mph in 4th at redline and I've had it cruising at 115.

the best ones to look for are the 94-97 cars and the 01-05 cars. If you want to autocroos or race the car in scca the 94 R package and the 99 sport are the two best to look for.

I can't remember but I beleave the 99's did have some problems being the first year of the NB chasis

cheak out miata.net forums for more info

I have a 1990 miata with 217,000 miles on it! Other than steady oil changes,timing belt,rear shocks,tires,battery,& brakes this car still runs strong & shifts smooth. The only thing I have had to replace is the soft top and shifter boot. Run premium gas and use synthetic oil and I hope you can say the same one day!