Vehicle Description
1990 Mazda Miata
"We wanted to combine the reliability and quality of a Japanese car
with the excitement and emotion of an in�expensive, lightweight,
rear-drive convertible," said Bob Hall, product planning manager at
Mazda's Irvine, California, facility and one of the visionaries
behind the creation of the Miata. "The idea just seemed in�credibly
logical to us."
For consignment, a modern-day sports car that offers up great
handling, a bit of wind in your hair, a seat low to the ground,
snappy acceleration, and above all reliability. Let's see that from
the Triumphs and MG's! And this one with a mere 38,979 actual
miles.
Exterior
The Miata has clearly been created by and for enthusiasts. Examine
the car's smart lines for a moment. Could a calcu�lator-toting
marketing team have penned such an enticing form? Of course not-the
Miata has plainly sprung from knowing hands. The shape is nostalgic
but not imitative; Mazda has captured the es�sence and flavor of
the sports cars of yore without copying any one design. Instead the
Miata's neat and trim shape charm with warmly familiar details:
attractive snowflake alloy wheels, carefully styled chrome door
handles, jaunty rear-view mirrors, sleek taillights, and that
oh-so-important air intake in the prow. Of course, if all you see
here is a 1990's version of the Lotus Elan, well, what's so bad
about that? All bathed in Classic Red, and all in excellent
condition. Including the black vinyl top with clear plastic rear
window.
Interior
The Miata is equally aware inside. The cabin recalls the immediacy
of an honest-sports-car cockpit without forcing the oc�cupants to
endure cramped quarters. Anyone short of an NBA player will be able
to get comfortable in the Miata. The instrument panel sits up close
and personal, but there's plenty of legroom in the well's
underneath. (Orthodox enthusiasts take note: the throttle pedal is
drilled.) The room is generous for hips and shoulders. Excellent
charcoal gray tweed cloth with a slightly raised pattern covers the
buckets. More than roomy, the Miata's cabin is a friendly place to
be. The instruments are simple analog dials-would an hon�est sports
car use anything else? (Note, too, the nostalgic chrome rings
around the speedometer and the tach.) The straightforward climate
controls fall readily to hand. The shifter is reachable without
reaching. Slightly faded black carpet covers the floors, and all is
really clean on the inside. Mazda has done a su�perb job of
preserving the intimate atmo�sphere of an honest sports car.
Drivetrain
A pop of the hood and we are greeted by a beautifully kept and
prepared 1.6 Liter Inline 4-cylinder engine. This has electronic
fuel injection, and the original 5-speed manual transmission bolted
behind. Rear wheel drive (should it be any other way on a sports
car worth its salt?) has a 4.30 gearing. Slight corrosion is noted
on the aluminum fuel injection cover, but otherwise the engine is
very clean.
Undercarriage
Some minor surface rust is noted on the usual suspects (suspension,
drive shaft and axles) but is merely surface rust. All underneath
is structurally sound and in full working condition. We can note
that the right rear coil spring is broken! That said independent
coil spring suspension is on all 4 corners as well as power disc
brakes.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter, smooth runner, and very easy shifting up through
the gears provided a smooth ride, despite the broken spring. This
car handles better than my TR6 and has way more acceleration with 2
less cylinders.
If you want to have a sports car in the true sense of the word,
with all the nagging problems designed away (cramped interior,
shifters too far away, clunky suspension, some power but never
enough, and unreliability) then look no further with this Miata
which brings rejuvenation to the term sports car, and a smile to my
face as I cruised down the road with the top down. Nearly worry
free of what my next repair may be.
VIN Decode
JM1NA3512L0146068
J-Japan
M-Mazda
1-Passenger Car
NA-M1
35-Convertible
1-1.6L B6P
2-Check Digit
L-1990
0-Hiroshima Japan Assy Plant
146068-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 450 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
