Mazda Miata: 2002 Miata info needed

With new dealer discounts being pretty good, you ought to buy new


"Nora" <mcgill.ca> wrote in message
news:wBGuc.8068$risq.qc.ca...
 
insurance 

Oops, I meant to say, that's $15,000 Canadian microbucks. New would be
$27,000-$30,000; sorta beyond my finances at the moment.

--
Nora (imagine a Canadian flag here)
========================
and the Rollerskate (imagine a BLANK here, '99 silver Miata GONE)

http://www.nheh.ca/ HOME PAGE
http://hobbystage.net/miata/nora/ Rollerskate
http://www.nheh.ca/RATG/2003/RATG3.htm RATG III pix
http://www.nheh.ca/SBFR/2003/03sbfr.htm NH Spring Run
http://www.nheh.ca/FFFR/FFFR5/index.html FFFR5 pix
http://www.nheh.ca/SBFR/2004/04-SRmain.htm 2004 NH spring run maps

"Alesandra" <com> wrote in message
news:IEGuc.17892$news.pas.earthlink.net... 

I recently purchased my Miata with Canadian Micro Bucks, But I spent them as
far south as I could in San Diego. I don't know if travel plans are in your
future but I found the farther south I went the less value people put on
Miatae. Kinda weird huh. Importing was not to much hassle. Check out
www.riv.ca, and carfax is your friend. Also make the acquaintance of a
friendly insurance dealer, you will need their help. I figure I saved 5 ~ 6
thousand CMBs.


"Nora" <mcgill.ca> wrote in message
newsSLuc.8087$risq.qc.ca... 

I was figuring on a search pattern of about 400 miles radius from the
Montreal area, but finding one isn't the problem; I've already got about 3
candidates.

The page about importing US vee-hickles is interesting. I thought importing
would be much more of a hassle than they indicate.

However, I need to know what quirks and minor inconveniences are in the
nature of a 2002 Miata, as that's the front runner at the moment.

I know it's heavier; does this affect anything else?
Was A/C standard on Canadian 2002's or was it an option?
I know it has the key security thing; is this an inconvenience?
I know it's got the surfboard seats; is this a good thing?
I know it's got built-in fog lights; are they a PITA to clean the bugs out
of?
I know it's got "new improved" cupholders; are they?
I know the mid-console storage compartment's shorter; is this bad?
What about changing plug wires? They don't look easy to get at, as they were
on the Rollerskate.

--
Nora (imagine a Canadian flag here)
========================
and the Rollerskate (imagine a BLANK here, '99 silver Miata GONE)

http://www.nheh.ca/ HOME PAGE
http://hobbystage.net/miata/nora/ Rollerskate
http://www.nheh.ca/RATG/2003/RATG3.htm RATG III pix
http://www.nheh.ca/SBFR/2003/03sbfr.htm NH Spring Run
http://www.nheh.ca/FFFR/FFFR5/index.html FFFR5 pix
http://www.nheh.ca/SBFR/2004/04-SRmain.htm 2004 NH spring run maps

"TBG" <COM> wrote in message
news:6aMuc.10804$.. 
as 
your 
6 

"Nora" <mcgill.ca> wrote in
news:xN%uc.1$risq.qc.ca:
 

I just sold my '02 Special Edition that I purchased new May '02. The
only problem I had with the car was the speedo drive gear disintegrated
(strangely enough while driving in Montreal). This part failure had
never happened apparently in Canada. The only issue I had was a slightly
notchy 1-2 gear shift when the 6 speed tranny was cold. That was
remedied by changing the tranny oil to full synthetic (Redline). There
were also some '02 cars that had issues with clutch chatter. This is a
warranty issue and Mazda will replace the clutch if you experience this
problem.

AC was not standard on all Canadian models in '02. It was standard on
the Leather and Special Edition models.

The key fob controlled ignition immobilizer is a great security feature
that locks/unlocks the doors and pops the trunk.

The seats are very good and supportive. Cloth is a better choice over
leather if you enjoy "spirited" cornering or auto-crossing. I find I
slide around in the leather too much. The "surfboard" look is to comply
with impact laws. They also provide a pretty good shield from the wind
going down the back of your neck on those brisk Canadian mornings in the
spring and fall.

The foglights are VERY expensive from Mazda. Make sure you have
protective rock guard film applied to them. If you do loose one go to
Ford and order the lights from a Mercury Marauder. They are one third
the price and are the same.

The cup holders are OK for going to work but you wouldn't want to say
drive through the Rocky Mountains with a Snapple in them. I use them to
hold my coins and driving gloves.

The mid console is now sized to fit CD's. I use it for that purpose, so
it suits me fine.

The plug wires are different on the new engines. The plugwires have
integrated "mini coils". I haven't heard of anyone having problems with
them. We have people in our club with +80K Km and have not had any
issues with plugwires.

One last observation is the tire that comes on the 16" rims. The
Bridgestone Tourenzas are ok, not a track tire, not especially good in
the rain, but predictable in a corner. After about 10-15K Km my tires
caused the car to "track" on the road. I have talked to several people
and they all had the same issue. I had my alignment checked several
times and it was spot on. Changing the tires remedied this issue.

Hope this helps.

Rod in Calgary
'04 Mazdaspeed MX-5 Turbo
'90 Mariner Blue

"GO Flames GO!"

a <a@b.c> wrote:

[Snip of 2002 description]
 

So what is the low down on the Mazdaspeed so far?

Leon

--
Leon van Dommelen Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)
To reply to me, the word Miata must be in the subject.
EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)

net (Leon van Dommelen) wrote in
news:com:
 

Lovin' it so far

-Rod

Hi Nora,
I thought I would respond to your request as best I could. I own a
2002 Silver Miata. I bought it off a new car lot and took it with the
equipment that it had on it. This is my first Miata, so what sounds to me
to be normal, may not be!
I can't address vehicle weight, once you get the engine would up, it
will get the blood pumping.
The key security is quite a unique This very special and very expensive
key is required to start and run the car. The key is available from the
dealer. It has a computer chip in the handle. It makes you think about
where your keys are before you lock anything up. A regular key from a key
shop will open all the locks and even start the engine. The engine will not
run long without the special key.
I love the surfboard seats. It does not present the visibility problems
that I had anticipated.
I haven't noted any particular problems cleaning the fog lights. Just
regular car washing seems to take care of it.
Cup holders- There are one or two. The front one is the ashtray. It
has a removeable insert that converts it to a cupholder if you don't smoke!
I keep my cell phone there! The rear one, seems to be good enough for a
traveling cup. I have had a long standing policy of no food or drinks in
the car. So it serves as a junk container! You can't have too much junk!
I haven't had anything to do with plug wires yet, but it is all right
there on top, so I can't imagine it being too dificult.
And finally, as you already know, Silver Miata's are very, very
fast!!!!!
Hope this helps I'll be happy to help if I can.

Rich
2002 Silver

"Nora" <mcgill.ca> wrote in message
news:xN%uc.1$risq.qc.ca... 
importing 
were 
them 
~