1990 Mariner Blue

[Bob_Bobber0]

Alright, here it is. For those who don't know, I bought a 1995 Classic Red about a year ago. I originally wanted a Mariner Blue, but this great deal popped up and I snagged it with 80k miles and a hardtop for $3800. Being my first car, I learned a great deal about maintenance and Miata's in general. Not satisfied with the Classic Red however, I decided to sell my car and pursue the Mariner Blue.

I missed a couple good deals because I was still waiting for my car to sell, but this past week I found this one. A second owner car, with all maintenance records. The PO was very meticulous about maintaining his car and documented everything in a journal he provided me with. The car has 175,000 miles on it. Purchased in Alabama, just south of Birmingham. The car is originally from Birmingham and still has the original dealer tags (which I plan to remove).

Anyway, the PO was a great guy, I ended up getting the car for $3400 with the hardtop included. The soft top is in excellent condition and shows no signs of wear. KYB adjustable shocks, R-package front lip, Flyin' Miata sway's, Randall cold air intake, Kirk Roll Bar, hollow spoke wheels, and a gorgeously clean interior. It has A/C, a manual steering rack (which is fantastic btw) and of course manual windows and mirrors.

First thing I did when I arrived home was wash it, and popped my turn signal intakes in. Here are the pics!

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b169/Bob_Bobber0/DSC_0179.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b169/Bob_Bobber0/DSC_0180.jpg

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http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b169/Bob_Bobber0/DSC_0183.jpg

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http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b169/Bob_Bobber0/DSC_0188.jpg

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http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b169/Bob_Bobber0/DSC_0194.jpg

Now, the engine bay is pretty dirty, and seems like the PCV valve is spewing some oil. I have about $1500 left over from selling my car and hardtop (well once I sell the hardtop anyway). I am contemplating dropping a 1.8 drive train in (engine, diff, whatever else is needed). I guess I'd need to work the numbers, but I'm wondering if with the sale of my engine and other parts, along with my $1500, if I'd have enough to complete the job. It needs a timing belt job, and instead of paying R-Speed like $800 to do it, I'd rather source a low mile, clean engine, and differential, and pop them in. Also 1.8 brakes, and whatever else is needed.

So there is my story on this one. Will keep this updated as I progress!

Thanks!

[Machado_305]

How do you say "perfect" in Japanese?

[NA6R]

Dude....bring that thing up here. We'll do a tbelt in an afternoon. Then your good for a few years. If your nice you can drive my 1.6 then decide to keep it.

[Stealth97]

Congrats on the new ride. Enjoy it a bit before you start doing things like 1.8 swaps!

[RotorNutFD3S]

Congrats! It looks like you did very well!

[Shortround]

Wow very nice find congrats

[miata5620]

Very good looking car especially for the yr it is. I would just take that luggage rack off and it would look really good.

[Bob_Bobber0]

On my list of things to do is remove the luggage rack (or find a replacement lid), remove the antenna, and see if I can get those door strips off without ruining the paint underneath.

[miata5620]

and see if I can get those door strips off without ruining the paint underneath.

If it's held on by adhesive you might try spraying it with 3M automotive adhesive remover and letting it soak in it. I used that and fishing line to remove all the badges on my old mustang and it did it very well without damaging the paint.

[jester911]

Nice car. Congrats.

[NA6R]

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b169/Bob_Bobber0/DSC_0194.jpg

Now, the engine bay is pretty dirty, and seems like the PCV valve is spewing some oil. I have about $1500 left over from selling my car and hardtop (well once I sell the hardtop anyway). I am contemplating dropping a 1.8 drive train in (engine, diff, whatever else is needed). I guess I'd need to work the numbers, but I'm wondering if with the sale of my engine and other parts, along with my $1500, if I'd have enough to complete the job. It needs a timing belt job, and instead of paying R-Speed like $800 to do it, I'd rather source a low mile, clean engine, and differential, and pop them in. Also 1.8 brakes, and whatever else is needed.

So there is my story on this one. Will keep this updated as I progress!

Thanks!

That thing is bone stock...no wonder you think it's gutless. Wake it up with some bolt ons. Then decide on a 1.8 swap. Also, 1.6's need to rev to go! keep it above 4k and it'll feel like a different car.

[Bob_Bobber0]

Hey guys, the PO has the timing set to 14' will this mess up emissions testing?

[tbearmiata]

I'd let Hector look it over before I chunked down money for another engine. Like NA said, you have to rev the 1.6 to make it go - my old '90 was more fun to drive in the mountains with stock suspension and crappy Futura tires than any of my NB's.

[NA6R]

Hey guys, the PO has the timing set to 14' will this mess up emissions testing?

shouldn't

[Bob_Bobber0]

shouldn't

Cool. Yea, I dunno what I'm gunna do. Having the engine out is also an excuse to get the engine bay back to looking clean and niiice. lol. Probably should just go get it inspected first, compression test maybe as well.

[NA6R]

Cool. Yea, I dunno what I'm gunna do. Having the engine out is also an excuse to get the engine bay back to looking clean and niiice. lol. Probably should just go get it inspected first, compression test maybe as well.


you can clean around an engine.

Why do a comp test? do you have a stumble? is a plug fouled? are there other indications it's unhealthy?

[Bob_Bobber0]

Paranoia. Seems to run fine. The exhaust does sound strange, almost metally, airy, tinny, on acceleration at lower speeds. But who knows, could be the randall I'm hearing. Eventually, I'll meet up with one of you 1.6 peeps to have a peek and test drive.

[NA6R]

It could also have one of the notorious heat shield rattles.

Get the T/belt kit. Start shopping for a header and exhaust. I'm not a fan of the Randal. IMHO, more air is better than colder air. The stock intake tract sucks. Keep an eye out for a Megasquirt or pm ponytomiata and see if he has the computer I put a crystal in. If your going to keep the stock injection get an RX7 afm.
When it's time for a clutch, do a light flywheel also.

[Bob_Bobber0]

It could also have one of the notorious heat shield rattles.

That or the speedo cable. I'll have to look into either.

[VitaminD]

Nice looking car, congrats, and props on driving to get the right car.

[lazybones]

Sooo clean!! That interior is flawless!! Congrats!

[wakabama]

dude i want it!!! gorgeous car man

[Beastinthebushes]

Ugh! That is not a solora!

Congrats on getting the car you wanted. Definitely ditch that hideous trunk rack. Aside from that, everything looks baller.

[metalman]

Definitely ditch that hideous trunk rack.

This...and the side moldings.

Enjoy it a bit before you start doing things like 1.8 swaps!

Yeah. If your engine is a beaten turd replace it with a good 1.6
If its a good engine then figure out how to wake it up.
Dollars to donuts a good 1.6 is within a fender length of an equal condition 1.8, and is more fun to drive, so swapping is mostly a waste of time and $.

[scandmx5]

Congrats on the car. Glad you got exactly what you wanted. Looks great!

[salvadorr90]

Nice car man, and congrats on the purchase

[NA6R]

Having seen this car in person. It's nicer than the pictures. A 4/89 build date and almost all original.

[Bob_Bobber0]

Yea, VIN # JM1NA3510L0101758

1758th ever made! Woohooo

[nickt93]

Congrats Patrick! I was just sending you an email and figured I'd check the forum to see if there was any good news about the car - sure enough there is! The car looks great - agreed on the trunk rack and side moulding, but otherwise it looks awesome. You held out for the right car and it paid off!