THSCC Forums

I have had my 92 for a while now and have never seen 30 mpg even on long road trips like my wife and I took in the spring. I think that mid to hig 20's is acceptable. Plus, most people don't buy Miata for the gas mileage. They buy them because they are fun cars to drive. As a matter of fact, they get miserable mileage for what they are. A 1.6L light weight 2 seat roadster with minimal safety gear should get MUCH better mileage than it does.

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Todd Breakey
STS 42 - 1992 Sunburst Miata
Dammit!
"You souldn't play leap frog with a porcupine. You might get hurt." - Eliza

If someone wants a car that gets horrible mileage, pick yourself up an RX-8. You'll be lucky to get 23mpg cruising on the highway and around town if you get on it at all you are looking at the mid to upper teens. - AB

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'14 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 4WD
Super Westerfield Bros - '93 Integra - LeChump Du Jour
STX 93 - Scion FR-S

Will vote for the 93 also, because that's what I got.
For gas mileage I'm getting around 27-28 mpg commuting to work. Saw 33-34 mpg on long interstate trip.

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Patrice
1973 911 former track and AX car.
2016 VW GTI
2002 Nissan Sentra (Olivier car)
2012 Nissan Juke (Kathy car)
2010 Suzuki Kizashi (Audrey car)

I'd have to agree with Todd. None of my stock 1.6L's ever got more than about 32mpg on the highway. And that was only if I kept it down to a dull roar. I've only owned NB 1.8L's and both of them got/get ~25mpg city and no more than 30mpg highway.

On the other hand, my old turbo 1.8L would occasionally hit mid to high 30's on the highway at a reasonable cruising speed but that thing wasn't exactly stock. The turbo seemed to help the part-throttle efficiency but that would obviously go straight to pot once I leaned into the throttle. I'd average around 23mpg in the city and dip into the high-teens if I was driving like a hooligan.

I think the big problem is the relatively short 5th (or 6th if equipped) gear and associated final drive. I see a lot more highway rpm's in a Miata than most other 4-cylinder cars I've owned. It also doesn't help that they have the aerodynamic profile of an average city bus.

As far as your choice, if you really are going to supercharge it at some point, I'd go for the 1.8L. It already has all the part you'll wind up replacing on the 1.6L anyway.

Jim

I really appreciate everyone's input and recommendations. For now the 1993 is the front runner. I got to see the 95 today and really, it is ok, but not what the 1993 seems to be. Evidently it is some rare blue color that is one of about 5000 cars. Doesn't have power windows. The water pump was replaced when the timing belt was so that has been done. The owner is really set on that $5k price which is at the very high end of what I was hoping to spend. Oh, it doesn't have the torsen rear end.

I mentioned supercharging. That is a possible long term goal. I understand the 1.8 to be the better platform, but if it can be done on the 1.6, I will just address that when and if that arises.

So on Sunday, I am hoping to check the 93 out in person and hopefully make a decision. If I still have a cold feet feeling, I may pass and see what else becomes available. I also figure for that price and mileage and my limited driving of it that even in a couple of years, I could sell the car for close to what I am going to pay.

Are any of you owner/experts around on Sunday and want to go with me to look at this car?

Rare??

<--Owner of a Sunburst Yellow Miata 1 of ~1500!!!

BTW - If you are there on Saturday, you are more than welcome to take a run in my car. It's a 92 on Koni yellows with GC standard springs (I need heavier springs on the car to make it *right* oh, new bushings would be nice too.).

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Todd Breakey
STS 42 - 1992 Sunburst Miata
Dammit!
"You souldn't play leap frog with a porcupine. You might get hurt." - Eliza

That would be Mariner Blue if its the blue I am thinking of. Nice color IMHO.

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02 Focus SVT
STF 9

Mariner Blue screams for orange Gulf livery stripes IMHO.

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Has no responsibility whatsoever.

My sister bought Jim F's Mariner (sometimes called "smurf") blue with the hard top and I have to admit, the blue top on the Yellow Miata looks pretty hawt!

I'll post pics when I get home.

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Todd Breakey
STS 42 - 1992 Sunburst Miata
Dammit!
"You souldn't play leap frog with a porcupine. You might get hurt." - Eliza

Has she driven it yet?

Jim

I don't believe they had Mariner blue in the 94+ cars. I think he is talking about Montego blue, which was rare, and is very pretty. Jim Pastorius Miata was Mariner blue.... a color only a person with color blindness could love - AB

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'14 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 4WD
Super Westerfield Bros - '93 Integra - LeChump Du Jour
STX 93 - Scion FR-S

Hey now, I liked my smurf car!

Besides, you should have seen all the attention I used to get when I would pull up next to a minivan full of 12-year old girls! They would all lean out and giggle and tell me how cute my car was. You simply can't buy that kind of respect!

Jim

I have two words for you: Smart Car. You want attention, get one. I've had mine two days now and it's been crazy everywhere I've been. Store attendants leave their post to come see it. People yell at you at stop lights. Parking attendants at decks hold up traffic to get you to tell them about it. People just look and laugh.

Okay, so maybe it's not "respect" at all. But neither is what Jim F was talking about.


--Donnie

Attention whore

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02 Focus SVT
STF 9

Did the SEB ever get around to classing one of those things?



I'm almost positive I was getting respect out of the minivan filled with 12-year old girls.

On the other hand, I'm pretty sure the minivan filled with 14-year old girls were just mocking me. I hate them!

Jim