1997 Mazda Miata Review: Worth it to Keep a Miata Stock?

[@antonioescobar6413]

Just got a 1992 bone stock silver Miata with matching hardtop ..just 68k miles pristine condition ,black leather ,power windows,AC,power steering ,cruise control …a joy to drive just paid 7200$..and the owner gave me new water pump and battery.Going to leave it this way years to come!

[@autoobsessivegarage]

What a catch! Silver is so rare…unlike every other car out there. Definitely hold on to that one.

[@SupaPictave]

Nice review, good job. We were lucky enough to find in 2017 a 1991 NA with my father, clean and stock with 180000km on the clock, for about 6500€. It was an old lady's daily who drove it for years, perfectly maintained at a Mazda dealership. But she couldn't really drive it anymore because of her age, and she was about to move to Paris near her family, without any parking space at her disposal, so, yeah... The paintjob was shot, the soft top was completely cooked by the south western french sun, and the seats... A year of work, new paint, new alpaga soft top (way better than the vinyl OG one) and new leather seats, it's literally a brand new car, a timeless masterpiece. IMHO if you really want to collect cars, you really have to keep them as close to stock as possible.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Thank you so very much. Sounds like a fantastic car and it’s such a joy to bring them back to great condition. I agree with your points and stock condition is certainly the way to go for value.

[@Soap_MC]

After 10 years of wanting one, about a month ago I purchased a completely stock ‘90 Miata. The original paint is almost flawless and the interior is PERFECT. It has 85k miles and is finished in Classic Red with a black soft top. The exact spec I’ve always wanted. I’ve been driving it everywhere, especially up the canyons in the mountains of Utah where I live. Love this car so much.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Sounds like you found one heck of a gem. They are so much fun even completely stock.

[@slugstory]

Just picked up a 96 80k miles from a family friend who’s had it in the garage for years, beyond blessed

[@autoobsessivegarage]

This is getting exceptionally rare to do today. Congrats, sounds like you found a gem.

[@butterydeath7145]

I just bought a 94 80k miles with hard top from a family friend too. For 10k 😅

[@slugstory]

@@butterydeath7145 hell yeah dude!! Enjoy that thang

[@mattmalenda6585]

Yes it’s worth keeping stock! Love my 97’ got it for 8500 in 2018 with 55k miles. Absolute steal. (I did change the shocks, for konis, they were dead)

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Now that’s a minty Miata! Absolute steal right there.

[@MatthewJohnCrittenden]

Bought my low mileage stock 1990 around 8 years ago for AU$7,000. If you can find any around here then be prepared to part with upwards of AU$21,000. I have no intentions of modifying it. Great cars, good vid!

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Thank you. Agreed. The way they are starting to appreciate does warrant finding a clean stock one and keeping it that way, but man is that more challenging than ever.

[@carswithadamdavis]

You seem like you know Miatas! How do you feel about the STO model? I just bought one yesterday.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

I am in no way, shape, or form an expert…but I sure do love em. The STO is sweet. Cool color combo and interior special bits. I greatly enjoy rare editions. Congrats on the buy!

[@johnyaskoveakarpaccio4737]

that IS a rare find,on the flip-side,leave the car stock like it is,and just get grippy NEW tires on it,and call it a day.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Agreed, very rare. I also believe refreshing suspension components with OEM equivalent is a good thing to stay on top of.

[@sergywergywooo1462]

I found a stock miata for 7,500 about 2 hours from where I live and my current car is "totaled" so I'm thinking about buying it. I'm just scared it will be small for me cause I am a 6ft 230 lb guy

[@autoobsessivegarage]

How’s the condition and mileage of that Miata? If both are good, that’s a very fair price. For comparison, I’m 6ft tall and about 200lbs…and I have a longer torso so I’m usually sitting higher. I fit, but carving some of the foam out of the seat makes it perfect for me. Go jump in one to see.

[@benmarley3086]

Going to see a stock 97, black, 120000 miles, manual, £2300. Exhaust and suspension looks like it needs changing but I think it’s a steal

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Hopefully the rust monster hasn’t got to it. If it’s clean, that sounds like a legit steal.

[@benmarley3086]

@@autoobsessivegarage I did buy it, the rust is actually not that bad, the exhaust only has rust on the end, suspension was to be expected as seen in pics but the radiator looks bad so I’m changing that along with all the fluids I’m gonna change out. Hopefully the engine hasn’t suffered from overheating because I’m afraid the price was lower because of potential damage to the engine, there wasn’t an engine light on the dash which is a good indicator though.

[@benmarley3086]

@@autoobsessivegarage my priority list right now is 1. Compression test (just to make sure) 2. Engine oil change, fluid changes, radiator change (might do this first) 3. New suspension 4. Rust repairs If all goes well then happy days I just stole that mx5 ;) (car is bone stock as well btw)

[@Treerootz1]

I got a completely stock one for $6k with 106k miles!

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Now that’s a fantastic deal. Congrats!

[@iverson1Guitar]

I have a 1997 stock miata. Just it 71,000 miles on it.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

That is absolutely epic!

[@iverson1Guitar]

@autoobsessivegarage if you ever happen to find yourself near Madison WI let me know we could go ride the back roads!

[@johnyaskoveakarpaccio4737]

hey CONGRATS on your keeping of it after all of these years!! just curious,what made you keep and hang on to it,vs trading it in over the years on a much newer one,or something else,NO right answer just wondering hey thanks!!

[@saninuraeni]

Where Do You Get Stock Miatas? It's Hard To find :(

[@autoobsessivegarage]

So very hard to find…I’m constantly searching cars for sale on all the sites.

[@Treerootz1]

I got lucky and found one from someone who died

[@benking7641]

I have one with 112,480 miles on it everything works got it from a old lady it’s a 1993 it’s got AC and everything I’m looking to sale I’m about to get stationed overseas and can’t take it with me

[@saninuraeni]

​@@benking7641 Very Lucky

[@samanthagaboo5610]

People that have Jeeps do the same thing. I have a 99' Jeep I bought in about 2012. Bone stock. I think slightly bigger tires, thats it. I hate, hate, hate mods. I don't even like when people change rims. You shouldn't buy other people's modded vehicles if you can help it. You don't know how it's done or the quality. Jeep owners are the worst, they think they'll get $1 per $1 on the mods they spent, that's not how mods work --- not even with insurance. In about a year I'll be looking for a stock 1997 red miata, pretty much what you're driving.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Very much onboard with your view. In my youth I was all about mods, but now I’m very much a stock restoration kinda guy. I still get down with suspension mods from time to time.

[@fv1291]

Stock, case closed! That's a beautiful car, i wish i had never sold mine.😢

[@autoobsessivegarage]

I’m with you especially for value. Thanks, I usually like the more base ones, but this one was just such a great looker.

[@JayZombie84]

Can you find me a NON POS miata for $4k please? Kids are crazy in SWPA with their sh!t boxes.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

That price point is hard to hit in the current market…and I tend to take on far shittier cars than most.

[@ihsanulkamil1999]

super awesome

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Thank you!