2011, 63,000

I went & gassed up today, ran great. Hey, what do you think about getting the fuel door open if one wasn’t versed?? I had to Google it at the pump!!

How would one ever know??

I presented the offer to my son, could go either way. I need to see a little enthusiasm.

To hedge my bets, I’ve been looking at availability of personalized plates in WI. I have some front runners. I’ll give a little time for the son to decide, but I want to plate it fairly soon for use.

If anyone is wondering, it's in the center console storage bin. I ran into it myself, needing gas to complete a road test.

quote:

I went & gassed up today, ran great. Hey, what do you think about getting the fuel door open if one wasn’t versed??

^^^ I was wondering. Thank you!

Looks like at least initially I will keep the Mazda. I will send off the title, first looking over personalized plates here in WI.

Today I plan to check the spark plugs, fairly soon the rear differential fluid. Supposedly the previous owner was a bit of a gearhead, but it’s easy to ignore certain things.

The next time my son in the military comes home, I’ll help load that rusty, wrecked mid 70’s F-150 on his car hauler trailer.

quote:

Originally posted by sourdough44:


The next time my son in the military comes home, I’ll help load that rusty, wrecked mid 70’s F-150 on his car hauler trailer.

Hard to explain, but for some people (myself included), you can get attached to those trucks.
They rusted out from road salt within 5 years from being new. All the parts are still available to fix it.
I can understand his feelings on it.

These cars have a couple failure points to look for. Their coolant expansion tanks become brittle and can leave you stranded on the side of the road or in a worse case over heat your engine from the loss of coolant.

They make some really high quality aluminum tanks, but they are pricy.

I opted for an aluminum tank from a company called Alloyworks. It was $89. The welds don't look as pretty as the more expensive tanks.

Also, take a look at the top of your radiator. If it's starting to turn brown or green it's time to start looking at replacements.

Most everything else on these are rock solid with regular maintenance.

ETA: I guess the NCs got an aluminum radiator so don't fail so often as the NA/NB radiators.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Skull Leader,

Thanks, I had heard of the coolant expansion tank. This one appears original, Mazda name on it. I took the spark plugs out today. They look in very good shape, and original. I re-anti seized them & put em back in place.

I think I’ll investigate the rear differential next, once jacked, seems kinda simple.

Congrats on the acquisition! We are now at the point where...

I would do a picture but I’m not versed in this format. I know, could figure it out.

Today I pulled the 4 plugs, they looked original, very good shape, a little tight. I reinstalled them, with anti-seize, for now.

I then went to the rear differential, getting into position a biggie, jacks & all. I got the 2 nuts loose, after a warmup, drained the fluid. It was dark as expected, maybe original, maybe not. I pumped clean 75-90 synthetic in.

I’m not too worried about the engine oil, looks clean, came with extra oil filters. I’ll investigate the tranny fluid & change the air filter soon.

I did ascertain that it’s the ‘Grand Touring’ model, from what I see. It has the Bose sound system, 17” tires and the retractable hard top. The tires are ok, not great, Michelin. If I get new at some point I’d like to run it through my tire comparison site. I’d like a little more sidewall as available, then fits in the well.

If I might suggest, despite the engine oil looking clean, it's cheap insurance to change it.

I always feel better after I change my engine oil.

Email sent with offer to help post pictures...

Thanks, I’ll look.

I split the baby, sent off for a title with ‘or’ his name there with mine. I also ordered a military plate he can live with, personalized.

The transfer can be in 1 month or 20 years, I don’t care. That truck is an abomination(didn’t look up exact meaning).

Did a couple of things to my Miata today. Replaced the factory antenna with a Stubby.

It was missing the battery cover so I got an OEM one off Ebay and installed it today.

Topped off the wiper fluid as it was empty.

I also installed the MX-5 Things PRHT module which allows me to open and close the top while in motion up to 30mph and it's a one action process now. Once you flip the top release it will take over and lower the top. With one press of the top closure button it will close the top. No more having to hold down the buttons.

Next on the list is to replace the expansion tank, oil change, and coolant system flush. I'll also have to figure out how to bleed brakes and replace the brake fluid and clutch fluid.

The previous owner replaced the factory HU with a JVC HU and has the USB cable run out from under the dash and just wrapped around a phone holder. I ordered a part to replace the factor AUX plug with a USB-C so that I can get rid of the ugly cable that's always there. Will make the cab a bit neater.

Where are them pictures, SourDough44?

Sorry did I miss it... hard top, with Frankenstein bolts where the top meets the trunk. holding it on, latches at the windshield. You can pull it off with help in about 30 seconds... The convertible top is underneath it, folded behind the front seat backs. pull it up and latch it at the windshield just like the hardtop did. Depending on the year, there may be a second set of latches on the B pillar next to the seat back.

I found a barn find hard top for my '00 for 250 bucks. Ran it in the winter, just used soft top in summer. MUCH better visibility with a hard top. Warmer and quieter too. There are a couple potential variations, glass, or plastic rear window in the soft top, and a rear window defroster that may need to be plugged in/unplugged...


Miata.net! I might have mentioned that before?
One of the most, or the most active car forums on the Internet.

^ NA & NB only
NC used a power hardtop with no softtop
ND has the RF, more of a power Targa than a convertible