1992 mazda mx-5 miata for sale by owner - Prospect Heights, IL - craigslist (2024)

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For sale is my Crystal White 1992 Mazda Miata. I purchased this car two years ago with the intention of fixing it up as I was getting really into working on cars at that time. This was always a strong running car but cosmetically it was starting to show its age. I immediately began to gather the parts needed to bring this car back to its former glory while still getting to enjoy it around town. The Miata proved itself to be a dependable car when it drove from Indianapolis to Chicago without skipping a beat the day that I bought it. I’ve since taken it to Wisconsin and Southern Illinois without any worries or hesitations. I have done the basic fluid changes, replaced air filter, installed new spark plugs and wires and replaced the valve cover gasket as part of preventative maintenance.

This car has never seen a day at the track, has never been raced, abused or mistreated. Previously owned by an adult couple in their 60s. When I bought it it went directly into my garage, I never even parked it outside.

When I got the car the paint was failing badly already. It was flaking off in dime-quarter sized chunks in some places. I didn’t feel comfortable to just prep the areas that were flaking off, because the rest of the paint was very brittle and would eventually flake off as well even if I repainted over it. So I decided to strip all of the paint down to the original primer. Prepped the car and then did all three stages starting with several coats of new primer, several coats of paint, and then several more coats of clear coat. Removing every piece of trim, every bumper and fender, and doing everything to the same standard as any reputable shop would. It’s a night and day difference from before and will keep the metal safe and protected for at least another 10-15 years. After the repaint the car turns heads everywhere it goes. I’m very pleased with the outcome.

During the paint job I also repaired the front bumper which had a piece broken off, now it looks like new. I repaired multiple cracks in the license plate bezel and made that look brand new. I repaired hundreds of small rock chips, tried to fix each dent I could. Really spared no time to do everything as best as I could.

It has a brand new Robbins top just installed this month. Never seen any outside use yet.

It has brand new upholstery custom made by Mr Mike, a well known upholstery maker for these cars that hand sews these seats here in the US. These were installed this past week and the next owner will be the first one to sit in them.

Additionally I installed:

New clear turn signals from IL Motorsports (From Moss Miata - Can send link)

New side mirrors from IL Motorsports (From Moss Miata - Can send link)

New cowl from IL Motorsports (From Moss Miata - Can send link)

New protective grill for the bumper (From Moss Miata - Can send link)

New spark plug wires from NGK (From Moss Miata - Can send link)

New CravenSpeed stubby antenna (From Amazon - Can send link)

New CravenSpeed door bushings (From Amazon - Can send link)

New Hella headlamp housing (From Amazon - Can send link)

New Hella bulbs (From Amazon - Can send link)

New leather shift boot and hand brake cover (From eBay - Can send link)

New heater control panel cover (From eBay - Can send link)

These last two things I am including with the sale, I did not get around to installing them yet. Should be super simple and a fun first project for the next owner. I'm forgetting a few other small things but this covers the basics.

The car originally came with silver steelies that came stock on it. I picked up some Enkei wheels on Toyo tires recently and put them on for these photos but it wasn't ever driven on them. I am including both sets with the sale so you can have some spares.

All in all the car by itself cost me just under $5000.

I consider the paint job to be a $2000 value add (being extremely conservative here, the materials alone were $1000 of that. Most shops would charge $5,000+ for this type of a paint job).

The roof replacement is another $1000 value. (Parts and labor included)

The upholstery is another $1000 value. (Parts and labor included)

All of the other miscellaneous parts add up to another $1000.

All in all I’m into this car for just under $10,000 and I’m only asking $9000. Not trying to earn anything on it, the paint job alone was several hundred hours of my time. Each other project was tens of hours each. You can own it by just repaying me for the cost of the car and parts and my labor is a gift. Really want to see it go to someone who will love it and appreciate it as much as I did. I’m only selling because it is taking up my only parking space that I have and I have to park my daily driver on the street. If I owned a house with more garage spaces I’d keep it forever. This car was never stored outside in my ownership and I’m pretty certain the previous owner kept it in their garage for over twenty years before me. Thank you for looking and reading this far.

Walkaround Video - https://imgur.com/a/ZrmENrU

Cold Start Video - https://imgur.com/a/16VRhrC

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1992 mazda mx-5 miata for sale by owner - Prospect Heights, IL - craigslist (2024)

FAQs

What is the best year to buy a used Mazda Miata? ›

To maximize your fun and value for money, consider purchasing the most reliable Mazda Miata year of all: the 2005 Mazda Miata. That's because, starting in 2004, Mazda gave its signature roadster an upgrade in terms of performance.

Why are old Miatas so popular? ›

In fact, the MX-5 Miata was the only sports car on Consumer Reports' list of most reliable new cars. An older generation of the Miata was even awarded one of the best affordable sports cars and was the only one to receive a perfect score for Driving Test, Owner Satisfaction, and Reliability.

How many miles can a Mazda MX-5 Miata last? ›

A typical Mazda Miata will provide a solid 200,000 miles on the road, which is a high number for a sports car. It's vital to remember that repairs for this convertible can be a little pricier, so ensure you double-check with a test drive that any used Miata is in decent condition before buying.

Is Miata high maintenance? ›

Mazda MX-5 Miata Maintenance Costs

A Mazda MX-5 Miata will cost about $5,761 for maintenance and repairs during its first 10 years of service. This beats the industry average for popular convertible models by $1,529. There is also a 16.77% chance that a MX-5 Miata will require a major repair during that time.

Do miatas hold their value? ›

A Mazda MX-5 Miata will depreciate in value by $6,712 after 5 years. Depreciation is difficult to avoid, but it can be managed. Depreciation is the difference between the original sales price, and what the vehicle will be worth in the future.

Are older Miatas good cars? ›

1989-1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata NA

It's not surprising that the very-first Miata generation is one of the least reliable. With that said, they're very popular with enthusiasts and can be pretty expensive. If you're eager to buy one from the NA generation, ensure it's properly maintained.

What are the old Miatas called? ›

The Mazda MX-5 (NA) (sold in Japan as the Eunos Roadster (ユーノス・ロードスター, Yūnosu Rōdosutā) and in North America as the Mazda MX-5 Miata) is the first generation of the Mazda MX-5 manufactured from 1989 to 1997.

Can a Mazda Miata go through a car wash? ›

First of all, you should never take your convertible through a high pressure, automated car wash. The mechanisms in the car wash can damage the top. You also want to avoid spraying water directly on the seam. This can cause water to leak through and into the interior of your car, which can cause damage.

How many miles does a 1992 Miata last? ›

Best Answer

the mazda miata NA and NB (1990 to.... early 2000s) has either the 1.6 or 1.8 motor. both are small and stand up to abuse rather well. They can easily last 250K+ miles as long as maintenance is not overlooked.

Are Mazda MX-5 cheap to maintain? ›

As a Mazda MX-5 Miata owner, I can confidently say that the cost of fixing and maintaining this car is relatively affordable compared to other sports cars in its class. The MX-5 Miata has a reputation for being reliable and durable, which means it requires fewer repairs and less frequent maintenance overall.

How much should I pay for a 90s Miata? ›

The value of a used 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata ranges from $2,992 to $7,369, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options.

How many miles do 90s Miatas last? ›

In general, the Miata is a rock-solid sports car, even when daily driven through all kinds of weather. But there are a handful of things to look out for. The 1.6-liter engines are great and generally maintenance-light workhorses that can easily travel into the 200,000 mile range without breaking a sweat.

Are MX-5 going up in value? ›

“Price rises, as ever, caught our eye: until the end of 2021 values had been relatively flat, topping out at about £1500. Since then, we've seen a few sell for more than £3500 up to around the £5000-mark for a really good one. Like its older brother, it's a surefire next-generation classic.”

Which MX-5 engine is best? ›

Although it's quicker, more planted and arguably better equipped for track use, the 2.0-litre is actually no more fun to drive than the rev-happy and softer-sprung 1.5-litre model. Still, overall, the fact the 2.0-litre is as fun as the 1.5 – and easier to live with – means it would be our choice.

Which Miata engine is best? ›

Typically, LS1 and LS3 engines are the most popular, and with the potential to head down the turbocharged route, you're certainly never going to need more power than an LS engine can provide in Miata!

Is the Mazda MX-5 the most reliable? ›

The 2023 Mazda Miata has a predicted reliability score of 79 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.

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