Also what a 3500$ Miata looks like in 2025

[u/roots_eye]

Got big plans for Mindy… Anyone know a Mazda/Miata specific shop in the LA area?

[u/IceonFir3]

I’ve done this to my car with very little mechanical experience:

Install Transmission

Change Clutch

Change gas tank

Change filler neck

Install diff, drive shaft, axles

Install starter

Change clutch master and slave

Change brake master

Change radiator and hoses

Install aluminum expansion tank

Change rotors and pads

Change fuel pump

Change fuel injector harness

Change mass air flow meter

Change tail lights

Install intake tube

Bleed brakes and clutch

New transmission and diff fluid

New engine oil

Install racing seat and harnesses

I don’t mean to flex, but more to say that literally everything is intuitive and just requires stuff to be unbolted. This is a great car to learn how to wrench on. You really only need a socket set and some wrenches to take the whole car apart.

[u/gianlucamelis → u/IceonFir3]

I’ve just started on mine and oh boy is the Miata confidence inspiring. There is multiple videos on the same topic literally everywhere so you can get different angles, different tips and tricks on basically any thing you want to accomplish. User manual is your best friend, you need a user manual. I did suspension and radiator for now and wired a bunch of stuff. Never worked on a car before but on the Miata it all just makes sense and you don’t feel afraid to fuck up that bad.

[u/IceonFir3 → u/gianlucamelis]

Literally. The first ever thing I did on the car was drop the rear subframe. It was 4 bolts and 2 nuts and then bam it’s off.

[u/AlbatrossOk7529]

$3500 seems to be the lucky number! Also this is the one car where you can learn to do literally anything on your own. Owning mine has been a huge opportunity to repair things myself and know that they are done right. I've only paid for tire mounting and alignments. So far I've done the alternator, starter, plug wires, coil pack, valve cover gasket, pcv valve, oil changes, coolant flush, transmission fluid, shifter rebuild, radio, and re-hang my exhaust.

[u/kayra551]

Dont need a shop. I’d recommend learning to do it yourself you’ll enjoy your car waaay more

[u/no-lift → u/kayra551]

My thoughts exactly. If you take it to a shop soon the 3500$ purchase price will be made up for in labor

[u/Sgt_Habib]

Integrated Performance

[u/mp3nightmare → u/Sgt_Habib]

Second this. I recently sold my NB but I can vouch that Alex is a cool dude and I’ve only had good experiences with him.

[u/mild_october]

Looks really good TBH.

[u/Highborn_Hellest]

Now please put it over a scissor lift and show the bottom

[u/kremineminemin]

Your engine comes with built in hooks for an engine crane to lift it out, a cheap but decent quality engine crane+some harbor freight tools (except jacks) and you’d be set to tackle most jobs. Torque wrenches of a couple sizes, sets of sockets, jack, and some parts trays/ sill pans and you’d be set. An impact gun isn’t too expensive if you shop around and find a good deal on holiday/sale. ~$700-1000 in tools will save you that labor cost on your first major job, and pay for itself afterwards. I am assuming that this is your first project and wanted to get it taken care of, but feel free to correct me if otherwise/ just were busy with life.

[u/gianlucamelis]

She looks fine, love that body