Miata Mailing List: September 1995, Message #29
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   From: "David Green" 
Subject: Used Miata Advice/Maintenan
   Date: Fri, 1 Sep 1995 12:57:57 -0400

Used Miata Advice/Maintenance Costs      9/1/95                9:22 AM

The September issue of Automobile magazine says the following:
***
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Collectible Classic
Our favorite sports car has suffered from its own popularity as well as the
spiraling value of the Japanese yen. [Does any other country have a yen? -
dg] As a consequence, the price of a new well-equipped Miata can easily
surpass the $20,000 barrier. Fortunately, there are plenty of used examples
on the market being sold by people who find the car unrefined and impractical
as daily transportation. Reliability is impeccable. For bargain prices, look
for A-package cars with roll-up windows. An unscratcehd rear plastic window
is the hallmark of a well-maintained Miata.
Prices: 1990 model (average) $10,675; 1990-1994 models $8000-17,000; 1995
model $17,795
IntelliChoice maintenance costs (five years): $3671
***
It makes me even happier to be a Miata owner to read this, until I get to the
maintenance costs portion. This price ($3671) is the estimated cost to own a
1995 Miata for five years. Yow! This is higher than the Mercedes-Benz 300E,
Infiniti Q45, BMW750iL, and only $300 less than the BMW M3.

Is this a misprint? How can they say "Reliability is impeccable" and then
quote a relatively high cost like this? The only cars in the article that
rate significantly higher were the Corvette ZR1, Acura NSX, Taurus SHO,
Nissan 300ZX Turbo, and Porsche 944 Turbo.

Outside of buying all your aftermarket stuff, have any of you spent close to
this much (pro-rated, if necessary) maintaining your Miatae? Your comments
are appreciated.

David Green - 95 Montego Blue w/PEP!
Los Angeles, CA
david_green@studio.disney.com
TEAM BETTER-START-SAVING, TEAM WILLOW SPRINGS, TEAM THUNDERWEAR 
Looking for Meguiar's #86 Red Ink Remover/Accouting Gel