Miata Mailing List: June 1997, Message #239
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From: 	Powers Mike <m5powers@ova.comp.cz>

Subject: Re: more on the previously wrecked '94

Date: 	Tue, 3 Jun 1997 05:47:39 -0500



Fireball27@aol.com wrote:

> 

> First off, let me thank all you guys for your input so far.

> 

> We had the alignment checked , and this is the how it goes....

> 

> (now remember, my step-dad is the car guy, so if i dont use correct terms,

> etc. please understand...)

> 

> The alignment checked out OK.  But the door is still off a little, and the

> part betweem the bumper and trunk lid is out about .5"   This is what he

> thinks, that the car was probably pulled after being wrecked, pulled

> straight, but pulled .5" too far out the rear....This would explain the

> alignment check beng ok, and also says that the chasis is not twisted.

> 

> So, is this correct?  I know they can pull the frame, so since they can pull

> it, can they push it back in the half inch???  The cars drives fine, we had

> it at 5500rpm in every gear, and over 65mph, to check for the notorious

> shimmy.....

> 

> So, where do i go from here??

> 

> THANK YOU ALL AGAIN

> 

> Ben





Get an experienced, autocrosser-type, capable Miataphile and have him

take the car out for a jaunt in the countryside.  Ask him to make sure

the car handles the same when turning in both directions.  Ask him to do

some high speed braking. Ask him to do everything except for damage or

crash the car.  If he comes back with a grin on his face and says, "Yep,

it's a Miata" then you know it's OK.  If he comes back white as a ghost,

then you know the car is not quite perfect.  NOTE:  Only perform this

type of test on a closed course with a professonal driver with proper

insurance.



Seriously, after a hard drive an experienced Miata owner will be able to

tell you if the car handles OK.  Even better yet is a quick dip at an

Autocross event as it is the safe way to do this.