There was a build thread here a couple months ago of a guy who had a stock motor with 180,000 miles on it. Best part was, the car was even an automatic for about 85k miles IIRC

 

I must say that I am quite thankful for ALL the great info and responses. And after reading what TIMEBOMB had to say about the sequential turbo, I do not doubt that he knows what he is talking about. Too bad he doesn't live around the corner. Dho!

I am not interested in the mx5. I've had a convertible. I'm done with that. My dad had a gen2 when I was a kid. It set me on a path to one day own a rotary. I frequently change cars, but in this case, I would like to keep it long term. I will DD for the near term, but will plan on getting another DD sooner or later so I can fix it up properly. I would eventually like to show it.

As for now, I am not in a hurry to buy, so I have time to learn the ins and outs of this car as well as understand what certain quality may be valued at so I can identify the better cars quickly. I understand that someones words and pictures will not identify a good car, but it sure can help in making the decision to pay for a PPI.

I appreciate the word of caution about DD but I also feel that if I find the right one, dependibility would likely come with it.

 

Yeah, its my fd that made 180k-ish however, just because the engine and its internals lasted that long doesnt mean i didt have to replace: vacuum hoses, FPD, primary injectors, remove AST, remove AC/PS, install dp, replace some solenoids etc., etc... the list goes on (nevermind the BIGGEST problem: trying to get it to pass smog every other year in California!)

Although I dont intend to DD the fd after my buildup, it takes some cold hard cash to build into it bulletproof qualities which will allow me to stomp on the car occasionally without worry.

Its a hard car to justify owning if you: a)are broke (the purchase price is just the beginning, my friend) b)have no auto mech skill (an engineering degree helps) or c) lack the "environment" an fd needs (i.e. garage, tools, patience, unsupportive spouse).

This car should belong to an "enthusiast". You will enjoy the car more and when problems arise your enthusiasm will see you through.

 

The car's build dates are also very important. If you can find a garage kept STOCK 94-95 model, you will doing yourself a great justice as a starting point. Then slowly but surely start to educate yourself about the needed relaibility mods if you plan on driving on a dailey bases. Once you learn how to properly maintain the engine, DD is something that can easily be done regardless what others say.