- 1). Perform a visual inspection of the entire car. Inspect the bodywork for signs of rust. Open the engine bay to see if it is dirty or clean, and look at the interior of the vehicle for signs of wear.
- 2). Start the car. It should start promptly. You should not have to turn the ignition over for more than a couple of seconds before it starts. The Miata's four-cylinder engine should idle smoothly and not make any knocking sounds if you rev it. Knocking or excessive clicking may mean that the engine's internals are worn out and the motor may not have much life left in it.
- 3). Depress the clutch, and place it in gear if the vehicle has a manual transmission. The clutch should engage smoothly and in the middle of the pedal travel. If it is an automatic, the transmission should shift smoothly from gear to gear.
- 4). Listen for any gearbox noises. The Miata's gearbox should be relatively quiet. If it makes excessive whining noises, there may be a problem with the gears being worn out.
- 5). Drive the car, and listen for grinding noises from the wheels, which could indicate bad wheel bearings. The car should not shake or vibrate excessively. Keep in mind, though, that the Miata is a relatively spartan sports car and does not isolate the occupants from road noise as much as some vehicles.
- 6). Take the car around corners in a spirited manner. The Miata is a sports car, and therefore should handle very well and feel very nimble. The suspension should feel tight and responsive. If it is soft and moves around excessively, it may need new shocks and suspension bushings. Drive the car on the freeway. Many Miatas suffer from a shimmy at 65-mph, which is caused by a worn suspension.
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