Mazda » Miata MX-5 » 2001 Mazda Miata MX-5 » Questions

Q&A

Ask Your Question

2001 Mazda Miata MX-5

 

Question: Major tuneup for 01 Miata

Question

kookookoojoo, Houston, TX, October 13, 2009, 18:35
 Rookie

My mechanic says I need a major tuneup...ignition coil, spark plugs, wires and fuel filter for my 2001 Miata with 125000 miles on it and quotes 500.00. Is this fair...would a whole scheduled maintenance at dealer be more cost effective? Same mechanic changed all fluids and timing belt (#2) 6 months ago. Thanks for your help and input.

1 Answer
Answer It
Flag This

  • Answer #1

    patrick mannion from Greg Solow's Engine Room, October 13, 2009, 20:34
    Profile_thumbnail
     Master

    I had one of these Miatas great car. If you plan on keeping the car fro a long period of time preventative maintenance is key to keeping this reliable car in top order. I always changed all the fluids every 30,000 miles, I never had to replace the coil pack but did n a two customers cars. I don't think I would replace that as a scheduled maintenance item. Engine has hydraulic valves so they are self adjusting (they use engine oil pressure to self adjust. Don't replace the ignition coil unless they see a problem. If coil is included in the price price is fair but may not be necessary.

    Flag This

  • Reply

    kookookoojoo, October 13, 2009, 21:17
     Rookie

    Thanks for your help. :)

    Flag This

  • Reply

    Armydicked, May 23, 2012, 02:59
     Rookie

    What, is your back broke? Or maybe you don't want to scuff your new French Cut nails?!!! W-H-Y are you going to a Mechanic to change plugs & Cables?!!! Buy a Spark Plug Puller & an Auto Pocket Magnet (trust me, you'll need it) a box of NGKs Platinums (gapless) and some Johnson Racing Cables. You have an NB, same as mine!!! Yer plugs are on the top of the manifold, yes? So replace em already!!! Oh, take one cable off at a time else you'll truely mess up!!! $500.00 for a 'minor' tune up?!!! Your mechanic is taking you for a ride with your top up and your pants down!!! You don't need your ignition coil changed unless you are having problems and as for $500.00 to drop & insert a fuel filter? Did he smile when he said "Stick em Up" or is he the strong (arm) and silent type?!!! Timing belts on NB models (Mine is a cherry 1999 with 128935 miles on her) are due @105K and he already dropped yer fluids? DTMFA!!! My suggestions: 1. Replace all fluids with Castrol Sythentic Oil (not the blended junk) and a K&N filter when AutoZone/O'Reillys has a special. 2. At 125K, your cylinder walls are scuffed---so dump a can of RESTORE into it at oil drain time and pop some Lucas Valve Lub into the gas tanks & watch yer kitten purr. You are not done yet. Take two hundred dollars that your theif of a mechanic wanted to rip you off with and upgrade your air box filter---pick up a K&N Lifetime Filter (I like Typhoon Red) else Madza Speed Chrome and slap that puppy on for a 3-8HP boost!!! Why did your mechanic think to slump you over a chair for $500.00? Because only a 'Girly-Man' would ask a Mechanic to do his plugs & Cables for him...

    Reply
    Flag This
Answer Ranks

This week's top 10

1 globalhelper 6 csubak30
2 pushrod 7 FREDDY BLUE
3 ziptie12 8 gearhead89
4 ChevyASE 9 ebans777
5 wenyan 10 tdtoolbox