Click on thumbnails below for larger pics....
This CPO 2011 Mazda Miata MX-5 Special Edition was purchased from Aaron Gillison at Roswell Mazda. Aaron was great answering questions before the sale, and continued to be great during and after the sale. If you want a Mazda, Aaron is there to help you
Click HERE for the listing and pics as it was posted when I bought it. This model is an NC2, NC is third generation (starting with 2006 model year) and 2 signifies the facelift for the NC lineup in 2009.
This 2011 Special Edition Miata was one of 750 produced to celebrate worldwide sales of over 900,000 Miatas since inception. Basically a Grand Touring model loaded with premium/convenience/suspension packages, the SE is distinguished by one of two custom paint colors, bright finish wheels, gray stitched black leather covers for steering wheel/shift knob/brake handle, chrome gauge/vent surrounds, aluminum pedals, and contrasting gray seats. The Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT) adds a little more security for my road trips and hotel parking lots. The first owner only had it for 5 months but that was a win for me- with CPO that means I get warranty coverage up to 7 years/100k miles so 6.5 years and 84k miles left to go
Below are some pics the day after I brought it home:
Dealership and "MX-5" letters/stickers removed: Doubled up fishing line was worked under emblem and used to cut through double sided tape. This will leave residue but I already had the pinstripe removal wheel (uses drill) to remove the dealership logo sticker and it did well in removing the double side tape residue as well. WD-40 was used on a soft cotton towel to completely cleanup any remaining adhesive followed by soap/water and finally wax. Looks MUCH better (to me), thinking about removing the Mazda emblem as well but for now it stays:
Mazda skimped on shift/parking brake boots, unacceptable to me for a 30k plus car new to have plastic/vinyl boots (even my VWs in a similar price range came with leather) so I decided to replace with leather boots. I sourced them from Top Gaiters eBay store, I had used them once before in my daughter's car and they are a good value with an OE-like fit and look. For the later NC2 cars, console removal only requires three screws to be removed (hiding under various trim), power window switch connectors unplugged, parking brake boot removed, and finally console can be lifted up in the front to release press-fit snaps. The power window switch plugs can be tough to get unplugged, there is a tiny release that needs to be pressed on the bottom of the small plug and on the right (US passenger) side of the larger plug.
Boots are a simple R&R and come with the same alignment holes that the OE boots have for assembly, process noted in pics below. The console diagram below illustrates how the pieces go together for NC1 Miatas, the difference for NC2 Miatas is the lack of screws in front where clips are used instead.
My wife and I decided to try out the stock Miata in the North GA mountains before making any mod decisions. Our usual route is to take HWY 60 to HWY 180 (Wolf Pen Gap) to HWY 129 loop as detailed in a map HERE that Frank in the Lotus club drew and tagged for us. The car did surprisingly well, but I have to agree with forum members that the suspension will be the first thing replaced along with some better brake pads
I forgot my camera and the one I borrowed had the date/time stamp turned on- just pretend they are not there.
Moddiction Anvil Textured Shift Knob installed. This is a heavier weight knob that smoothes out shifts a bit and I prefer the round shape over the OE shift knob (which is also weighted, but not as much). The height of the knob can be adjusted with the included nuts/lock washer.
I decided to tap into the auxiliary power to hardwire my Valentine 1 (V1) radar detector and phone dock for my HTC Thunderbolt Android phone. To install the Thunderbolt phone dock I sourced a Kuda mount, I had used and been happy with this solution in the Mini.
The header piece has to be loose and the a-pillar trim piece removed to run wiring down to the fusebox. Two bolts on the top latch plate are removed using a T40 socket, the single bolt holding the header trim is removed using a T30 socket. The a-pillar is then unsnapped and lifted up and out, the header panel is unsnapped on the driver side. Wiring can be run across the header panel trim and down the a-pillar- I used tape to hold the wire in place. Trim panels reinstalled after mounting radar detector and checking wire length/position again.
Next step to installing both of the above is to locate the power source, I chose the fusebox auxiliary power connection to tap into. There are various ways to tap into power and I will let you decide the way that works best for you: solder, crimps, taps (aka Scotch Locks), Littelfuse Add-A-Circuit, or Access-A-Fuse. The fusebox trim is removed by removing a plastic rivet and a hook under the door seal, it can then be unsnapped at top. Once the trim piece is removed the fuse blocks can be accessed, easy to do as they slide back and off the mounting post for access. I elected to use the fused side of the circuit which is the yellow wire. There is a grounding block conveniently located next to the fuse block, I used this bolt for my ground as well (10mm socket to loosen). Both the phone power adapter and V1 power adapter block were neatly tucked out of the way before reinstalling the fuse block trim.
The Kuda installation instructions were used to install the Kuda mount, power adapter wire was run to the dock from the fusebox location and zip tied along the way to ensure no contact with moving parts. The Kuda base required a few notches with the Dremel tool as did the speaker mount and grill to accomodate the power adapter wiring. E6000 Industrial Adhesive was used to attach the dock to the Kuda mount, it is strong enough to provide a lasting bond but if another dock is desired at some point in the future a credit card can be used to separate the two pieces and remove the adhesive. The dock was lined up and taped into place until dry, cure time is overnight and optimally 48 hours. Now I have ready access to the phone and Google navigation
Pending Projects:
Oil Analysis performed by Blackstone Laboratories
Engine Oil Analysis at x miles- Factory 0w20 Synthetic
Transmission Oil Analysis at x miles- Factory Transmission Oil
Differential Oil Analysis at x miles- Factory Differential Oil
Miata Reviews:
AutoBlog: 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Special Edition
Road and Track: 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata PRHT Introduction
Motor Trend: 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata PRHT First Test
Motor Trend: 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Special Edition
Car and Driver: 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Special Edition Official Photos and Info
Car and Driver: 2011 Best Handling Car for less than $40k
Car and Driver: 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata Short Take Road Test
AutoWeek: 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata Drivers Log
AutoWeek: 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Special Edition Drivers Log
Automobile Magazine: 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Special Edition
Automobile Magazine: 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport- Miata Summer
Automobile Magazine: 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport- Miata Summer Ann Arbor to Chicago
Automobile Magazine: 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport- Miata Summer One Wedding and Campus Tour
Automobile Magazine: 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport- Miata Summer Autocross Belle Isle
Automobile Magazine: 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport- Miata Summer 1400 Mile Mix Tape
Automobile Magazine: 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport- Miata Summer Shifting Gears, Shifting Plans
Automobile Magazine: 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport- Miata Summer Second Chances
Automobile Magazine: 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport- Miata Summer Bare Bones
Automobile Magazine: 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport- Miata Summer Shoe Shopping
Automobile Magazine: 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport- Miata Summer Trip Down Memory Lane
WindingRoad.com: 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata PRHT Driven
Left Lane News: 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Special Edition
Subcompact Culture: 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata PRHT
Automobile.com: 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Cars.com: 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Mazda Miata Video: *High Speed Connection Recommended*
Mazda Miata Documents/Files:
2011 Mazda Miata Special Edition MicroSite
2011 Mazda Miata Maintenance Schedule
2011 Mazda Miata Quick Start Guide
2011 Mazda Miata Owners Manual
2011 Mazda Miata Specifications
2011 Mazda Miata Specifications Brochure
Mazda Miata Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Brochure
DIY Guides/Mazda Miata Installation Instructions:
BillsWebSpace:Miata NC2 Center Console Removal (and Shift/Parking Brake Boot Replacement)
BillsWebSpace:Miata NC2 Radar Detector Hardwire Installation
Miata NC iPod Integration (console R&R)
Miata Aluminum Gas Pedal Installation
Miata Aluminum Brake/Clutch Pedal Installation
Miata Aluminum Footrest Installation
Miata NC Kuda Mount (P/N 284240) Installation
Flyin Miata NC Sway Bar Installation
Cobalt Miata NC Sway Bar Installation
Miata Front Shock Tower Brace (FSTB) Cowl Mounting Bracket Installation by Miata.net's mbj2w
Forums and Clubs:
