According to the Miata feature table on Miata.net, yes the 96 would have
an open diff since it has crank windows.
The 97 sounds like a popular equipment package, which would have the
Torsen.
http://www.miata.net/garage/vlsd.html LSD FAQ, see bottom of the page.
http://www.miata.net/faq/Miata90-97A3.pdf
Or http://www.miata.net/faq/features.html Miata feature tables.
If you plan to goto STS2, remember that the Torsen isn't allowed. :-(
In any trim, a larger front sway bar is useful to curb oversteer. If
the rest of the suspension is stock, a 7/8" front bar does nicely,
without creating understeer. (I have one in the garage I no longer
need).
Look at the condition of the top and rear window very carefully. If the
window is yellowed or stiff or cracked, it will need to be replaced
soon. Figure $450 for a good top, less for the econo versions.
Look for some documentation of the 60k service, which is timing belt and
water pump. Deduct cost of new shocks; if the car still has stock
shocks, they are toast.
Have fun!
Paul Andrews
# 42 STX2 Really Blue 94 Miata
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2005 18:03:38 -0500
From: "pethier@isd.net" <pethier@isd.net>
Subject: Miata question, which differential, quickly, please
I am out-of-town and am here with an empty trailer. I am looking at two
Miatas, both manual trans, of course, and both metallic blue with black
cloth interior:
1996 with crank windows and air conditioning. I looked at
the diff from the back and it looks sort of flat on the back with a
couple of plugs.
1997 with power window, power mirrors and air conditioning.
I looked at the diff from the back and it has seriously
large aluminum fins in a vertical orientation.
Am I correct in assuming that the crank-window car has an
open diff (flat) and the power-window car has a TorSen diff (finned)? I
need to know quickly, since I am only here through Monday and am not
coming back for a car since I am a long way from home.
The way I understand it, one really wants the TorSen for autocross. I'd
be running the local Twin-Cities street-tire class with an E-stock PAX.
I have been told the stock sway bar is OK for this.
I drove the 1997 and it seems OK. Everything seems to work. The tires
look like someone has been doing some serious cornering on pavement, but
had not set the camber to negative. One tire has been replaced. Only
small chips in the paint. No sign of serious rust anywhere I can see.
Top of rear bumper cover looks scorched or somthing, but a bit of
cracking and a yellowing of the paint. 80K on the clock. My Lotus
buddy Dave and I were driving the wheels off it (car seemed to like it.
Pulls strong in all the gears and the syncros seem to work in all the
gears. Pulled into the red wone on the tach without hitting a rev
limiter.
While we were out, it rained. We went on the freeway in a pounding
thunderstorm and there were no leaks apparent in the top.
Anything else I should be looking for?
What's it worth? Dealer is asking $6500 and I'd like to
make a seriously-smaller counter-offer.
Phil Ethier
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