Project (Cars)
What are cars? What are they really?
Everyone retorts with the answer ’transportation’, and they’re not wrong. That is a verifiable fact. But like horses of yester-year, some automobiles have become more than that.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been interested in the engineering and design of these daily commuter boxes. The biggest car to have an impact on me I know for a fact, was Dad’s first generation Mazda Miata. Cherry red, black vinyl top, and the coolest pop-up head lights. Never before had my little child brain seen such a marvel of engineering.
Now, something like 15-20 years later, I’ve been able to obtain my own Mazda Miata, a 1994 M-Edition. And boy-oh-boy has it been a project. I picked her up in May of 2022, and towed her home on a Uhaul trailer from Lawrence, KS - saving her from a life of sitting in a field of more than two years. Since then, I have done all of the engine maintenance, and troubleshooting a sporadic low idle speed.
My first car, that was actually mine, is a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo. The most reliable member of my fleet is a 2022 Subaru Impreza that I use for my daily needs.
Mazda Miata
Frankly, this roadster has spent more time being worked on than I have actually driving her. But that hasn’t deterred me. Of my cars, she is the most exhilarating to drive.
So far, I’ve changed the following parts and maintenance items:
- Engine oil
- Spark plugs
- Spark plug leads
- Timing belt
- Water pump
- Shifter bushings and rubber boots
- Thermostat
- Idle air control valve (2x)
- Throttle Body
- Exhaust headers
- Catalytic converter
- Resonance chamber and muffler
Presently, the idle issue that I’ve been chasing is still existing, despite replacing even the ECU - so that leaves me with a few ideas of what could be happening.
- Air trapped in the cooling system, and making its way to the idle speed control.
- Water temperature sensor is failing intermittently.
- Thermowax of the idle control is failing.
- Air is leaking into the system via a pinhole leak in the oil filter cooling/heater hose.
Isuzu Rodeo
My utility vehicle. A survivor of a model that was plagued with transmission issues, and some rusty frames. Mine has been well cared for during my ownership, and has been in the family since new. Already I’ve serviced the transmission to ensure that it will continue to go another 100k miles. The CV axles have been replaced, with much research due to the driver’s side needing to be done twice.
For those of you also mechanically inclined, that means make sure your snap-rings are seated fully and correctly before you close any covers or put back any panels… Much labor on that hub could’ve been alleviated had I done so.
Most recently, I’ve replaced the street ‘all weather’ tires for All-Terrain Toyo tires that will keep traction longer in less-ideal conditions. I’ve also changed my spare tire from being mounted underneath the car to mounted on the rear-door from a donor rear-mount model.
Subaru Impreza
This is the newest, and most used vehicle in my garage, and was my second vehicle, after the Isuzu, that I owned. Very little is required in terms of maintenance, fuel, and running costs for this car compared to my other two. I have thoroughly enjoyed driving this little hatchback all around Kansas and Missouri. She’s been the best choice of car, and could frankly be the car I keep should I have to pick one to permanently keep.
Long story short, I probably have a problem when it comes to collecting cars, though I do have sentimental value for all three. Not only that, but each one has a purpose. There are some things that I would love to update on both the Miata and the Isuzu. There are also some upgrades that could significantly improve the Subaru. Documenting them and the changes I would have to make for each I hope will be fun. I hope you will enjoy following along on the journey, if not learn something from me. If anyone does have something for me to learn, then I would also love to hear from you and share anything about the above three cars you might have.