Customer Reviews

Mazda Miata 1800: Enthusiast Shop Manual

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book covers ALL models of the Mazda Miata with 1.8 liter engines and pop-up headlights. It does not cover the fixed headlight 'Mk2' model introduced in late 1990s. Hope this is helpful. Rod Grainger author & publisher.

I just received the book today, so this review is only based on an hour or two of perusing - but so far I'm really impressed. It's much easier to find topics than in the Mazda manual, and has in several, if not all, cases - better photos of the task. It does not list the part or tool number, but includes the torque spec. etc.. The printing is relatively small, but that's just to include all the details they do - maybe overkill for someone just looking for the torque spec, but very helpful for someone who hasn't done the job several times before. Far more info. than a typical "Haynes" manual has.

This book covers maintenance and major and minor repairs to 1.8L Miatas up to the 1998 redesign. In the US, this means model years 1994 thru 1997. If you have a 1990 - 1993 Miata, buy the 1.6L book by the same author. If you have a 1999 or later Miata, then neither book will be useful.

This book is well written, with lots of photos and diagrams. I have found the instructions very useful and well thought-out. This book has allowed me to do repairs on my Miata that I would have never tried alone. For example, I was able to completely remove my dash from the car, including the steering wheel and airbags, so that I could replace the carpet.

The instructions included in this book are more complete and detailed than in the Haynes book. FYI, [...] also has good instructions for many common repairs and upgrades.

Thanks to Rod for writing such an excellent book!

What complete service manual does not have electrical schematics? I'll tell you! This one! If you intend to work on this car, buy the Haynes manual.

A well written, clear and concise book with plenty of pictures to help you do what you want to do to the car. It covers everything from all of the standard distance / time maintenance jobs that should be done, through to the more complicated in a language that makes it easy for the novice and the expert.

I bought this book over a year ago and still use it every time I go to do something to the car! If you want to do jobs your self, and need a bit of help, get this book!

This is the best car maintenance/shop book I've ever seen. Probably the best feature is that Rod tells you how to do things with simple tools, or even how to come up with makeshift tools, including how to improvise a homemade torque wrench for tight spaces, etc. This is a true "shadetree mechanic" type book.

This book is very good - very detailed, good structured, a lot of stuff is covered, very high quality thick paper used.
I like it much more than Haynes.
The only thing that i would improve is the quality/resolution of the photograph pictures in the book.
Regarding electrical schemes - they indeed are available on the Internet.

Being used to Haynes and Chilton, this book was a breath of fresh air. All instructions directly apply to the vehicle in question (naturally, since the focus is quite narrow). Everything is easy to follow, and pictures are all easily comprehensible. There is no assumption that everything is the same on all cars, variations are explained in detail. There isn't much to say about this book beyond any of this, as its virtues are all purely practical...which is exactly what they should be in an automotive manual.

Every 1.8 liter Miata owner should have this book.

Great manual for the 1.8 generation enthusiast. Likewise, Rod's 1.6 book is essential for the 90-93 DIY person.
Clear easy to comprehend instructions, good photographs, this is an all-around winner.

Not perfect, but workshop manuals usually aren't. A bit too "British" for Americans, but the information and pictures are first rate and it can get you through most do-it-yourself overhauls and repairs.