Minimalist Miata tool set

If all goes well, I'll be going to get a miata (EDIT: a '99 if it matters) this weekend. Since this involves some travel, what is a minimalish set of tools most likely to be needed to get a seemingly well running car home?

Most minimal, cell phone, credit card, AAA.

A useful Miata tool set, I'm going by what I kept in my neon. appropriate wrenches and sockets(I don't know what sizes, my neon set was 8, 10, 13, 15, 18), Flat and Philips screwdrivers, standard and needle nose pliers, and a better tire iron. Consumables included zip ties, duct tape, and PB blast.

If it's in good shape, I'd pack sunscreen and a credit card for gas.

If you want to be a bit more prepared, a normal track day tool bag is always a solid choice:
10-21 wrenches and sockets with a few extensions & ratchets, pliers, vicegrips, screw drivers, gorilla/duct tape & zip ties

Thanks all. I was planning on a basic set of wrenches, screwdrivers, vice grips and zip ties, somehow forgot tape.... Just wanted to make sure there wasn't some common miata specific thing that I might be missing

You have the "roadside assist" thread right? At least 90% of the fellowship here either has a Miata, has the tools for one, or has parts still leftover from one in their garage. Lol. I'd track down those that are en route back home. Message them and get phone numbers.

For a 99 you should be fine. If it were a 90 I would say self vulcanizing tape for the various really old hoses that can fail.

Trackmouse wrote: You have the "roadside assist" thread right? At least 90% of the fellowship here either has a Miata, has the tools for one, or has parts still leftover from one in their garage. Lol. I'd track down those that are en route back home. Message them and get phone numbers.

Good call to check those pre-emptively.

If you want to save space on sockets, pretty much every bolt on a Miata is 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, or 21mm. The axle nuts are bigger (29 and 32, IIRC).

codrus wrote: If you want to save space on sockets, pretty much every bolt on a Miata is 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, or 21mm. The axle nuts are bigger (29 and 32, IIRC).

Excellent.

I carry a #2 philips, 10/12/14/17 combinations wrenches, sockets in the same sizes, a set of metric allen keys, flex head ratchet, extension bars. Seems to be about all I ever need.

Home with no issues.

A .30 caliber ammo can holds almost every tool necessary to repair a Miata.

Edit: Breaker bar or long ratchet and a long prybar can be tucked in many places without using valuable space, then your bases are covered.

pilotbraden wrote: A .30 caliber ammo can holds almost every tool necessary to repair a Miata.

Now I'm picturing a fly and Challenge idea. Although fitting a 30 cal ammo can in your suitcase will be fun- not something I would want to carry on.

RedGT wrote: For a 99 you should be fine. If it were a 90 I would say self vulcanizing tape for the various really old hoses that can fail.

1999 Miatas are 17-18 years old now

I'm glad the car's back, safe and sound.

If I wanted a really minimalist kit, I'd have 10, 14 and 17mm wrenches/sockets and a Philips screwdriver. Throw in an adjustable wrench, electrical tape, a multi-tool and zipties and make sure you have what you need to change a tire. Voila. You now have most of what you need. I could probably swap the shocks with that setup

In reply to alfadriver:

A small plastic tackle box is about the same size

I drove a minimalist Miata home. Crank keyway failure, no top, dead battery. 3 hours, 38 degrees and steady rain. Unless you get a flat, Miata always makes it home.

I like the silver cars with black tops and can't stand the silver with tan combo that seems to be more prevalent. That is a color combo that I just don't comprehend. Glad you get her home all in one piece.