Haines Mazda Specialist

A Mazda man since the '70s

Haines has been working on Mazdas since the 1970s, and LA Miata owners have been sending each other his way for close to twenty years. This is an old-school Mazda specialist where the man whose name is on the sign is usually the one diagnosing your car. When Vincent M. brought in his '01, Haines "turned on my engine, gave it a couple of revs and knew what to do instantly."

Keeping older Miatas on the road

The work owners describe is what keeps an older Miata happy: timing belts and water pumps, sensors, clutches, A/C, oil leaks, and getting through California smog. Elizabeth's mostly original 1994 came in with a failing camshaft sensor. Haines let her choose between a new or used part, called her in to watch the repair, and saved the old parts for her. He also flagged her factory timing belt and water pump before they could become a roadside problem. "Zippy and taking corners like a beast. Not bad for a 1994," wrote Elizabeth W.

Beth's newly purchased 2008 MX-5 had a clutch that wouldn't engage. She dropped it off late in the day and had it back before noon with a new clutch master cylinder, the hydraulic part behind the pedal. Steve's '94 wasn't running right; it came back faster and cheaper than he expected, and Haines took him on a test drive to show it was sorted. Owners also bring prospective purchases in for pre-purchase inspections, which is never a bad idea with a thirty-year-old roadster.

Is it the right shop for your car?

Haines is at its best with stock and lightly modified cars, and owners on their second or third Miata keep coming back. Kevin H. calls it "the only shop in LA I would trust with my miatas." If your car is heavily built, a performance-focused shop may suit you better. If you want someone who has seen every way a Miata can misbehave, you'll be right at home.

Know before you go: a few owners felt the final bill ran higher than they expected, so ask for a quote up front and you'll know exactly where you stand.

Last updated on October 20, 2026.