@Bob: IM S6 posted:The early Miatas had a functioning oil pressure gauge, as in my 1991.
A few years later, Miata went to a similar looking gauge, which was really just an idiot light in disguise. It was either off or on.
Why did Miata abandon a real oil pressure gauge? They were getting complaints from people who didn't understand that a cold engine has higher oil pressure than a hot engine, and assumed there was something wrong with their car when at idle with a warm engine, the oil pressure dropped. Miata had to deal with numerous warranty claims from owners.
So, idiot lights really do serve an appropriate audience.
Do you know what year they went to the idiot light? We've just bought a '99 (my lovely wife wanted a convertible again and this car was a bit of a deal) and having driven the the thing a fair bit I was wondering why the 'gauge' didn't seem to move a lot (or, come to think of it, at all). Damn it, Bob, now you've got me thinking about a retrofit- like I don't already have enough to do around here! .