Looking to Buy a Miata! What are your thoughts on this one... [Archive] (2024)

thumpetto007

14th June 2010, 17:13

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=268655655&dealer_id=64603429&car_year=1994&rdm=1276549072758&lastStartYear=1981&model=MIATA&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=100&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=MAZDA&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=48167&advanced=&end_year=2011&doors=&transmission=&max_price=4000&cardist=120&standard=false

It's right within my price range, and it seems like a good buy. But since I have no experience (other than awesome rides in my friend's modded miata) I'm asking everyone here to give me some feedback.

Thanks.

Oh, also, I want to buy this car and drive it hard. Does this one look up to the task? Also, does this specific miata have a beefy transmission? The 6-speed on my friends miata has a huge diff and big axles. Will this car have that? (That being a beefy diff, I'm pretty sure this miata has a 5-speed)

RI ZoomZoom

14th June 2010, 17:20

Welcome!

I am going to move this thread over to the Pricing forum.

l8-apex

14th June 2010, 17:46

RichP

14th June 2010, 19:47

gludlow

14th June 2010, 19:55

It is a good thing you came here...

There are a few things to avoid when getting a Miata. The #1 among all is rust in the quarter panels. In Michigan, that will be tough... salt gets in there, and the car rusts from the inside out.

The good news is, if you can spend $4,000 in a Miata, you can get a VERY nice NA. I would suspect, even in the midwest, you could snag a sun-100k mile NA, with no rust, a good top, and AC.

Autotrader is a poor place to find Miatas. Check your local Craig's List, and even eBay.

Happy hunting!

whaap

14th June 2010, 20:17

tom4416

14th June 2010, 20:18

Spend some time looking through this section. Members are always posting links to good deals in that price range. You do not want a rusted out, high mileage Miata unless you like disappointment.

No Miata had a six speed until 1999 and most users still prefer the 5 speed. 94+ had a bigger diff than the 90-93 and, if included, used the Torsen LSD system, vastly superior.

Almost any car will take hard running if it's properly cared for. If you buy one and immediately start drifting it without even checking the fluids, I'm sure we'll hear back from you in the "help!" section ;)

thumpetto007

15th June 2010, 10:27

Thanks guys.

Why wouldn't I want a "used and abused" miata that had all of its parts replaced? I pretty much want to "use and abuse" a car on the track, which is why I'm getting a miata. :)

What if I can get this car for 3000 instead of 4000, will it be a better buy? Or still a no no because of the rust.

Thanks.

whaap

15th June 2010, 11:16

thumpetto007

15th June 2010, 11:22

^Cool, thanks.

I know this is in the rust belt... but what about this miata? It's a 2000 that's slightly higher than I really want to spend, but no big deal.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=273100969&dealer_id=64915979&car_year=2000&rdm=1276614826107&lastStartYear=1981&model=MIATA&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=500&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=MAZDA&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=100000&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=48167&advanced=y&end_year=2011&doors=&transmission=Manual&max_price=5000&cardist=354&standard=false

mattsedona

15th June 2010, 17:15

Old Crow Whiskey

15th June 2010, 19:43

just me

15th June 2010, 23:31

Greg 713

16th June 2010, 09:11

Gene-M

16th June 2010, 11:26

Thanks guys.

Why wouldn't I want a "used and abused" miata that had all of its parts replaced? I pretty much want to "use and abuse" a car on the track, which is why I'm getting a miata. :)

What if I can get this car for 3000 instead of 4000, will it be a better buy? Or still a no no because of the rust.

Thanks.
This is the dilemma in a nutshell. This is a car that somebody had to dump a load of money into, and is now trying to recover it by asking a price that is not 100% in sync with the fact that the car has so many miles and is beginning to rust. It's the very situation that we try to talk people out of when they are looking to buy a Miata that we here suspect has too many expensive needs in order to bring it up to snuff.

I would pass, but I can understand the temptation.

thumpetto007

16th June 2010, 17:09

I live in the novi/northville part of michigan, Greg.

How will I know if the car has a torsen rear? Is that the LSD?

Greg 713

16th June 2010, 18:28

How will I know if the car has a torsen rear? Is that the LSD?Almost all of the 94s and many of the 95s came with a Torsen rear except for the base models. In 96 and 97 certain packages came with Torsen and the base and other non package cars did not. There is a PDF of the options list in the Garage section. Don, an old moderator, had a quick reference for what 94s through 97s had it and didn't. I can't seem to find it. For instance if a 95 had power mirrors and headrest speakers it had a Torsen. If a 96 had a power antenna and cruise it had a Torsen (don't quote me as I am going from memory). But the option list will be more definitive.

For instance a quick glance at this 95 (http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/1747691670.html) tells me it probably has a torsen because it is a 95 and it looks to have power mirrors. This 97 M (http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/1793009732.html) will for sure. Now I realize both of these cars are more than the $4000 you were looking to spend but do you see how another $800 to $1200 is getting you 100K less miles? Here is a 94 that I bet would NOT have a Torsen. See the crank windows, no power mirrors and the 90-93 wheels (because somebody probably ditched the original steel wheels) tells me this is a base model. Understand NOTHING is in stone. Just observations.

This is in Indy. Shoot down I-69. It must be closer than Cleveland. My guess this guy will sell this 95 (http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/1792747539.html) for somewhere between $4300 and $4450. That is getting pretty close to your $4000 mark.

Check some club websites. You will find them in the regional forum way at the bottom of the forum list. Somebody may have what you are looking for. Modded well and maintained by a Miata lover.

thumpetto007

16th June 2010, 22:31

Wow that 95 "looks" pretty good. (no pictures)

But the mileage is really low! 68k??? Does that 1995 model have a torsen?

Are there some cheap visual items to make the older style miata look more aggressive?

The only sweet looking one I've ever seen had a huge widebody on it, and couldn't really be called a miata anymore.

The Driver

16th June 2010, 23:06