Comments on this miata?

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08-04-2005, 02:34 PM
apex2apex

Comments on this miata?

Hi all,

As some of you know, I got rid of my 96 Miata R for a RX-8. :banghead: But the miata bug has not left me since, so I have been looking at Miataes. This look like a decent base 96 Miata,

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1996-...QQcmdZViewItem

The seller does stated several oil leaks and coolant leak, how could I distinguish them as bad hoses/seals or something more severe? Does each body panel has VIN sticker if it has not been replaced? What's some other good ways to look for body damages? Any general comment on the car from the description and pictures? I am a total noob when it comes to used car :? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Alan
08-04-2005, 02:46 PM
Treibenschnell

If it was black I'd say go for it! ;)

It's a nice looking ride... you're right, it's probably got a couple of bad seals and perhaps hoses need changing. But for a little maintanence you might score a sweet deal.
08-04-2005, 04:14 PM
Carmen1990

If you dont mind fixing the hoses and seals then id go for it its a clean car.. But if you do you HAVE to take that hideous Sewell tag off.. :thumbdow:
08-04-2005, 04:18 PM
sammm

Seems like a good deal for the car. The inside of the hood, front fenders, trunk lid should all have VIN stickers from the factory on them. Any body panels with the 'Dot R' (or something like that) stickers are replacements.
08-04-2005, 06:00 PM
Sharpie

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammm

Seems like a good deal for the car. The inside of the hood, front fenders, trunk lid should all have VIN stickers from the factory on them. Any body panels with the 'Dot R' (or something like that) stickers are replacements.

Don't forget the doors, the vin is on a sticker about a centimeter wide and an inch and half long. Looks silver and white. CAS o ring would be my first oil leak to look for. Easy and cheap to replace. Has the timing belt been done, it's time for maintenence like that now too.
08-04-2005, 07:40 PM
POS Racing

It's sitting at Sewell Lexus of Fort Worth, why don't ya go take a peek at it!

Like Sharpie & Sammm said it will have a VIN sticker on every panel!

Would a base model have a Torsen??? That would be on my must have list if you want to use it for AX. :wink:
08-05-2005, 07:55 AM
MadMerv

No torsen. Dimples under the front license plate, but for 80k miles I would certainly consider it......
08-05-2005, 07:59 AM
Titus

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMerv

No torsen. Dimples under the front license plate, but for 80k miles I would certainly consider it......

If you get it for a low price, you could add a torsen.
08-05-2005, 08:10 AM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus

If you get it for a low price, you could add a torsen.

With a $3,900 "Buy it Now" I'm thinking Sewell's reserve on it may not be in the low price range. :-|
08-05-2005, 08:34 AM
Titus

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

With a $3,900 "Buy it Now" I'm thinking Sewell's reserve on it may not be in the low price range. :-|

I was thinking it is around a $3000 reserve. Add $1000 for a used torsen and misc. repairs and you have an 80k mile 96 with torsen for $4000. Sounds like a good deal to me.
08-05-2005, 09:11 AM
sammm

Show up at Sewell with $3K in hand and see what happens. You have nothing to lose.
08-05-2005, 09:13 AM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammm

Show up at Sewell with $3K in hand and see what happens. You have nothing to lose.

They'd be idiots to turn down a customer with cash in hand. Especially on a vehicle that only serves a niche market.
08-05-2005, 09:17 AM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treibenschnell

They'd be idiots to turn down a customer with cash in hand.

Only if that cash in hand exceeds what they paid for the car, if they got $3,250 in it chances are pretty good they will not take $3,000.

But it's defiantly worth a try If you want the car!
08-05-2005, 09:19 AM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

Only if that cash in hand exceeds what they paid for the car, if they got $3,250 in it chances are pretty good they will not take $3,000.

Rather than move inventory? All those cars sitting on that lot are nothing more than overhead... if they don't move it now they'll take a bath on it when they sell it to a wholesaler.
08-05-2005, 09:23 AM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treibenschnell

Rather than move inventory? All those cars sitting on that lot are nothing more than overhead... if they don't move it now they'll take a bath on it when they sell it to a wholesaler.

I can tell your not in sales, in sales the primary focus is to make money, not just clear the lot at a loss....

But to review it's defiantly worth a try to offer them cash If you want the car!
08-05-2005, 09:25 AM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

I can tell your not in sales, in sales the primary focus is to make money, not just clear the lot at a loss....

Obviously I'm not in sales, but I predict they're gonna take a loss on that little Miata anyhow. I can see them making their money back on newer, more practical vehicles. The market for an older Miata is a small group. They'd be smart to lose some here and make it back where they can.
08-05-2005, 09:26 AM
sammm

I'd be shocked if a Lexus dealer paid top dollar for a 10 year old trade-in (not to mention the profit on the replacement vehicle they sold). I bet they have well under $3K in it.
08-05-2005, 09:30 AM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treibenschnell

Obviously I'm not in sales, but I predict they're gonna take a loss on that little Miata anyhow. I can see them making their money back on newer, more practical vehicles. The market for an older Miata is a small group. They'd be smart to lose some here and make it back where they can.

Miatas sell pretty good, and I'd be willing to bet the folks at Sewell may have a pretty good grasp on what the market will pay for this car, otherwise it would have already gone to the wholesaler.

I'm sure the break even point is just over what the wholesaler has already offer on the car, which is normally more that a dealer gives you or I for a trade in!
08-05-2005, 09:31 AM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammm

I'd be shocked if a Lexus dealer paid top dollar for a 10 year old trade-in (not to mention the profit on the replacement vehicle they sold). I bet they have well under $3K in it.

Good point... I sincerely doubt they gave top dollar in the first place.
08-05-2005, 09:32 AM
Treibenschnell

I still think that if he walks in and bullies then with 3k in cash, they'd be silly not to take it.
08-05-2005, 09:38 AM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treibenschnell

I still think that if he walks in and bullies then with 3k in cash, they'd be silly not to take it.

All he can do is try, the absolute worst that can happen is they will tell him no!
08-05-2005, 09:40 AM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

All he can do is try, the absolute worst that can happen is they will tell him no!

Exactly... either one or the other party is going to be happy with this transaction.

Good luck to you!
08-05-2005, 09:43 AM
Titus

Doesn't Kags work at a FW area lexus dealership? Is this his? Perhaps he could get us some inside info?
08-05-2005, 09:45 AM
apex2apex

I emailed the seller and found out that the fuel gauge is inoperable, meaning it does not read fuel level. What's required to fix it? Also in the ebay description, it stated "the engine could use a tune up(has a miss under acceleration), could that just be spark plugs and wires? And how much does a Torsen usually run? I will try to check it out tomorrow and with cash in hand. Thanks! :thumrigh:
08-05-2005, 09:49 AM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by apex2apex

I emailed the seller and found out that the fuel gauge is inoperable, meaning it does not read fuel level. What's required to fix it?

Could be a loose wire, could need a sending unit, could be the gauge in the dash.

Quote:

Originally Posted by apex2apex

Also in the ebay description, it stated "the engine could use a tune up(has a miss under acceleration), could that just be spark plugs and wires?

Sure or it could be something worse! I'd get a compresion check done on it before you hand them the cash.

Quote:

Originally Posted by apex2apex

And how much does a Torsen usually run? I will try to check it out tomorrow and with cash in hand. Thanks! :thumrigh:

About a $1,000 give or take a few $$$.
08-05-2005, 10:00 AM
apex2apex

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

Could be a loose wire, could need a sending unit, could be the gauge in the dash.
Sure or it could be something worse! I'd get a compresion check done on it before you hand them the cash.About a $1,000 give or take a few $$$.

Where can I get a compression check done? I have seen Gary done it, but I still don't know how. :(
08-05-2005, 06:19 PM
fwMiata

i just drove it.
it is in pretty good shape on the body, some scratches, nothing deep, 2 dings and one outie, looks like the battery broke loose and popped it out. cas leaks. there is a very noticable stumble and misfire when cold, as it got warmer it was less, but i could feel it under accel. the key does not open the trunk. no power steering, didnt try the ac either, he said it was ok but wasnt ice. one of the other salesmen called it a piece of crap jokingly, didnt realize i was standing there to look at it... he said they are willing to work on a better price, but i was not in a position at the time to shoot an offer,
miles are 88k, (i think, 80 somehting k), clutch felt a little wierd. but wasnt slipping as far as i could tell, transmission did not feel as crisp as my 150k one does though. it was a girl that owned it before and traded it on an IS300. needs an alignment desperatlely. didnt drive too bad though. not the normal amount of power though.
he said they have had like 5 calls on it today, but i was the first to look at it. he aske dme if i was looking to bild an scca car, and was like yeah its not very nice, i was lke no, i want a daily driver, then his sales tactics changed.... he has a z06 vette as his car and knew about miatas, helped put a FM turbo kit on some buddies of his.
08-10-2005, 10:17 AM
POS Racing

Well apex2apex did you go look at it? Did ya buy it?

Come on don't leave us hanging! :tongue:
08-10-2005, 11:00 AM
apex2apex

No, I did not see it on sat. After reading fwMiata comment, I decided I would rather pay more money on one that required less work. Last time I checked, it was sold 3 days before the auction ended. The hunt continues.... 8)
08-10-2005, 03:41 PM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by apex2apex

No, I did not see it on sat. After reading fwMiata comment, I decided I would rather pay more money on one that required less work. Last time I checked, it was sold 3 days before the auction ended. The hunt continues.... 8)

Do you know if they got their asking price?
08-12-2005, 10:27 AM
apex2apex

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treibenschnell

Do you know if they got their asking price?

I have no idea. :scratch:
08-12-2005, 01:56 PM
Mathews2004

I'm slashing prices over in the forsale forum. Step right in!