WTB NA with a budget of 2k. Am I crazy?

[effse7en]

Yeah, I know it's not a terribly great plan.

On the topic of horrible plans: I got a few texts back on this one: http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/cto/3681599309.html
The timing belt is snapped. That's not a huge PITA to do, right? The engine bay looks reasonably spacious for such a tiny car. I guess my main concern is how hard is it to find timing again?

[sammm]

^Timing belt is not bad...plenty of write ups to be found.

FYI...yellow was not a factory color in 1995, so it's been painted too.

[effse7en]

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/3691861229.html

Checking this one out at 5 today. The price makes me both excited and very wary.

hrmm, this isn't really a classified thread anymore . last post on it, I suppose.

[OZMDD]

mmm...no title.

[sammm]

mmmmm

+1 ... no title? That's got flaming written all over it.

[CosmosMpower]

At least it comes with some pink Mardi Gras beads

[effse7en]

Hmm, true about the title. Don't know how I missed that. I'd hate to buy it, go to register it, and get it seized as stolen property. -sigh- looking at the snapped belt 1.8 at 1pm today...
Any recommendations on towing services in the chance I buy it? I'll try to haggle a little since it's been painted and has a snapped belt.

[TexasStig]

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/3691861229.html

The price makes me both excited and very wary.

GRM $2014 challenge car? No title required!

[OZMDD]

Just call whatever tow truck company google finds in your area. Unless its more than 20 miles, I'd expect it to be under $100. The independents will negotiate, and you are not in a "stranded motorist" situation, so they know you can call others if they are too pricey. Otherwise, a Uhaul tow dolley is hard to beat.

[OZMDD]

FYI - a quick text reveals that the seller claims "lost title" but won't say whose name it is titled in, so almost certainly not his or a family member. That's a risky purchase, even for a parts car or lemons, since you'd be on the hook if the actual owner comes knocking.

[Rob®]

Otherwise, a Uhaul tow dolley is hard to beat.

This. If you have a truck that can tow, I'd say to show up pulling an empty trailer/dolly. From past experiences - on both sides of the coin - you're not going to get a better deal than showing up ready to take the car home that very second. Cash in hand, trailer behind a truck, and it's damn near impossible to get told no. You don't want to give the seller time to think.

[effse7en]

I don't own a truck, nor do I know anyone who does. damn it.

[Rob®]

Take one of your dealership trucks for a test drive

Home Depot rents them fairly cheap, but it's an iffy proposition to need to rent a truck and trailer/dolly in hopes of stealing a $2000 car.

[OZMDD]

For $50 plus gas, I'll pick it up with my truck for you. Rent the tow dolly/trailer and pm me about a time this evening and contact info.

[black roadster]

I don't own a truck, nor do I know anyone who does. damn it.

Dude! You live in Texas and don't know anyone who owns a truck? Are you a hermit?

[Rob®]

For $50 plus gas, I'll pick it up with my truck for you. Rent the tow dolly/trailer and pm me about a time this evening and contact info.

And there it is. Someone that knows Miatas (not to offer his services there) and is willing to help you pick one up. Just don't expect that means he won't bust your balls once you get a car and start making stupid comments. Because he will. Welcome to the family [in the apparently very near future]

[effse7en]

Thanks OZMDD, I'll send you a PM when they get back to me. I asked if I could look at it at one, but she said she had work and her bf would call me when they come up with a time to look at it. I suppose just look at Uhaul for tow dolly rates? Every other site seems to be giving me the "call us for pricing" bs.

Haha, I fully accept any ball busting I receive. I may be a tech, but I haven't been doing this all that long, so on anything other than Lexuses, I'm just a torrent of questions at my team leader. I'm getting better though.

[JDSM]

bring the tow dolly to kellers tonight!... with a new Miata!

[effse7en]

I would love to see a Scion xD towing a Miata. That would just be priceless.
Unless y'all have an extra 1.8 tbelt and water pump laying around and wanna help me do it in the kellers lot, I think I'll just take it home and tinker with it this weekend/whenever the parts come in. I may come down to Kellers to meet some of y'all though. Is Rosenthal pretty much the rock bottom price, or can you get the setup for that price at dealers around here too? The chick said her bf just got off work, so I'll probably be heading to Grand Prairie in an hour or so.

[ozzie84]

So what happened..did you get it?