Want to buy: 94-97 miata Na, open to nb as well

[Jmoney]

Hello everyone,

I had such a wonderful time at the Winter Autocross event last weekend, I am now in the market for a miata! First, I'd like to stay close to my budget of $3000. The main requirements I have are driver and passenger airbags, ac/heat, passed inspection and a Torsten limited slip differential (must haves). This would be a weekend driver/autocross car. I like the 96 M, (love that color)and I am fairly open to any suggestions or possibilities as long as the main requests are met. I browse Craigslist often, but I wanted to reach out to the community in case you are selling and havnt listed one, or know someone who is thinking about selling theirs.

Thanks for your time,

Jared

[Bob_MX5]

http://collegestation.craigslist.org...423764871.html


Maybe this one.

TBH, I think $3k is a little low for what you're looking for, but here's one. Usually, $3k buys a high mileage project if you're looking for an na8.

B.

Edit: then again, this might be a project too.

[OZMDD]

That actually looks pretty decent for the price, assuming its not hiding any rust or crash damage. Wheels are worth a pretty penny if you sell them and upgrade to autox wheels/tires.

[OZMDD]

You might be able to get this one pretty close to your price range:
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/cto/5426831960.html

[POS Racing]

Why do people think that taking pictures of the car at night at a gas station is going to be the best picture they can get of the car?? Is it really going to look that bad when the actual sun shines on it???

[OZMDD]

Because they think that makes it look like it belongs in a stance magazine (or whatever the modern equivalent of a magazine is!). And they fell for the same trick. And they are 17 and realized that Miatas are slow and have very little space.

[OZMDD]

Neat old BRG, looks pretty intact. http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/5426643450.html

[Jmoney]

Those are good suggestions! I like the brg, but since it's a 91, no passenger airbag for my fiancé. Im sure we'll find one. I may need to up my budget to meet my expectations.

I don't like the crappy artsy pictures at a gas station either. If you can't be bothered to take 2 minutes to take decent pictures, I wouldn't know if they took care of their car either.

I had emailed the guy about the M. Had not changed any timing belt, or pump, had a rear end leak as well, wouldn't budge on the price either. He sent some more pictures to me, but I wasn't super impressed for the cost. Which is a bummer. Im sure we'll find something soon though!

[OZMDD]

The M is overpriced for the condition you describe. While the M-edition gives a nice set of options for the NA cars, remember that it is basically just a paint color difference when compared to any other 94-97 well-optioned car. Unless its very well-kept and mostly original, they really aren't worth much more. The exception being the 95M, with BBS wheels and unique seats. Performance-wise, they are all the same engine. Torsen is about the only option that impacts autox.

As for airbags, you are being pretty optimistic if you are counting on 20+ year old bags to deploy reliably, but I understand the need to keep the SO happy. :)

[OZMDD]

This is almost certainly a Torsen car, as it has leather, power mirrors, and ABS. Good starting point for autox since it has some good wheels, and the 94 still has a real OPG and is pre-OBD2. Non-OEM top in wrong color is a good negotiation point.

Its very easy to locate a cheap set of oem wheels for that car if you want to have a set of street tires separate from your autox setup, or run in Street(stock) class. I have a few sets available.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/5412038016.html

[Jmoney]

I called on this one, 170k miles. Hard to understand the dude, said he was a dealer.

[OZMDD]

At $3k, you're either going to be looking at very nice, low mileage 1.6 cars, or pick between high mileage (not necessarily bad on Miatas), rough cosmetics/interior, or mechanical issues. Very rare to find a ready-to-roll torsen-equipped 94-97 with under 150k for that price point, though not impossible. Best to search now, as prices will shoot up in a month.

[Jmoney]

In your opinion, is the Torsten worth it for autocross?

[sammm]

^Yes. I've only known 1 driver who was fast with an open diff.

[OZMDD]

While Sammm is very knowledgable about the different Miata combos and has tons of experience, I actually don't think its all that critical with the tires that are available these days. I ran a 96 with an open diff a couple of years ago and had no problem keeping up with/beating LSD-equipped Miatas locally. That said, it is certain that a Torsen will make an otherwise-equal car/driver faster than without, and is a necessity at the National level of autox competition.

Its great to find the right car with a Torsen already in it, but don't be afraid of non-torsen cars if the deal is good and the car is solid. A 94-97 Torsen will run you around $500 in the used market (pretty common) and isn't a particularly difficult install. If you become serious about autox, you will tackle bigger and more expensive upgrades eventually.

[slowchildmiata]

While Sammm is very knowledgable about the different Miata combos and has tons of experience, I actually don't think its all that critical with the tires that are available these days. I ran a 96 with an open diff a couple of years ago and had no problem keeping up with/beating LSD-equipped Miatas locally. That said, it is certain that a Torsen will make an otherwise-equal car/driver faster than without, and is a necessity at the National level of autox competition.

Its great to find the right car with a Torsen already in it, but don't be afraid of non-torsen cars if the deal is good and the car is solid. A 94-97 Torsen will run you around $500 in the used market (pretty common) and isn't a particularly difficult install. If you become serious about autox, you will tackle bigger and more expensive upgrades eventually.

This... I actually had issues with my car setup since the Torsen opens up when you unload the inside rear... Would have been the same performance with an open for the car.

[sammm]

I respectfully disagree...it's not everything, but it's a big advantage IMO.

In STS, you can run a 1.8 with an open diff, or a 1.6 with a VLSD. How many 1.8's do you see in that class?

[Jmoney]

The way I look at it, being a noob at autocross I'll need all the help I can get.

[OZMDD]

Sammm, you know that what is built for national-level competition has little to do with real-world autox. I agree that I would start with 1.6 if I was going to spend $15k building-up an STS Miata, but then again I'd go straight to a Civic/CRX for STS, so the point is moot anyway. YMMV, but I've driven back-to-back testing runs with and without Torsen in a 1.8, and also in NC's. I think the time difference is well-within driver noise for local events on current sticky tires.

[OZMDD]

The way I look at it, being a noob at autocross I'll need all the help I can get.

Its really the exact opposite: as a noob, there is very little beyond decent tires and seat time that will make you any better. A cheap miata in good mechanical condition is the perfect starting point. Drive it until you can actually feel the limitations that are holding you back, then consider addressing them with mods or adjustments.

There can't possibly be a more frustrating feeling than showing up to an event in a bada$$ car and getting shellacked by a well-driven beater. Not that it won't happen to everyone regardless of car, but it is a reminder that the sport is 90% driver and 10% vehicle setup.