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Thread: Found a miata, trying to measure value

  1. #1

    Default Found a miata, trying to measure value

    I found a 91 with 101k miles. White 5speed no modifications at all.

    The good:
    Interior is very well kept
    NO leaks of any kind
    Very strait and clean underbody
    Top looks good from outside, havent had a chance to fold it down yet. I have learned the procedure though.
    Tires are so so

    The bad
    There was evidence of a fender being replaced. I saw this from inside the wheel well looking foreward since there was no plastics there. It looks like someone had a minor accident in a parking lot and some of the sheet metal that mounts the fender is bent up. On the outside it looks perfect and the front bumper, headlights etc are original, all body lines are perfect.
    The car has been resprayed on account of the fender bender
    The guy is flipping the car and has no records, likely bought from auction. He drove it 45 miles home with the damage without issues before having the fender replaced and the car resprayed.

    My opinion and needs
    It looks like a very well kept car that had a fender bender and was traded in for something else and wound up in this guys hands. It was repaired with sale in mind but outwardly looks very good.
    I need a reliable vehicle, which the miata in general is, with air conditioning. I am going to go drive to car when it warms up enough to confirm the ac works.

    He is asking 2200 what do you guys think?
    Last edited by sammm; 12-06-2010 at 07:02 PM. Reason: I merged your threads...

  2. #2

    Default

    He is probably looking for $2000. Maybe offer $1800 and work back up to $2000.

    Assuming that the AC works, the title is clean, and Carfax is clean, then I think $2000 is a good price.

  3. #3

    Default

    Was the whole car resprayed or just the fender? Early white Miatas had paint issues and all of the will eventually begin to drop paint off in bug chunks leaving behind splotches of gray primer.

  4. #4

    Default New member, found a car, want some help deciding on value

    Ive wanted a miata for some time now as a fan of light weight sportscars. I currently drive a camry that is well cared for but very tired at 272k miles and want a daily driver that is exciting, efficent and of reasonable cost. I also own a porsche 928 that is extremely pampered and is not for daily driving.

    Found a miata, trying to measure value
    I found a 91 with 101k miles. White 5speed no modifications at all.

    The good:
    Interior is very well kept
    NO leaks of any kind
    Very strait and clean underbody
    Top looks good from outside, havent had a chance to fold it down yet. I have learned the procedure though.
    Tires are so so

    The bad
    There was evidence of a fender being replaced. I saw this from inside the wheel well looking foreward since there was no plastics there. It looks like someone had a minor accident in a parking lot and some of the sheet metal that mounts the fender is bent up. On the outside it looks perfect and the front bumper, headlights etc are original, all body lines are perfect.
    The car has been resprayed on account of the fender bender
    The guy is flipping the car and has no records, likely bought from auction. He drove it 45 miles home with the damage without issues before having the fender replaced and the car resprayed.

    My opinion and needs
    It looks like a very well kept car that had a fender bender and was traded in for something else and wound up in this guys hands. It was repaired with sale in mind but outwardly looks very good.
    I need a reliable vehicle, which the miata in general is, with air conditioning. I am going to go drive to car when it warms up enough to confirm the ac works.

    He is asking 2200 what do you guys think?

  5. #5

    Default

    First off, you've got a nasty echo in your computer.

    Secondly, careful of the white peel that Titus mentioned. If it was properly resprayed (stripped first), then okay. If not, you may get the peel anyway. JR is right on price too. You can find Miatas with no issues in that price range. This would be a good deal at $2k, not a steal though and steals do come along every now and then if you watch.

  6. #6

    Default

    The fact that it has no "history" is worth thinking about. Not a deal-breaker at that price, but remember that Miatas MUST have the timing belt/water pump done periodically. If the car has made it to 100K without it being done, it's just begging to break and fail. A good mechanic can figure out if the belt has been done or not, but it should be considered before you buy and then have a $500+ repair to spring for.
    Polished Turd Racing

    Mick wrote: "I think Jerrett is the best autocrosser I have ever seen naked."

  7. #7

    Default

    Thanks i was going to offer 1700 if everything worked and see where that led.

    I also do all of my own work on cars so thats makes tbelt change more of a bargaining chip for my benefit rather than necessity.

    I am not actively looking but got the urge when i saw it. Ive Always got my eye out for deals and i think unless it really is i will pass. Is there anywhere besides this site and the typical autotrader and craigslist to keep an eye on? I live in arlington and work in plano so dfw area wise.
    Last edited by Formula94lt1; 12-06-2010 at 08:30 PM.

  8. #8

    Default

    Under two grand would be a helluva deal if you just have the urge to play with a shiny toy. Hell, I'd pounce for that price.
    '94 Black & Black & Tan
    '99 head swap, JR header, TDR intake & header blanket, MegaSquirt, RB hollow bar, Tein Flex, 15x8 6ULs, HD M2 Sport, FM cat, Borla cat-back, black '95M interior, MOMO Zebrano, IL Motorsport console...

    Dyno Days
    8/16/08 (bone stock): 103.1 hp/99.0 lb-ft - Dynojet
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    Roger Moore: the Danny White of James Bonds

  9. #9

    Default

    Well it was a necissary urge as my daily has 272 k miles on it. :)

    Thank you all for the insight so far!

  10. #10

    Default

    Good Stuff here for the first time Miata buyer - http://www.miata.net/faq/usedmx5.html

    Also the early cars may have this issue - http://www.miata.net/garage/crankshaft.html

  11. #11

    Default

    Well i have an early 91 by the vin from that article. Seems like a long nose upgrade would really increase reliability. Anyone familiar with the loctite fix mentioned at the end of the article?

    Thanks for the links

  12. #12

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    Just found out it was a salvage title.

  13. #13

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Formula94lt1 View Post
    Just found out it was a salvage title.
    Keep looking Mazda made a ton of these cars!

  14. #14
    Team Cheap Bastard
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by POS Racing View Post
    Keep looking Mazda made a ton of these cars!
    +1...run away. Now.

  15. #15

    Default

    Yup salvage kills it. For a toy or track car, it'd be worth about $1000 tops IMHO, but I wouldn't rely on it as a DD.
    Polished Turd Racing

    Mick wrote: "I think Jerrett is the best autocrosser I have ever seen naked."

  16. #16

    Default

    Done and done. Ill keep an eye out for another, i really want to join this forum.

  17. #17

    Default

    You're in! Lots of people without miatas on here, but we're glad to have you. You'll find the right one easily enough, and it'll be worth the wait.
    Polished Turd Racing

    Mick wrote: "I think Jerrett is the best autocrosser I have ever seen naked."

  18. #18

    Default

    It used to be that you had to have a car with VTEC in order to qualify for membership, but I think the management is easing off that stance.

    Rule linkie:
    05 MX-5 Mazdaspeed #1024 Titanium Gray Mica

  19. #19

    Default

    Why all the hating on salvage title cars?? Being in the business I know how little totals an older car these days. If the seller can't provide pics of the damage to calm your fears and you are not confident evaluating the car then go find another one. The company my employer uses to value vehicles takes 30% off of the value for a salvage title repair providing the repair is not noticeable.

  20. #20
    Mr Miata Solutions Rogue's Avatar
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    Default

    Yep, getting mighty pointy in here.

    Quote Originally Posted by OZMDD View Post
    Yup salvage kills it. For a toy or track car, it'd be worth about $1000 tops IMHO, but I wouldn't rely on it as a DD.
    I bet more than a few of you have Miata's that were damaged that could have totaled.
    I have seen clean title cars that just couldn't be fixed, and salvage cars with no body damage at all.
    My BRG was a salvage title w/23k, hit hard.
    I fixed it and it was dead reliable for another 100k.
    I would put money on none of you could tell it was ever wrecked. Its still on the road. AFAIK

    A salvage title means look a bit closer, and pay a bit less.
    But, you should be doing that anyway.

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