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

[effse7en]

I've been trolling craigslist for a couple days, and all I can find is way above my budget, in austin, or have a snapped timing belt. I finally got my tax return in, and after I pay off snap on, I'll have a bit left over to pick up a Miata.

So, does anybody have an extra Miata they're trying to get rid of?

[sammm]

There's a clean, well-maintained red '94 (with ABS) coming up for sale soon, but it's going to cost you more than $2K. Frankly, you'll only
get a turd for that kind of money.

[jrj512]

What Sammm said. You can find them for $2K, but it will not be a very good example. Every now and then one will pop up that is a good deal at $2K, so keep an eye out.

[CosmosMpower]

I found a decent one for 2700 earlier this year. Everything worked on it, good top, and no issues mechanically (needed TB change), it was 97 with power windows. Had your usual small scratches etc. It took a while to find and it was out in BFE.

Generally the 2-2500 dollar cars are turds though. If you find one in the state in good shape for that price I'd just make the hike and pick it up.

[OZMDD]

It's the wrong time of year to find smokin deals on Miatas. Spring is when people suddenly want an affordable convertible, so the demand raises the prices. That being said, there are deals out there for someone who is willing to haggle, has cash and can tackle some repair/maint challenges. For some reason (college town?) there seem to be a number of "weary" early Miatas in need of TLC in Denton that can be had for fair prices, especially if the seller is stuck with a car they can't afford to fix. Ultimately, late summer (think balls-hot) and early winter are the best times to buy a miata. Good luck!

Edit - POSracing is going to sell his soon, and it is about as perfect an example of a desireable 1.8L miata as you'll find anywhere. Probably about double your $2k budget, but it will save you $$ in the long run since you will spend nothing on it for a long time and it will hold its resale value. Nobody on the forum takes better care of their cars. (which is why he hasn't seen his wife in months...)

[tuck4x4]

I paid 2150 for my 95 montego blue with a brand new glass window top. Thing is, when I got it, it had CAS issues. Turned out it was the wires going into the CAS. So the fix was about $4. But its been absolutely flawless since.

Not all are turds.

[BigDmiata]

I picked up a '95 for my mom last year for 2k, far from a perfect example, but has been reliable except for the cas o-ring destroying a heater hose (I never bothered to check it, so that was my fault). For 2k I would be prepared to do some maintanence and repairs, in the 4k range you should be able to find a much better car (POS's car as an example)

[Mr. Miatie]

Just keep looking, took me almost a year to find my first. I was being picky.

At the very least wait for one with LSD. Always worth a good long trip, to pick one up too.

[dickie]

paid $1,500 for my 90 with hardtop. only things wrong were bad paint (countless hours and replacement sandpaper discs then $15 worth of rustoleum) and a bad rear wheel bearing ($30 and a weekend afternoon). after a tune-up it ran for another 20k on the original motor which i pulled and sold for a lnc engine swap with lower mileage. but it could have kept going.

you just need to be patient and prepared to jump on the first car that comes along in your price range that isn't a complete turd. i've been relatively lucky in that all the cars i've bought i seem to have beaten several other buyers to the punch on. excellent communication with the seller helps that.

[jrj512]

Also keep in mind that one man's turd is another man's treasure.

[EricJ]

I've been trolling craigslist for a couple days,

1. It took me about 2 months of trolling to find mine.
2. As well as Austin, don't forget to check East Texas, Far East Texas, Waco, Wichita Falls, OKC, Tulsa .... anything within a 4-6 hour drive.

[MoonieGT]

I watched craigslist like a crazy person for a while and got a '91 in good mechanical shape but not so good cosmetic shape. I loved that car. Be patient and keep saving to increase your budget.

[SirHustlerEsq]

Unfortunately NA Miatas have doubled in price over the last five years and NBs have stayed the same. I bought my green car with a hardtop in good condition with bad paint and oil leaks for $1600, my white car was in a serious disrepair and I paid $1100. Those deals are unheard of today unless the car has a bad engine which is perfect for us.

[spiderteeth]

My dad and I picked up our (my) 1990 NA for $1000 cash. It was in nearly flawless condition, had a hardtop, and had 143k on the clock. The alternator belt had slipped and the owner, thinking it was done for, just parked it and bought another car. Didn't even have a for sale sign on it, we just noticed it sitting and asked him if he wanted to sell it. megusta.jpg

[stupidfast900]

got my 91 with a bad rod bearing (but still running) mint condition chassis and suspension. all stock with a harddog roll bar. and shitty spray can paintjob for $350.
200 dollars for a new 1.6 with fresh gaskets and timing belt, 200 dollars for misc parts that needed to be replaced during the swap. and $100 for paint materials to primer black and spray an automotive clear coat on. runs like a champ and even came with new tires purchased less than 1000 miles ago with a receipt for $500

So yes it can be done, especially if you have some mechanical know how. there are lots of parts on these that are very cheap (and some that really arent) and almost everything can be knocked out in a day with a lil help.

before and after pics

[wizzurp]

Yep, don't lose hope. I picked up a pair of running miatas for 2k, one was slightly bent, fully situated turbo car that needed some love, the other was a rod knock 1.6 auto. Intended on swapping everything into the clean auto car but went the hard route and fixed the bent one. It's nothing but great so far, that and quicker than 95% of the vehicles on the road. If you have any mechanical skill dont be afraid to pick one up with a crap motor and just swap it, a running used 1.6 is quite cheap and easy to swap.

[effse7en]

"any mechanical skill" I work at Park Place Lexus, so I think I'm set on that. There's a 91 with a snapped timing belt and the failed short nose crank I was thinking about, but I decided that was just slightly too much work for me, as I have no trailer to bring it home on, nor a place to work on it for more than about an hour and a half at a time (apartment, and we can't really stay past 7 at work). I don't mind if the car looks like crap, but I'd prefer no structural damage and at least a mostly functional drivetrain. I'll just keep emailing everyone with a 3k miata on CL and offering 2k. Oh the hate mail I get back...

[effse7en]

and a bumpedy bump bump bump

Thoughts?

1k for a 95 non runner, glass soft top, working stereo, gonna throw in seat and steering wheel covers lol
http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/cto/3681599309.html

No price, but it looks clean and only has 48k miles on it. Short nose crank though :\
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/cto/3686510292.html

[wizzurp]

My first short nose died a valiant death at 285k haha

[stupidfast900]

I'll just keep emailing everyone with a 3k miata on CL and offering 2k. Oh the hate mail I get back...

while this may eventually work in your favor most people will not just drop their price by 33% over just an email. but if you show up, look the car over, come back with a list of things needing repair and an estimate from a repair shop thats not the dealer then you have some ground to stand on. Also bring cash in hand, a wad of cash will push alot of people over the edge assuming they are selling for financial reasons. (previous owner of mine wanted 750, after returning with 350 in pocket and an estimate over $2000 for the repairs needed he caved) and do e afraid to walk away. like get in your car and start to drive off, i have had call backs as quick as 30 min after i left accepting my offer.