Check for frontend frame damage when looking at used car.

Hi all,

I am looking at a Miata, the VIN stickers from both front fenders and hood are missing. Otherwise the car is in very good condition and offer at a very good price with clean carfax(which doesn't tell much).

My question is, how can I tell if there's frontend frame damage?

I am ok if the fenders and hood have been replaced and with minor misalignment as long as it has a straight frame.

Appreciated all the advises. :clap:

Alan

This an NA or NB??

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Originally Posted by POS Racing

This an NA or NB??

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94 NA

usually you can look at all the bolts and fasteners attaching teh hood and fenders to pretty eaily tell if they've at lease been removed or messed with.

I suppose they could just remove and replace 'em, but that's really not all that common now is it ;)

Could I assumed the frame is straight if the car goes straight and free of vibration at 70mph?

Or that has more to do with the alignment? :confused:

The car feels more solid than the 96R I had with 103k miles, also much less rattles inside than my 99. The car btw has 55k miles...

A Miata is a Unibody car so no frame, but if the unibody is tweaked that is a very bad thing. I had an RX7 that couldn't be aligned correctly since it had a bent unibody.

Has the trunk lid been replaced? Could be a hail damage car, but you'd think that would have shown up if someone made an insurance claim.

How many owners has it had??

I'd be hesitant to buy it up, but that's just me. ;)

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Originally Posted by POS Racing

How many owners has it had??

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The car has 3 owners, all in Texas.


If you look at the attached pics, you will see the passenger's side headlight has a bigger gap between the hood than driver's side. Also if you look at where the hood meets the front bumper, the gap is not uniform....

I should have paid closer attention when I went look at it... but I was caught up with the drive..... :banghead:

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So you've already paid for it?

That car looks familure... is it someone's around here? EvilSpeeder perhaps?

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Originally Posted by Treibenschnell

So you've already paid for it?

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Not yet, put down a small deposit.