Buying dilemma. Help me please.

So I want a cheap Miata. I'm torn between these:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

I like that one because of the color, but the high mileage scares me.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/cto/2439018997.html

I don't know if that one has high miles... other than that I like it.


http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/2453623370.html

The New York title on that one worries me a little, although I've done a few out of state title transfers in the past without a problem... A little concerned about passing emissions, but Japanese cars never seem to have a problem.

What it boils down to is, should I stay away from the blue one because of the high miles?

The second one, the white one, sold.

The blue one is at least a $1000 over priced, IMO.

I like the silver one.

buy my car, lol.

No such thing as a cheap Miata. They all cost $10k+ eventually

On that last one, I don't think a '90 model came from the factory in silver, so it's been painted along the way. I think '91 was the first year for that color.

How many miles on the '93? (Don't let miles scare you, these cars are practically bullet-proof).

The first one (Smurf) is over priced.

I like the silver one too. Just take a good look at it and see what kind of rust it has. Sucks that it came from NY...

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Originally Posted by sammm

On that last one, I don't think a '90 model came from the factory in silver, so it's been painted along the way. I think '91 was the first year for that color.

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Actually silver came out mid-year 1990. So Silverstone Mica was available form 90 1/2 - 92.

Thanks everyone. Good info so far.

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Originally Posted by sxk122

buy my car, lol.

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What do you have?

I'd suggest saving a bit more and get a 94-97. The 1.6 is a dog. The 1.8 has much better low-end torque and ditches the restrictive air flapper box for a Mass Air Flow Meter. I'd find the Miata with the best maintenance records you can find or in lieu of that, the best condition Miata you can afford regardless of mileage. I would rather have a high mileage well maintained Miata than a low mileage with questionable maintenance history. Like Creek suggested, a cheap Miata may add up if you need to do a bunch of maintenance and replace worn out parts.

Thanks Black.

Does that silver one have AC? I think I see a compressor and lines going into the firewall.

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Originally Posted by Hard Drivin Johnny

Does that silver one have AC? I think I see a compressor and lines going into the firewall.

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Looks like there's an AC compressor button inside the fan switch (in the first pic).

The 1.8 is the better motor, but I think its far from being a "dog." I enjoyed the hell out of my 92, and there are quite a few guys running the 1.6 in STS who make them fly. They are definitely the best bang-for-the-buck in the used market. You shouldn't need to spend more than $3K for a 1.6 w/ AC unless its immaculate or has a hardtop.

Post your max budget and specific must-have's on your listing; there is a good chance someone on the forum might be ready to sell. Its a little more $$, but there is no better deal out there than the 94 R-package w/ hardtop listed on the forum.

My concern with the NY/silver one would be that they are washing the title. I think the paint looks too good (not oxidized anywhere, etc.) and I'd be worried that it was previously wrecked, salvaged and painted and not being passed off as not rebuilt.

On the positive side it does look very clean and has frankenstein bolts.

What's your purpose with the car? The reason I ask is that I bought a cheap Miata and then spent $3k on it (suspension, tires, top, general maintenance, rollbar, etc.) and it ended up being a not-so-cheap Miata. I wanted a Miata that I could trust on the track or autocross with and not worry about it blowing up. It simply didn't have enough power and once I started pricing forced induction... well I knew it was time to sell it since I'd have been better off spending $7-10k on a car that was already sorted and likely would have been in better initial condition than mine was.

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Originally Posted by goofygrin

On the positive side it does look very clean and has frankenstein bolts.

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Just an FYI ALL NA's had Frankenstein bolts from the factory.

I'd go with a '94+ car I like the 1.8 better I've had both. ;-)

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Originally Posted by black roadster

I'd suggest saving a bit more and get a 94-97. The 1.6 is a dog.

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Not necessarily... I've driven some early cars that were surprisingly strong. But be aware that the 1.8 comes with a lot of other improvements - like bigger brakes, more chassis bracing, etc. PLUS, the 1.8 has a higher ceiling for power mods... and the later model NB motors can be swapped in.

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Originally Posted by black roadster

I'd find the Miata with the best maintenance records you can find or in lieu of that, the best condition Miata you can afford regardless of mileage.

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^^^This.

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Originally Posted by black roadster

Like Creek suggested, a cheap Miata may add up if you need to do a bunch of maintenance and replace worn out parts.

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Yes, you will spend some money on maintenance, but you'll most likely start blowing money on mods in short order... ;)

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Originally Posted by black roadster

I'd suggest saving a bit more and get a 94-97. The 1.6 is a dog.

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I would not say that...my 1.6 has 180k miles on it and I hang pretty good....

Thanks for the latest replies. I'm planning to just use it as a daily driver, 15 miles or so each way to work and back. I'm not looking for a lot of power or razor-sharp handling. Just a fun car that's decent on gas.

My budget is around $3500, BTW. Has to be ready to go as a daily driver.

Ok so I called on the silver one. Really nice lady, she bought it for her daughter but the daughter doesn't like the stick shift. A few of the panels have been re-done. The car apparently sat in storage for about 12 years, and the current owner put all the repairs into it so the daughter could have a reliable car.

One catch: The title already has buyer info filled out on it, and the current owner doesn't know who that is. She said that she was told at the tax office that it could be transferred, but I'm a little concerned. I sold a car to a friend that waited on transferring the title, and I ended up having to meet him at the tax office to verify the dates for the title transfer. I'm going to try to check it out this weekend and find out more details. I'm considering getting that blue one and spending the money on mechanical repairs if the title is clear.

Called on the blue one. Older retired gentleman, his mother passed away so he inherited her newer car. He's been driving the Miata for 10 years. I really like that color the best, too, and I see very few blue ones. Lots of red and silver and white, in that vintage. He also dropped the price to $2950 so I'll have some extra cash for repairs if needed. I'm going to try to check it out tomorrow morning.

Its a little more $$, but there is no better deal out there than the 94 R-package w/ hardtop listed on the forum.[/QUOTE]


Where's this one listed?

Just my 2 cents but it would be a smart plan to get Trackdog Racing or Miata Solutions to do a pre-puchase inspection on any miata you are looking at they have years of experience and can spot a ::turd:: from miles away!

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Originally Posted by titanescape

Where's this one listed?

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http://www.dfwmiata.com/showthread.p...ut-selling-out.

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Originally Posted by POS Racing

Just my 2 cents but it would be a smart plan to get Trackdog Racing or Miata Solutions to do a pre-puchase inspection on any miata you are looking at they have years of experience and can spot a ::turd:: from miles away!

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Yep we can. I work at Track Dog Racing and we will gladly inspect a car for you. You will need to drive it to our shop in NE Dallas at Plano/Forrest intersection. Cost is just shop time and how detailed you want us to inspect it. Anything from a visual inspection to test drive to leak-down and compression check of the motor. We can tell you what looks to be an issue and give you an order of priorities. If the car is a gem, we can sell you some Miata goodies to make it go faster too.


:burnrubr:

Just give us a call and we will be glad to help.

William

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Originally Posted by black roadster

Yep we can. I work at Track Dog Racing and we will gladly inspect a car for you. You will need to drive it to our shop in NE Dallas at Plano/Forrest intersection. Cost is just shop time and how detailed you want us to inspect it. Anything from a visual inspection to test drive to leak-down and compression check of the motor. We can tell you what looks to be an issue and give you an order of priorities. If the car is a gem, we can sell you some Miata goodies to make it go faster too.


:burnrubr:

Just give us a call and we will be glad to help.

William

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Hey JB, this ^^^

I bought the blue one. Happy happy joy joy. It's a little sluggish, especially with the AC on, but I managed to snag it for $2500, which kinda surprised me. He had dropped the price to 2950 and I was hoping he'd meet me somewhere between 2500 and 2950, but he just said "ok" on my offer. It rattles a little, but the steering is tight, the shifter is firm, the clutch feels solid, and I had no problem cruising at 70 on the turnpike going to work. I was amazed by how firmly it shifted, no slop in it at all.

I will definitely visit Track Dog as soon as I can.

You all were a huge help in this decision, I really appreciate it. I'm happy with the way it all turned out.

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Originally Posted by sammm

On that last one, I don't think a '90 model came from the factory in silver, so it's been painted along the way. I think '91 was the first year for that color.

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I didn't read down enough to see if someone corrected you already, but that is false. My car is an early 1990 and it's silver. The original documentation I have from 1990 that I got with the car says it was an available color as well.

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Originally Posted by blackzx3_13

Hey JB, this ^^^

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Thanks buddy.

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Originally Posted by Hard Drivin Johnny

Thanks buddy.

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Yep, Miata count at work is now 3.

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Originally Posted by blackzx3_13

Yep, Miata count at work is now 3.

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We should get a pic of them all.