Things to looks at...

[sxk122]

When buying a miata, what are some specific things one can do to inspect a car themselves... if I'm going to a car lot to look at a car, what are things I should look out for..... I've always bought used cars based on mileage, gut feeling, and overall condition. Problem is, I'm looking at high mileage early 90's Miata's with mediocre bodies, so my system isn't gonna help me here.....


Thanks in advance, Simon

[channelmaniac]

Crawl under it and look at the frame rails, A-arms, and other misc things that get bent in accidents but not necessarily repaired.

Check the oil for shavings & water, check the coolant for oil, check compression if you can...

[sammm]

Lots of good info here too.

http://www.miata.net/garage/garagebuying.html

[sxk122]

Crawl under it and look at the frame rails, A-arms, and other misc things that get bent in accidents but not necessarily repaired.

Check the oil for shavings & water, check the coolant for oil, check compression if you can...

thats all standard stuff... i was thinking more make specific problems... for instance on the 2000 ford zx2 s/r's there were a LOT of cases of crankwalk....
I've heard of crank issues on early 90's miatas... any other things like that?

[POS Racing]

Lots of good info here too.

http://www.miata.net/garage/garagebuying.html

And here for TSBs - http://www.miata.net/garage/tsb/index.html

If you want more info than you need Miata.net is the place to lurk.

[channelmaniac]

thats all standard stuff... i was thinking more make specific problems... for instance on the 2000 ford zx2 s/r's there were a LOT of cases of crankwalk....
I've heard of crank issues on early 90's miatas... any other things like that?

You weren't specific in your first post.

[sxk122]

You weren't specific in your first post.

Sorry... I appreciate the advice either way.

I'm just looking forward to finding "THE" car.

In fact, I'm even closer than I thought... got a $500 check in the mail........had had the tv repairman out because of an intermitent problem on my TV (under warranty). They decided it is cheaper to refund me the cost of the TV. So, thats almost a new paintjob through my friend on whatever car i do get :)

[sxk122]

Arghh...
I'm starting to get frustrated. I'm always a bit too late it seems. Every car I go after gets sold.

I'm watching Craig's List, Ebay, and Autotrader..... along with here and miata.net

Any other places to look?????

[JuanoTejano]

Craigshelper helped me find my miata because it allows you to search specific cars in your price range throughout different cities. Things to check for would be rust on body panels, I know you have the paint body work hook up but you really don't want rust bubbling up though your new paint job. Timing belt will help you determine how good the persons maintenance was if dealing with a private seller. Alot of problems can be felt out through the test drive, a good miata will have no play in the wheel and will feel really structurally stiff unless you are looking at the earlier 1.6 cars which will feel a little less stiff. the car can make some rattles and squeeks and what not during the test drive but their shouldn't be any loose sloppy feelings to it. Smoke on start up and valve ticking for a long time past start up are also a bad sign (valve ticking while cold is completely normal for these old cars but it should dissipate when at operating temperatures).

[Miatamaniac92]

Arghh...
I'm starting to get frustrated. I'm always a bit too late it seems. Every car I go after gets sold.

I'm watching Craig's List, Ebay, and Autotrader..... along with here and miata.net

Any other places to look?????

There was a 99 Sport here in Austin for $5900 IIRC the other day.

Chris

[CosmosMpower]

Arghh...
I'm starting to get frustrated. I'm always a bit too late it seems. Every car I go after gets sold.

I'm watching Craig's List, Ebay, and Autotrader..... along with here and miata.net

Any other places to look?????

Take a vacation to So.Cal and I guarantee you can find a Miata cheap. Ship it back for $500 and you still have a good deal.

[Rogue]

Ship it back for $500

I tried to ship a 93LE from Bezerkley a year ago.
Shipping was $1300 and that was a kinfolk deal.
It would be well over 2k now.

[CosmosMpower]

I tried to ship a 93LE from Bezerkley a year ago.
Shipping was $1300 and that was a kinfolk deal.
It would be well over 2k now.

Want to see my receipt? I shipped my LE from LA to Mesquite hub to hub with DAS including all surcharges and tax and it got here within a week. Your Kinfolk must be ripping you off.

[Rogue]

Want to see my receipt?

Nah, I want the phone number where I can get that same deal.

That is smoking!

[CosmosMpower]

Nah, I want the phone number where I can get that same deal.

That is smoking!

Keep in mind that was over a year ago when gas was cheaper (not sure how much though). I'll look up the # when I get home.

[jrj512]

Your Kinfolk must be ripping you off.

[Ted the Red]

Want to see my receipt? I shipped my LE from LA to Mesquite hub to hub with DAS including all surcharges and tax and it got here within a week. Your Kinfolk must be ripping you off.

How long ago, or better yet how many cents per gallon ago was that? Also have to think about if the transit is on a flatbed, an inclosed trailer, or one of those fancy trailers used for shipping BMWs.

Just my .

But back to the topic at hand... Just stay on the lookout.. When your driving through town, your neighborhood, anywhere. That is how I found my 90. I got a heck of a deal on it with just over 100K, hardtop, and few cosmetic things that needed to be addressed for less than $1500.

So just keep your eyes open, and good luck in your search.

[CosmosMpower]

How long ago, or better yet how many cents per gallon ago was that? Also have to think about if the transit is on a flatbed, an inclosed trailer, or one of those fancy trailers used for shipping BMWs.

Just my .

But back to the topic at hand... Just stay on the lookout.. When your driving through town, your neighborhood, anywhere. That is how I found my 90. I got a heck of a deal on it with just over 100K, hardtop, and few cosmetic things that needed to be addressed for less than $1500.

So just keep your eyes open, and good luck in your search.

It was on an open air car transit semi on the top level, I could definitely see an enclosed transit of that mileage costing $2,000 plus. I'll find my receipt and the details when I get home if anyone is seriously interested.

[sxk122]

Craigshelper helped me find my miata because it allows you to search specific cars in your price range throughout different cities. Things to check for would be rust on body panels, I know you have the paint body work hook up but you really don't want rust bubbling up though your new paint job. Timing belt will help you determine how good the persons maintenance was if dealing with a private seller. Alot of problems can be felt out through the test drive, a good miata will have no play in the wheel and will feel really structurally stiff unless you are looking at the earlier 1.6 cars which will feel a little less stiff. the car can make some rattles and squeeks and what not during the test drive but their shouldn't be any loose sloppy feelings to it. Smoke on start up and valve ticking for a long time past start up are also a bad sign (valve ticking while cold is completely normal for these old cars but it should dissipate when at operating temperatures).

Yeah, thanks for the Miata specific tips... I don't want to go near a rusted out car-- that can be a nightmare. I've bookmarked the Craigslist city page, and i've been checking Cities in Texas/ Oklahoma/ Arkansas/ and Louisiana.... Unless its a *wow* car I don't want to drive 400 miles to say no....

There was a 99 Sport here in Austin for $5900 IIRC the other day.

Chris

I saw that, its a bit more than i wanted to spend and I really want an NA; I like the pop-up headlights. I'm hoping to spend $2500-3k for an OK car-- I want something to work on. My factory warrantied Lancer is boring me.


I'm gonna go try look at this Sunday--
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/718575638.html
I'd be looking to talk him down a bit-- it has 191k miles-- a bit more than i was wanting-- but we will see

[jrj512]

I'm gonna go try look at this Sunday--
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/718575638.html
I'd be looking to talk him down a bit-- it has 191k miles-- a bit more than i was wanting-- but we will see

That does not look like a stock steering wheel, so perhaps the car was in an accident that popped the airbag. It could have been minor or it could have caused issues with the frame. You should look at it closely and make sure that it is not a salvage title.