Buying dilemma. Help me please.

[Hard Drivin Johnny]

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?

[Hard Drivin Johnny]

The second one, the white one, sold.

[jrj512]

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

I like the silver one.

[sxk122]

buy my car, lol.

[creek]

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

[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.

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.

[trickyrix]

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...

[black roadster]

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.

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

[Hard Drivin Johnny]

Thanks everyone. Good info so far.

[Hard Drivin Johnny]

buy my car, lol.

What do you have?

[black roadster]

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.

[Hard Drivin Johnny]

Thanks Black.

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

[sammm]

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

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

[OZMDD]

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.

[goofygrin]

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.

[POS Racing]

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

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.

[trickyrix]

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

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.

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.

^^^This.

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

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

[Bigsrturbo]

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

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

[Hard Drivin Johnny]

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.

[Hard Drivin Johnny]

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