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+--- Thread: Miata as first car? Suggestions? (/showthread.php?tid=10613)
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - Senor_Taylor - 06-28-2014
So, I came across a deal from a friend of a friend. Long story short, I thought I could get a good deal. 92 with 123,000 miles. Base model, new roof in the future, needs new battery and tires. No current inspection and hasn't been driven in a year.
I offered $800 and he shot me some BS about how he looked at the prices on KBB for a 94 and Craigslist and he said my offer was too low.
Has a dent on the front and only has the 1.6 liter, which he isn't accounting for. What do y'all think? What's the most you would offer?
![[Image: eS6e6eq.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/eS6e6eq.jpg)
![[Image: GfzS911.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/GfzS911.jpg)
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - Sully - 06-28-2014
Runs and drives? Maybe a grand and tell him that's what you can do. Be prepared to walk away. It speaks more than cash except of course when it's already a good deal which to be honest, I can't tell you if it is or not. What's he trying to get out of it. Tell him you need to spend money on tires and a top so you'll only give him $x
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - Senor_Taylor - 06-28-2014
I told him $800 and very little to budge. If he'll agree to let me see it in person and drive it like he said, I'll offer $1000 cash then and there IF it's good. Cash on the spot with a Trailer to take it away will be powerful.
Yet again another person who thinks they have more than they really have. The Miata market is stupidly inflated right now. Must be the summer.
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - *insertusernamehere* - 06-28-2014
Yeah tires + top + dent + were those stock wheels? Should be good negotiating points. Is the clutch any good? lol I don't know if buying a car that's been sitting for a year is a good idea? Someone else might be able to tell you whether or not it may leak oil like crazy from the wrong places once you start driving it. I doubt the fact it has a 1.6 is that big of an arguing point.
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - Kaan - 06-29-2014
without a good inspection, good tires, good roof, etc... its a spec miata parts car at best. $800 is more than fair (if the top was good and it was inspected and had good tires he could ask $2-4k for it, but thats not what this car is). he cant get top dollar for a car that has just been sitting and rotting. yes its been rotting... i'm sure there is rust if you look enough. its also a single stage paint car (i think) and the paint i shot (as well it should be), not that you care but he doesnt have to know that.
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - Jake - 06-29-2014
All of them had single stage paint until you got the metallics in 1996 or so.
Tires will be $450 installed, and really you want lighter wheels than those heavy steelies (which, yes, were stock on the base trim) so factor that in. Maybe $700 for wheels with good tires on them already? Roof is $500 installed if you come to nova, or $250 plus two days' labor to DIY.
You'll need to change every fluid ASAP - oil, trans, diff, brakes. Check for rust where the door meets the rear rocker panel.
$800 is an okay starting point, but I'd almost rather spend $2k and just get one that's been driven regularly and deal with less "get it to run" crap.
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - Senor_Taylor - 06-29-2014
Yeah, I agree, I plan to walk away if he wants anything more than a slight bump above 800. Maybe wait until the off season and see how the prices drop.
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - *insertusernamehere* - 06-29-2014
I say since you won't be driving it til spring semester, don't buy one til closer to then in the dead of winter when people are seasonally depressed and just don't care and will give away their beloved convertible for anything they can get haha. Good plan! :thumbup:
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - CaptainHenreh - 06-30-2014
Jake Wrote:Check for rust where the door meets the rear rocker panel.You can already SEE the rust in this area in the pictures.
Walk away, son.
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - Evan - 07-01-2014
Senor_Taylor Wrote:I told him $800 and very little to budge. If he'll agree to let me see it in person and drive it like he said, I'll offer $1000 cash then and there IF it's good. Cash on the spot with a Trailer to take it away will be powerful.$800-$1000 is a great deal for even a mediocre condition miata, especially a longnose crank.
Yet again another person who thinks they have more than they really have. The Miata market is stupidly inflated right now. Must be the summer.
I bought a 90 that was sitting a lot longer than that and it was easy and fast to get it running. it even had a couple animal nests in various locations and was none for the worse.
as long as you dont mind putting some money into it and it isnt a rusted out shitpile you should jump on it.
problems happen because for some reason a lot of people get the car home then get tight with their money, and wonder why their $800 car isnt as nice as a $3k one.
PS- dont listen to Jake, and dont let him touch the car either
He has the worst miata luck of anyone I have ever heard of :lol:
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - Evan - 07-01-2014
CaptainHenreh Wrote:lots of miatas have this. even my garaged 94R did. Its a easy fix and not enough of a problem to not buy a car over. Of course, if there is rust everywhere........Jake Wrote:Check for rust where the door meets the rear rocker panel.You can already SEE the rust in this area in the pictures.
Walk away, son.
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - SlimKlim - 07-01-2014
My miata's rocker panels were rusted out so bad you could've shoved your hand up the fender to the elbow if you're into that sort of thing. That was the only rust on the car, it's because no one ever cleaned out the drains for the top, when they get clogged water pools at the bottom and eats out those rockers. You can buy replacement panels if they're really bad and have a body shop cut them in.
Definitely give it a thorough inspection if you're thinking about it and make sure there is no rust on the actual frame rails or shock towers or something, but if it's just on the rocker panels or a little on the bottom of the doors. Meh. Sand it down and spray bomb it with some rust stopper shit and rock out. I'm assuming you don't care how pretty this car is.
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - Jake - 07-01-2014
Evan Wrote:PS- dont listen to Jake, and dont let him touch the car either
Are you trying to be cute?
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - Evan - 07-01-2014
Jake Wrote::dunno: Id call 2 engines, CELs, overheating etc to be pretty atypical of a car that usually takes more punishment than any car Ive ever encountered.Evan Wrote:PS- dont listen to Jake, and dont let him touch the car either
Are you trying to be cute?
But go ahead and get your feelings hurt if you cant take a light hearted joke. :roll:
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - Senor_Taylor - 07-01-2014
Was told today I have to hire my own lawyer for my court case which is so inconveniently placed at the end of September. Miata is off the table.
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - JPolen01 - 07-01-2014
Welcome to being a grown up
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - Senor_Taylor - 07-01-2014
Is that what this is? I guess that explains the weird hair...
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - Kaan - 07-02-2014
Senor_Taylor Wrote:Was told today I have to hire my own lawyer for my court case which is so inconveniently placed at the end of September. Miata is off the table.
tell grandpa kaan the story!
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - Senor_Taylor - 07-02-2014
Oh yeah, we're not friends on Facebook I guess. I got pulled over doing 103 in a 70 downhill on the way back from Summit. I was 10 minutes from home...
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - Kaan - 07-02-2014
most of us have been there at least once. good luck. your insurance company is going to LOVE you until you are at least 25.