Taylor's Miata FS Thread

[Senor_Taylor]

Is that true for all of them? I had never noticed that rocker and the front lip. Are you sure that's not an option or aftermarket or something. Regardless, I'll give it the ol' Miata rocker panel kick.

Edit: yeah, seems like you're right. I was amazed at how rust free they appeared in the pictures. I'll ask when I email her again today. Rather not waste a 2 hour drive.

[Jake]

All of the NAs were painted black on the rockers. It's a different texture compared to regular paint (it's kind of a 'stone guard' sort of feel, like a smooth bed liner). You can tell on the black cars because of the texture difference, and obviously any other paint color you should see that stripe between the wheels.

[SlimKlim]

You are just proving my point that "you can't afford it in the first place."

I was waiting for this post. As much as I love Joey's story about his miata (and it is true), not all good deals need 50 bucks and some massaging to be a solid driver. I wanted to get rid of my accord so bad throughout college, but I knew I couldn't afford to get something as reliable as what I had so I didn't. Luckily when I hit a deer in the accord my parents were able to buy my civic for me. Now that I am out of school I am so glad I didn't blow my money on a pile of shit. I just bought a townhouse and hopefully by the end of the year I can dump the civic for a new toy. It may not be fun right now, but your future self will thank you immensely. And you'll probably be able to afford something a whole lot nicer - I was looking at cheap miatas as well when I was in school. Now I'm browsing between a Cayman S, s2000, etc.

I hope I didn't give anyone the impression that I was rocking a $550 Miata. I spent $500 on the car, then registered it, got a parking ticket on the first day for not having tags, then I paid $90 for a clutch kit and spent a week installing it by myself, which resulted in me looking like I was performing a blackface skit most nights. I think I eventually ended up in that car for ~$1500 total trying to sort out all the stuff that had been screwed up or ignored, and then decided to sell it when I couldn't afford the parts that'd make it safe to drive on track. I did get an insanely good deal on the car and was able to make a little cash, but it also took a LOT of sweat equity and definitely was not a "throw a part at it and go" situation.

[Senor_Taylor]

I don't really mind a project if it's driveable from day 1. I just want something that isn't my truck and isn't a pile of rust so I can work on it and maybe eventually track it.

[davej]

did we already discuss a mid-engine?
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[Senor_Taylor]

I know nothing about the newer MR2's, but they don't really do it for me.

[Senor_Taylor]

I have given my final offer. She is 6 hours late on an expected e-mail of interior pics and answers to a few more questions so I told her IF she can assure me the engine and transmission are strong, and sends me pictures of a good interior, I will be there with $1700 to test drive it tomorrow. If not, I'm walking.

[Senor_Taylor]

Her reply to me said the water pump went out while she was driving. So she had that fixed today. Has receipts.

[*insertusernamehere*]

Her reply to me said the water pump went out while she was driving. So she had that fixed today. Has receipts.

Now imagine if you were driving home when that went out, did you have money to tow it the rest of the way? Do you still want this car?

[Senor_Taylor]

Considering it's fixed now. Yeah. I wouldn't tow it home, I'd put a new water pump on in the parking lot before I'd pay for a tow.

I've got her down to $1700 maybe lower because of the fender, the a/c and the non-existent service record and the water pump going. I'll have it be cold when I get there so I can look for smoke and check the coolant for milkshake just to be sure. I'll get it warm and romp it a bit. She said she wants it gone, which is either good or bad. Either way, I'm going to take a look. Can't hurt to look.

Just to recap:

- $1700 or lower. Mom is sick and can't drive anymore. Was her DD, daughter wants it gone. I'm the first and only offer.
- No A/C but she is getting it checked for no charge
- Water pump went on it today, had that replaced. Has receipts
- Front passenger fender was replaced by previous owner. Different shade of red
- Have not seen interior yet. Will get pictures tomorrow
- She says no smoke or high temp when water pump went
- 167,000 miles. All NC and VA
- Top is good. No leaks
- Rocker panels have no VISIBLE rust in pics, but have been repainted it seems. Possible to cover rust or after accident with the front fenser
- Says "All belts were replaced" in December. How many belts does a Miata have? If only one, I'm hopeful Timing belt was replaced. If not, oh well.


I am ready to walk if it's not a good example for the money when I get there. It'll just be a fun roadtrip for My roomie, chip and I on a nice day. I'll be looking whenever it's ready and out of the shop. She seems really glad the water pump went before I came to look at it.

[Senor_Taylor]

Need ideas for a custom plate.

I was thinking "MM MX5" or "MMSPRTS"

[ScottyB]

HAY GUYZ
TNY UNIT
DO WANT
ZUM ZUM

but seriously MM MX5 is pretty cool

be sure to look at the top drainage lines that come out in the rockers and rust that area. i think you know about that already though. look over the brake fluid color and be sure the brakes all together and not rusted at any point in the lines. lots of crap you can limp home on but brakes going out will be a bad time.

[Senor_Taylor]

Thank you for the advice. I'd rather everyone assume I know nothing about anything and give me all of the advice I can take. When I go I'll do the following:

- Check for smoke on startup
- Check coolant/oil for milkshake
- Check CAS for oil leaks
- Valve covers and leaks on the rear of the motor
- Clutch feel
- Brake fluid color, feel, and lines
- Rocker panel rust
- Smoke once it's warm
- Rough idle, misfires
- Tire rot/uneven wear/bad wheel bearings
- See how the timing belt looks(Is this visible?)

What else?

Also

[Sully]

Plan the plates after you get it. You're getting excited about the car before you own it and if you're too excited, you'll buy a pile of crap just so you'll finally have the car you want, and you'll overlook a bunch of flaws and red flags. (See hellrot M3)

Just a note though, rockers could have been painted because someone thought the black was ugly. Maybe less probable than the others but still a chance.

First point was negative, second was positive. Balances out to a neutral post. :thumbup:

[Sully]

There is normally a cover over the timing belt

[Senor_Taylor]

Can I look behind the timing cover? I think I've tried on my Taco but not too hard. Also, yeah, I'm excited, but I have a plan with my roomie to keep me level headed. I've said it and I'll say it again, I'll walk away if it's bad. I've waited a long time. I can wait longer.

[Sully]

I'm not too sure. Perhaps the miata guys an shed light on it. Looks like you'd definitely have to physically remove the cover to see it. What I don't know is if it just pops off or requires tools. I imagine there is at least a bolt holding it on. It looks like some people remove them and leave them off cause they think it looks cool but I don't think that would be the case on this car.

[Senor_Taylor]

Alright. Thanks, Matt. Whenever I go, I hope I don't embarrass myself trying to drive stick.

[Sully]

Honestly, it really wouldn't matter lol. Every car is different and I drove like 3 different m3's and one of them had a horrible clutch feel (or horrible clutch....well it was just a horrible car and I offered the guy a super low offer and happily ran away when he said no) and I almost or did stall it out on the hill in front of his house.

Unless, you've driven a manual forever, and even then you may not be perfect on a new car you haven't driven much. Plus sounds like she won't know whether you should be embarrassed or not.

[Senor_Taylor]

I'll be perfect until I try a hill start. I've only ever tried a hill start in a car that wasn't my dad's 7.3 powerstroke like 4 times. Stalled out every time on the first try. Ask Matt Walker about that time right in front of the health center. I have confidence. Miata's have the easiest clutch on the planet (I've heard). Both miatas I drove were SO easy to drive. I just have a hard time fitting in them. If I do manage to buy it, the ride back will be terrible. Need to do a foamectomy to whatever I get.