Miata as first car? Suggestions?

[Senor_Taylor]

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?

[Sully]

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

[Senor_Taylor]

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.

[*insertusernamehere*]

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.

[Kaan]

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.

[Jake]

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.

[Senor_Taylor]

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.

[*insertusernamehere*]

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:

[CaptainHenreh]

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.

[Evan]

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.

$800-$1000 is a great deal for even a mediocre condition miata, especially a longnose crank.

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:

[Evan]

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.

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........

[SlimKlim]

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.

[Jake]

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:

Are you trying to be cute?

[Evan]

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:

Are you trying to be cute?

: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.

But go ahead and get your feelings hurt if you cant take a light hearted joke. :roll:

[Senor_Taylor]

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.

[JPolen01]

Welcome to being a grown up

[Senor_Taylor]

Is that what this is? I guess that explains the weird hair...

[Kaan]

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!

[Senor_Taylor]

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...

[Kaan]

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.