Need a new car

[yamaha731]

Well I sold the Firebird so now I have to decided what my next toy will be. I'm allready leaning toward a mustang but the little girl in me keep's saying try a miata . I'm not sure what year's to look for and how many miles is to many. I have about $5500 to spend but I'd like to spend 3-4 and then put some money into it.

[shakedown067]

Man, you go through cars faster than I go through tires. And I eat up some tires!

[yamaha731]

the firebird didnt have a real responsive feel to it and I didnt want to sink a bunch of money into it trying to make it better.

[nc4me]

I would suggest going to tampabaymiatas.net and asking around there. I'm sure someone knows about one for sale that will be reliable, if not they hold a lot of tech days and can help you install things yourself.

[Loren]

You can absolutely buy a decent Miata for $3k.

In general, plan on spending $500+ under the hood to do the timing belt, waterpump, belts & hoses unless it's documented as being done recently. (needs to be done about every 80-90k)

Plan on replacing the shocks. $400+ (as much as you want to spend, but a set of cheap KYB AGX's will keep you entertained)

You can do brakes all around (calipers, rotors and pads) for under $400 as-needed.

There are other little things like shifter boots, engine mounts, plug wires... minor stuff that might need attention.

Otherwise, Consider that for anything of the age of an NA or early NB (the $3-4k range) is going to require most of the above within a year or so. The price you pay for the car should be based on that, plus the overall condition of the car, and to a lesser extent, the top. (another $400-800 for a soft top, or $800+ for a hard top) Stay away from rust unless it's cheap and you don't care. There are plenty of rust-free Miatas out there.

[twistedwankel]

Well I sold the Firebird so now I have to decided what my next toy will be. I'm allready leaning toward a mustang but the little girl in me keep's saying try a miata . I'm not sure what year's to look for and how many miles is to many. I have about $5500 to spend but I'd like to spend 3-4 and then put some money into it.

https://picasaweb.google.com/1177316613 ... 9Z7LtdXTTA#" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If this link doesn't work email me. twistedwankel@hotmail.com and I'll send them directly.

I just took these photos about an hour ago. Car has been for sale for a number of weeks now and I never paid much attention to it.
Sign laying on the seat now with car parked in drive? Who knows? I know nothing about 93 Miatae. This one has a really nice interior but a rug pad on the dash might hide a crack? Tinted windows. They weren't home and since it wasn't locked I took a quick look inside. Seats are awesome. Never talked to them as not into more cars now. $3500 asking. Will need top some day or never? I assume it was repainted at some point but the body looks really straight. 142k miles isn't many for a 19 year old car. They also own a titanium grey RX8 and a pickup truck so they cannot be all bad Sign with phone # is listed. 727-585-1086 In Spring Hill Corner of Joel and Deltona Blvd. Most oldies out here hate stick shifts. Go for it.

Miatae seem to really have gone up in value in the last few years? Is it cause a new one is $25k? AND weighs more?

[Loren]

That's a $2500 Miata at a glance, definitely no more than that... possibly less depending on what it looks under the hood and under the car.

Definitely signs of repaint. (orange peel on front fender) Those aren't stock Miata seats. (though they do look nice) The top doesn't have much life left. And what were they thinking with those side graphics???

Patience will deliver you a $1500-2000 (or less) Craigslist special if you keep your eyes open. Look for "stuck transmission", 95% of the time, that can be fixed in 5 minutes with a wrench and a screwdriver under the car. Corroded AFM connectors causing a "starts but will not run" condition are also great ones to find.

These cars are old enough that a lot of people who bought them 10-15-20 years ago feel that they have gotten their value out of them and aren't willing to even consider fixing another little problem on them. Those are the ones you get cheap. Fix the common wear/maintenance issues and you've got a solid car that's good for another 200k miles.

Of course, Chris won't keep it that long...

[rojeho]

Hadn't publicized it yet but I'm thinking about selling my 97 Miata, in the right price range, with good maintenance and stock level prep (shocks, bar, exhaust).

[Loren]

Hadn't publicized it yet but I'm thinking about selling my 97 Miata, in the right price range, with good maintenance and stock level prep (shocks, bar, exhaust).

There's a good one to buy, Chris!

But, what will you drive, Ron? I know somebody with a nice Z4 Coupe for sale... (just lowered the price to $18,750 )

[rojeho]

Not sure yet. I'm trying to resist the usual habit to buy first and then deal with the old one later.... Thinking C4 Corvette or early (cheap) Z3. Since we're space limited this needs to be the "open-top" car, too.

May rent a Mustang for the duel to see how Michele does in a fat car with a roof before my eye starts wandering too far from the Miata.

And yes, the answer is always Miata. So far I've sold, strayed, only to come back and find another one twice, so what's doing it again a third time? Maybe this time I'll try an NB or NC.....

[shakedown067]

And yes, the answer is always Miata. So far I've sold, strayed, only to come back and find another one twice, so what's doing it again a third time?

Not if you get the C4! Just get an 89 or newer so you get the ZF 6-speed!

[rojeho]

What - no love for the Doug Nash 4+3?

[Jamie]

Hadn't publicized it yet but I'm thinking about selling my 97 Miata, in the right price range, with good maintenance and stock level prep (shocks, bar, exhaust).

Way too reliable for Chris...give him a car like that, and we'll never see the Mazda 5 out on course again.

[twistedwankel]

http://zephyrhillsauction.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Jamie]

http://zephyrhillsauction.com/

Way too reliable for Chris...give him a car like that, and we'll never see the Mazda 5 out on course again.

[garage west]

Oh, man! The Angry Bird is gone already?

[nc4me]

Not sure yet. I'm trying to resist the usual habit to buy first and then deal with the old one later.... Thinking C4 Corvette or early (cheap) Z3. Since we're space limited this needs to be the "open-top" car, too.

May rent a Mustang for the duel to see how Michele does in a fat car with a roof before my eye starts wandering too far from the Miata.

And yes, the answer is always Miata. So far I've sold, strayed, only to come back and find another one twice, so what's doing it again a third time? Maybe this time I'll try an NB or NC.....

Maybe selling my NC, if you're interested let me know.

[yamaha731]

what's an NC

[rojeho]

Chris,

If/when you are serious, pm me. If not me, I know someone that may be interested.

[rojeho]

what's an NC

Generations of Miatae

NA = 1990-97
NB = 1999-2005
NC = 2006-current