Boz Mon's Miata thread. Small update, rants and raves

  • Thread starter Thread starter Boz Mon
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Mazda have released dozens of special editions of the Miata/MX-5 and I wouldn't personally pay any more for one unless it's mechanically special in some way or comes with a bunch of extra kit. I would assume the MSM is much more special than the SE but I suppose it depends on condition too, as a well-used MSM will likely command a lower price than a nice SE.

Good choice on looking for a standard one though, I doubt you'll lose much in the way of fun compared to the MSM, even though performance will go down a couple of notches.
 
Toronado
You were getting a crazy bargain on the MSM.
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I know, its still kinda on the backburner, but I put crazy miles on cars. I think I did around 30k per year since I had the prelude. I just dont want problems with that turbo, even though it is low pressure it still scares me a bit.

I'm probably going to go look at that SE tomorrow and just see what they say.
 
You misunderstand. My point was, you were looking at a typical late-NB price for a car that typically costs thousands more. Therefore, just because you are finding normal NBs for a bit more money doesn't really mean anything.
 
Toronado
You misunderstand. My point was, you were looking at a typical late-NB price for a car that typically costs thousands more. Therefore, just because you are finding normal NBs for a bit more money doesn't really mean anything.
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Ahhhh, indeed I did misunderstand. I'm picking up what you're throwing down now. 👍
 
You're selling the 'lude? Where you located again?!?! I've had "me wanty Prelude again" fever ever since I saw a 4th gen for sale down the street from me.

I almost cried when it turned out to be a SR automatic. :(
 
I don't think the SE was a special edition model. I thought that it was just a standard trim level, similar to how they do the current Sport --> Touring --> Whatever dance. I really don't recall any super-special NBs other than the 1999 10th Anniversary car. Although, I'm pretty sure they did an M-Spec edition again (special paint/interior combo, different wheels).
 
YSSMAN
I don't think the SE was a special edition model. I thought that it was just a standard trim level, similar to how they do the current Sport --> Touring --> Whatever dance. I really don't recall any super-special NBs other than the 1999 10th Anniversary car. Although, I'm pretty sure they did an M-Spec edition again (special paint/interior combo, different wheels).
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Yea, this one is a nice purpley-blue color, has a grey leather interior, a 6 speed, and different wheels.
 
YSSMAN
I really don't recall any super-special NBs other than the 1999 10th Anniversary car.
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That was my earlier point. Most MX-5 special editions are just a paint job and some snazzy wheels. California, British Racing Green, M-Edition, Monaco etc. A select few, like the 10AE, MSM, V-Spec and so on get either new mechanical bits, or special paint and trim, or both.

The ones that are literally just a new colour and some different seat trim are still worth getting, but not necessarily worth paying extra over a standard model for unless you really like it.

I personally quite like the aforementioned bright yellow California, which usually goes for a little more than standard models, but at the end of the day it's still cheaper than spraying a normal one yellow so you have to make up your own mind on these things...
 
Just realized I work tomorrow, so thursday I will be looking at this car. BTW there is a yellow NA that I see driving around, I actually know where the owner lives.

Another weird side note, the dealer with the MSM has not called me after the test drive.
 
Boz Mon
Yea, this one is a nice purpley-blue color, has a grey leather interior, a 6 speed, and different wheels.
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According to the Miata master here at work, that one is pretty rare. If it's a purple-blue color with a gray top and leather interior, it's actually a 2003. Assuming it also has 5-spoke 16" wheels. We had never actually seen one until a customer showed up at our open house with one a few years ago.
 
Toronado
I know this is the "Boz Mon's Miata search thread," but what about one of these?

Essentially the same thing.
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I test drove one of these when it first came out and I scared the **** out of the salesman. But it handles really well Miatas are easier to work on thou since it's motor is more accessible.
 
Problem with the MR-S is that, at least based on what I've seen, they are very difficult to find here in the Mid-West. Actually, I can't think of the last time that I saw one out on the street...
 
UPDATE: Back from the test drive. The dealer was about an hour away from my house in a small town. The car looks better in person than it does in the ad. Its a really nice blue color with a pinstripe going down the side. Its clean inside and out. Grey "leather" seats. Its a 1 owner car originally from Florida. He told me that a dealer went out of business in FL and they bought a bunch of the cars. Its been on the lot since at least mid December, and he played the "Guy coming from Iowa today" card on me.

I drove it...Its a typical NB nothing out of the ordinary. I notice that I have a hard time finding 6th gear just because I'm not used to the extra cog.

Couple things that bothered me reguarding the carfax:

1. The mileage on the report says 28,183 while the odo says 22,183. I was told this was most likely an error on the dealers end when they reported it to Carfax.

2. Carfax lists the car as an LS but it has special edition badges. Is there a VIN that is SE specific, or are SE's considered LS's?

Thats pretty much it. I'm gonna take my dad up there just so I can get a 2nd opinion on the car to make sure I'm not overlooking anything. Other than that, I'm pretty much sold on this one. Wish me luck. 👍
 
There's nothing in the VIN that would say it's a Special edition. But, considering the color and the Gray top/leather interior, it'd definitely a 2003 Special Edition. There's a sticker on the passenger side door sill that will give some specifics that you might want to know. (SE trim, suspension package, etc)

Good luck on getting the car.
 
About as rare as I thought. Yeah I'm sure they tracked the SE's by their VIN numbers but the VIN itself doesn't contain any special info. Edit: That's all located on the sticker I was talking about.
 
Not funny as in haha, funny as in it slipped right out before Mazda stopped making them. :D Wasn't meant negative.
 
I bought the car today. I got it for 11,500 plus fees. It came to 12,500, a case of miller lite, and a case of bud lite when all was said and done. I'll try and get some pics up early in the week.
 
I thought the blue ones were the Aniversary edition with the 6 speed. It was even supose to come with a die cast model of the car. I'll wait until you post some pic then.
 
Boz Mon
I bought the car today. I got it for 11,500 plus fees. It came to 12,500, a case of miller lite, and a case of bud lite when all was said and done. I'll try and get some pics up early in the week.
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Maybe I need to start bargaining in beer...
 

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