Event's NA Miata Search Thread

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I'd take a look at the Craigslist stuff in CA too. It's a long way from Illinois, however, buying something from out here you're guaranteed it's rust-free (I scratched our Miata down to the bare metal while replacing the electric antenna, purely cosmetic as I never, ever, even use the radio, but it'd stuck itself at half-mast, and it didn't rust at all during the 6 months that I took to get the scratch repaired!!!) and you can get some good low-mileage deals, plus the prospect of a great (if you purposely avoid the interstates as I so frequently do) drive home, in which time you get to know your new toy intimately across some of the greatest & twistiest terrain in North America.

I've had a quick browse of Craigslist tonight, and there are M-Editions with new soft-tops and ~100K miles for under $4k. Plus when you get the car home you can remove the CA Smog compliant goodies and grab yourself another 10 - 20 HP!!! :-)

Let me know if you're interested in anything down this way, and check out P & R Motorsports website if you're interested in upgrades of any kind before you leave...

I'd also suggest PMing R1600Turbo for advice as he works for Flyin' Miata.
 
I just called about this one, he claims no rust, oil changes all done every 3k, owned by old people. He's sending me a couple pictures of the rocker panels and the door ding. $4000 for an M with a hard top sounds like a steal to me. I'd pay that. It's a 7 hour drive, though, and it may have the original timing belt... hopefully carfax reveals that it's not so I wouldnt have any quarrels about driving it back here.

http://lexington.craigslist.org/cto/1987754505.html

Smallhorses
I'd take a look at the Craigslist stuff in CA too. It's a long way from Illinois, however, buying something from out here you're guaranteed it's rust-free (I scratched our Miata down to the bare metal while replacing the electric antenna, purely cosmetic as I never, ever, even use the radio, but it'd stuck itself at half-mast, and it didn't rust at all during the 6 months that I took to get the scratch repaired!!!) and you can get some good low-mileage deals, plus the prospect of a great (if you purposely avoid the interstates as I so frequently do) drive home, in which time you get to know your new toy intimately across some of the greatest & twistiest terrain in North America.

I've had a quick browse of Craigslist tonight, and there are M-Editions with new soft-tops and ~100K miles for under $4k. Plus when you get the car home you can remove the CA Smog compliant goodies and grab yourself another 10 - 20 HP!!! :-)

Let me know if you're interested in anything down this way, and check out P & R Motorsports website if you're interested in upgrades of any kind before you leave...

I'd also suggest PMing R1600Turbo for advice as he works for Flyin' Miata.
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wow, talk about cheap. Looks like a lot of very very nice miatas at extremely reasonable prices out there! I'm really going to have to keep my eye out. I've always wanted to drive across the country.
 
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I'd talk him down to $3,500 if you can and if he bites, take it and run. You know the M is just cosmetic stuff right? It's nothing 'special' like a Mazdaspeed NB.
 
fitftw
I'd talk him down to $3,500 if you can and if he bites, take it and run. You know the M is just cosmetic stuff right? It's nothing 'special' like a Mazdaspeed NB.
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yes, but I know it comes with the Torsen LSD. Plus it carries a higher resale value. And the color is great. It's not all about performance.
 
Event
PM me with some more info... aren't you in California, though? If I a get shifter issue sorted out, I may run it. You don't see MS6s much at Autox, but you'll see plenty of miatas way faster than stock.

So it looks like a member on another forum (who also happens to be a former GTP'er) is gonna look at the Blue miata on a lift with me... He's a miata owner, so hopefully we can find any defects. If everything looks good, then I'll probably put a deposit down
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You has PM! In for a GTP autox!
 
Eric.
You has PM! In for a GTP autox!
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I'll let MazKid know. He doesn't seem to post here any more, but he has a sweet supercharged miata. he's the guy who helped me look at the smurf on a lift 👍
 
you can get a Torsen LSD for $500 if you are patient, if you wind up getting a Miata with an open diff.
 
so, this miata came up on craigslist again:
This is a super clean and well maintained Miata, was adult owned.

It has logged 91,000 since new, they were pampered miles.
Power steering, P disc brakes, ABS braking system, factory deluxe stereo system, cruise control, p mirrors, p windows, console trunk release, Posi rear end gears, tinted glass, factory aluminum wheels>> jack and tools.

It is a factory red car with the black cloth interior. Very minor wear on upper drivers seat>> not tore as most are.
Brand new expensive top, not the JUNK ones.
New tires, brakes and calipers, car was just also serviced.
Does not have the typical Miata rust on the rocker panels.

This Miata is better than the average Miata, $3400. may accept an offer.
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The price is about right... the thing is I actually drove out there to look at it. It was the first NA that I drove and I can't remember for the life of me what I didn't like about it.... I think he wants less for it now, but I can't find the old ad to verify. It's red... and that's a con. and it threw a CEL during the test drive (probably an emissions thing). Should I see it again?
 
Event
I'll let MazKid know. He doesn't seem to post here any more, but he has a sweet supercharged miata. he's the guy who helped me look at the smurf on a lift 👍
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Hey, ask him to drop in here and check out my toy thread! I'd like to compare notes with him.

Event
so, this miata came up on craigslist again:

The price is about right... the thing is I actually drove out there to look at it. It was the first NA that I drove and I can't remember for the life of me what I didn't like about it.... I think he wants less for it now, but I can't find the old ad to verify. It's red... and that's a con. and it threw a CEL during the test drive (probably an emissions thing). Should I see it again?
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*Ahem*:

Event
I'd rather have red than white.
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I'd see it again. Test drive it past your nearest AutoZone or whatever there is in STL these days and have them pop the codes for you. Any CEL could be a $50 sensor or a $500 problem waiting to happen, and no way to know without the codes.
 
Event
VLSD (he doesn't know about it, either... I called mazda to verify. so don't include it in the estimate
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You can also tell by looking under the car at the axles where the two halves bolt together. The flange will have half-circles on all four sides for an open diff, and tear drops on two sides for VLSD. 👍

1.6 cars only of course...

Event
So is it just me or are 1992s going for a premium? It seems everyone and their mother is asking $4k plus for their ~100k 1992, while 97s with 100k are going for $3800 or so... what's that about?
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Long nose crankshaft might have something to do with it.

Smallhorses
I'd also suggest PMing R1600Turbo for advice as he works for Flyin' Miata.
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Just saw this. :lol: Don't work there anymore, but can still answer questions. 👍
 
Very interesting. I have to admit that, with my new job, I'm thinking I want to grab an old NA as well. It should be a lot of fun.

Good luck shopping!
 
All this talk of St. Louis/Illinois autocrosses intrigues me. Perhaps I should go to one...
 
ugh, I feel that maybe it's not the best time to get a second car. A lot of talk about this upcoming buyout of the company I work for has been going around recently... maybe my job isn't as safe as I thought. I should hold off until the winter... after the stockholders vote and maybe some more light is shed on the situation. I'm bummed, but you can't be too careful.
 
Jim Prower
All this talk of St. Louis/Illinois autocrosses intrigues me. Perhaps I should go to one...
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DEW EET! As long as it's not an SUV, don't worry about what you're driving. Hell, the last event I drove in had the following:

Honda CR-V (driver did the entire lap with his elbow clamped over the door to stop himself from falling off the seat)
Porsche Cayenne (driven by the VP of the national PCA, didn't get to see him run, but pretty quick times for its size and a tight course)
Pristine 10-year-old bone stock Camry 4 cyl, driven by a 17-year-old-girl
Beat to crap 5-year-old Camry 6 cyl on R-compound tires, surprisingly quick
Brand new NC Miata with under 100 miles on it

Seriously. Change your oil, put 35-40 psi in your tires, torque your lugnuts, and go for it.

Event
I should hold off until the winter... after the stockholders vote and maybe some more light is shed on the situation. I'm bummed, but you can't be too careful.
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Prices will drop in the cold weather, too. Good luck with the job situation!
 
Well waiting paid off. I ended up getting laid off in Feb, got a big fat severance check, and got a new job last month. So I brought this home yesterday:

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It's a 1993 with 34000 miles. It's mechanically perfect except the ebrake needs to be adjusted and the AC doesn't work. Cosmetically, it has some suspension surface rust that was treated and the paint has some oxidation on the hood, the usual paint chips and touched up spots, and an aftermarket top, but it looks very clean from 10 feet back or at speed. I paid $5000
 
Great find. First thing I thought was "93" when I saw the photos. (center caps gave it away) You might see if someone can buff out the oxidation on the hood. Other than that, looks good to me. :)👍
 
That's gorgeous. Mariner Blue is a great colour for them, probably even the best colour for an NA. 1993 is before they strangled the 1.6 too so it's a good one to get.
 

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