YSSMAN's Infinite Crisis: Blackest Night (Post #816)

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Joey D
Also what headunits are you looking at?
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Nothing too special... Sony, JVC or Pioneer preferably. Needs an AUX imput out front or some kind of iPod control, but other than that I'm not too picky. It already has the custom speaker setup, and the power output should be about the same.

I figure about $120 worth of radio would be fine. The only thing I can't stand is flip-down radios for the CD player. And I'm probably going to try to find one with a green backlight so it matches the rest of the car.
 
What's a radio? :lol: All my music comes from that steel pipe coming out the back of the car.

It may be late, but congratulations, YSSMAN, you've gone up a notch amongst Clarkson fans. Bash the hell out of a brand, then buy its car (Ford, with the GT... GM, with the Hummer... well, actually, he bashed the hell out of the Hummer itself, then he bought it.)

Still, great choice. I would've personally loved an Integra or the GT-Four, but that Celica will do... it will definitely do. Now go get performance driving lessons. :D
 
YSSMAN
Nothing too special... Sony, JVC or Pioneer preferably. Needs an AUX imput out front or some kind of iPod control, but other than that I'm not too picky. It already has the custom speaker setup, and the power output should be about the same.

I figure about $120 worth of radio would be fine. The only thing I can't stand is flip-down radios for the CD player. And I'm probably going to try to find one with a green backlight so it matches the rest of the car.
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You are probably better off with a JVC or Pioneer, Sony's headunits have always been a bit meh in my opinion. I really like Panasonic ones but they tend to get pricey quick. The new Pioneer headunits have a terrible control layout though.
 
I'm never all that picky. I think my only thing is that I may have to stomach a red/blue display again. I had that in the Jetta despite the green lights everywhere else and it drove me insane. I think the main thing for me is just getting a unit that's the right color with an AUX input at a good price. I really don't care about HD Radio, Satellite Radio hookups or Bluetooth connectivity.
 
YSSMAN's Infinite Crisis: Blackest Night Edition


Blackest_Night.jpg



Its been nearly two years since I've purchased my 1998 ST204 Celica GT Hatchback, and after putting some 26,000 miles on the car since then, I hate to say that I'm growing somewhat tired of the car. Its not that I don't like it, in fact, its arguably the best overall car that I've owned (previous models include a 1993 VW Fox and a 1996 VW Jetta), but yeah. Things happen.




Then, I came across this thing today:


Some of the light details:
  • Black on Black on Black
  • 72,061 Miles
  • 16" Eneki Alloy Wheels with Toyo Proxy Rubber
  • Aftermarket Chome Roll Bar
  • Fancy Rear Spoiler w/ Mud Guards
  • Pioneer CD Head Unit
  • No Crusie Control
  • Does have A/C
  • Power Windows

Generally speaking, the car looks like it was owned by a local enthusiast and taken care of pretty well. The mileage is good for a 1997, and the overall wear and tear looks like it is above average. But here is where my issues start.

A) They want $6355 for it. Its a hair over the NADA value, almost a grand more than what it should be according to KBB, and $3000 more than what Edmunds is calling it out at.

B) There is a pretty massive tear in the front drivers seat on the side closest to the driver's door. You can't see it in the photos (clever girl), but it would cost (presumably) a fair bit of cash to fix... Worse yet, to replace the seat.

C) The tires are worn. Really, really worn. I didn't have a penny on me to stick in the tread, but I imagine that we're right around the top of Lincoln's head. A new set of 16" rubber will not be cheap on this car. I doubt they've factored this in.

D) The cloth top fits tight, and looks like it is in pretty decent condition, but around the rear window, things are starting to get a little yellow and "chippy" (like its going to come apart)... Any idea what's up with that?

E) Those "fancy" mud guards, while functional, do not look like they were put on properly.


So, the question is... Is it worth looking at? I mean, the car overall looks to be in pretty decent shape, and I'm definitely interested in an MX5 over the Celica. Facing facts, the Celica isn't getting any newer, and the Toyota recalls haven't helped the resale values. Assuming that I could get these guys into a reasonable sale range, I could actually end up walking out of there with a car payment that is as much as $50 cheaper a month, along with insurance rates that are $10-20 less as well. That goes a long way for me at the moment.

Any thoughts?
 
There are much better alternatives for $6,500. I won't get in to my opinion of the MX5 because you already know. However, just do what your gut tells you to do.
 
I wouldn't call it resprayed right off the bat. Pretty much every Miata has bumpers that don't match the rest. Different types of paint or primer? Besides, paint is the last thing you worry about with a Miata....right Brad?
 
You buy this and I'll laugh at you. For reals. Not because the MX-5 is a bad car (I can't talk, having owned an MR-S) but because this abused specimen is over priced. Considering I can find early 90's models for 3 grand, and 99's for 8, both in better shape than this, you really need to look around more. Or maybe move out of Michigan where these relatively common Japanese cars are rare for some reason.
 
Azuremen
You buy this and I'll laugh at you.
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Thats a bit harsh, but you could probably find an NB with a bit more mileage for the same price as that NA. You could also find cheaper, nicer NA's for a lot less. I say buy a Miata, just not this one.
 
Boz Mon
Thats a bit harsh, but you could probably find an NB with a bit more mileage for the same price as that NA. You could also find cheaper, nicer NA's for a lot less. I say buy a Miata, just not this one.
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That is basically what I said... if you'd read my whole post.

And yeah, my M3 was just a bit more than what they are asking for this Miata, so yeah...
 
Perfect Balance
That price sucks. You could pick up an older M3 for that much.
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Jordan! Azuremen has hacked PB's account!!!


Brad, I agree with this lot that the price seems too high. But, maybe if you went to try to make a deal with them you would point out the issues you've shown to us and throw around some numbers that you think would be accurate to fix them. Maybe introduce another Miata that you're going to go pick up if they can't work with you on this.
 
Looks like an awesome car, but not for that price. I say try to get them down at highest 5 and a half. My best friends neighbor has an identical one right down to the eneki wheels. From what I hear from my friend and his neighbor its an amazing little car that might even be worth the 6k because all I have heard about it is raving.

I'd say if you cant find a better one for a better price go for it :)
 
Thanks for the replies so far guys. To answer a few of the questions:

OMG WTF PRICE???
It would have to be a cold, windy day in hell before I'd ever consider paying that much for the car. Especially when the TMV values are pegged at $3000 less than what they're trying to ask for. These are (pretty much) the same guys that tried to sell me a 1993 MX5 for $10,000 two years ago, so I'm already assuming that they won't want to dance on the price.

If I could get them to a realistic $3500-4000, I'd go in full pursuit. But, since people are idiots around here, I'm not getting my hopes up. Really, I'm interested just to see if they can explain some of the problems on the car, if they have any documentation for things, etc. If things seem really shady, I have nothing to lose if I walk away.


LOOKING AT A NEW CAR ALREADY?
Kinda. I've been thinking about it, especially after I keep getting offers from a friend to buy my car. I can still squeeze a fair bit of value out of it despite some of the work that will need to be done soon, enough to keep me (overall) satisfied with the massive wave of depreciation that just hit. That, and I don't owe too much money on the car, and now that I'm about to free up some of my other credit lines... Well, I'm looking around.

Basically, I stumbled across the car when I was driving home tonight. I sparked the interest once again. I'm not very serious, but if the right thing comes along, I'll be sure to update. Between the possibility of a promotion at work (along with a fairly significant pay increase), going back to school for another year or so, and just attempting to get my life in order... A new car could happen. Sooner than later, possibly.


So, consider this a launch of a semi-exploratory committee for the replacement of the ST204. Occasional updates included when necessary.
 
You want a Miata on the left side of Michigan? Even with winter tires will it even make it through the snow? I mean you guys get feet of it at a time.
 
There are chaps that drive their MX5's all year, saw one of the neighborhood ones rolling around on some of our big snow days. Its crazy. There have been multiple occasions where I'm glad I have my car during the big snow events... But, yeah, I don't know.

I drove by the dealer again today, and despite not having stopped, the car didn't interest me nearly as much. I'll drop in tomorrow if the weather is a bit better.
 

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