Clean and 150k Miles, worn but decent at 95k miles, or inbetween with service histroy?

"Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney" (braddelaparker)
08/14/2015 at 11:22 • Filed to: None

Miata 1: Very clean, very stock, 150k miles, $4500 asking price with a long gestation period on the local CL and likely room for improvement in that price.

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Miata 2: Still very stock, slightly grungier appearance but still in reasonable shape, bugaboo is a crunch in the right rear quarter panel and yellowing rear window, but only 95k miles, $3200 asking price.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/cto/517002…

Or Miata #3: not my favorite color combination, but a clean appearing car with 107k miles and a good list of recent service items (clutch, flywheel, rear main seal, throwout bearing, A/C, timing belt and water pump indicated as fairly recent items too). Also has rear quarter panel dent, this one on the driver’s side. Asking $3800

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/516829…

I know where I’d lean, but hash it out, Oppo.

DISCUSSION (24)

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/14/2015 at 11:25

I like #3, but if you’re going FULL HOON, #2 is the best for thrashing as long as #3’s laundry list of things aren’t preparing to go “pop”.

Ash78, voting early and often > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/14/2015 at 11:26

#3, best of both worlds and actual service records speak volumes about the owner, IMHO.

banjo cat ghost of oppo past > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/14/2015 at 11:27

Thurrrd option might not like the paint but it looks like nice paint. Plus recent service I wouldn’t be as tempted to talk him down like $500+ like I would the first two

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/14/2015 at 11:29

More miles better condition. It’s less about how many miles a car has put on, and more about how it’s been treated. My mitsu only has 154K but looking at you’d think its done 300k.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > banjo cat ghost of oppo past
08/14/2015 at 11:32

Agreed. If its in-person condition reflected the care that the recent service indicates I’d probably be comfortable just handing him the cash and not bother with too much haggling.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/14/2015 at 11:33

Go with #3, unless you're able to talk down #1 a decent amount. The color isn't great, but if you can stand that, the median mileage, clean appearance, and good service history combined with median price make it the best overall.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/14/2015 at 11:36

I’d go for #2 if they did the head gasket, etc. But I am a certified cheapskate, so...

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
08/14/2015 at 11:36

That’s a really interesting point you raise about the third car. It seems to indicate someone taking good care of the car, but on the other hand it does seems like it might be in the hands of a flipper and that was big batch of work that had to be done to get the care in marketable shape, which would kind of undermine the whole point of buying a car with a nice recent service history.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
08/14/2015 at 11:37

Honesty is always refreshing.

Nibby > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/14/2015 at 11:39

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/14/2015 at 11:39

I mean, it’s a Miata, I’d look like a dork either way (and I do without the assitance of a Miata) so you make a pretty good point. I’m wondering if that quarter panel dent couldn’t be PDR’d out, too, although it’s not of particular concern.

LongbowMkII > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/14/2015 at 11:40

#3. Red miatas are boring. Any difference in options?

#1 is just priced too high with an unknown maintenance history and such miles. If you could get it to 35-3700 explaining the needs of lean to that one, but I’m not seeing that much of a price drop

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/14/2015 at 11:43

Figure out how much the dent costs to fix and add that to the price, because it’s basically a part of it. Then, see how much you can talk down the owner of #1, see how close the prices are. Of course, try to test drive both if you can.

daender > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/14/2015 at 11:44

Don’t go for #1, you want the 1.8L engine over the 1.6L. IMO, the ‘94 is the best Miata to hoon:

The oil pressure gauge and the coolant temperature gauge actually functional on the ‘94, all 1.8L Miata after that (including the NBs) have faux changes that don’t accurately tell you what’s going on.

‘94 should be the first year of the Torsen Type 1 LSD over the VLSD. Factory cruise control is a 90% chance of a LSD out back, otherwise run the VIN through Mazda.

Typical faded Classic Red paint is the norm and it’ll need a top soon but at that price you can afford the ‘94 and a top with a proper glass window instead of the yellowing plastic. Great for hoon condition.

That said, #3 is a great looking ‘96, looks like it’s been taken care of for a long time. It’d make for a great-looking DD/weekend/fun car.

Montego Blue is the only M-Edition paint that was available on non-M cars later on, it’s a beautiful paint in the sun if you take care of it.

Cruise control = LSD, that diff alone is about 500$-600$ used. Great for going sideways.

The original black top looks like it’s been changed out for a newer tan one with a bigger window, but it’s still plastic so...eh, it’s okay, I still prefer glass.

OEM mudflips are sorta rare and they really do help prevent you from ruining the lower sides of your car’s paint from wheel debris.

I’ll be honest, I have a friend with a ‘97 in Montego Blue who paid more than what that seller is asking for and ended up with a non-LSD, non-cruise control car with similar miles. This car is a great deal for what he’s asking for.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > LongbowMkII
08/14/2015 at 11:45

I share the same thoughts on #1. Even with the mileage there’s a good chance it’s the best car of the three, but it’s tough to see it being $1k+ better and I don’t foresee a big price drop either.

As far as options, none of the three give enough detail to know. About the only things I care about are an LSD and good A/C, I’ll have to ask when/if I inquire further on any of these.

Needmoargarage > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/14/2015 at 11:49

I vote #2 if you are ok with fixing cosmetic things and/or don’t care. #1 is out because 1.6L and short nose crank issues. The ‘94 is OBDI, super popular for autocross if you ever go that route, and the seller should have flexibility in the price with the cosmetic damage.

#3 would actually probably be a pretty good buy if it weren’t for the terrible tan top. Ugh...hate that color.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > daender
08/14/2015 at 11:52

Dude, you’re great, and you confirmed some thoughts I had an introduced a few new nuggets. My sole requirements are Cruise/LSD and solid A/C, and the rest of that car seems to check out, especially given some of that background. I wasn’t aware that Montego became available on non-M edition cars, that was a question I had so thanks for that too.

I’m not looking for an all-out hoonmobile, just something fun I can buy with cash to daily and run the occasional HPDE while I start a non-driver project. Looks like I may go take a look at the ‘96 this weekend. Thanks for the input.

daender > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/14/2015 at 12:01

No problemo. Here’s some recommendations if you want to prepare that ‘96 for track day time.

Mazda OEM hardtop and a Hard Dog rollbar designed for hardtop usage. Mazdaspeed mentioned something about producing cheap (800$ new versus 1000$+ for a used one) fiberglass hardtop aimed at track racers and rallycross drivers .

Upgrade the radiator to a metal Mishimoto radiator for improved reliability for track days. Maybe consider a coolant re-route if you want to be extra-sure, it’s not needed by everyone but it’s helpful in hotter climates.

Upgrade the oil and temp gauges using parts from a ‘94 or earlier car, there’s quite a few thread on how to do it and it’s really helpful for those track days.

Steve in Manhattan > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/14/2015 at 12:09

Are there service records for all 3 cars?

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/14/2015 at 12:24

#1. If it’s been listed that long, there’s probably something wrong with it. Though that could just be the price.

#2. Tow hitch??? red flag. With the lower price even though it has the lowest mileage, the hitch suggests to me that it has been used far beyond it’s original purpose and has some issues as a result.

I find myself leaning to #3.

- Ash78’s reason, no need to restate

- The records themselves seem good

- I personally consider the looks a non-issue. Looks are not the point of a Miata.

Nerd-Vol > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/14/2015 at 12:37

I like #3. Always buy the nicest thing you can afford.

LongbowMkII > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/14/2015 at 13:41

the mileage isn’t scary just the unknown history. It’d be worth the extra money for such a clean DD, but I don’t think its worth the extra money AND the costs of a timing belt/waterpump replacement AND the weekend to do it.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Steve in Manhattan
08/14/2015 at 15:49

It sounds like there are for 1 and 3, can’t tell about 2 with the information that’s presented.

Steve in Manhattan > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/14/2015 at 18:03

I would say pick between 1 and 3 then - you need to see a service history to avoid (or predict) problems down the road. 3 would be my choice even though I generaly dislike blue cars. Drive both, if possible, because that is telling - on first drive you can judge a spongy brake pedal, a clutch that engages too near the top, and so much more. And there is the tree test - nudge the car up against a big tree, or a wall, put it in 5th, and let out the clutch. The car should shut down immediately - BADABANG. If it keeps running, it needs a clutch.