$4500 Miata. Nice price? Car fax?

"Cash Rewards" (cashrewards)
05/11/2018 at 12:28 • Filed to: None

Looking at this 2002 NB. Brown leather interior, lsd, surface rust (small) on the rockers. Originally posted for 6000, then lowered to 5000 with the caveat of “leaving town”. So I low-balled him, he said he’d rather take it with him for that price, countered with 4500. Willing to do a PPI. Thoughts?

One big problem. I barely fit. I’m comfortable in an NA, but the NB is a bit smaller. I can get a different seat, but these are nice. Foamectomy? Just pass? It’s nicer than any NA...

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/d/2002-mazda-miata/6580532622.html

DISCUSSION (21)

Cash Rewards > Cash Rewards
05/11/2018 at 12:31

In case of kinja:

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/d/2002-mazda-miata/6580532622.html

Arrivederci > Cash Rewards
05/11/2018 at 12:37

I love the 2002 SE - pretty much my favorite NB. If he has receipts for a recent timing belt and waterpump service, I’d say $4500 is a good deal for you. If not, use that as fodder to get him to accept $4k and plan on doing that soon. This is all predicated on if that surface rust is actually surface only.

Edit - out of curiosity, what was your initial lowball offer?

Cash Rewards > Arrivederci
05/11/2018 at 12:40

3500, which there are plenty of Miata for. I looked at a rust free na without a limited slip slisted for 3800 but willing to come down a bit. There’s also some low mileage ones for 5500, so there’s a decent spread.

Arrivederci > Cash Rewards
05/11/2018 at 12:45

There are quite a few out there, for sure. I was eyeballing a MSM on eBay for a $7500 ask and trying to think up a way to explain it to my wife, hah.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Cash Rewards
05/11/2018 at 12:47

I’d say NP, that’d be worth at least $6k here in Illinois

Chariotoflove > Cash Rewards
05/11/2018 at 12:53

I thought the NB was bigger than the NA. Huh.

It seems like a nice price, but I’m concerned about you saying you don’t fit comfortably. Maybe you should hold out for the right NA, rather than shoehorning yourself into something? Just something to consider.

Cash Rewards > Arrivederci
05/11/2018 at 12:54

An orange one popped up at a local dealer a few days ago. No price advertised. Already gone

Cash Rewards > Chariotoflove
05/11/2018 at 13:00

That’s what my wife says. The roof is shorter. The NB is significantly nicer than the na, while still avoiding the major increase in size and weight of the NC. So, on paper, it’s the best choice for what I want. Good for back roads and autocross, but I’m not making the wife sit in a 20+ year old car that’s kinda ratty. I want it to work, but yeah, not sure that’s the best idea either.

Chariotoflove > Cash Rewards
05/11/2018 at 13:02

I prefer the earlier cars myself, but maybe reconsider the NC? It’s going to be newer and less rattly for your wife, but still a small car that’s great for carving and autocross. I hear deals are good now.

Cash Rewards > Chariotoflove
05/11/2018 at 13:06

Ive been supposed to look at one for a week or two with Bilsteins, but the timing keeps getting screwed up

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Cash Rewards
05/11/2018 at 14:26

I’d say buy it and, if you hate it, you’d be able to sell for the same amount. I’d be on that deal if it wasn’t silver.

for Michigan > Cash Rewards
05/11/2018 at 14:33

Have you looked at the car in person? Because my 01 SE looks relatively clean in person, but it’s hiding this behind the front wheels:

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/for-jake-the-one-who-does-dumb-stuff-so-we-dont-have-t-1822468537

Cash Rewards > for Michigan
05/11/2018 at 17:15

Pre purchase inspection or bust

Cash Rewards > for Michigan
05/11/2018 at 17:20

Aso makes me want to go NC. Better chance of lack of rust

daender > Cash Rewards
05/11/2018 at 17:46

Do a PPI no matter what Miata you get that could’ve seen snow. Rust is the Miata’s ultimate undoing, especially on the double-walled front frame rails. That said, the ‘02 SE is a pretty sweet Miata as it’s basically a fully-loaded Miata (minus the hardtop option) and I’ve always considered ‘02 to be the best model year of regular NB2 production due to the ‘03+ have a different limited slip differential. Jake has one as well although it hasn’t been the most reliable Miata.

Cash Rewards > daender
05/11/2018 at 18:00

I just wish I didn’t hit my head on the roof

daender > Cash Rewards
05/11/2018 at 23:03

How much were you hitting it? You can do a “foamectomy” on the bottom of the seat to give you and extra inch or two of clearance.

Cash Rewards > daender
05/12/2018 at 07:41

Thats what I’m thinking about, or finding what cheap enough to get an after market seat. The NB seems like the best comprise to me, where it’s not so old as the na, but still not heavy like the nc

Shour, Aloof and Obnoxious > Cash Rewards
05/12/2018 at 13:40

I owned an 02 SE in that exact same colour combo for a decade. It remains to this day the most mechanically reliable car I have ever owned...and I currently drive an LS400, which hasn’t been as reliable as myths and legends would have you believe, but is a comfortable second place behind the Miata. Look it over for underbody rust, and if it’s clear, it’s NP, even at asking price.

Cash Rewards > Shour, Aloof and Obnoxious
05/12/2018 at 14:26

Unfortunately, there was a complete lack of records, and the timing belt was “probably due”. So that meant belt, water pump, spark plugs, diff service right away. He wouldn’t come down further even in light of that, and I didn’t want that specific one that much for what would amount to $6k

Shour, Aloof and Obnoxious > Cash Rewards
05/12/2018 at 15:45

Oh yes, timing belt is likely at least $1200 from a mechanic you trust. Good call on the lowball.