Miata Experts/Owners Chime in (afternoon repost)

"BeaterGT" (beatergt)
06/03/2019 at 15:01 • Filed to: Miata

Thinking about picking up a Miata for the summer. Did some Craigslist searching and came up with these candidates. Mostly NBs since everything else was rusted, salvage, or modified to the point of no return. Which would you take & why? $5-6k seems to be the sweet spot.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

DISCUSSION (41)

Chuckles > BeaterGT
06/03/2019 at 09:59

I know I’ve been dragging my feet on listing it, but how about a bone stock (except for terrible stereo) 94 Miata (1.8L 5 speed, 98,000 miles) for under 5 grand?

Kinja'd!!!

someassemblyrequired > BeaterGT
06/03/2019 at 10:13

High mile NC PRHT seems like an interesting option :

https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/d/feasterville-trevose-mazda-mx-5-miata/6903475510.html

Miata p arts are cheap, rust is fatal. I’d take rust free over low miles any day with a Miata, and the newer ones have better rust protection .

someassemblyrequired > Chuckles
06/03/2019 at 10:14

Nice rig, stock NAs are getting thin on the ground.

Chuckles > someassemblyrequired
06/03/2019 at 10:17

It has been a great car for me, but it's my second car and I'm trying to pay some bills/save up to buy a house.

BeaterGT > Chuckles
06/03/2019 at 10:32

I thought you had sold it! The only thing is I will probably want to sell it at the end of summer and didn’t yours have something with the airbags?

BeaterGT > someassemblyrequired
06/03/2019 at 10:32

Seen that one before, I thought 6k was kinda high for that many miles but maybe I’m wrong? I do like the look of a hardtop.

Chuckles > BeaterGT
06/03/2019 at 10:35

I have been dragging my feet because I just don’t feel like dealing with people on Craigslist. The airbags on my car do not work, but they are not required for safety inspections in the 2 states I’ve lived in (PA and NC). Not sure about NJ.

Here was my previous post about the car: https://oppositelock.kinja.com/anybody-interested-in-buying-my-miata-proofreading-my-1834227551?amp-YB3VAKyI8UARVFBzVSvb9c_4ibCZMg4ofr3JwaKZUfFFul_CiUOg8oHUF3w4GNGz

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > BeaterGT
06/03/2019 at 11:14

Go with the Merlot one. It’s the coolest color.

BeaterGT > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
06/03/2019 at 11:24

It is definitely the most unique out of the bunch. Don’t know if the SE is something people look/care for. Also a big fan of the British Racing Green.

Chuckles > BeaterGT
06/03/2019 at 12:04

If you still have my email address from the Pine Barrens drive, I'd be happy to discuss it with you there.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > BeaterGT
06/03/2019 at 12:32

Keep all cars within Oppo!

someassemblyrequired > BeaterGT
06/03/2019 at 12:50

Yeah it probably is a bit high, but looks decent cosmetically, though that’s always a crapshoot on CL. The power hardtops are generally in the teens, and are a nice option, especially if you can get it sub 5K. If Miata motors/transmissions die, you just swap. Generally nice motors are sub-$1000, and decent transmissions $500-600.

There’s a decent FB group - DMV Miatas, they tend to have some stuff you won’t find on Craigslist, prices are better too. I’m sure there’s a PA/NJ version of that as well.

To give you an idea, I saw a new from Mazda ND crate motor going for $1500 the other day.

Co-worker had a daily driver with 295K on it back in the day, they will last if the rust doesn’t get them.

BeaterGT > someassemblyrequired
06/03/2019 at 13:03

I’m not really looking for a project , just something to cruise around in for the summer and then offload. Maybe an autocross or two. I’ll check out the FB groups, thanks!

someassemblyrequired > BeaterGT
06/03/2019 at 13:11

Yeah there are often nice NBs right around your price point, and those are great cars if they aren’t rusty.

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > BeaterGT
06/03/2019 at 13:16

One issue with ‘99s is the coil pack. They go out frequently. Don’t know much else about nbs, but I believe nb2s are best? Hopefully others chime in. Look on Miata.net. Search best year nb

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > BeaterGT
06/03/2019 at 13:25

But you can always put some coil on plugs on it and solve that if the coil pack becomes an issue

BeaterGT > mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/
06/03/2019 at 13:28

Will do, thanks!

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > BeaterGT
06/03/2019 at 14:13

Sure good luck! Let us know what you find out.

Corkscrew'd > BeaterGT
06/03/2019 at 15:14

I paid $5600 for my Shinsen Miata. The seller originally wanted $ 7200, but the car needed $2000 worth of work, and that wasn’t counting some of the cosmetic issues. between $5k and $6k is definitely a sweet spot, but pay attention to what the previous owner did with it. Mine’s was a former Auto-X toy and I was lucky that the clutch was already replaced. Still needed a timing belt replacement, a new water pump, and a radiator flush.

Cash Rewards > BeaterGT
06/03/2019 at 15:15

First one is priced too high, and no mention of lsd. I'd go for the brg 02, or the 00, myself. I have an 01 with sport suspension, and love it. Check the passenger door car to see what suspension it comes with, and if it has ABS. Make sure timing belt was done, or budget to have it done. Check and make sure water poured on the soft top, or in the soft top drains, comes out under the car

Cash Rewards > BeaterGT
06/03/2019 at 15:17

The argument is that the first two years of NB (01_02) are best, as the later ones switched from a torsen lsd to something supposedly weaker. If you're not beating it on a track, I don't know if it'd matter

BeaterGT > Cash Rewards
06/03/2019 at 15:40

Thanks for all the tips! Especially about the passenger door and absence of ABS. The top, timing belt, and clutch are the biggest items I am concerned with.

Aremmes > BeaterGT
06/03/2019 at 15:42

That SE seems strange. It doesn’t have the appearance package (rear spoiler, air dam, mud flaps, and fog lights) , which was stock on all SEs. The ad also claims it has the sport suspension, but the car doesn't have the stock tower brace in the engine bay.

Cash Rewards > BeaterGT
06/03/2019 at 15:48

I replaced my own top. It’s doable, but a miserable time consuming job. Clutch is a good excuse to throw in a lightweight flywheel, so I’m not too concerned about mine going. Timing belt, and all associated gaskets, are a must. My belt was done previously, but they didn’t do any gaskets, now they all leak.

My car doesn't have abs. I use it for fun and autocross, so this is a positive for me. Sport S suspension comes with bigger brakes and chassis bracing. Hard s gives you that and Bilstein shocks (which probably need to be replaced after all these years anyway).

BeaterGT > Aremmes
06/03/2019 at 15:51

Now this is good Oppo! Doesn't seem very special now :)

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > BeaterGT
06/03/2019 at 15:53

Kinja'd!!!

BeaterGT > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
06/03/2019 at 15:59

Wow those early year models are dangerous.

Nick Has an Exocet > BeaterGT
06/03/2019 at 16:12

The 02 would be my choice. Doesn’t mention an LSD but that’s easy to add for $500 and you can choose your favorite ratio (4.3 / 4.1 / 3.9). You won’t get any less enjoyment out of that car than any of the others listed and it has the best year motor of the lot. I have a 91 and a Exocet with a 01 motor. Night and day in terms of Miata engines. The NA6 is sweeter and smoother but kind of agricultural . The NB2 motor makes a lot more power and feels sportier. VVT gives it a unique feel.

Chuckles > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
06/03/2019 at 17:02

Where did this screenshot of an opinion come from?

MeatSaber > BeaterGT
06/03/2019 at 17:06

No t a bad list, of the listings I would go for the 99 an d perf orm whatever mods you need to get it sorted to your liking. If you really don’t want to modify anything try to find a 10AE. They are arguably the bes t factory miatas .

BeaterGT > MeatSaber
06/03/2019 at 17:31

Thank you sir, not sure why you were greyed out. There's so many variants, I appreciate the suggestion!

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > Chuckles
06/03/2019 at 17:32

AestheticsInMotion a while back, why do you ask?

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > BeaterGT
06/03/2019 at 17:38

Just make sure you don’t get one with rust under any circumstances. Ideally do not buy one from the Northeast at all, the rust cannot be avoided this long. Even if it requires travel and you eventually rust it afterwards, you need to maximize your time with the car by getting a truly rust free one. Mechanical issues are irrelevant and easily fixable. The green one looks like it has rocker rust but I can’t tell for sure. The front frame forks are the most important to check though as those are the least fixable. That ‘00 seems to be the best option for sure. Although the ‘ 99 could be pretty good as well. I’m worried that one is a respray so I’d suggest looking into that.

I prefer the NB2 (specifically 01-02) but the earlier NB (99-00) is basically the same car but with some aesthetic differences and the sport brakes/shocks and lsd are less common. You shouldn't really consider the '03+ because of the shitty diff but if you don't have Motorsport intentions, that shouldn't really matter.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Cash Rewards
06/03/2019 at 17:42

Timing belt is not super important, but the water pump most certainly is. You can break a timing belt on a Miata and the worst thing that happens is needing a tow. Water pump going bad is immediately new engine, so that's the reason to stay on top of that job.

BeaterGT > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
06/03/2019 at 18:00

The expert! Thanks man.

Chuckles > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
06/03/2019 at 18:04

Because BeaterGT was asking for opinions from Miata owners/experts, and you just posted a screenshot of somebody else giving their opinion without providing any context. If you're going to take someone else's words, at least give them credit.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > Chuckles
06/03/2019 at 18:09

Um, ok? For the record, you can find this anywhere on the internet, except AIM used it before getting it from somewhere else and I happened to get it from him. He even starred that comment FFS. It’s not like he created it.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > BeaterGT
06/03/2019 at 19:09

I would check out the 2004 one first. Seems to be the best deal based on age, mileage and condition.

Note that I’m not an expert on these at all and just wanted to give my $0.02.

BeaterGT > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/03/2019 at 19:12

Also one of the closest to me which is nice.

daender > BeaterGT
06/04/2019 at 20:33

No to the ‘04 because rust on the fenders (probably the tip of the rust-berg) and possibly more hiding under the side skirts (more likely to have rocker rust with those on). Also, it has the ew-VLSD from Fuji that likes to spit-out clutch tabs.

I see the ‘99 is already gone.

The ‘02 I have some concerns about. Also, it’s not BRG as that’s ‘01 SE-only, that’s Emerald Mica whereas ‘01 BRG is gloss. I can expand upon the concerns if you want. It’s not a bad buy but I’m not digging the stereo “upgrade” at first glance.

The ‘00 SE is probably the best bet if it’s been well-maintaned. Most SE owners take pride in their cars and typically keep them in better condition than standard Miatas. The only things I’m concerned about are the lack of pictures of the interior besides the miles. I’m not a fan of the short-geared 6-speed versus the longer-geared 5-speed.

/’02 owner

BeaterGT > daender
06/04/2019 at 20:54

I knew there was more than one Miata expert on here! Appreciate all the info. I’m going to keep looking for sure .