I wish I was in a position to jump on this

"Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available" (whoistheleader2)
07/05/2020 at 18:32 • Filed to: Craigslist

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

It’s a 2002 Mazda Miata with a limited slip differential and 92,000 miles. Better yet, it is blue with a tan interior and is absolutely immaculate.

$6,000 seems like a steal. I haven’t seen one this nice for a while below $8,000 and it is a fantastic color combo. I am sorely tempted.

Sadly, I don’ t have the liquid assets. I bet this one will go fast. Looks to have always been garaged so hopefully it isn’t snapped up by a monster like me who would have no choice but to keep it outside.

DISCUSSION (45)

ClassicDatsunDebate > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/05/2020 at 18:54

You’ll have to get a lot closer.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/05/2020 at 18:56

Seems almost too cheap with those miles, LSD, and physical condition .

Cash Rewards > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/05/2020 at 19:01

Thats a good price. Wouldn't care about the ripped leather, sparco going in anyway

66P1800inpieces > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/05/2020 at 19:03

Looks decent, but no ABS and that radiator is looking really old. Also hoping that it had the timing belt done at 60k.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/05/2020 at 19:04

Yet here it is. Maybe the seller doesn’t know it is summer and for some reason people like top down driving in 95 degree weather. I much prefer night driving.

Too bad since I don’t think I will be able to find another in such an amazing color combo with an LSD and in such great shape, much less for that price.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > ClassicDatsunDebate
07/05/2020 at 19:05

Closer to what? It is well worth an hour or so drive to Canton.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Cash Rewards
07/05/2020 at 19:05

I’d just have it repaired and enjoy it stock for a while. Too nice to low budget mod.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > 66P1800inpieces
07/05/2020 at 19:07

Timing belt would be a biggie. Radiator isn’t as bad. Did the LS trim not come with ABS?

Cash Rewards > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/05/2020 at 19:07

I don’t fit well unless I put in a fixed back seat. Ripped driver’s seat is perfect

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Cash Rewards
07/05/2020 at 19:09

I am narrow, but tall (6" dead and thin as a toothpick. I think I’ve heard that the NBs aren’t too terrible for 6 footers though aftermarket seats could save the day.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/05/2020 at 19:11

Don’t look up what a clean NA costs in my neck of the woods:

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/seattle-1991-miata-british-racing-green/7144248585.html

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > 66P1800inpieces
07/05/2020 at 19:12

Whoa, these have belts? That stiiiiiiinks

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/05/2020 at 19:16

Yikes! That's not too far off what if expect since they've seen increased valuation recently. A good, but not perfect, 100k mile NA would usually run you around 3/4 that.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > 66P1800inpieces
07/05/2020 at 19:18

Non abs is the more desirable trim!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/05/2020 at 19:19

It's non interference so it won't break even if it hasn't been done. Water pump (which is done at the same time as TB) is the only reason to care. Bad water pump WILL cook the engine post haste.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/05/2020 at 19:21

Watch out for rust. Doesn't matter if it's in a place that doesn't use salt, these things rust way too easily if you aren't careful. Rockers look fine from this distance but even a singular spec of rust there means the entire thing is FUBAR so you gotta look closely. Front subframe forks are the other biggie. Price definitely looks good if indeed no rust and no paint issues when you get up close.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/05/2020 at 19:22

If it’s this clean, probably no more than second owner and probably good maintenance records. You’d know when the last time these things were done hopefully and if not you’d just do them all at once . Good to know though.

66P1800inpieces > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/05/2020 at 19:24

ABS was an option with the LS package. You can normally tell by looking at the location of the windshield washer reservoir. If it is on the passenger side it doesn’t have ABS . They relocated the reservoir to the drivers side on ABS cars to make room for the module. I had a 2003 for about a year. It was fun, and while I have never had anything but non-turbo 4 cylinder cars (so I am not comparing it to 6's and 8's) , it just wasn’t quick enough in the modern world. Don’t get me wrong, it was lot’s of fun to wring it out but it wasn’t really great once you weigh in all the trade offs. Especially driving it on the highway, you feel almost invisible and the wind noise top up or down makes drives over an hour unpleasant .

Cash Rewards > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/05/2020 at 19:26

Im similar. 5'11" wearing 30-30 pants. They are doable with stock seats, but not great. Not an ideal position, lots of slouch, and you're still near the top of the windshield. But a fixed bracket seat and you're golden.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/05/2020 at 19:26

Kinja'd!!!

Little blemish right there. Florida plate in Georgia could mean any number of things but it is sufficiently far away from Atlanta as to mean it probably wasn’t work relocation. Wish the ad was more detailed. Thank you for the info.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/05/2020 at 19:26

I wouldn’t jump on a car, especially a miata, likely to turn an ankle.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/05/2020 at 19:28

Assuming it isn't a crashed up repair and repaint, yes clean cars like this are always a good sign that someone cares/cared about it. Miles are low enough to have survived with nothing but oil changes though.

66P1800inpieces > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/05/2020 at 19:29

I didn’t think that was the case. I think it was only three channel, front right/left, rear, but it reduces flat spots on tires when you autocross and jam on the brakes.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
07/05/2020 at 19:30

This is too nice to jump on. I’ll just stamp my feet aggressively besides it instead.

66P1800inpieces > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/05/2020 at 19:30

That is a good point, I was just thinking the eventual buyer would have to pony up a couple hundred bucks for the work if it was needed.

AestheticsInMotion > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/05/2020 at 19:34

Skip the ABS in these

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > AestheticsInMotion
07/05/2020 at 19:35

Will do. You want to brake shorter, not easier.

AestheticsInMotion > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/05/2020 at 19:35

Jesus

AestheticsInMotion > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/05/2020 at 19:36

You'll hit the roof, but you'll also learn to slouch and bend your neck lol. No issues with the top down though! (well, besides the frame blocking stoplights)

AestheticsInMotion > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/05/2020 at 19:38

It can be nice locking up the wheels with a touch of the brake in certain conditions and with sticky enough tires, it’s a moot point anyways.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > AestheticsInMotion
07/05/2020 at 19:39

I’ve been practicing slouching for years just for this!

It would take some getting used to, since I like to sit basically with the seat on the floor if possible. Even my tall friends are confused if they sit in my seating position. Height =/= visibility.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > AestheticsInMotion
07/05/2020 at 19:42

Spending some time practicing short stopping in a parking lot and testing the limits of the grip can go a long way towards confidence in a vehicle.

I’d like to think I’ve got a good grasp of the grip limits in my Cruze. It handles well, but doesn’t like you to use its agility (slow firm but precise steering w/ longish wheelbase and FWD equals predictable understeer ).

Cash Rewards > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/05/2020 at 20:01

Even better, the water pump is behind the timing belt. So you got to do the timing belt if you need to do the water pump. Timing belt won't kill you on the non interference engine, but water pump sure will. So rule of thumb is to do the water pump every time you do timing, even though the intervals don't line up

Grindintosecond > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/05/2020 at 20:04

Cars are not jumped on, but from passenger side, slid across on the hood to eagerly enter driver’s side.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Grindintosecond
07/05/2020 at 20:06

Granted. So what do I jump on?

Fruit stands? Treasured heirlooms? Sidewalks?

glemon > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/05/2020 at 20:18

That looks nice, get up on something about 4 feet high, flex knees, and you will be in a position to jump on a Miata.

Seriou sly, in ten years we will be looking at these saying why didn’t we buy one when they were cheap, I do that with all sorts of cars from way back. Don’t be me, be the guy that pounces (or jumps).

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > glemon
07/05/2020 at 20:22

I want to “jump” on this, not jump on it. If I ever want to put a big butt shaped dent in the hood, I’ll consider your advice.

I would be responsible for very much devaluing this by driving it and storing it outside. I have a feeling NAs and eventually NBs are going to shoot up in value in a few years. A real modern classic. NAs are already climbing. I want this particular one so badly. Such a desirable spec and color combo, especially at that price.

Under_Score > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/05/2020 at 22:23

Literally a week after I started my full time job, I got a car.

The want is strong, but pulling the trigger at the right time is stronger.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Under_Score
07/05/2020 at 23:05

Much want but not the right time.

ClassicDatsunDebate > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/06/2020 at 00:22

It was a dad joke based on the title of your post. You see, you lamented that you were not in a position to jump on it hence my witty repartee about your physical proximity....all the whilst knowing what you actually meant. Huzaah

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > ClassicDatsunDebate
07/06/2020 at 00:26

Ah ha! That makes you the first to proffer such a whimsical scenario. I don't think I could quite make the leap from here but if I drove the hour to see it and got a running start I bet I could land squarely in the middle. I doubt the buyer would appreciate the humor of the situation.

Grindintosecond > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/06/2020 at 09:57

Trampolines! Duh!

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Grindintosecond
07/06/2020 at 09:59

How about tramps and O-Lines individually?

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/06/2020 at 10:01

Yeah once the rust shows, even if it’s a small thing, that means it’s already done. I can’t tell from that photo since it doesn’t look like there’s rust there. I thought the same when I looked at it but it could just be a crease from using a Jack without an adapter. It's the only reason I'm not rebuilding my other miata.

Grindintosecond > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/06/2020 at 10:09

Approved!