Opinions Oppo?

"Harrycarry250" (Harrycarry250)
02/11/2014 at 23:36 • Filed to: None

Nice price or Crack Pipe?

http://www.morriesmazda.com/Used-1996-Mazd…

DISCUSSION (28)

Nerd-Vol > Harrycarry250
02/11/2014 at 23:39

Crack Pipe! I'm 6'5" and can't fit in a Miata. Why would you buy a car that I can't fit in?

Harrycarry250 > Nerd-Vol
02/11/2014 at 23:45

idk man if you can't fit then me, at 6'14 and 325 pounds I dont think I will fit

Nerd-Vol > Harrycarry250
02/11/2014 at 23:52

6'14? So 7'2"? I don't like your chances. Have you driven one? Footwell is very tight.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Harrycarry250
02/11/2014 at 23:53

I agree with valve_float.

Its a good price for a starter miata. Just keep in mind with those miles if basic things havent been replaced you will have a bad time.

Harrycarry250 > Nerd-Vol
02/11/2014 at 23:54

Kidding. I thought you were too. lol Your tall man

Blake Noble > Harrycarry250
02/11/2014 at 23:55

Damn. We really are in the same boat.

I mean, it's rusty but who cares? I'm sure it'll still be an awesome car as soon as this winter from hell packs its bags. I say do it.

Harrycarry250 > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
02/11/2014 at 23:56

Right so busting out some more is worth my while. How are the rubbers on these cars. I am use to owning 30 plus year old cars where rubbers degrade everywhere. When I mean rubber I basically refer to all the rubber bushings and seals.

Nerd-Vol > Harrycarry250
02/11/2014 at 23:57

Yep. 6'5" 185lbs. Just not enough room for me to work the pedals effectively.

You should therefore keep looking.

Zibodiz > Harrycarry250
02/11/2014 at 23:58

All depends on the rust. The northern midwest salts like crazy, and with that many miles on it, this was a daily driver, and probably did not spend its winters in a garage. Though, if the underbody is rust-free and it appears to have been well cared for, I'd consider that a steal. The body and paint look good, but the rear window looks like an aftermarket replacement that didn't turn out quite right; otherwise it looks in excellent condition for its age & mileage. If I were in the market, I'd spring at it.

Harrycarry250 > Nerd-Vol
02/12/2014 at 00:04

I think I will be fine in a Miata. I am about 5 foot 10 at 190 pounds.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Harrycarry250
02/12/2014 at 00:05

Not terrible as i have seen. Im only at 68,xxx on mine so not a ton of stuff has gone too bad ive noticed. One thing to look for is the seals around the top. Those are common places to fail

Harrycarry250 > Blake Noble
02/12/2014 at 00:06

Yessir. I really want a Racing green exterior on Palinimo interior. I also have to get some finances in order before I do anything. lol

Squid > Harrycarry250
02/12/2014 at 00:10

With that rust it is just a beater status car. It is priced right assuming the mechanicals are sound. If you want a fuck-around car this would do well. Rust is the devil with Miatas and once you see it the car is as good as gone. It isn't special any more because of the mileage but you could still get quite a bit more out of it if you want to spend a bit on maintenance. It would make a good intro to Miatas because it is cheap and rusty, so don't expect it to be a track star by any means. The timing belt is probably due to be changed but I would run that car till it broke and only be concerned about the shape the water pump is in. There might be some residual value left over if the interior is in decent shape, but I doubt that is the case. Offer them $1,000 to start with and just point to all the rust. Just know it is well beyond the point of being able to be saved and made pristine again.

Nerd-Vol > Harrycarry250
02/12/2014 at 00:10

NP then.

Harrycarry250 > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
02/12/2014 at 00:11

Good to know. The little bits and pieces that go unnoticed can make a big difference in the car.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Harrycarry250
02/12/2014 at 00:12

Yea being a convertible the worst thing that can happen is the top leaking. Just takes some extra care that is all

Blake Noble > Harrycarry250
02/12/2014 at 00:12

Mmmm ... British Racing Green.

Kinja'd!!!

Harrycarry250 > Squid
02/12/2014 at 00:15

Ok so beyond the point of saving and restoring to a pretty DD within financial reason. What's a good mileage with these cars?

Harrycarry250 > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
02/12/2014 at 00:15

Righto, thanks for the advice man

Harrycarry250 > Blake Noble
02/12/2014 at 00:16

ohmergawd so good

Squid > Harrycarry250
02/12/2014 at 00:16

The bushings will be worn, but for the most part they hold up decently. The motor mounts will probably need replacing though. The rubber seals that go around the shifter are probably dead as well, the weather stripping is probably cracked and not so water tight.

If you want a reliable daily you need to find a rust free example. Rust is the end of a miata, there is no saving them without spending lots of money and on a car with this many miles it really isn't worth it to do the rust repair as it has probably gotten to the unitbody frame work. Once you see the paint bubbling in the rear it is time to walk away, unless you are looking for a parts car or just a plain ol' beater.

Harrycarry250 > Squid
02/12/2014 at 00:18

Good to know, Thanks man

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Harrycarry250
02/12/2014 at 00:20

Anytime. Feel free to ask any more miata questions.

Also if you do want some more help or get a miata join this forum immediately: http://forum.miata.net/vb/index.php its great and they have tons of advice

Squid > Harrycarry250
02/12/2014 at 00:21

It isn't the mileage that is bad, it is just the rust. There are quite a lot of NAs and NBs with 200k+ miles on them with just routine maintenance. If you shell out about $3,500 - $4,500 you can find a nice rust free NA or NB that is sitting right around the 100k miles mark. Just know that at 100k you are looking at doing the timing belt and water pump on them if it wasn't done yet. Miatas are robust and reliable little cars that have an extremely long service life outside of the rust belt. Come spring time you'll be able to find some decent garage kept cars or cars kept off the salt that are reasonable.

If you are interested in learning more miata.net is a valuable resource to learn what to look for when you are thinking about purchasing a miata.

Harrycarry250 > Squid
02/12/2014 at 00:23

Thinking about buying one out of Texas, rust wont be much of a problem there. Timing belt and water pump both sound like a good DIY project.

Thanks!

Squid > Harrycarry250
02/12/2014 at 00:30

Yup, that sounds like a good plan. The TB/WP job is a relatively easy DIY job with tons of write-ups on miata.net. The parts run you about $250-300 and it is worth it to try and source the Flyin Miata TB tools. They do help, the seal drivers are the best thing ever! Basically if you can search the whole south west region of the country you should be able to find a decent car. Come spring when the salt gets off the road and the roadsters come out of slumber you should be able to find a good one up north as well. Just know that any signs of rust, even just a tiny little bubble in the paint means lots of work to repair it if it is in the rear, the front may be salvageable with a new fender but that is a gamble. Basically if you want a good DD avoid rust and if you want it to stay rust free, keep it off the salt. Miatas like to rust when exposed to salt, and it happens quickly too.

Justin Young > Harrycarry250
02/12/2014 at 00:32

Nice Price all the way!

Kinja'd!!!

This clean Miata in the Philippines costs $9,960! (For reference, PHP448,000)

Harrycarry250 > Justin Young
02/12/2014 at 00:36

Wooooweee that's a bit rich