Oppo, I may be buying a Miata on saturday.

"Mathias Rios" (Mars478)
03/13/2014 at 19:26 • Filed to: None

There is already one in the family, but in my daily car search I usually include Miatas. Well today I found one sold for parts but runs and drives. The guy is selling it for 500 bucks, because he claims it's a rust bucket. Nothing some patches + frame rails won't fix. It's a 2000 NB 5-speed. He sent me pictures and it doesn't look too rusty to me. Even if it does, it can always be a parts car (My relative needs some interior bits for their Miata and both side mirrors for theirs too). It is black. As you can imagine it's not in the best condition but you rarely find miatas this cheap. I'll probably get rid of my ongoing Porsche 924 project if I get this Miata.

$500 cars for the win!

DISCUSSION (22)

jkm7680 > Mathias Rios
03/13/2014 at 19:27

I'd personally keep the Porsche. Keep the project going, instead of buying a newer car!

Brian Silvestro > Mathias Rios
03/13/2014 at 19:30

Where do you put your cars?!

Mathias Rios > Brian Silvestro
03/13/2014 at 19:33

I have a "location"/ storage unit where I have the 924. The ML gets street parked in NYC/ parking garage. The other cars belong to my family members and they do weird things with them...

Mathias Rios > jkm7680
03/13/2014 at 19:34

The 924 is nice... but I would take a Miata over it any day. Theoretically I could keep it, but it would distract me from the Miata. I'll keep it for a little while and see which I like better.

Not to mention resale, the 924 is next to worthless if fixed up nice, the NB can be worth a decent amount.

Brian Silvestro > Mathias Rios
03/13/2014 at 19:38

Yeah, I assume owning a car in NYC can be...complex sometimes.

jkm7680 > Mathias Rios
03/13/2014 at 19:38

Phone dials? Or two tone deep dish wheels? That is the decider.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Mathias Rios
03/13/2014 at 19:38

Danf for that cheap id hoon the crap out of it!!

Mathias Rios > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
03/13/2014 at 19:39

I know right? Even if it is a rust bucket, I can whip the hell out of it, then sell the good parts.

Mathias Rios > jkm7680
03/13/2014 at 19:40

Spiderwebs.

Kinja'd!!!

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Mathias Rios
03/13/2014 at 19:48

Oh yea! and since its $500 it can be lemons car!

Squid > Mathias Rios
03/13/2014 at 20:32

Well, it looks like that car should have the torsen in it which is worth more than the $500 he is asking for the car. . . Rust can be an expensive fix on these but still having a roadster to play with in the spring time is fun. buy it and play with it then part it out and make all your money back. It doesn't look like it is too rough but pictures only tell a little of the story. Be aware that a green radiator needs to be replaced or else you will kill the motor when it finally goes. Luckily you can get new ones for $75. . .

Mathias Rios > Squid
03/13/2014 at 20:37

Wait you seriously think this has the LSD? SICK. How can you tell? Yeah the rust lurking underneath may be killer, but it may be nice to have for season. Thanks for the radiator tip. :)

RotaryLover > Mathias Rios
03/13/2014 at 22:53

I'd stay with the 924...as a Miata owner, you don't want a basket case even though it's cheap to fix.

Mathias Rios > RotaryLover
03/13/2014 at 22:57

We shall see if it is indeed a basket case. My 924 is a basket case. The hard brake lines are rusted through and it's very messed up. Theoretically I could keep both but after driving a Miata and spending extensive time in a friend's 944 I prefer the feel of the Miata.

RotaryLover > Mathias Rios
03/13/2014 at 23:05

Make sure the floor is in good condition, then check the battery area. The battery acid will eat the metal under it if no acid drain tubes has been installed on the battery (I actually don't know the real name).

Mathias Rios > RotaryLover
03/14/2014 at 00:12

I know what you're talking about, I installed those on my mom's NB.

jkm7680 > Mathias Rios
03/14/2014 at 06:24

Oh, Haha, Get the Miata.

Mathias Rios > jkm7680
03/14/2014 at 07:59

That's the common response I've been getting after I show them the picture of the 924... Hahaha. Poor car.

jkm7680 > Mathias Rios
03/14/2014 at 11:07

Haha, I thought it was in better shape for some reason. You should still keep it as a project though, it's a nice car.

Mathias Rios > jkm7680
03/14/2014 at 11:17

I'll see how things play out. If I get extra cash I'll keep both.

Squid > Mathias Rios
03/14/2014 at 12:30

The power antenna and the nardi wheel, the 00 should be the same as the 99.

jkm7680 > Mathias Rios
03/14/2014 at 13:49

Yeah, if extra cash shows up, keep it!