Looking for a Miata

"Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car" (pilot-and-car-guy) 02/15/2015 at 18:08 • Filed to: None

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I know, I know, the usual autocross car that every one loves and is far too common. But I kinda want one. My max budget is $2500 including necessary repairs. Someone near me has one for 2500 obo be needs a new head gasket. How hard is that for the Miata? Should I look elsewhere or make an offer?

E. Julius > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 02/15/2015 at 18:14

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Unless it's otherwise in really good condition I think you could talk him down a bit or look elsewhere. I'm fairly certain you can get a working runner for $2500 depending on where you're looking.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > E. Julius 02/15/2015 at 18:16

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Denver area.

Is $2000 too high, how hard is a head gasket swap on a miata?

daender > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 02/15/2015 at 18:34

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Pretty easy like most other 80s/90s inline-four cars; it requires the removal of the intake, the exhaust and timing belt, removal of the coil pack, CAS, and valve cover. It should take no less than a day to do. Hell, you might as well change out the water pump and timing belt while you're in there since it's easy to do with most of the front of the engine taken apart.

Devilishprune > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 02/15/2015 at 18:34

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'Round these parts, a running NA miata is around 2k. Unless the body/interior is amazing, I'd wait.

E. Julius > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 02/15/2015 at 18:35

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The fairness of the price depends on the condition of the rest of the car. If it doesn't have a ton of miles on it and everything else is well sorted/in good condition it wouldn't be too bad. Offer them $1,700 or something and if they say no try and back them up to $2,000. If there's some other maintenance it's going to need soon or it needs a new top or something else like that, I'd hold out for a runner, although I don't know how common those are where you're looking.

I don't know about the difficulty of changing the gasket, but it's my understanding that they're generally not too difficult to work on.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > E. Julius 02/15/2015 at 18:36

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http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/4849770513…

Here is a little more info.

daender > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 02/15/2015 at 18:38

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2500$ is decent if it's a 1.8L car but try to knock him down to 2000$ or halfway to help cover the gasket swap, timing belt, and water pump (if those last two haven't been changed out by now).

E. Julius > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 02/15/2015 at 18:42

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One hundred percent crackpipe. Way too much to spend on somebody else's project. Also, personally I'm wary of any listing that includes "Tags: jdm drift slammed track race stance". I'd do a national search on cars.com or something and look at what can be had within your budget around the country. It might not help you find your specific car, but it will give you an idea of some comparables so you know what you can expect.

Frank Grimes > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 02/15/2015 at 18:55

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Ive done a miata head gasket. It is fraught with danger. stripped exhaust studs, studs pulling out of the head. lots of gaskets should be replaced as well as getting a viton o ring. its not too hard but takes a long time with all the parts that need to be removed. luckily everything is pretty simple to get to with enough room. It took me a long time because I spent a lot of time cleaning carbon off the pistons cleaning the block very well and the time it took to get the head machined which requires more disassembly and reassembly.

davedave1111 > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 02/15/2015 at 18:56

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I wouldn't buy a car from anyone who advertises it like that, not for more than scrap price.

John Norris (AngryDrifter) > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 02/15/2015 at 19:12

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Pay a little more ...

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/485733…

\ http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/cto/487566…

http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/cto/485146…

Louros > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 02/15/2015 at 19:36

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I wouldn't pay more than a grand for one with a blown head gasket. For $2500 I've bought a mechanically sound rust-free '90 with ~100k miles.

Raphmoe > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 02/15/2015 at 19:37

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Go for it!

JasonStern911 > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 02/16/2015 at 16:40

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Someone near me has one for 2500 obo be needs a new head gasket.

presuming it's a NA, crackpipe. the car isn't drivable. if you're on a budget, don't risk buying the car, getting it running, only to find out what other problems were masked by not being able to test drive it. would you lose out on a killer deal? sure, but that is better off than having all of your money tied up into a project car.

but since you seem like you want it and I probably cannot talk you out of it, offer $1,500, and if he's not willing to bite, tell him you're interested at his purchase price presuming everything else checks out if he gets the head gasket addressed.

JasonStern911 > E. Julius 02/16/2015 at 16:42

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the BP engine shouldn't be blowing head gaskets unless the mileage is high or the engine has been abused. OP appears to be on a budget, so he should be walking away or offering less than that, as a blown head gasket likely was the last problem the seller is willing to deal with. and odds are, he or she didn't fix all of the previous problems correctly.

E. Julius > JasonStern911 02/16/2015 at 16:45

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Definitely walk away. Here is the car in question: http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/4849770513…

JasonStern911 > E. Julius 02/16/2015 at 16:50

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well, we've warned him. if OP wants a reliable car, that's not the one. if he's willing to put some work in, then presuming he can talk the seller way down, he's got a good start with the aftermarket rims and suspension upgrades. but OP would be undergoing the nightmare of fixing someone else's project (remember - the guy is selling for a reason) and giving up the joy of modding the car as he sees fit in order to save some cash, so if he proceeds, that's on him.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > JasonStern911 02/16/2015 at 17:20

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don't have anything set in stone. I'm also looking at pretty much any other car out there.. For something that I can use for autocross. Also on the table or SUVs and trucks. So on F 250 diesel for 1500 near me. So any other ideas let me know.

JasonStern911 > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 02/16/2015 at 17:34

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F1500s are terrible autocross cars.

honestly, given your price range, I recommend patience. have cash on hand and check craigslist every day. unless an amazing deal presents itself, be fine waiting. consider traveling to get the right car. get a feel for your local market, what cars are overpriced and what ones aren't. be willing to travel for the right car.

I live in Reno, and Subarus are insanely overpriced. but I have a sister in San Diego where AWD doesn't commend a premium, and they're a great value. so there's value in knowing the market.

but if you can't be patient, I've heard great things about the Toyota Civics and Honda Camrys.