I'm crushed UPDATE (spoke to owner)
 

:EDIT:

Check edit at bottom of post

Most of us know that I am saving for a Miata (or sports car, according to my sig). The car I've been looking at is a '90 White with a JR kit and some goodies. I have been so stoked to find a local car that I could afford on a low budget, that comes with enough aftermarket parts, to be fun on my first drive. It's been great. Telling myself I'm gonna get a fun car and finally be able to lay down some track time.

While out running errands, I was in the area by the car. Its a little outside of town, but I was out that way and wanted to stop by to talk to the owner. I also wanted to check out the car again and get everything finalized along with a plan for how I'm going to go about getting it. Turns out, the owner wasn't there, but the car was. So I went up to take a look at it. Well... This is where I found a surprise. Almost like walking in on a new girlfriend while she's going down on another guy. I mean. I didn't cry like a little bitch and yell, "I HATE YOU!" But I felt a little part of me die inside.

What's the big deal? What the eff am I talking about? I walked up the driveway and noticed the car was parked out of the way. Not a big deal, but it had the racing wheels and slicks on and was hidden behind another car by the house. Not how he usually has it, since its pretty much a daily car. I made my way around and noticed some blemishes in the paint were patched over with evidence of a lazy 5 minute rattle can job. Figured thy guy was going around spraying some parts so he could sand and finish some sort of maintenance paintwork. Then I got to the passenger side. This is what I found...

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Dammit. From the looks of it, he hit a tire wall. Probably out at Hallett. I only say that, because its like 45 minutes to an hour away, but it could have been another track. One of two things will happen from here. Either I can call him up and see if he's interested in selling for considerably less (I take care of damage myself) if the car's chassis isn't effed to Hell. Or, I keep saving my money and look for another car.

:EDIT:

Alright. To clarify. I misinformed you. Rather, the details weren't laid out. The "Seller" actually offered me the car. He found that I wanted a fun sports car and after learning that I had an interest in Miatas, he offered me the car. The terms of the sale were that if I wanted the car, I could pick it up when I got the money. I've been working like a dog, to find ways to get closer to buying it. Its only been about a month though IIRC. If I didn't buy it, he would keep it and continue driving it. He in no way, was holding the car for me personally. Due to recently purchasing an NC, he decided that he might want to sell the NA sometime and he happened to run into me. The car wasn't reserved for me. I'm saddened nonetheless.

Here is the link for more pics if you want. http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e2...Miata%20Crash/

Yeah, don't buy that unless he strikes you ONE HELL of a deal. If he was selling the car to you, wtf was he doing with it on the track?

Keep searching, there are better deals out there.

I wouldn't give him a dime for being so irresponsible with a sale.

+1, keep looking. I wouldn't pay more than 500 bucks for that thing. I swear if you get the money and just sit on it and wait, a SMOKING deal will just fall in your lap. Time and money. If you have both, you're set. You'll hate yourself if you "settle" for something and then 9 days later that perfect miata is for sale near by. What may seem bad now may turn out to have been for the better down the road. I mean people find damn 100K mile miatas that are stock and in damn good condition for 1500 ish, some with hardtops! Just gotta keep looking.

Well, I was only a prospective buyer and he didn't have the car up for sale. He offered it to me one time when meeting me at my job. He told me about it and I said I'd be interested in buying it if I get the money. That was the extent of the agreement, really. I did test drive it and go out to his place a few times to look at it, so he knew I wanted it, but it wasn't up "for sale". Still sucks...

What would you offer for a car like this? I think white is boring anyway, so if I can pick it off him for cheap and redo it all in a different color, I'd go for it. Maybe a dark anthracite or metallic black. Mmm. Maybe- just maybe- I'd go for a pearl white. Hell, if I got the car for cheap enough, I'd strip it for all the parts it has and find a suitable platform to put it on. Maybe find a later BP NA and sell the JR kit for something better.

Before:

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After:

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:mad::vash::bang:

Was that a 1.6? Cause the 94 is the best year overall if you're looking to build cheap reliable power.

Yeah. 1990 with a good little mods list. Mentioned it earlier. I'm considering calling him up just to see what he's wanting to do with it now. I'll see if I can offer him a low price, just to take it off his hands or something. I mean. If I determine it's worth the time. If not, then I'll look around again and continue building my savings. I'd like to have Sam's car too, but its just not feasible at the moment. Getting a loan right now would be hard, at best. Other than that, I'll have to wait. Not unless someone is willing to let me give them payments... Yeah. I didn't think so.

I bought a car and made payments on it and the owner didn't mind one bit. I paid 100 every 2 weeks till it was paid off. When I got done paying it off, I got the car and title. I'd talk to Sam, he has a badass car. You're buying it for probably 20 cents on the dollar of his time and money invested. A sweet deal for the money.

Quoted for truth

What makes a 94 better than a 95, other than the oil pressure gauge.

C

lower compression (positive or negative depending on how you look at it)

Paul can better answer this question, but I'll try.

OP gauge as you mention
For some reason "most" 94's have a torsen from the factory. Ontop of that it's suposedly a different type that's "better".
No idea what else. 95's probably aren't bad either, that would be the next year of choice I guess.

ODB1 + 1.8 engine.

It was the first with more chassis stiffening. I think that's the year the PPF was introduced. The car also stayed almost as light as the earlier ones because stricter crash test standards came later.

I think*

95 also is obdI. the 95.5 change the electrical system up a bit which makes aftermarket ECU's a lil trickier.

all miatas starting with 1989 had a PPF. think about it sam, what would happen to the trans and diff if there wasn't a ppf supporting them?

94 and early 95 motors were 8.8:1 compression.

Mazda did go nuts with the new Torsen in 94 putting them in all models except the base and automatics.

not that it matters much but 95's did away with all the airbag sensors in the front end and only retained the 1 sensor under the dash on the firewall.

I'm always getting a second or third miata. PM me on what you wanna give for one. I'll see if I can find one around here.

So does this car have the jackson racing S/C on it? And how much does he want for it since it was smashed?
I can't tell by the picture, but is the quater panel smashed beyond your ability of repair?
You don't want to buy a car like this and carry it to the body shop.
But from the picture changing the door would transform this car. But watch for the latch area. if it is pushed in. FORGET THE CAR.

Otherwise, you might could get a good deal.

Luckily for you 944, the miata was the best selling sports car for a good decade. There is plenty more to be found ;)

I was at the track when that car took the wall, lol. I was also there when he was steam rolled by JohnWag (123whp, lol).

His buddy asked Machismo "that black miata (JohnWag) makes some power, huh? Turbo? Supercharger?"

Machismo: "Um, it makes 120whp, lol."

Fail!

Yep, Skirt has a wonderful video posted of it hitting the tire wall. I'll see if I can find it again. I'm at work, so give me a bit.
It did look good up until the moment of impact.

Here you go....Shows John passing the guy before Turn 2 and then walk 'em for the next two laps. Skirt was all over him and I guess it finally took it's toll. ;)

My bad, I was thinking of the cockpit brace.

I vote instead of paying him you take a shit on the hood.

I'll second that...if he keeps it unlocked, then the driver's seat would be more ideal.

And just a word of observation.....there was suspension damage that was "repaired" at the track.
Check the PAX lower control arm and tie rod. Tie rod was bent last I saw.

I would spray paint a pink circle around the shit afterward.

A nice pooh on the porch is always good for morale. ;)

What the fuck??? I watched that spinout three times.. I see MASSIVE amounts of poor driver error! He was going in a straight line and spun to the left!?

Hence the voting for poo on the hood/seat/porch :bang:

I like to take it on the chest. Feels good, man.

I'm sure into plate jobs too. Forget the plates, just use cellophane. :giggle:

Damn. That's a pretty good crash. Right at the Biznitch too. Another victim taken by Hallett. I watched the vid, and I can tell he lost it RIGHT at the crest. That's what happened. Steering into it wouldn't have helped, but it looks like he tried. Too bad. Suspension damage you say? I'll have to call him up and see what he's gonna do. I think if it's that bad, I'll offer something cheap to get it off his hands and then transfer everything possible to a new platform. I'm gonna give him a call regardless. We shall see what comes of this.

ask him if he wants some killer video of his car eating shit? :)

I'm trying to find the issue here...
You found a car you want to buy, but were not able to come up with the capital needed to do so. So, the legal owner of the property did whatever the fuck he wanted to do with his own car, which in this case was stuff it into the wall at a track. And you take offense? You have no right to. It isn't your car.

How bout you take me a little moar seriusly? I'm sad that the car got crashed. I'm not personally offended. I just wish that I could have taken it off his hands before he laid it into a wall like a 747.

This thread is full of winning possibilities.. If poo is involved, photographs are required.. :D


Hey if I was perspective of a car and the dude fucking totaled it like a moron I'd be kinda pissed too. He took what was a nice valuable car and turned it into swiss cheese. Might as well have entered the thing into a fucking SPEC race.

Thats like finding a house and making an offer on it friday evening. Banks are closed, so in the mean time you don't have access to the down payment because its in the bank, well over the weekend the home owner throws a huge kegger in what would be YOUR house and burns the place down.. Same thing..

Didn't I lay out the premise of the agreement he and I entered at the beginning of this thread? I made no assumptions to being the buyer of the car. Not until I had the money for it. It was his car to fuck up if he wanted to. I wanted to get it, but now I don't know. I mean. It'd be great for parts and a project, but beyond that... Well, I was looking for a fun sunny-day/weekend car. This car no longer leaves that an option. Not as far as I can tell.

Called the owner up today. I didn't mention anything about the crash. Neither did he... I just told him I stopped by to see what was up, but he wasn't home so I didn't bother sticking around. He asked if I was still on a time line. Wondered if I knew a date when I was going to have the money basically. Told him I wasn't sure and that I am still saving. I'll get in touch with him one more time later and if he doesn't mention the crash, I'm gonna say, "Dude... I know what happened. I have video and talked to people that saw the car afterwards. I'm not giving you even a couple thousand dollars. I'm not gonna pay money for that car, if you can't prove that it's not fucked up."

I think he's trying to cover the damage. Whatev. I guess this means I'm looking for a different car. I don't want to deal with someone that is shady about the details on a car they want to sell. Especially if those details include a collision or some sort of disaster involving the car. I know his insurance won't be hearing about it. He's not going to report that his car was crashed while racing, and he's not going to risk having the car totaled or the collision showing up on the car's history. My next convo with him will be very interesting indeed.

Kepp playing dumb, don' mention the wreck. Wait a few weeks and tell him you're ready to buy it, if he still doesn't mention it aand it's "fixed" take picture of it wrecked with you and threaten him with some kin dof legal action if he doesn't give you a hell of a deal on it.... (it is illegal not to disclose known damage to a vehicle in your state, right?)

What was he originally asking for the car? It's worth 1K tops the way it is right now. But like I said before, you'll end up much better off saving and paying more upfront to buy a better car or to buy a better car that already has some of the things you want done to it. Buying a POS that needs a lot of everything makes for an intense build, but not cost effective. And from what I can gather, your're looking for a value.

driving didn't look to bad. just looked like he got light over the small hill and ate shit.

He wanted 5k. I was going to talk him down into the 4's. The way the car was, I figured it was worth between 4 and 5. Now? I think its worth what I can get out of the parts on it. Clutch, rad, shifter, sc kit, radio, style bar (Would sell anyway), springs, wheels, hard top, exhaust I guess.

Fuck that. Samnavy's car is worth 15K if his was worth 5K before. Hell my 99' should fetch 15K easy then. I have everything you just named except springs.

Find a 94. That will buy you a torsen, 1.8 diff, bigger engine, slightly better transmission, bigger brakes, etc etc etc. Unless you just have your heart set on an original 1.6, the 94-95 1.8's are the best.

5 grand! HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!! thats a $1500 car considering the mods and damage

Well, no. 5k before it got fucked up. I'd in NO way hand over five thousand dollars for that car.

He said it was 5K before the damage, which considering the condition it looks like it's in and a hardtop is a little high but not too bad....$1500 sounds faair now considering it has a good hardtop still.

This thread is full of fail, on all parties and some of this threads participants behalves.

qualify

I almost wouldn't even bother, man. Wait and save more money, spend more on initial cost of the car and it might save you some down the road.

Myself, I made the mistake of pulling the trigger on the very first car I found. Was a one owner that belonged to my brothers Co-Worker. 1995 (bought it in 2005, it was 10 years old) with original top and broken/taped back window. Top was moldy so it needed to be replaced all together. Brakes were complete shit. Like, Beyond complete shit. Overall it seemed pretty sound.

Six weeks after buying it, radiator top tank split in half. Lower coolant hose blew a leak, upper leaked, water pump, and every other fucking rubber hose on it. Didn't have a lot of extra scratch laying around to replace all of these things, and it ended up blowing the motor up. Bought it with 108k miles and had NO... NO.. I mean, NO fucking maintenance performed on it. Sat under a tree for three years without care, even while it was being driven which pissed sap all over the paint. That wasn't a big deal, took me TWO days to clean the fucking sap off. Getting over the menace of mechanical issues, now its rusting to a point where I'm about to abandon it completely. I spent $3000 on a car that bluebooked at $6800.00.

Front sway bar bracket is useless. A bolt is broken off in the bracket where the sway bar mount goes, along with a twist bit, an easy out, and another twist drill. The bracket is held on the chassis with 4 bolts and 2 spot welds, three bolts have been removed and the fourth... the nut inside the chassis that holds the bolt broke off, so the bolt spins freely. The rear under carriage bracing that connects the subframe to the chassis.. Six bolts, all rusted in. Five bolts came out, sixth, same fucking shit. The nut broke off the back side and the bolt spins freely. Rear 1/4s infront of the drive wheels are rusted completely through. That rust appeared 8 months ago as a little bubble in the paint, now I can stick my finger through it. The rain rails side drains are cleaned out on a regular basis. :bang:

I love my little car to death, it is by far my all time favorite sports car I've owned.. But man.. :(

Bolt that won't come out for sway bar bracket chassis mount
http://jugrnot.com/IMG_9967.jpg
Broken Bolt, two twist drills, and easyout
http://jugrnot.com/IMG_9968.jpg
Rear Subframe
http://jugrnot.com/IMG_9969.jpg
Body Rust
http://jugrnot.com/IMG_9970.jpg
Broken Rear Subframe connector brace bolt
http://jugrnot.com/IMG_9972.jpg

Well, if informing someone of the facts which were witnessed first hand and proof brought forth, then by all means....we FAIL!

If I had somebody bugging me to buy my car, dropping by my house unannounced I'd probably wreck it and lie about it too. Especially if he didnt even have the money to buy it.

Why all the drama? Just tell the guy you stopped by his house to take another look at the car, saw that it had been in an accident, and that you found out from someone who'd been at the track that it got wrecked. Then work out a price that you're both happy with. Or not, and just drop it.

C

+1 That's exactly what I would do if I still wanted to purchase the vehicle.

yes, we give a shit about what canadians post here.

Na. No Drama. Just wasn't sure about how to take the situation. I got rid of his contact information. I'm not worried about it. It's obvious he's going to try to rip me off, so I'll just be looking elsewhere. Its too bad though, because the car cas some stuff thats usefull even with a later model Miata. I'm just going to look at some other cars. I've gotten some offers from board members here.

Yeah. Time to stop being an asshole before you get ahead of yourself. I let him know I had stopped by. He lives outside of town and since I was in the area, I dropped by just to visit him and talk. He wasn't there. I wasn't trying to play "Spy". It just worked out that way. The car has been wrecked since a week after I first went to look at it. That makes over a month, buddy. The guy never bothered mentioning it to me in the last two conversations I had with him. Guess that makes me a sniveling dick though. Are you paying attention?

Yeah, I paid attention. I need to stop being an asshole before I get ahead of myself...whatever that means. And you're a sniveling dick, and the guy lives outside of town. Was that a quiz? Did I do good? :eek5:

Alright, whatever dude. You're just trolling. I've already said what I'm going to do about the situation. If you had been paying attention, you'd know that I do not intend to purchase the vehicle. And that the point of this thread, wasn't to be a dick, but to express the lament of the crushed up car. I wasn't angry till I realized that he had been trying to cover the damage. He's still expecting 5k BTW. But thanks for reaffirming my point.:fawk: