Looking at a 10AE Miata...need advice!
 

I haven't seen the car yet, trying to determine whether it's worth the trip.

About 130k miles with new tires, clutch, timing belt, water pump. 3 owners, includes painted hardtop and front bumper bra, maintenance records available. Paint is mostly good shape, body lines all straight.

The bad -
Front bumper cover is damaged, probably best to replace with a new one. Would an oem painted be about $350? Seller also claims the hood has some oxidation, anybody have a ball park estimate to repaint the hood? Air dam/splitter has also been removed, seller claims it is in 1 piece/still in good condition.
Other than a ding on the trunk, the rest of the car appears to be in good shape including the soft top, I'm guessing about $500 of cosmetic repairs would do the trick.

From what I've been seeing around my area, I was ready to jump on it for $5500, but after finding this forum and browsing the classifieds, I'm not so sure anymore.

Thoughts? Advice? Thanks

All I can say is that 10AE + matching hardtop = awesomeness.

Where is the car from? I say this because I knew of a 10AE from PA that was r-titled...So I'm curious.

This car sounds suspicious. Did you run the VIN with carfax?

Sounds like a good price with the hardtop IMO. Ask how the steering wheel is holding up, just had to replace mine and they're tough to track down (assuming you want to keep the stock wheel in it).

Do carfax, and have a good mechanic check the car out, carfax does not catch everything. I say this b/c I had a car checked out before I was going to buy it, tuns out it was leaking oil.

lol how would carfax know if the car is leaking oil???

That's my point, carfax can not know everything. DURT DAA DURRRR

No (omg this omit crap is so annoying) . Obviously carfax won't know that. That is not what it is for.

At least double if not triple the price for the repair bill. Its a good deal if you are happy with your purchase. Its a horrible deal if you are not.

That seems like an ok deal given its minor issues as long as it was never winter driven. I paid $7000 for my one owner 10AE with 97k, never seen snow/salt, a matching hardtop, complete gift set still new in the box, original window sticker, and all records in June '10.

It would depend how far away.

I bought it, my first miata. 5 hour train/bus ride, ended up costing a bit more but i got a brand new hard dog roll bar with it. Can you imagine trying to drive back with that thing hanging over the seats with the bars sticking out in front of your face? The guy at the McDonald's drive thru asked me if they were supposed to be installed that way :rofl:

Mechanical Issues:
67,146 05/22/2009
126,468 07/15/2011
-No maintenance records between that period. The car is now at 128,900, with clutch, timing belt, water pump done in the past 6 months.
-The shift lever vibrates significantly, especially when pressing down/resting your hand on the shift lever. It happens a little in 2nd, more in 4th, and quite a bit in 6th. Vibration increases with acceleration.
-Valve cover leak
The engine runs well otherwise, clutch engagement/shifting is smooth.

Any suggestions on the shift lever vibration? Any other preventative maintenance I should do in addition to a tune up?

Do this:
http://clubroadster.net/vb_forum/showthread.php?t=21545
And come back. You should replace two shifter boots and 2-3 shifter bushings.

Ny 10 ae
 

I have one with 104,000 miles on it. All I can say is if you fit, hold on and have fun. I love mine!

Shift lever shake is normal but if it is like 5inches of play you may have torn motor mounts.

Valve cover leak is not a big deal. Gasket is like $30 but if it's not hehmoraging oil you don't need to worry about it