Newbie looking at a car, need opinions
#1
Newbie looking at a car, need opinions
1994 Mazda Miata, Turbo, 89k miles, VERY FAST!!
Ive been a mustang guy forever, but the more I read about miatas the more I want one. I enjoy the hitting the corners more than flat out acceleration. Plus the low price and low weight of the miata are very appealing. Plus its something different.
I was looking at this car on craigslist. Im wanting it for occasional street, but mostly for track use. Its seems its in good shape with lots of good aftermarket stuff. Only downside I see is the stock motor and trans (minus new clutch). If it can take going to the track for a couple years with normal wear i would be happy. Problem is the car is 5 hours away so I cant just go look at it. Is anyone nearby or does anyone know about the car? If I do go down there what should I look for besides the usual?
...hopefully no one on here will buy it first, lol.
Ive been a mustang guy forever, but the more I read about miatas the more I want one. I enjoy the hitting the corners more than flat out acceleration. Plus the low price and low weight of the miata are very appealing. Plus its something different.
I was looking at this car on craigslist. Im wanting it for occasional street, but mostly for track use. Its seems its in good shape with lots of good aftermarket stuff. Only downside I see is the stock motor and trans (minus new clutch). If it can take going to the track for a couple years with normal wear i would be happy. Problem is the car is 5 hours away so I cant just go look at it. Is anyone nearby or does anyone know about the car? If I do go down there what should I look for besides the usual?
...hopefully no one on here will buy it first, lol.
#2
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I find that car very "MEH" for $7k. 94 is a good year, but the old FM stuff is IMO not so desirable any more. The hardware and engine management from the last 2 years or so is much better than the old stuff. The link is basically garbage compared to anything modern.
There have been some better deals in the classifieds here. If Joe's car is still listed, you should consider it.
There have been some better deals in the classifieds here. If Joe's car is still listed, you should consider it.
#3
What's wrong with a stock motor and transmission? It's a '94 so you've got a 1.8 and the 7" rear end. Looks like a nice condition car for a good price. Even if you have to spend a little getting a good working tune, it should be a good deal.
EDIT: Whoops, somehow I had a $4600 price in my head. Yeah, $7k is too much.
EDIT: Whoops, somehow I had a $4600 price in my head. Yeah, $7k is too much.
#5
If you could talk him down to even $6200 or so, it would be a decent buy with the low miles that are one it. The ad tells me that the owner knows the car and can comprehend English. If it were post up like "Yo I has this fast as hail Miata! All da gurls like it and I put a turbo on it so it goes fast and beats Vipers on the street."..then I would run away laughing. If you're looking for a car and care about looks, it does not hurt to pay a little more for a car with a clean exterior. Few things scream "I don't care about the car" more than a dented up, mis-matched faded paint car. Sure, everything under the hood might be neat and tidy, but are you really going to think of that if the outside looks like ****? Besides, it's the first thing you see when you look at the car, it's the first thing when others see the car and is usually one of the most expensive areas to fix.
Laguna blue is nice though...I wouldn't mind having a LB NA one day. Although the Link is old, it is fun for the 200-230rwhp range, you could sell it for a couple hundred and get a MS for more flexability..if you're one of those "gotta get every las HP out of it" kinda guys. It's also a b-pkg car so it has a LSD, power windows and a/c. Engine bay is clean..also showing that the owner takes his time to keep things under check.
But the big question is, is the price worth it to you?
Laguna blue is nice though...I wouldn't mind having a LB NA one day. Although the Link is old, it is fun for the 200-230rwhp range, you could sell it for a couple hundred and get a MS for more flexability..if you're one of those "gotta get every las HP out of it" kinda guys. It's also a b-pkg car so it has a LSD, power windows and a/c. Engine bay is clean..also showing that the owner takes his time to keep things under check.
But the big question is, is the price worth it to you?
#8
Im not sure if hes got some wiggle room in the price. I havent gotten quite that far yet. I can afford up to about $9k right now.
When you say some of the stuff is "older" FM are you referring to just the engine management electronics? About how much would I be looking at to get it upgraded?
When you say some of the stuff is "older" FM are you referring to just the engine management electronics? About how much would I be looking at to get it upgraded?
#14
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This guy probably knows that when selling a car the money he put into for aftermarket parts will not really transfer to what the car is worth. This is why most people put their cars back to stock before selling, then sell the aftermarket stuff separate. He is most likely trying to give a good starting price so he can go down a bit and make the buyer feel good, and still get a good amount of money for the car.
I'd say the car is worth around 3-4k, assuming the body and engine are good. The parts cost him ~$9k, so $5k-$5.5k total is reasonable.
I'd say the car is worth around 3-4k, assuming the body and engine are good. The parts cost him ~$9k, so $5k-$5.5k total is reasonable.