My search for a stupid '99 continues...
 

And then I run across something like this:
Mazda Miata 108k miles 1996

Current life story:
I moved so San Diego so my wife/baby will be here with our parents when I go to sea for 6 months in July... plus it's Miata heaven out here year-round... and I know all the major players in town. But I sold my Miata 3 months before moving here. I figured it'd be a piece of cake to find a decent white '99 sport... NOT! It's been 4 months and nothing but bone-stock-beat-to-death cars at used stealerships, or low-mileage-loaded-leather ones for too much money. CRAP!!!

But then I run across that black '96, with more money in aftermarket than he's asking for the car... and all of the parts are exactly what I want. Plus, it's already stripped of AC/PS like I'd do.

Does it make sense to buy car now, or wait until I get back? I've budgeted $5k for a '99. If I talked that guy down to $2500... I'd be that much ahead on everything.

Looking at it, I see:
6UL's w/RS-2's
Endlinks
KYB's
Voodoo Knob
OBX strut tower brace
Rollbar (anybody place the model)
NGK's
K&N

I just emailed the guy and asked him these questions:
Clutch age/brand?
Torsen?
Wheel/Tire size?
Was the radio been spliced in, or was an adapter harness used?
How old are the KYB’s?
Have you don’t any other wiring projects, extra horn, alarm, etc?
What’s with the roll of masking tape on the passenger floor?
It looks like you’ve removed the engine undertray, and the nose air-splitter?
What brand are the endlinks?
Anything done to the brake system? Pads?
It’s interesting that you’ve cut the valve cover and removed the plastic timing-belt covers, but are using the stock cam-gears? Why did you remove that stuff… looks?
Battery, age/brand?
How old are the plugs/wires?
Garaged, or stored outside?


I guess I'm just ranting. Comment if you've got one.

-Sam

I would not get it. just my .02

I say just do it...

but I'm biased.

You may be able to get a good bit more for just a little more money in an NA though.

what the hell was the point of selling his na if he gets another one? He sold his previous car specifically to get an nb, as far as I know.

I've seen decent condition nb's around here for mid to low 4,000's. If you will be leaving in a few months, why the rush? take your time man. Just my .02

I say wait for the NB
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Looks like a HDHCDD by the mig welds, bends, coating.

time = money and that car will cost you more than waiting.

99.9% sure those are racing beat end links, they're cheap, but they work.

my money says 205's on 15*7's atm its a clean car but if you want a NB then dont settle for less man. that would be a nice car for your kid to drive :P its cheap enough.

Owner replied back.
clutch is stock, but replaced by the previous owner. the master/slave cylinder were changed out by me about 6 months ago
no torsen
15x8 11lb wheels, 205/50 hankook rs2 tires
i didnt install the radio and i havent pulled it out, so i dont know for sure.
~15k on the KYB's
i put in 2 kill switches, have not had a problem with them. they are spliced into the clutch switch
not sure why youre asking about the tape at all.....but i have a dog who sits in the car and i use the tape to pick up the hair
engine tray was removed by PO
racing beat endlinks
brakes are stock specs. new rotors and pads a couple years ago, and its probably due for service sometime soon
had a spare valve cover and was messing around with it, kept it that way. valve covers are 30 bucks on ebay if you want to change it out. and yes the valve cover gasket was changed out
battery is an off brand and not miata specific. the PO kinda messed up the battery tray and i havent even fixed it yet. i have it held in there with some....gasp...zip ties. i know, but it hasnt given me a problem. battery is less than a year old and holds a charge fine
plugs wires are about 7 months and reg. changed out

Seems like the price he's asking is right... a deal for somebody. I'll be out to sea for the week, so maybe next weekend I'll go look at it... give it a good once-over just for grins.

It seems the majority of you think I'm just getting restless and should hold out. I think you're right. Maybe I'm just weak... no discipline.

Y8's... when you're right, you're right.

I'd wait for the 99 myself. Sounds like he's taken a few shortcuts which is probably indicative of how he's treated the car. Plus no Torsen! Definitely a negative...

BTW, Just moved from Coronado 2 years ago. My buddy is on the Nimitz with you. Don't know his call sign, but you may know him as Schmaels. I mentioned knowing you from this board and he knew you. Told me your call sign, but I can't quite remember it (nutjob, headcase, something like that). Small world...

For someone who wants a NA, that car might not be too bad of a deal depending on what one's goals are. There's over $1000 in the roll bar and wheels. AGXs are okay with stock springs but I wouldn't put much dollar value on them at 15K miles. It's priced low enough that buying a Tor$en could still be reasonable. The OBDII could be a minor annoyance though, and the lack of an undertray and a zip-tied battery would have me looking pretty hard at what else is missing or bootyfabbed.

Your long and thus far fruitless search has got you a little punchy and ready to jump on a deal, but you must be strong. If you buy this car, you get an okay deal on something you don't really want. You want a NB, so wait for a NB.

Scott=voice of reason... thanks.

Clay, your boy is Rich Schmaeling... he's the Assistant Navigator, good dude. He mentioned at chow the other day that he knew somebody who knew me online. Small world. My callsign is Freakshow or Trainwreck, or Big Country depending on how you know me.

+1 on you getting restless.

Imagine, if you do not buy this car (which I don't think you should), I don't see you regretting the decision in the long run, BUT if you you do buy this car and then a month later the "right" NB comes along, you'll want to punch yourself in the face over and over and over....

I know it's far away but might be worth a shot. eBay Motors: Mazda : MX-5 Miata (item 320352439239 end time Mar-29-09 07:36:04 PDT)
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Sam i know its a quite a distance, but might be worth it...quite a deal imo

eBay Motors: Mazda : MX-5 Miata (item 320352439239 end time Mar-29-09 07:36:04 PDT)

lmao, f/u i'm the one that showed you

Hold out Sam, that is not what you want. It is a good deal but I have seen better condition NB's for similar money. I wish you didn't mind a salvage title and some DIY body work. That's the best way to get a steal IMO.

Nm Sam, I'm the one voice of dissent, and because I was rash in my response.

Reconsidering what you want, and what I'd do differently, pass on what is just another well-priced old miata.

If I could do it all again, I would get a 1.8L, a Torsen in the car, preferably something that already has wheels and suspension similar to what I want...at a bargain.

And if I wanted an NB, I'd definitely wait on an NB. I'm just partial to this NA because it's been in my family, and been mine before. I have ALWAYS wanted a nice NB though.

lol its the same car:giggle: