Guys, I found this car locally for sale. 160K, 2nd owner, original paint, window sticker, receipts, rust free car, stored indoors. $3900 firm. Yea or Nay?

What should I look for when I examine it? And what are the 1992 advantages and disadvantages compared to other years?

Thanks.

George.

 

I wouldn't touch a 1.6 car with a 10 foot pole. You want a 94+. It is better in every way.

 

Wow, thanks for the advice - can you elaborate a little? I'm NEW to Miata completely!

 

1.6 cars have crappy brakes, crappy rear end, crappy motor, crappy bracing.

 

Thanks shuiend!

Is that pretty much a unanimous opion here? I ask because I've read so many positive reviews of the '92 (indeed, of EVERY year Miata)

Or are there people out there who might be afraid to disagree with an administrator? (It does happen!)

 

for the price you can probably get a 94-95. Overall a better car but i would not say that a 1.6 is horrible. It does have smaller brakes, but they work fine at stockish power. diff does suck.

The real quesiton should be- What do you plan to do with it?

 

The real quesiton should be- What do you plan to do with it?

I'm 56 - I just want it for putting around on back roads in the summertime. I'm tired of working on spitfires, mbg's and tr6's. I just want a dependable roadster that I won't loose money on if I sell it 10 or so years from now.

Thanks for the response!

 

I have an idea: How about you join the community, read for days/weeks/months, figure out what works and what doesn't, and then start shopping instead of doing things backwards?
If you don't know what you're looking for, you shouldn't even be looking at for sale ads. This isn't the last clean Miata for sale in the world.
Welcome btw

 

Fair enough, but if the car is super clean - is it WORTH $3,900?

 

Most of us will say no. For 3900 you can get a super clean NA8, or "medium clean" NB

The 1.6 is about as quick as a prius. Think about that. Even for putting around, you might die or boredom.

 

Don't rush to buy a 1.6. Ever.

I have an NA6. I have bought the following parts from an NB:
- Engine
- Trans
- Diff, driveshaft, axles
- Subframe, steering rack, knuckles, control arms

I did this because it was fun, but you need to know going in that it's going to be a fair amount of work. I paid $1500 for my car that was in similar condition to the one you posted. At $3900 you'd be crazy not to buy an NA8.

 

guys, I really appreciate the advice. Can you point me to an NA8 example or two? I'm embarrassed to ask - What does NA8 mean? I know na is 1st generation, right?

 

NA8 means 94+ NA with a 1.8 engine and beefier diff.

 

It might be acceptable if you like things like:
1) Miata.net
2) wine
3) cheese
4) fake woodgrain interior accents
5) chrome ebay style bar
6) Miata "eyebrows"

 

ouch!

 

If you are going to leave the car basically stock and just enjoy it then a 1.6 is fine. If you actually want to turbo the car then starting from a 94+ is much better way to go.

As for the price being overpriced, depending on how many miles, condition, and service history it may not be. Clean NA prices are creeping up.

 

Or should I say, yikes! Thanks for keeping me in the right bathroom!

 

OK shuiend, thank you again - the car is VERY clean AND original, and I'm just planning on putting it around with the idea that i'll likely get most of my money back when/if I sell it.

Those comments above though . . .

hmmm

 

That's absolutely unanimous. There is nothing "wrong" with the 1.6 (90-93) cars, the 1.8 (94+) cars are just undeniably better in so many ways. It's even more critical when you start looking at modifying, racing, or adding power to the car, which just happens to be the main focus of this forum.

If you do plan to just putt around a 1.6 car could be entirely sufficient, but there's no need to pay a premium for it. I guess prices have been climbing up a bit the last few years but I just can't see paying beyond $2000 for a 1.6 car. Any more money than that and you start to see decent condition 1.8 cars that offer a lot more upside.

 

I guess I'm thinking that the early cars, if in excellent condition, are becoming 'antiques' and if well-maintained are going to hold their value into the future.

But I had no idea I could find one for $2,000!

I'll keep looking!