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Car Forum / Mazda / Mazda Miata / November 2004need info on used miata
Hi, I'm gonna buy a used miata, and thought I'd check here to see if anyone can make a reccomendation on where the best bang for the buck is. I don't know which model years have what, or which is better, etc. I'm the guy who always buys the (fill in the year) and then everybody says, you shouldn't have got that one you moron, you soulda got the (fill in the year) instead. Thanks for any help with this. Allen > I'm gonna buy a used miata, and thought I'd check here to see if anyone can > make a reccomendation on where the best bang for the buck is. What's your budget?  SignatureLanny Chambers, St. Louis, USA '94C the alignment page: http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html $6,000 Allen: I have a 1997 that I bought in May of this year. I am very pleased with it. It is red/black. It has 80K miles. I paid $7K for it. I am considering selling. I am way overweight and it is tough for me to get in and out of it. I have only driven it on Sunday afternoons and have only put 700 miles on it since purchase. I am in Alabama should you be interested. Thank you. gjt > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Allen Allen, All the info you want to read up on is at miata.net http://www.miata.net/faq/ this will tell you allot and there is so much more. Here you'll hear from some people that they like the 1.6 liter cars (90 to 93) because they tend to rev more quickly and freely, others (probably more commonly) say that the torque advantage of the 1.8 liter cars (94 on) more than makes up for it. I recomend driving a few of each. One very good thing to keep in mind is that tires and inflation rates can make a huge difference in the percieved handling of a miata. What I did was drove directly to a gas station and got all 4 tires aired up to, say, 30psi so that I'd be comparing (as much as is possible anyway) apples to apples. You wont find that tidbit in the FAQ's! But, Lanny is right, establish your budget, then unless you have a strong feeling on the engine choice, buy the newest / best cared for car that you like and can afford. These cars are bullet proof if properly cared for so that is a BIG deal also. Remember, the shopping process can be allot of fun, don't rush in unprepared. Chris 92BB&T (135k) > Allen: > [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > > > Allen I broke the cars down into different groups based on a few things... here was my thoughts.. I wanted at LEAST a 94 for a couple reasons. First was the R-134 airconditioning. I don't want to mess with anything with R-12 anymore, and didn't want to convert a system over. Also wanted the 1.8l motor. 96 had some significance to me because it was the 1st year for OBD2 diagnostics.... Not a real big deal, but I've come to rely on being able to plug my diagnostic computer in when my other cars have problems, CEL on, etc. also makes the smog checks faster and easier! 97 was the last year an NA could be purchased, so it's the "newest" 1st gen car that could be bought. Of course mileage, condition, etc play a bigger part than the model year. 99's interested me because I wasn't sure if I liked the pop-up headlamps, and they came stock with a glass rear window. I also like the interior a bit more (mostly the center A/C vents) a bit more, and I kinda like the *color* of the tan better than the older ones. After 3-4 months of searching all over, I settled on a pristine 97 "M" model with 49k miles on it.He was asking 8,500 for it, and I got it for 7k. I *really* love the car a lot, and don't regret the purchase for a second I'm sure somewhere down the road there will be an NB in my future but I can't say when. I absoloutely adore the YELLOW that was available in (what, 03 ?) I've even considered buying a salvage car, and restoring it and having it PAINTED yellow. For now, I'm tickled with my little green baby ! I only regret not buying one sooner. good luck with your search! > Allen, > [quoted text clipped - 49 lines] > > > > > > Allen Allen, here's exactly the kind of process that you need to work through to get a great car 'for you'! Chris 92BB&T > I broke the cars down into different groups based on a few things... here > was my thoughts.. [quoted text clipped - 90 lines] > > > > > > > > Allen Hi "Chief_Wiggum" > > 97 was the last year an NA could be purchased, so it's what's an NA? > I'm sure somewhere down the road there will be an NB What's an NB? > good luck with your search! Thanks, and thanks for all the good advice and information, too. Allen >> 97 was the last year an NA could be purchased, so it's > > what's an NA? The body style with the flip-up headlights. >> I'm sure somewhere down the road there will be an NB > > What's an NB? I'll give you three guesses.... ;) SignatureGrant Edwards grante Yow! Did you find a at DIGITAL WATCH in YOUR box visi.com of VELVEETA?? > what's an NA? 1997 and earlier. Original body style with pop-up headlights. > What's an NB? 1999 and later. Newer body style. SignatureLanny Chambers, St. Louis, USA '94C the alignment page: http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html Chirs, thanks for tips. i woulda never thought of tire pressure. Allen I would suggest making sure the tire pressure is no more than 26-28 PSI. Any more than that and you wil get a harsh ride. When I test drove my '99 Miata I thought the shocks were bad and negotiated a better deal based on the thought that it needed new shocks. When I got it home I checked the tire pressure and all the tires were pumped up close to 40 PSI. When I adjusted the tires to 26 PSI the ride improved dramatically and ruled out the need for new shocks. > Allen, > [quoted text clipped - 49 lines] > > > > > > Allen > I would suggest making sure the tire pressure is no more than 26-28 > PSI. Any more than that and you wil get a harsh ride. Well the flipside to that, depending on exactly what tires are on the car, is that lower pressure = poor cornering/handling. I run 34 rear, 35 front in my M2, minimum pressure that the car handles close to right with the awful Falken Ziex ZE-512 tires... last set were Pirelli P7000's at 36 rear, 37 front, they were killer. Original Yoko's took 33 front and 32 rear to handle right. 26-28psi has been awful with any of the three sets of 185/60-14 tires I've had on my M2. That's the whole reason I suggested 30 psi, it may not be perfect but it ain't gunna cause terrible handling or super harsh ride, no matter what tires are on the car. Once you own a car you can fine tune the best pressures. Chris > > I would suggest making sure the tire pressure is no more than 26-28 > > PSI. Any more than that and you wil get a harsh ride. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > took 33 front and 32 rear to handle right. 26-28psi has been awful with any > of the three sets of 185/60-14 tires I've had on my M2. That would be the right approach for a test drive. The correct air pressure would depend on the size of the tire. In my case, I have 195/50-15 and they require less pressure. A 14" tire may require more pressure. > That's the whole reason I suggested 30 psi, it may not be perfect but it > ain't gunna cause terrible handling or super harsh ride, no matter what [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > any > > of the three sets of 185/60-14 tires I've had on my M2. |
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