Buying my first Miata, is this a deal? (2002 ) [Archive] (2024)

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disaster4194

8th April 2012, 19:15

Hi, I've been lurking for a while. I will be (hopefully) be buying my first Miata soon and wanted to know what you guys thought about this:
http://charleston.craigslist.org/cto/2919915902.html

The price seems a little high to me for 117k miles. What would be a reasonable price? Also, what should I be wary of?

Regards,
Adam

gludlow

8th April 2012, 19:17

Is this a joke? Seriously, I mean it.. if you don't buy that Miata, it will most likely be gone tonight! That is an extremely popular color combo, with a HT and new soft top, and a great price to boot.

Myah's Daddy

8th April 2012, 19:19

Hi, I've been lurking for a while. I will be (hopefully) be buying my first Miata soon and wanted to know what you guys thought about this:
http://charleston.craigslist.org/cto/2919915902.html

The price seems a little high to me for 117k miles. What would be a reasonable price? Also, what should I be wary of?

Regards,
Adam

The only thing I can think of to be wary of is the car being gone if you wait to long (it may be to long already).

disaster4194

8th April 2012, 19:19

No, its not a joke. It's just my first Miata purchase and I'm trying to be cautious because I don't really know much about the market. Thank you for the advice. I'm on my way out the door right now.

gludlow

8th April 2012, 19:23

Go buy it, I doubt you'll regret it :-) Unless it is totally, and I mean totally trashed, that's a good price. Some people on the forums would pay a hefty premium over a different color, especially with the HT.

If it is a repaint, that's the thing to watch out for.

disaster4194

8th April 2012, 19:25

If it is a repaint, that's the thing to watch out for.

Are there any specific areas to look for over spray on a 2002?

zmarko

8th April 2012, 19:26

Are there any specific areas to look for over spray on a 2002?

I thought you were out the door? :p

gludlow

8th April 2012, 19:35

Just check the engine bay, if it is yellow, the car was originally yellow. If it is a different color... :-)

There is a good guide at the top of this forum with a pre-owned Miata checklist, you can print it out and bring it with you. It covers all the major things to look for.

mreakus

8th April 2012, 20:31

Sweet price!

Vince3

8th April 2012, 20:34

That seems a fair asking price considering it appears to be a rare factory color (check for a repaint). If it was an ordinary color (?) it would have been priced possibly a bit on the high side for the miles but not too bad considering the hardtop is included.

Myah's Daddy

8th April 2012, 21:20

I think the car should have vin stickers on every panel, the fenders will be inthe rain rails, trunk and hood will be under it some place visible, it will stick out and look just like the fender stickers if you don't see it in plain view it isn't there. The doors will have one and the back side of the door jam should have one. If they are missing it is a very good indication of accidents

CharlestonMX5

8th April 2012, 21:20

That's weird, there was a vivid yellow hard top for sale in summerville for $1200. I wonder if it's the same dude ?

zen

8th April 2012, 21:28

D4194, let us know if: you got it; it was so rough in person that you passed; it was gone before you got there.

disaster4194

12th April 2012, 00:03

For those wondering, I passed on the car. After thinking about it, I didn't want to sink that much money ($7k) into a car right now. It was a really nice car but I would have had to stretch my budget too far. I am a college student so I am short on money. :(

Hopefully the right Miata will come along eventually. :thumbs:

Seth1065

12th April 2012, 23:38

well it is gone no off CL

freshair2

13th April 2012, 11:24

well it is gone no off CL

yeah, looks like someone got a good deal.

disaster4194

13th April 2012, 21:31

In an effort not to clutter up this sub-forum with threads, I'm going to ask another question here.

What do you guys think a 10th AE Miata with 109k miles is worth?

Pictures:
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u95/panico91889/DSC04786.jpg
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u95/panico91889/DSC04787.jpg

Myah's Daddy

13th April 2012, 22:41

The 10AE looks nice, but it has the wrong wheels

zen

14th April 2012, 00:22

The 10AE looks nice, but it has the wrong wheels
Calling those wheels "wrong" is hyperbolic understatement.
To answer the OPs question regarding a 10AE w/109k, it would be worth $4.5-6.5k. This is toward the low end of the range-- mid if the owner still has the OEM wheels. They are very cool.

When was TB/WP done? When were shocks replaced? Is that the right color top (it should be blue)?

disaster4194

16th April 2012, 19:25

Got a few more questions. This time about an '01.

It has 115k miles and Timing Belt / Water Pump has not been replaced yet (A little nervous about this). Asking price is $6100 but seller is willing to negotiate on price due to TB/WP.

http://images.craigslist.org/5I45Z45Mc3I83J23H2c3sc58f72a100cb1ba2.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/5G35T25Mb3o63N13Hcc3s4ae2a3e1b78d1ceb.jpg

What would be a fair price to ask? What other maintenance might I be looking at besides TB and WP?

weitau

16th April 2012, 22:34

How about a '97 with 87k miles, 5 speed stick, and hardtop, $3800.
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/cto/2960162934.html

bmello

16th April 2012, 23:06

If the interior and soft top is still nice, no accidents and no rust I might pay $5k for that '01.

Myah's Daddy

16th April 2012, 23:25

How about a '97 with 87k miles, 5 speed stick, and hardtop, $3800.
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/cto/2960162934.html

That may be the car. Offer $3K and try to pay $3.5 The hardtop alone is $1K, so you could sell it and have a $2-2.5K Miata.

disaster4194

20th April 2012, 22:35

I pulled the trigger and bought the 2001. I still have a grin on my face from driving it the first time. I ended up paying $5k which I feel is an amazing deal for how good of shape it is in.

CharlestonMX5

20th April 2012, 22:37

Congrats dude, welcome to the club ! Drive it a little while before you start throwing mods at it ! :toast:

zen

21st April 2012, 12:27

Even if the TB breaks, you won't seriously damage the engine. Just drive and smile!
Drive it a little while before you start throwing mods at it ! :toast:
Except for the tb/wp. That is not a mod and needs to be done before you spend all your money on rental babes and sunscreen.:D

Buying my first Miata, is this a deal? (2002 ) [Archive] (2024)

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