Enable me on this higher-mileage '93 LE

AC not working, body rust according to the seller (can't see any).

http://www.lailascherer.com/

My gut tells me I could sell just the LE components and pay for the car if all else fails. Really looking for a DD. Thoughts?

I was excited till I saw the blizzaks which means it was regularly driven in the snow which should equal rust. I would want to see it in person.

$1000 in hardtop.
$300 in Blizzaks
$300 is easy sell off parts

$1600 recoup-able to budget if needed!

I am encouraged that the car is well kept given the seller ability to accurately and effectively present the car and preserve the parts.

I'd hit it.

JohnRW1621 wrote: I was excited till I saw the blizzaks which means it was regularly driven in the snow which should equal rust. I would want to see it in person. $1000 in hardtop. $300 in Blizzaks $300 is easy sell off parts ----------------------- $1600 recoup-able to budget if needed! I am encouraged that the car is well kept given the seller ability to accurately and effectively present the car and preserve the parts.

Could be seen as a positive at the right price point - meaning I wouldn't be against also driving it in the snow, eliminating the need for a winter beater.

I'd do it. The only thing better would be that interior in a white car.

OSULemon wrote: AC not working, body rust according to the seller (can't see any). http://www.lailascherer.com/ My gut tells me I could sell just the LE components and pay for the car if all else fails. Really looking for a DD. Thoughts?

Miata's make less than comfortable DDs. Maybe it's because I'm on my 7th one, or maybe it's because I'm getting old, but I only drive mine once or twice a week now.

That being said, this seems like a no brainer.

Lots of rust? Part out all the choice bits and be left with an inexpensive miata.

Not so much rust? Keep it and love it. Either way, definitely take 10 mins and pull the fender liners where they meet the rocker to get a better handle on how rusty it is.

Email back from seller:

"Mostly around back wheels on both sides. See attached photo, there is also a little on the window frame but i don't remember where exactly. I can send a photo later today. AC become less effective over time. It still blows air. "

From the title, I thought you were buying a Camry!

http://www.admiralmotors.com/1993_toyota_camry_le_01.html

trucke wrote: From the title, I thought you were buying a Camry! http://www.admiralmotors.com/1993_toyota_camry_le_01.html

Yeah, I have to admit I had no idea this was about a Miata.

As for that car, there's always more rust you can't see. The seller seems decent and honest, but I wouldn't give $4500 for that car. You can find a cleaner one for less.

The owner showed up in the Miata.net thread I created. Mentioned that they would prefer it go to someone who would restore it and not use it for parts.

Unfortunately, you can't "restore" mileage, and I'm not sure it'd ever be worth restoring with low-mileage clean examples being just a few thousand more.

To me that is the most desirable and collectible Miata to date. If you fixed the rust but didn't go overboard on a full exterior resto I doubt you would lose money. Check the LE registry and see how many are left. Even the high mileage examples will go up in value as more get parted and scrapped.

EvanB wrote: I'd do it. The only thing better would be that interior in a white car.

Here is mine.