Rats! No Miata for me :(

We looked at the $1K Miata last night (at like 10PM ). It drove nice, the passenger 1/4 panel was made of bondo and spray foam, and the interior was literally made of mold. It had electrical issues out the wazoo (flashing air bag light, brake lights didn't work, A/C kicked on and loaded the system even on defrost, etc).

So I did what any good GRMer would do and offered him a fair $700... until the title came up. He had an Affidavit of Lost Title from the PO (which says in big, bold letters "Not Proof Of Ownership") so we had to walk.

Le sigh.

Anybody want an RX-7? I'll trade plus cash for a Miata!

That's too bad, man, but I'd've walked, too.

Reminds me of a Bronco I was gonna buy. It was clean. 351, auto, exactly what I wanted.... except the lady had no keys or title, and had some story about how you just need a "Bronco key" and that they're all the same.

Yeah, I didn't even say no thanks, just turned, got back in the car, and drove away.

Was it a flood salvage or something? Could explain the mold and electrical problems.

Of course, a $1000 Miata is getting pretty close to the bottom of the barrel. They're gonna be rough despite the stories on the internets you sometimes hear.

Keep looking. There's no shortage of the little things.

I knew it was going to be rough. The seller thought $700 was more than fair and we were just signing the papers when he didn't have any papers. The Affidavit was signed to him though and he honestly just didn't understand how it worked. He should be able to get a title in his name and then sell it.

The mold was from the slashed and absolutely destroyed top. The trunk also didn't open and he had never had it open either. It was an accident salvage from '97.

Interesting factoid, it was VIN#00717 with a 4/89 build date on the door sticker. Absolutely 0 options base model (manual windows, fixed antenna, open diff, no ABS).

um, a/c system always kicks on with defrost. so at least it had that going for it. unless miatas are different than anything ive ever driven.

i dont know why people bother trying to sell stuff without titles for more than $200

No, this wasn't a factory kick-on. He had jumbled the wires so that the A/C compressor came on no matter what the HVAC controls were told. You could tell it was wired wrong too, because all the lights got dim and it lost about 30HP when you turned it on.

I think the title thing was an honest misunderstanding. He thought he could turn around and resell the car, but he has to get it titled in his name first. Basically the paperwork was A-OK for him to title, useless to me or anybody else.

I've bought enough cars in WA to know what's what by now

Keith wrote: Of course, a $1000 Miata is getting pretty close to the bottom of the barrel. They're gonna be rough despite the stories on the internets you sometimes hear. Keep looking. There's no shortage of the little things.

I reluctantly made an offer of $300 for a '91 the other day. That may have been too high, but I'm still waiting to hear back from the owner.

Oh, and it has a hard top.

Woody wrote: I reluctantly made an offer or $300 for a '91 the other day. That may have been too high, but I'm still waiting to hear back from the owner. Oh, and it has a hard top.

As long as there isn't a body in the trunk, I'll gladly beat your offer if he turns you down :). Where is it, anyway?

Josh wrote:

Woody wrote: I reluctantly made an offer of $300 for a '91 the other day. That may have been too high, but I'm still waiting to hear back from the owner. Oh, and it has a hard top.

As long as there isn't a body in the trunk, I'll gladly beat your offer if he turns you down :). Where is it, anyway?

Nice try.

patgizz wrote: um, a/c system always kicks on with defrost. so at least it had that going for it. unless miatas are different than anything ive ever driven.

it works that way with my Suby but with my Integra I can run the AC or not as I wish with the air blowing anywhere I want...

wbjones wrote:

patgizz wrote: um, a/c system always kicks on with defrost. so at least it had that going for it. unless miatas are different than anything ive ever driven.

... with my Integra I can run the AC or not as I wish with the air blowing anywhere I want...

That's how a Miata is supposed to work.

In reply to Woody:

300 was a reluctant bid WITH a hard top? Be Glad I havent spotted the add lol

There's no ad, so don't bother looking!

I approached the owner and asked if they'd be willing to sell it. It's a nasty car. I know for a fact that it hasn't moved in ten years, when it was parked with a mechanical problem. It has also been outside, under a tarp, with cement blocks holding it in place. The windshield is cracked and I think the top is beginning to delaminate. The paint is coming off the hood and the trunk lid is rusty (tarps are bad). One door and rear quarter were repainted at some point. The other quarter is dented. The rockers are shot. The wheels won't move and I think it has an open rear diff. At least one wheel is cracked. It was locked, so I couldn't look inside the trunk, interior or under the hood, but I did notice that the windshield is cracked.

I was really only interested in this car as a donor of suspension uprights and a-arms. I'm sure that all the bushings and bearings are shot and that every bolt will be rusted into place.

As a bonus, it's parked in a spot where it will be nearly impossible to remove.

isn't the hardtop worth more than that ?

wbjones wrote: isn't the hardtop worth more than that ?

Woody wrote: and I think the top is beginning to delaminate.

Sounds like the perfect top for a herculined Miata!

patgizz wrote: i dont know why people bother trying to sell stuff without titles for more than $200

For us Ohioans its not worth it. Its a bit (sometimes a lot) easier to get a title in several other states.

I got Lacy for $100.

Suckers.

It was this one:

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/1562354186.html

1990 Mazda Miata

I am looking to sell this for $1,000 obo or trade for a honda or toyota fwd car manual only in running condition. Or a truck. I am moving out to the country and need something to use a commuter in bad weather hence the fwd, or would use a truck to haul stuff around. Call Lance at 503-560-4381 and give me an offer or let me know what you have for trade.

Good:

5spd, tranny & clutch work great. Motor runs strong (is supposed to be a 1.7 litre stroker engine, I can't confirm that but it runs very well) Drives well all the way around, brakes & e-brake work fine. Has current WA tabs Interior is in decent shape considering the year, seats aren't ripped up or anything. Has the aluminum Miata wheels

Bad:

Is primer black but body is pretty straight, was red before so jams and such are red. Is SALVAGE TITLE from accident but has been repaired. I just got the car so I don't know what kind of accident it was. It seems to drive straight and fine as far as I can tell. Top is ripped in a few places, and the rear plastic window was cut. (apparently tops are cheap and easy to find though) Tires are worn out. I think one of the electric fans for the radiator making some noise, sounds like the bearings are wearing out to me but I'm not a mechanic. I think he said he took out the thermostat, it runs nice and cool and does not overheat at all but I would probably replace the thermostat. I have the "AFFIDAVIT IN LIEU OF TITLE" from WA state printed on 01/14/2010 because they lost the title but I called the Wa state DMV and this works just fine they said so should not be any hassles there.

Sounds like it needs a title, body work, a top, cleaned interior, electrical and some mechanical work (fan, new radiator, hoses and thermostat at least) or in other words it is a perfect Spec Miata donor (assuming it doesn't have a newer 1.8L swapped into it)

Hey P, did you see these yet?

http://medford.craigslist.org/cto/1567859660.html

http://boise.craigslist.org/cto/1562386570.html

http://eastidaho.craigslist.org/cto/1529068015.html

The Medford one looks like a winner from the pictures and description. The Idaho ones are nice as well just a bit further out.

Good luck! Stefan

The flat black car has a 1.6 engine in it, not a 1.8.

Is it a 1.7 stroker? Well, there is (was?) such a beast from TODA. They're brutally expensive and I've never actually heard of anyone that actually bought one and installed it. So I would doubt it. But there is an extremely slim possibility.

Keith wrote: The flat black car has a 1.6 engine in it, not a 1.8. Is it a 1.7 stroker? Well, there is (was?) such a beast from TODA. They're brutally expensive and I've never actually heard of anyone that actually bought one and installed it. So I would doubt it. But there is an extremely slim possibility.

Okay, for edification, how would one tell from the outside? Special plaque? Seems like this one is just a plain-Jane beat up Meotter.

Is this the kit you're talking about?

http://www.todaracingusa.com/products/mazda_miata/piston_kit.html

I agree that it is unlikely to have forged 11:1 pistons in that motor.

Those are just pistons (and ones that are nearly twice as expensive as the Wiscos sold by FM!). Stroker means a new crankshaft. And there's no way to tell from the outside.

However, the car's on stock engine management. I think the "1.7 stroker" is only in the fevered imagination of the seller.

There is an older gentleman in my neighborhood who quite literally drives his 90 Miata to church and back, a total distance of about 1/4 mile. I drool every time I walk past. Someday...