Just stirring the pot with some what ifs . . .
Who here has advice on how to pick up a Miata for challenge money?
I live in a car desert, and the only cool stuff that regularly changes hands is either oddball (been there, doing that) or on the donkular side (old American boats). Where can an enterprising fellow find the deals? Craiglist never gives me anything worth a damn for Miata searches; it's all NBs and NC's from dealers, with requisite pricing.
dude, you're not that far from Atlanta...
Use the keyword "RX7" 
I dunno, there's only been 1 under-$1000 runner up here in 2-3 years, and it's still for sale and so not worth it.
1) Have cash in hand at all times and be ready to move at a moments notice. I've lost more deals due to having a regular job than from lack of cars for sale.
2)Broaden your search and be prepared to travel a bit. Look in the parts sections for the really good basket cases.
3)Buy this
4) Find a non-runner with a good shell and swap over the "good" parts. Selling the rest should get you close to zero dollars with a running driving car that has tons of potential.
Junkyard_Dog wrote: 1) Have cash in hand at all times and be ready to move at a moments notice. I've lost more deals due to having a regular job than from lack of cars for sale.
This is the best advice I've seen. If you have a smart phone I'd also download an app that searches CL every 30 minutes or so. Then it's time to use that cash you have stashed away.
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/2225305015.html
http://bloomington.craigslist.org/cto/2223776857.html
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/2215959057.html
Easy drive to atlanta, dallas, st. louis from memphis. Gather up the cash and be ready to go
I call "The Pimp". 
Xceler8x wrote:Junkyard_Dog wrote: 1) Have cash in hand at all times and be ready to move at a moments notice. I've lost more deals due to having a regular job than from lack of cars for sale.This is the best advice I've seen. If you have a smart phone I'd also download an app that searches CL every 30 minutes or so. Then it's time to use that cash you have stashed away.
One more vote for this being imperative. I've been in situations where a sub $1000 miata came up and I was stuck in a meeting, family function, etc Have an enabler friend on backup. I've been able to call buddies and have them go get it until I'm free or at least make sure the good deal goes to a friend.
I once turned Littletuquoiseb on this board onto a miata I couldn't go get because I was out to dinner with the wife. He called as he was looking at it and asked "what should I look for in a $200 miata?" Of course the answer to that is "is it on fire? no. Buy it" And he did. A little work to bypass the aftermarket alarm ignition kill and its been a runner ever since.
I bought mine here for $500, one year and 3 days ago. The key is to strike fast like a cobra when one comes up. I didn't want to muck about with a non-runner so I pounced when Marty! was selling this one.
Check here, Craigslist, miata.net, every Miata club you can think of (although frankly those aren't usually in the money you're looking at), classifieds on every marque board you can find, local import boards, make friends with a lot owner and scan the auctions.
I have found that between March and May are terrible times to find a cheapie cheap one. First because spring is beautiful, and second because this is when everyone spends their tax refunds on cars.
They rust, they have tops that leak/disintegrate/crack, they run HORRIBLY with old cheap wires, they get lifter rattle when overdue for an oil change, the gauge and radio surrounds break easily, they have a few hard to get to coolant hoses that occasionally burst, and Mazda sold tons of the cars over the years. Whats my point? Most of those problems are easy and cheap to fix and scary enough to make people sell them cheap. Search a big range and move fast and you should pick up a challenge priced Miata easily.
I saw a '91 BRG with a hardtop on the back of a local lot on my way home tonite. I am struggling to keep myself from calling about it tomorrow. You just have to be prepared to pull the trigger whenever you find a car.
fastmiata wrote: I saw a '91 BRG with a hardtop on the back of a local lot on my way home tonite. I am struggling to keep myself from calling about it tomorrow. You just have to be prepared to pull the trigger whenever you find a car.
Listen to this guy, hes 2 up on me so far.
First trick is to find one! Cheapest are usually the ones that never appear online or in print. Pizza delivery driver friends find more cool cars than I can buy...ask one next time you order a pizza. Be bold! If you drive past a parts store and one is sitting in the parking lot, stop and chat with the owner about your search. Put an ad out that says you are looking. I often buy 3 parts cars and make 2 drivers...then sell the rest of the third to pay for the first 2.
Have cash and be ready to jump. Today I missed an 88 Tbird Turbocoupe.....$250 with a bad engine. I have 2 of those engines in my shop!! Ad was up for nearly 4 hours before I spotted it on Craigslist.
Luck sometimes helps!
Bruce
JThw8 wrote: One more vote for this being imperative. I've been in situations where a sub $1000 miata came up and I was stuck in a meeting, family function, etc Have an enabler friend on backup. I've been able to call buddies and have them go get it until I'm free or at least make sure the good deal goes to a friend. I once turned Littletuquoiseb on this board onto a miata I couldn't go get because I was out to dinner with the wife. He called as he was looking at it and asked "what should I look for in a $200 miata?" Of course the answer to that is "is it on fire? no. Buy it" And he did. A little work to bypass the aftermarket alarm ignition kill and its been a runner ever since.
True story .... Still have it paid $200 for a 'ran when parked' with a bad ignition cut off theft deterrent device. Twisted two wires and she fired right up.
Advice ....
It was labled as 'Mazda' in the heading, until you clicked the link to see it was a miata.
My first contact was worded like this "Hi I'm sure your getting tons of calls from weirdos ... I'm totally normal, will buy this car if it is as advertized, will show up when and where you would like me to with cash. I will not waste your time of flake out on you."
His reply was "your right I've got a lot of weirdos calling, you can be the first person to see it"
Think about any sales you've done on craigslist, creeps, flakes, and tire kicking lowballers are the worst part.
John Brown wrote: I call "The Pimp".
You rang?
Joey
If you have a droid phone (idk about the I-phone) get the Craigsnotica app. Enter your key words and what area you want to search and it goes to your phone as soon as it post. In addition to the app have cash in hand and move quick. If you wait til after work and it's a good deal odds are its gone.
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