Desmond
Desmond New Reader
4/27/14 5:54 p.m.

Alright guys, I know I've been annoying alot of you with my constant WTB threads here, but I am making a choice this week and want to be sure! You guys have already been more helpful than you can know, and I would love to have your final opinions on my decision.

I think both of these look like good deals. Here is the first:

http://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/1297741?ad_cid=5

This is the info tag off the car that is supposedly an M-edition. However, the car is black, and missing a few of the M-edition goodies. Anybody know what color "PZ" is supposed to be in the tag? I just want the car to have the LSD. Anyway, he will take 5,000 for this car. It has 60k miles.

Then there is this one:

http://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/1354840?ad_cid=4

This one is just a standard Miata. I can pick it up for 3,900 bucks. It has 20k miles more than the car above it.

Anyway, I think I like the NA body style better, with the flip-up lights. I know the 97 is factory rated at 133 HP and the 99 is rated at 140. Not much of a difference, but when HP numbers are that low already, 7 HP might be a welcome treat.

I am trying to get this guy to sell me an LSD for 200 bucks. He hasn't answered yet, but there is a good chance I can pick it up and swap it into the '99. I will be daily driving the car for the whole summer, and taking it to some local autocross events as well as NASA HPDE events. I will probably install a hard-dog roll bar and swap the steering wheel for something more fun (no airbag...). Should still be fine as a daily tho.

Anyway, I mostly posted this to see if any of you knew how to decode that door sticker on the "supposed" M-edition car. I know he could have put a fake one there. What are your guys' thoughts? THANKS A MILLION!

EDIT: Oh I should mention, both cars are about 4 hours away. I COULD go and see both cars, but I would ideally like to narrow it down to one, so that I only make a 7 hour journey once.

bgkast
bgkast Dork
4/27/14 6:17 p.m.

PZ is black, so that isn't an M edition. It may still have the torsion though. Price seems a bit high on the NA, but it does have super low miles.

Edit: since it has tan leather it should have the limited slip rear. http://www.miata.net/faq/america/1997.html

Still seems high at 5k. I bought one in NV last week for less, and it came with a hard top, exhaust, suspension, roll bar, etc. Twice the miles though.

Desmond
Desmond New Reader
4/27/14 7:52 p.m.

What about the price on that other Miata? I dont like the color much...

bgkast
bgkast Dork
4/27/14 9:59 p.m.

Seems reasonable, but like o said in the other thread I would want to see some more pictures before I committed. I also prefer the NA body style.

codrus
codrus HalfDork
4/28/14 2:04 a.m.

With the black interior and the 14 inch wheels, the 99 probably does not have the Torsen.

Ignoring style (my preference should be obvious from my avatar picture :)) the 99 motor has a better-flowing head and will be a better starting point to build on if you're going to be doing much to the motor. The 99 is probably a tiny bit lighter than the 97.

Note that the 99 probably has the 3-spoke Nardi wheel, which is pretty good-looking for an airbag wheel.

glueguy
glueguy HalfDork
4/28/14 6:07 a.m.

In 97 the M-edition was only available in Marina green - a metallic and not so nice, pea-like substitute for british racing green. There was a STO special edition only available in dark blue with tan leather that you need to watch out for since it did not include a Torsen. Other than the STO, if it has leather, it has a torsen.

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