Miata vs S2000 used car

[BrutalB83]

I was going to NJ today to buy this one, but figured it might be better to wait for the one I really want.
I had the cash in hand, ran the carfax, and had my insurance people working on the card.
Of note - the car fax shows 3 owners, one as a fleet, then a corporate owner, then the long term owner.
I believe the car was used as a dealership car, and used mostly by the owner of the dealer ship.

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It's just so clean.


Not sure if someone cleared under the hood, it's a touch too shiny.

Damn, yeah, that looks really nice.

 

[reckedracing]

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S2000, 127k miles.
Purchased 2008 with about 54k miles, new clutch installed 6 months later due to transmission 3rd gear grind so tranny was replaced.
Timing chain tensioner done. New tires, etc.

Needs a top.
Honda quoted me 14 hours labor = 2366 without materials, would need to know VIN to see if they could even get a top
They will NOT install anything but factory Honda.

Another interior/exterior shop quoted me about 3300 for an S2000 Robbins top with new cables on both sides.
(Same shop says about $1k less for a Miata top with new rain rail, etc. Robbins)

I talked to the guy on the phone, seems reasonable
realized 18k was a big ask needing a top.
He said come take a look at it, and make me an offer.
KBB in very good condition is 13-17k, so I was thinking to offer 12-14k?

 

[TurboMirage]

sounds reasonable to me. it will be worth way more than you paid if you flip just after repairing the top

does it have any service records?

 

[reckedracing]

S2000 had rust in both rear quarters just behind the wheels, and the top was more than a little fked.
He wouldn't go below $14k, so I'm gonna have to pass.

The search continues.

 

[reckedracing]

The options

2002 mazda mx-5 mx5 miata for sale - Castleton On Hudson, NY - craigslist

This 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata LS Convertible has a CARFAX Buy Back Guarantee from WS Auto Sales so you can buy with confidence that there are no undisclosed history problems. Professionally detailed...

albany.craigslist.org

2002 Miata LS 93k miles, silver exterior, but tan interior and top, asking $11,990

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2007 Miata Touring, silver with black, 108k miles, not prht
This guy comes back from vacation on the 7th, trying to get to see him on the 8th
Asking 9998, not firm

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2007 PRHT grand touring, silver with black, 153k miles and 3.5 hours away
Asking 9900

Buy Used 2003 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA for sale in Clifton Park, NY at Mackey Auto

This pre-owned 2003 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA CONVERTIBLE 2D is available for sale at Mackey Automotive of Round Lake, NY now! Schedule your test drive online today!

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2003 LS, silver with black, softtop, only 43k miles.
Asking 11,900, lowest they will take is 10,900, tried to get tax included, did not succeed

Used 2001 MAZDA MX-5 Miata for sale in Hudson, NY 12534: Convertible Details - 682465795 - Autotrader

for sale near you in Hudson, NY. Get more information and car pricing for this vehicle on Autotrader.

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2001 LS with 125k miles, silver with tan seats and top, asking 7395

Used 2001 MAZDA MX-5 Miata for sale in East Brunswick, NJ 08816: Convertible Details - 694399711 - Autotrader

for sale near you in East Brunswick, NJ. Get more information and car pricing for this vehicle on Autotrader.

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2001 NON LS 96k miles, asking 8800

Used 2015 MAZDA MX-5 Miata Grand Touring w/ Premium Package for sale in Lowell, MA 01851: Convertible Details - 689499448 - Autotrader

for sale near you in Lowell, MA. Get more information and car pricing for this vehicle on Autotrader.

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2015 Grand Touring with PRHT, Silver with black, 48k miles, super clean, asking $25k LOLOLOLOLOL

 

[phunky.buddha]

Get the 2007 PRHT fully loaded. Buy 2.5L MZR block, mild refresh/build, install. Cheap. 200whp easy. Burn tires, profit.

 

[reckedracing]

Found a PRHT for only $14k, only $55k miles, silver with black.
a little suspect how cheap it is for what it is

https://www.loudounusedcars.com/details/used-2009-mazda-mx-5-miata/99139532

Called for shipping prices etc.
Dealer will not take CC for online purchases, will only accept wire Transfer.

Not very comfortable with that arrangement
Asked about escrow services like safefunds or escrow.com
No dice.

Anyone think I am being paranoid?

 

[TurboMirage]

how do you plan to retrieve the car, just ship it up? my friend always flies to a place with a bank check and drives the cars home after having them properly inspected.

 

[reckedracing]

how do you plan to retrieve the car, just ship it up? my friend always flies to a place with a bank check and drives the cars home after having them properly inspected.

Yes, I was just going to have it shipped up to NY.
For the $500 bucks, not really worth the drive down 5+ hours.

 

[reckedracing]

So far I have driven, S2k, NB Miata and today drove a ND Miata.

The NB was okay, had 125k miles, pulled hard, coolant was down to the fins, and overflow was overfilled.
Ran it for a long long time and it never got warm. I think the radiator cap was still bad.
The guy said they put a clutch in it, but the throw-out bearing was making a lot of noise, and there was a weird disengagement of the clutch at the end of the throw.

The ND today was a 2016 with 86k miles.
$17,500 - had front and rear damage. Could not tell any damage on visual inspection.
The whole front end was covered with rock chips, so either the paint was shit - or the female driver that traded the car in was a bit of a chronic tailgater.
I can't think of any other reason to have that many rock chips in a car not that old.
They would only budge $340 on total price, and the car still needed to "go through the shop for inspection/mechanicals etc

The ND pulled very hard. The redline cut at 7k was sharp.
Was struggling for traction in a shift to 2nd, so had decent power.

 

[Briansol]

 

[Briansol]

2002 BMW Z3M Roadster | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2002 BMW Z3M Roadster at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

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2000 BMW Z3 Supercharged! | eBay

2000 BMW Z3. ----We know ZM3 owners demand more from their BMW's. Here at Active Autowerke, we are here to satisfy that need. Credit Application. Request More Info. Directions To Dealer. Vehicle History Report.

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2005 BMW M3 Base 2dr Convertible | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2005 BMW M3 Base 2dr Convertible at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

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[TurboMirage]

lol he wanted a nice car not a project.

 

[chadcharb]

The whole front end was covered with rock chips, so either the paint was shit - or the female driver that traded the car in was a bit of a chronic tailgater.
I can't think of any other reason to have that many rock chips in a car not that old.

Could it have been towed behind an rv or something?

 

[E_SolSi]

It's called "drafting"

 

[Briansol]

any updates?

 

[reckedracing]

No new updates.
Still on the search.

For Miata I've narrowed down my likes to the 99-04, silver with black interior, and the LS wheels.
I also like the 2013-2015 Grand Touring rims, with power hardtop, which is considerably more money.
S2000 would still be a consideration, but it's more at the high end of "play money" I want to devote to this car.
I can't really have a garage queen without a garage, and I can't have a weekend car that's worth more than my daily driver lol

I've recently also been looking at mustang GT convertibles, with the thought of a Kenne Bell blower... mostly because I've done the turbo route, and would like to try the SC route. V8 and blower are really the only two positives of this path, and I can get a used blower on the cheap, relatively speaking.

In other news - I need a right total reverse shoulder replacement.... so realistically speaking, I should probably put the purchase off until after I can actually drive and shift properly. Getting old is awesome!

If I were still in the wrenching game the NC with power hardtop and motor swap would 100% be the path I would want to take.

 

[E_SolSi]

Be sure to put a build thread up for the shoulder swap

 

[D16Civic]

A buddy of mine had a shoulder replacement a few years ago and it changed his quality of life so much. Don't hesitate to do it.

 

[Briansol]

Get a RHD/JDM model and you can shift with the good arm.