Yeah, it’s from an estate sale, minty hardtop convertible, 55k miles. It needs a little TLC, tires, maybe brake attention.

It’s never been driven in the Winter or salted roads, auto transmission, I’d prefer stick shift. The engine compartment is showroom clean. I can’t really be offering less, price $12k, very reasonable.

The kicker is I have a car hauler trailer for another 10 days & a little extra $$ in my account. Since I’m not gonna buy a corvette or a Porsche, may be my way to get a toy I don’t really need, Spring is coming.

It won’t take much to tip me into a yes. The price was a little less, but they’ve been checking comparables recently.

That seems like a lot, for not getting what you want.

Get the stick, slap a turbo on it/wedge a 302 in it, and go have fun.

Used sports cars tend to hold value, if good. EG, a really nice Viper, etc probably won't cost you any money to keep as a toy.

I don't know that much about Miatas, other than that they are very popular amateur race cars - but the "cool" version of enthusiast cars, are almost always worth the extra money.

Getting into the 20's puts you in boxster or Cayman territory. That's not to say that there is anything wrong with a miata. Definitely get the one you want, though. There are enough for sale at any given time that you should be able to find pretty easily.

It's a bummer that it's not a manual, but I've got nothing else negative to say. If you want it, I think that would be a good buy. Hard top is a plus, too...we've done the soft top convertible thing and it's no bueno in our climate.

We have a 2013 Mazda 3 that's about to turn 200k. Apart from front ball joints, a clutch, and replacing a rusting oil pan, I've done nothing to that car besides change the brakes and fluids. It's a fun little car to drive, gets great fuel mileage, and has been very low maintenance. I think being RWD, a Miata would be even more fun. My wife really wants one, so when the kids move out and we don't need to haul so many people around we'll probably do that. Mazda has been good to us, and the Miata looks like a pretty practical "fun car".

quote:

I’d prefer stick shift.

This right here would be enough for me not to buy. Miata's are fun little cars, but if you can and prefer stick, go with one with a stick. You're not going to be happy with an Auto. Not nearly as much fun.

Agree with the "hold out for what you want" crew.

$12K is a lot for something you may (or may not) be "satisfied" with.

It's a toy. Get what you REALLY want.

The stick in a miata is so good an auto isn't worth it.

I think for a toy if you want a manual you should wait for a manual. Also, I haven't driven one but the Miata is supposed to have one of the best feeling manual transmissions ever made. It's not a particularly fast car, so I think you might miss the added engagement from the manual.

Have you driven one? The auto is quick-shifting, and not bad at all. I, too, would prefer a manual, but it's a fun little car even with the auto.

Miatas are easy to work on, have a HUGE aftermarket, and can be tracked when stock. Not sure it would be worth a manual swap, as these cars are everywhere in manual.

Automatic makes it a non-starter for me.
NC [3rd generation] is another strike against it

quote:

Getting into the 20's puts you in boxster or Cayman territory.

This is generally inaccurate.
You might be able to to find one at that price, but it will have a lot of miles, may not be in great shape and will almost certainly not be a manual.

These cars have held their value exceptionally well.

Now a 2004 instead of 2014 sure. But that is a much different experience.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Georgeair,

I'll pile on and say wait for the standard transmission. It's what you really want.

I get the mystique of finding a gem in an estate sale though.

Buy it. I’ve owned both standard and automatic. Still own an 02 automatic. Doesn’t matter much on a curvy road. You’ll miss a little driver engagement but that’s all. I have no trouble keeping up with the standard Miatas during a spirited run through the mountains with our Miata club. I just turn the OD off and let the transmission do its thing. Also a lot easier to drive during rush hour.

The NC (2014) was built on the Mazda RX8 platform. Came about when Ford owned part of Mazda. It’s the largest of the Miatas. They are fun to drive and very dependable. Miata aftermarket is huge. Hope you buy it.

I'm in the hold out camp since you mentioned wanting a stick. Nothing wrong with the autos, but they're not as sought after either.

With the weather warming up you'll see more come on the market.

I purchased my NA from my uncle's estate. Drove it back from NM after getting new tires and spark plug wires. The trip itself was kind of an adventure - found out when I got back home the timing was off by 10 degrees (the shop that replaced the timing belt didn't set the timing properly ). I really appreciate how simple it is to work on and it's a blast to drive .

An automatic Miata is …….just wrong.

I am not a manual purist and certain cars are great with autos or PDK’s/dual clutch setups but an automatic Miata is not one of them……at all……in any way shape or form.

I’m sorry what I posted above really isn’t what I am trying to say. Let me try again.

An automatic Miata is an afront to all that is still good and natural in this universe and should be cleansed from this reality.

^^^ Can you be a little more specific?

I’ll kinda know in the next few days. I do know a little of the history, ‘should’ be in good shape. I don’t think the auto is a deal breaker for me.

I have owned Mazda before but never driven a Miata. I’d fit in one just fine, 5’ 8”.

Thanks for the opinions.

quote:

Originally posted by Georgeair:

quote:

Getting into the 20's puts you in boxster or Cayman territory.

This is generally inaccurate.
You might be able to to find one at that price, but it will have a lot of miles, may not be in great shape and will almost certainly not be a manual.

These cars have held their value exceptionally well.

Now a 2004 instead of 2014 sure. But that is a much different experience.

A non-S 987.1 can be had in that price range with 60k on the clock. Even more so with the Boxster, although the manual will be harder to find on that platform. Careful attention will need to be paid to maintenance history and avoiding the couple possible issues those cars have, but while he would be 10K higher in price, those cars are in a different league than the miata, which is a fantastic car in its own right.

A Cayman S like mine is going to put you into the low-to mid 30's for sure, but the ones I mentioned above are relative bargains for the car you are getting.

quote:

Originally posted by sourdough44:
I’ll kinda know in the next few days. I do know a little of the history, ‘should’ be in good shape. I don’t think the auto is a deal breaker for me.

I see the automatic is a 6-speed with paddle shifters so it should be a fun driving car.