[NA] Red 1997 97k for $5200 asking [Archive] (2024)

MX-5 Miata Forum > All Miatas > Pricing and Dealer Discussion > [NA] Red 1997 97k for $5200 asking

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lamboboy732

22nd April 2014, 11:18

http://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/4419645681.html

Hey guys. Got my eyes on another NA and am wondering what you think about it. To me it seems a bit high based on book value and also based on other similar cars I've seen in this forum, however I'm sure there's room to bring it down. I haven't contacted the owner yet and was looking for opinions before I do. The clutch isn't listed as being replaced so that may be an issue especially at 97,000 miles (however I'd be learning to drive manual so if I beat the old one to death I can replace it after getting the hang of it). Other than that the only downside seems to be it has power windows which I don't really want, but don't mind either. So, assuming no rust, what would your concerns be about this car, and in what range would you pay for it? Thanks in advance, your help is greatly appreciated.

Joe_in_Houston

22nd April 2014, 11:43

With all the necessary 60k maintenance plus already done, you are good for quite a while. Looks clean. Certainly worth looking at.

zen

22nd April 2014, 13:28

While that car is a red/black NA8, it looks very clean. The miles work out to be just over 5K per year. That fits "summer only" use. It is far too early to worry about a clutch. The clutch slave is another matter although it has already been replaced. In fact, the maintenance that has already been done, makes this look like a very good candidate.
The price is high. I would expect it to sell for somewhere between $3.5 and 4K.

Price seems high for what it is. I agree with zen likely $3,500-$4,000 value range. I'd look very carefully at the Miata trouble areas for signs of rust.

Thanks! Definitely checking rust on every Miata, it's the first question I ask sellers and first thing I check in person. Any other opinions still welcome.

Joe_in_Houston

22nd April 2014, 17:23

Barring any unseen problems (rust etc.), I'd wager Seller gets closer to &5k than $4k.

boones

22nd April 2014, 17:53

I lived in central NJ, not too far from basking ridge, until about 3 years ago. Now I live south of Denver. Used miatas in NJ cost significantly more than Colorado. Pricing is region dependent. A NJ car will have at least a little rust unless it was very strictly a summer only car. My 91 BRG (in NJ) was a summer only car, and had no body rust. Still had very light surface rust on bolts, etc that made working on it much harder than a truly rust free car. My current 92 is a summer only Colorado car and I can unbolt anything easily without heat or busted knuckles.

lamboboy732

22nd April 2014, 18:03

Kinda figured we had a bit of a premium here in NJ:D . However aside from minor rust on bolts and stuff I haven't had any rust issues on cars in my family. All are driven year round and we live about a mile from the ocean. However Miatas seem to be very much more rust prone then the Toyota and Honda I'm referring to. I'd never buy a car with any body rust, but hopefully this one checks out if I can see about a bit lower price.

boones

22nd April 2014, 18:10

A little rust on bolt heads and such is nothing more than an inconvenience IMO. 1 year in nj will do it. I wouldn't worry about that. Body rust is a killer though.

huesmann

23rd April 2014, 09:34

Barring any unseen problems (rust etc.), I'd wager Seller gets closer to &5k than $4k.
Agreed. Assuming no body rust (I'm OK with a little rust on suspension components and bolts), that car should easily fetch $5k in the tri-state area.

zen

24th April 2014, 22:02

Barring any unseen problems (rust etc.), I'd wager Seller gets closer to &5k than $4k.
As of a check on 4/24/14, listing is "deleted by author". I wonder what the sale price was. Any one who was involved in this sale is encouraged to post information about it.