Miata Search Continues. Pulp Reality Hits.

I have thought about this Miata for quite some time. For $2500 this was not awful. The engine pulled well, but the smell of coolant and smoke out the exhaust was not sitting well with me. Did I mention how well the thing handled? In fact, the handling almost made me forget the other little things, such as the potentially bad head-gasket and the rotting body.

Yes, Miata hunt continues, albeit with very frustrating results. This weekend I have looked at a ’94 model with popular equipment: power steering, power windows, LSD, A/C, etc., all stuff that I want because it will make living with the car easier. Many Miata lovers and track junkies despise power options saying that they add weight and complexity, and that with power steering you lose some feel. Whatever, maybe I’m lazy, maybe I have owned too many cars without these things, but I want them. I have also spend some time over-analyzing this purchase, and have made some key decisions.

The Honey Bunny

This was a ’94, which means that it had the bigger 1.8L engine, which again is not preferred by some Miata lovers, but I’ll take any extra power I can get. The ad looked good, and the owner seem knowledgeable.  As described, the car had this:

• New top with glass window
• Recent suspension; Tien springs, KYD AGXs, sway bars (big selling point for me)
• New tires on factory blacked-out wheels

After talking with the owner, I have learned that:

• There’s a little bit of rust on the rocker panel
• It burns a little oil, probably valve seals
• A/C has a leak

The S2000 Situation

Like any good Tarentino movie, my car-buying plots are filled with parallel and out-of-sequence sub-plots built into them and this is no exception. While pondering the purchase, I have concluded that what I really want, and have always wanted, is a Honda S2000. The S2000 is a great roadster, much better looking than the Miata, much faster, bigger, more comfortable, more everything. And no associated stereotypes! But there are a few downsides to the S2000, all of which can be attributed to cost:

• An S2000 can be had for around $10,000 which would mean that I would not be buying anything till spring, at least.
• When you drop that much money on a car that you don’t really need to begin with, you really want to get full insurance for it. More cost.
• Every single part for the S2000 will be more money than a similar part for the Miata. Tires, for instance.
• On the other hand, I would be very happy keeping the S2000 completely stock, whereas in the Miata I’d want to upgrade the suspension, get 15” wheels, and a roll-bar. And probably a lot of other stuff.
• The buy price/sell price ratio is about the same for both cars, percentage wise, so cost of ownership would not make much difference there.
• The Miata maybe actually more fun to drive, as the limits of the S2000 are much higher, and I may run of skillz before reaching them. Just playing devil’s advocate and being honest here.
• And one last thing – whatever I get will be parked at my in-law’s house, being exposed to possible dents, etc. Further, the car maybe borrowed by someone at some point, as there are a few family members that don’t own a car but have a need for one at times. If I had an old Miata I wouldn’t give two shits if someone bent it, but with the S2000, a car which I adore and have wanted for a long time, would not be the same.

Mrs. Mia Wallace. Not!

So I went to look at it, I mean, how bad could it be right?I even brought an envelope with Benjamins in it. Here is what it was:

• Original paint, but every panel had a dent or a scratch in it. Whatever.
• Rust was more serious than I thought, and stuff that was previously repaired was coming out again. Not good, and that’s without having the car on the lift!
• Driver’s seat had a big-o rip in the bottom cushion but was till supportive overall. Whatever.
• No radio. D’oh! But since the owner had one, it could be negotiated into the price.
• Other interior parts were quite loose and rattle-y.
• It handled and drove damn well, I loved the suspension set-up.
• Water in the trunk. Ugh. Taillight gaskets? Trunk gasket?
• A little smoke at start-up.
• A scent of coolant when the heater was turned on. The car did have a new radiator.

Despite what the above says, I have thought about this Miata for quite some time. For $2500 this was not awful, and the suspension system alone was worth $800 to me. I did not care too much about the body, but the rust was bothering me. The engine pulled well, but the smell of coolant and smoke out the exhaust was also not sitting well with me. Did I mention how well the thing handled? The handling almost made my forget the other little things, such as the potentially bad head gasket and the rotting body.

Thought Process, Following The Enlightenment.

In the process of over-analyzing my Miata choice, the following magically made itself clear to me:

• I should avoid rusted cars at all cost. I will even consider looking for a car in Florida, where I have some family. The convertibles there are much more popular, are rust free, and cheaper than their northeast counterparts.
• My mileage limit should be at a max of about 110k miles; at that mileage a properly maintained engine has enough life in it to take some abuse.
• I should not settle for less… I want a black, no rust, 110k mile, 5-speed, power stuff, LSD, 1.8L engine Miata for under $4000, and this is not unrealistic. Other stuff, such as top, suspension, brakes, clutch, wheels and tires I can do myself, but a good base for a sum of these parts is needed. The above car had a lot of new parts on it, but they were all installed on a crappy shell.
• EDIT: Make that a ’94 or ’95 only, as these were OBD1 and had a stronger torsen LSD vs. viscous.

Mexican Standoff

Between vacations, birthday parties and just life, the next few months will be busy ones for me, so even if I buy something now, I won’t have the time to play with it anyway. Then October comes around, and it gets cold. My plan is this:

• Be on a lookout for a Miata, as described above. If the one happens to come around, pull the trigger.
• Keep saving money.
• In February, while in Palm Beach, look for a used, rust-free, Miata or S2000 there. By then, I should have a budget large enough for a cheap S2000.
• Enjoy the rest of the summer, do as many family and car-related stuffs as possible.