Comments on: Drive your car to death, save $31,000 http://www.pansypatrol.com/drive-your-car-to-death-save-31000/ News, technical articles, and lessons for those who own, fix, race, modify, or beat their 3000GT or Stealth. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:02:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Henry http://www.pansypatrol.com/drive-your-car-to-death-save-31000/comment-page-1/#comment-742 Henry Mon, 03 Sep 2007 20:18:12 +0000 http://www.pansypatrol.com/drive-your-car-to-death-save-31000/#comment-742 Sammage, I think 2,700$ is a bit much for that car. I don't know your finances but persnoally I'd hold off for a better deal. Of course this also depends on where you are located. In MA its really, really hard to find good Miatas, in Washington I've found 2 surprisingly good ones for $1,000. Anyway things to look for: 1) Is it before 1996? If you are planning on ever doing any very serious mods (turbo kit, etc), then getting a pre '96 one means you never ever have to deal with OBD-2 inspections (if your state is an emissions state). 2) Does the top leak? (This is very common and tops are more expensive than you'd think). Alternatively, you can just not care. 3) If its before 1992, check to see if it has the crank pully failure: http://www.miata.net/garage/crankshaft.html 4) Get it up to 80mph on the highway. Miatas are notorious for developing a high speed shim around 80 so its nice to see if you have any such problems. After that, all the usual stuff. Does it stutter, does the exhaust look ok when you first start it up, is it leaking any oil, does the clutch slip, .. - Henry Sammage, I think 2,700$ is a bit much for that car. I don’t know your finances but persnoally I’d hold off for a better deal. Of course this also depends on where you are located. In MA its really, really hard to find good Miatas, in Washington I’ve found 2 surprisingly good ones for $1,000.

Anyway things to look for:
1) Is it before 1996? If you are planning on ever doing any very serious mods (turbo kit, etc), then getting a pre ‘96 one means you never ever have to deal with OBD-2 inspections (if your state is an emissions state).
2) Does the top leak? (This is very common and tops are more expensive than you’d think). Alternatively, you can just not care.
3) If its before 1992, check to see if it has the crank pully failure: http://www.miata.net/garage/crankshaft.html
4) Get it up to 80mph on the highway. Miatas are notorious for developing a high speed shim around 80 so its nice to see if you have any such problems.

After that, all the usual stuff. Does it stutter, does the exhaust look ok when you first start it up, is it leaking any oil, does the clutch slip, ..

- Henry

]]> By: sammage http://www.pansypatrol.com/drive-your-car-to-death-save-31000/comment-page-1/#comment-739 sammage Mon, 03 Sep 2007 11:05:21 +0000 http://www.pansypatrol.com/drive-your-car-to-death-save-31000/#comment-739 Speaking of spare cars/beaters, I might have a chance to pick up a 99 Miata with 135k for 2700, what things should I look for Noah, since you're the Miata driver? Speaking of spare cars/beaters, I might have a chance to pick up a 99 Miata with 135k for 2700, what things should I look for Noah, since you’re the Miata driver?

]]> By: Henry http://www.pansypatrol.com/drive-your-car-to-death-save-31000/comment-page-1/#comment-734 Henry Sun, 02 Sep 2007 08:14:44 +0000 http://www.pansypatrol.com/drive-your-car-to-death-save-31000/#comment-734 Nah, I think my 323 wins the bang for the buck beater battle. $100 shenanigans! -- Henry Nah, I think my 323 wins the bang for the buck beater battle. $100 shenanigans!

– Henry

]]> By: Chris http://www.pansypatrol.com/drive-your-car-to-death-save-31000/comment-page-1/#comment-733 Chris Sat, 01 Sep 2007 22:42:12 +0000 http://www.pansypatrol.com/drive-your-car-to-death-save-31000/#comment-733 I think Clint currently holds the record among us for bang:buck on beaters. I've had two $500 cars (not including maintenance) go 20,000 miles, but his Protege takes the cake. What's it up to now Clint? I think Clint currently holds the record among us for bang:buck on beaters. I’ve had two $500 cars (not including maintenance) go 20,000 miles, but his Protege takes the cake. What’s it up to now Clint?

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