How did you choose what Miata to buy? (NA, NB, NC) [Archive] (2024)

jack10525

19th October 2010, 14:30

mblue97

19th October 2010, 15:48

tus

19th October 2010, 16:48

I was shopping purely by condition, price, and not having to burn premium gas (in that order.) Ended up getting a perfectly maintained 91 and passed over some good NBs that were not documented.

I'll admit to spending a little more than I really had to, but I have to respect the guy I bought it from, who is as type-A as me, and had all the records ready and in order to present to a buyer.

Moltenburn

19th October 2010, 16:50

Jmikbo

19th October 2010, 17:05

clewlew

25th October 2010, 14:06

msydnor

25th October 2010, 14:24

one-niner

25th October 2010, 19:35

NC was out of the question due to cost. I wanted a daily driver year-round car, so I went for the airbags, ABS, power steering, LSD and more modern interior of the NB.

If I had wanted a summer-only second car, I'd probably have gone for the more "pure" NA.

- Tom

jack10525

26th October 2010, 22:40

Diamond Dave

29th October 2010, 15:36

I like the Classic NA and the selection of special editions. Also a fan of the colors.

As far as finding one that isn't beat, you are not in the correct price range. Finding a clean, lower mileage NA is going to be in the $5K range.

The_Joker

30th October 2010, 23:18

GLLinMO

31st October 2010, 09:39

Cost played into the equaiton, esp for my first couple of Miatas.

My NC is my first new Miata. Big rebates in January sealed the deal for me. I was looking for another MSM. But went with the NC because I was looking for a part time daily driver, and newer/non-turbo won out. Newer more updated design helped too. Rebate made the costs "similar". I say that becasue even though I had found some very good prices on used MSM's (January helps) already had BEGI turbo updates and a few other mods planned. With the NC, I just went with sways and a couple of minor items so way less mod costs. (Still not sure if a turbo is in the future or not however.....)

dantzig

31st October 2010, 19:30

JD0x0

31st October 2010, 19:39

NA because I wanted cheap and light. Ended up getting the 1.8l engine and an LSD as a bonus :)

same. NA is the most desireable miata because of it's lightness. The later the year the heavier the car. This was slightly compesated by more power but adding 200lbs and only 2hp doesnt make up the difference IMO. Picked up my 95 NA upgraded to M edition for $4600 w/ 84K miles. Completely loaded with LSD, ABS, Power windows mirrors. Headrest speakers the works. Car was BABIED

Just keep your eyes open on ebay and craigslist.

hobie237

1st November 2010, 07:07

Interesting question.

Generally speaking, the newer models are more likely to present unabused examples in the used vehicle market, as they have simply had less time to be abused. Correspondingly, the prices of these models will be increased accordingly.

Taking condition of an individual vehicle out of it, we can look at three perfect examples of the individual cars- I won't bother to go into specifics but it's clear that the car became more civilized and, although those will dispute this, more capable (at least in stock form) throughout the years. Aftermarket support, of course, is biased toward the older cars.

When I bought my first Miata, cost was a primary factor, and I wound up with a 1990 A package car. Had it for three years and sold it after buying the blue car. At the time of THAT Miata purchase, the primary goal was a no-compromises, go fast and have fun car. Still have that one (wish like heck I still had the red car...) and just bought ANOTHER Miata. At the time of the black car's purchase, I was looking for a well mannered DD- and got an NB with AC, radio, PS, etc.

Also remember that the NA and NB are, basically, the same car. Yes, the sheetmetal changed significantly, but I could (and sometimes do) make the argument that there were more significant mechanical and chassis design changes from 1993 to 1994 than from 1997 to 1999.

In a given price range, say, $8600, (what I spent on the NB) I could have gotten one heck of an NA- a great low mileage car. Of course in either case, once the car goes into DD service and the mileage goes up, the collectability and price go down. A higher mileage car, though, in the $2500-$4000 range, (like my red Miata) can be reliable and fun, and often sold for as much or more than the purchase price of the car, even after years of dd service.

wb4pfj

1st November 2010, 07:15

mattdizzle

2nd November 2010, 14:32

Ferrari 328, Lambroghini Countach, Chevrolet corvette (pre-2005), Toyota "Sprinter" Tureno Corolla AE86, Second Generation Mazda miata.

http://www.finesheetmusic.com/img/music-note-picture.gifOne of these things is not like the otherrr...http://www.finesheetmusic.com/img/music-note-picture.gif