Cheap miatas?

What part of the country seems to have the best deals on Miata's?

I know for E30s, the PNW/SoCal seem to have lots of good cars for reasonable prices, anything similar for Miatas?

From what I hear around this board, if you're not in Atlanta you're so far behind the curve that everybody just shakes their head in pity.

There are quite a few in TX as well, I bought a running, titled POS with Kosei K1s, fresh brakes, and an NRG steering wheel for $650.

I just bought one in TN for $1500

My best Miata deal was $1000 in San Diego for a 91 needing new water pump but otherwise in solid condition.

South Florida CL usually has a bunch at all price points, and they will be rust free. Just did a check. 60 cars at 500 to 4000.00, starting at 1200.00.

Craigsnotify is currently scrubbing a 200 mile radius around Memphis for me. I passed on a $1200 one in Tupelo with cosmetic/body problems (looks like a vengeful ex or a bike accident . . . hood, bumper cover and fender totally folded-in-half FUBAR, but no frame damage, perfect alignment, and A/C still works) but I should be able to get one fairly soon for tax refund/Challenge money, if the last week or so is any indication.

I had a thread asking for Miata-buying secrets a week or two ago; that's where I heard of the Craigsnotify app. Two searches are running right now: Miata (under $2k) and Alfa (anything within 200 miles).

I'm still cursing myself for giving up on Miatas too easily. I bought a rather nice '90 from my girlfriend's coworker who just didn't want to deal with it. $500, basically just needed pads and rotors all the way 'round, and new shocks. Body nice, interior nice. Stone stock.

I never gave it the shocks, and I didn't fall in love with it. Passed the deal on to a friend (another GRMer), who subsequently sold it to someone doing a Ford small-block swap.

Still feel like I'm not sure whether I'm just not Miata-inclined, or whether I just didn't give it a proper go. I think that little 1.6 may have been a little tired as well... I'm pretty sure I'll never get to dabble that cheaply for as nice an example again.

z31maniac wrote: What part of the country seems to have the best deals on Miata's?

Yours, you just have to know where to look.

Just join for free if you can't see the post. Its this car for $1300 with a rod knock and a good shortblock included.

^Yeah, I saw that. I figured crappy body kit + engine that's eating itself = probably a hidden mess of ricer inspired crap.

I'm really not looking for someone else's basket case, just a good deal on a solid car.

South FL has treated us pretty well.

I was always in the anti-miata group. Not because they are girly or anything like that.. I cam from vintage roadsters (Fiat, Alfa, MG, and Triumph) and always considered them "pretenders" to the throne.

It took this board to wake me up to the fact that they really are good little cars.

If I were to replace my Ti right now.. it would be with a Miata

I'm still torn between an E30 and a Miata as my second/play/project car.

But I've got some friends and such looking out for me from various parts of the country. A Miata would also fit what I want from said project, so I figured I'd open up my search a bit.

That and I've already built 2 E30s. But I'm still hankering to do another one.