I've wanted a ZX3 since they came out. Now that they're cheaper than dirt, they're tempting. I drove one when they were quite a bit newer, but I was really young at the time, so my tastes have changed. I liked it then, and I've really gone back to wanting hatchbacks again. I can't really thing of any other sub-$3000 cars newer than 10 years old that I want more.
SVT Focus = more options, better brakes, etc... out of the box. 2.3L = better torque and better mileage but you have to add the SVT upgrades. I think the VIN will have a Z if it is a 2.3L. I wish my SVT had a 2.3L duratec.
Resurrecting this thread, because I finally decided. A new leftover 2010 Miata Sport 5 speed. First mod will be a better driver. Once I'm more confident with a manual transmission, the Grand Marquis will get sold, and I'll look for an ultracheap FWD or AWD hatch or wagon as a winter beater/rallycrosser/parts hauler
And the obligatory pictures:
Oh yeah, if anyone's looking for an unmodded WRX, within the past week, a 90 year old guy traded in a white 2002 WRX wagon with a manual transmission at the dealer I bought the Miata from.
nice car, i love the NC miata.
what sort of price would they want for that wrx?
In reply to WilberM3:
I think they were asking 10K, so pretty ridiculous, especially since the car hasn't even been cleaned up yet. I'm betting its pretty negotiable, though. Oh yeah, forgot the best part, I think it only had around 45K miles on it.
eastsidemav wrote: Oh yeah, if anyone's looking for an unmodded WRX, within the past week, a 90 year old guy traded in a white 2002 WRX wagon with a manual transmission at the dealer I bought the Miata from.
If I make it to old age, I want to do it right like this guy did.
Also, NICE Miata. I like the black on black.
In reply to JohnW:
The story I got on this guy is he no longer drives, but lives with his 60ish son, and they traded the car in on a manual transmission Mazda5. From a sporty wagon to a sporty minivan. Hope I make it that age still able to drive.
Thanks for the compliment on the Miata. I prefer the looks of the NB models, but didn't want to have to put every one I found on a lift to look for subframe rust. The black looks great on the NC Miata, it kind of hides the goofy grin. 
It didn't hurt that they are really dealing on the 2010s right now.
Great choice, Tim! Beautiful Miata. Do you mind me asking how much you ended up getting it for? I'm thinking of getting back into a Miata, and am contemplating a nice NB with mods or an NC and would love to know what the prices are on a new "deal."
I hope you got a hard top too 
Good choice!
I know you're really looking forward to Spring now!
In reply to stan:
Yeah, can't wait - it was in the high 40's and sunny when I picked it up on Saturday, and the weather's been downhills since then.
In reply to dculberson:
No problem, I got $6250 off MSRP. After fees and taxes it worked out to a little under $19K out the door. At that price, it seemed worth it to go new, rather than risk buying used in road salt country
In reply to cghstang:
No hardtop, but in a month or so when I'm used to the Miata, hopefully the Grand Marquis will go away, and be replaced by something rallycrossable. Time to look for a Subie wagon or Focus hatch.
lol, good looking miata
Ooh, a friend of mine has a Redline and it's a blast to drive. What do you owe on it??
edit: yamaha, you did a ninja edit and now my post looks completely out of place. Heh.
In reply to dculberson:
Oh yeah, to tempt you more, I think there's a 2010 Sport still up at Wagner Mazda, can't remember the color, though, and a couple of clones of my car at a dealer in Indy.
In reply to dculberson:
sorry, I noticed after I posted all of that up that the OP had purchased a new miata for a hell of a deal.....and made my post look out of place, i owe right at 8k presently......under warranty til 2013 or 112k mi tho....lol
eastsidemav wrote:Javelin wrote: Mazda Protege or Mazda3 /threadDriven Protege, Protege5, and a 3. Like 'em all. Read on here they aren't fun to work on though. Anything used will likely be maintained by me. Doesn't put them out of the running, just farther down. Oh yeah, being as this is supposed to be a more fun car, I'm also hoping to avoid 4 doors. I'd prefer to skip 5 door hatches, but for some reason they are bit more acceptable to me. Sports cars, coupes, and three doors are at the top. And no more freaking silver cars. Last three dailys have been silver, because thats what happened to be available...
Mazda3's and the turbocharged cousin the ms3, are...fun to work on sometimes. Really though, the worst I've had to do with my ms3 was the FSB, and that was an absolute NIGHTMARE. Beyond that, everything is fairly logical, just tricky with that engine stuffed in there. The intake mani is kinda right up on the radiator, and the EM is stuffed up under the cowling over the firewall. Beyond that, it's really not that bad.
The MINI on the other hand.... Some stuff needed to be replaced on ours once, I opened the hood and went "OH HELL NO" and had that pig towed to the dealer. I'm a cheapass, but even I know when to wave the white flag.
All this for a 5 mile commute?
Whatever.
Nobody said "Saab 9-3 Viggen" yet, so I will.
Oh, and just to be clear, there is no clear or meaningful link between "number of doors" and "fun." But then, I have a personal hangup over coupes that end up heavier than their sedan counterparts. The good news is when the coupe's "sportier" bits are an easy swap to the sedan.
How about the new Volvo Hatch?
mr2peak wrote: How about the new Volvo Hatch?
I'm guessing it's not an option, since he posted he has already picked up a 2010 Miata.
Haha, yeah, I don't think I'd even seen a Volvo C30 until the new car show last week. Sat in it, and loved it. Didn't love the price, and didn't want to give that much money to a Chinese company, although I really liked the car.
Exactly. Sweet car but too expensive!
Oh, and you got a great deal on that car. I'm going to have to give this some thought. I haven't bought a new car since 1996, though. And that was the only one in my life! But with used 2006 Miatas still being $15k+, that is a heck of a deal.
In reply to dculberson:
I found early high-mileage NCs around 12-13 pretty easy, but as you already know, if they've got high miles, they were probably winter driven. The jury still seems to be out on how well they survive salt and the other junk that gets thrown out on the road here, but my Dad's 2006 already had to have the body panel in front of the trunklid repaired and repainted. Of course, he lives on the oceanfront, so salt air is a problem.
Seemed like late-NB cars (which is what I wanted the most) were around 9-11K, but most of them had high enough mileage, they may have been winter cars. I've seen some pics of what salt does to the front subframe (and other areas) on them, and was a little scared. Most of the nice NAs had asking prices of 5K-up around here.
Finally had some decent weather, so took the car to work today. A coworker is now seriously considering picking one up for himself.
Edit: Oh yeah, my car is a base model, my father's has the sport suspension. Despite whatever was done in 2009 to make the suspension "sportier" than the 06-08 models, mine rides like a limo compared to his.
Nice looking Miata.
Nice Miata....
BTW someone should have mentioned the Subaru Forester XT as well. Great in auto form. Hauls lots of cargo and hauls a$$ on and off road. Just my opinion not just because I own one. Although I curse not picking up a manual almost everyday.
Not trying to thread jack, but all this talk about Focus's makes me think about picking one up for a DD. Can someone post a link so I can get some info on it. Thinking about getting a ZX5 but heard they are a bit challenged compared to the Focus 3drs.
BTW did I mention that is a wonderful Miata?
cghstang wrote: I hope you got a hard top too
I just priced out a hardtop for an NC from Mazda. Holy crap! Over $3100! At that price, I think I'd just look for a ratty NA with a Hardtop as a track beater.
BTW, Merc, an older Forester might end up replacing my Mercury, if the right deal comes along. it won't be ideal to rallycross, but then nothing short of a WRX, Evo, or 323GTX probably is.
As for Foci, of the sites I looked at, I think focaljet.com was one of the better ones.
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