Help me inspect this NB Miata

Hey guys, I'm looking at a 1999 Miata for sale.

Last weekend I went down to check out the car before my bank transfer went through and it all seemed good, we even agreed on a price of $3800. Considering the modifications and condition of the car, this seemed fair to me.

There is a hiccup though. The VIN number has a salvage record from an IAA insurance auction in Iowa from February of last year. That's about the time of year the guy who showed me the car said the seller bought the car (I never actually met the seller - the car is being sold on his behalf by a Mazda race shop), so it seems like he got it from this auction.

The weird thing is the car has a clean title.

Here's a link:

https://images.craigslist.org/00g0g_gI9Y4r1evnl_300x300.jpg

I'm looking for a little more guidance on how to properly inspect the car for accident damage after I look at it again on Saturday. I know the basics like panel gaps, look at core support and trunk floor, strut tower creases, etc. - I was hoping somebody here a little familiar with NBs would give me the inside scoop on what to look for. Also will have access to a lift.

Also the convertible top seems to leak a little because the carpet was wet. Otherwise, the car seems great. I'm even willing to buy it even with a previous accident, as long as it is still functional. I'm not looking for a collectible, just a fun driver.

Thanks for any advice.

Google "washed title" I'd pass.

If all else looks well underneath,look for huge differences in the control arm adjuster cams. For example, f LR is pushed all the way out & RR is all the way in, that's a good hint that something's out of whack.

Based on the location of the salvage record and the timing I'd be more worried about it being flood damaged than wrecked. The wet carpet might back that up as well. If I were looking for a base for building a track car I wouldn't reject a flood damaged car but I'd want the price to reflect that (in this case, it doesn't). For a fun reliable track/street toy I'd pass on this one.

Giveaways for flood cars:

Pop your head underneath and look at the pedal assembly. Is it rusty?

Slowly pull the seatbelt all the way out. You're looking for a silt line or discoloration

Musty odor that won't go away, sometimes the seat mounting bolts can be rusty, but I've also seen that happen in the rust belt, so it's not necessarily a flood indicator

I took a chance on flood car once for a race car, I still had issues years down the road. Make sure it is not a flood car, and if so, you need to go through every electrical connection and ground in the entire car. Do not skip one component or ground, because that is the one that will fail when you least want it too. I can't stress this strongly enough.