Learn Me: How much does a Miata Cost?

A friend of mine is looking at getting a Miata.

He does not want a "first gen". the 2nd or 3rd gen cars are good.

He is not interested in performance so much as he is in having a "fun" convertible.

What does a good one go for? Something he can drive once a week for the next few years and not worry about maintenance (other than tires, oil, etc.)

How many miles can they go before not being reliable?

I know he will want something under 100,000 miles.

Sooo, what is the actual purchase price for one of these and where is the best place to look?

Thanks,

Rob R.

If he wants a nicely maintained, enthusiast owned cream-puff, watch Miata.net classifieds. Around here you can sometimes find them considerably cheaper on lots, but he's buying at the worst possible time of year. Expect to pay $4,000-$10,000 for a clean NB (second-gen) car. Since he doesn't care about things like an LSD or sport package, he can shop by condition. A hardtop adds $800-$1000 to the value of the car, but he will get it back when he goes to sell it.

Starship mileages are possible. They really don't wear out, although they get creakier and rattlier as they age.

NA & NB are more or less the same car under the skin. The drivetrains on those last a long time if looked after - I've owned several that had between 150k and 200k on the clock and they can go on for a lot longer than that. The NC is a completely different car that I have no experience with, so I can't comment on that.

Low mileage ones are getting harder to find, but I'm still occasionally seeing NBs with 50k-60k out here. People are asking between $7k-$10k for them out here, but keep in mind prices are higher out West for pretty much any car.

As to where to look, start with the usual forums and also keep an eye out on CL would be my suggestion. For most people they're not "special" cars so they get advertised in the same places as mom's minivan.

Decent running NAs are about half the price, any particular reason he doesn't want an NA? The 1.6 was a pretty stout engine- 200k isn't unreasonable if they're maintained. If he just wants a fun convertible and not a DD why not get something a little more used and have fun with it, rather than worry about banging up a 7,000 dollar car? But, that's my thoughts. To some people, a 7,000 dollar car is a throwaway car.

volvoclearinghouse wrote: Decent running NAs are about half the price, any particular reason he doesn't want an NA? The 1.6 was a pretty stout engine- 200k isn't unreasonable if they're maintained. If he just wants a fun convertible and not a DD why not get something a little more used and have fun with it, rather than worry about banging up a 7,000 dollar car? But, that's my thoughts. To some people, a 7,000 dollar car is a throwaway car.

A good condition NA these days is well more than half the price of a good condition NB.

The nicest $7k-$10k NB is where he should be looking.

Not to mention that a nice NA is getting really hard to find these days.

He should be able to spend $5000-$6000 and get a very nice NB. He could spend $10,000, and get the worlds nicest 10AE or LS ("special editions") if he were so inclined.

mtn wrote: He should be able to spend $5000-$6000 and get a very nice NB. He could spend $10,000, and get the worlds nicest 10AE or LS ("special editions") if he were so inclined.

Hell, he could almost get a MazdaSpeed for $10K these days.

Here's a nice 05 MazdaSpeed Miata with 47k miles for $12.5k. Mild tasteful upgrades.

http://clubroadster.net/vb_forum/28-sale-trade/86978-2005-mazdaspeed-miata-titanium-gray.html

Seems everyone has picked $10k as the budget topper.

If he's willing to push $12-14k will find a NICE, low mileage '06-07 Miata with all the goodies (leather/bose/6spd)

I just paid $13,500 for an '06, Grand Touring, Bose, 6spd and the Sport Package with only 36k miles.

If his criteria is just having a "fun" convertible more than performance, I'd suggest going with the NC (3rd gen). It's more refined than the first 2 generations. It's still sporty, but isn't as much of a go kart on steroids. A decent '06 will run in the low teens for price. Well cared for, they're very reliable.

Swank Force One wrote: A good condition NA these days is well more than half the price of a good condition NB. The nicest $7k-$10k NB is where he should be looking.

So all these driving NAs I keep finding for <2k are steals? ;-)

I guess it depends on one's definition of "nice". I'm thinking running, driving, stopping, steering, no weird noises and looks good at 20 feet. "Fun" is also a subjective term, one might consider an NA more "fun" than an NC.

volvoclearinghouse wrote:

Swank Force One wrote: A good condition NA these days is well more than half the price of a good condition NB. The nicest $7k-$10k NB is where he should be looking.

So all these driving NAs I keep finding for <2k are steals? ;-) I guess it depends on one's definition of "nice". I'm thinking running, driving, stopping, steering, no weird noises and looks good at 20 feet. "Fun" is also a subjective term, one might consider an NA more "fun" than an NC.

I like my daily drivers haggard and my toys nice.

volvoclearinghouse wrote: I guess it depends on one's definition of "nice". I'm thinking running, driving, stopping, steering, no weird noises and looks good at 20 feet. "Fun" is also a subjective term, one might consider an NA more "fun" than an NC.

You're right. I'd say that if you're looking at it from a raw driving experience perspective, the NA is more fun. But the OP describes the buyer not being interested in performance, rather "fun". I take that "fun" as a cute little car that can put it's top down, with little interest in the way the car drives. The old Tracker or 1st gen New Beetle 'vert would also fall into that category. In that case, the NC is the better Miata.

Personally, it's a win regardless. It's a Miata. Buy one. Drive it. Enjoy it. End of story.

Klayfish wrote:

volvoclearinghouse wrote: I guess it depends on one's definition of "nice". I'm thinking running, driving, stopping, steering, no weird noises and looks good at 20 feet. "Fun" is also a subjective term, one might consider an NA more "fun" than an NC.

You're right. I'd say that if you're looking at it from a raw driving experience perspective, the NA is more fun. But the OP describes the buyer not being interested in performance, rather "fun". I take that "fun" as a cute little car that can put it's top down, with little interest in the way the car drives. The old Tracker or 1st gen New Beetle 'vert would also fall into that category. In that case, the NC is the better Miata. Personally, it's a win regardless. It's a Miata. Buy one. Drive it. Enjoy it. End of story.

This.

My NA is more fun...........but it's been seriously setup for track work. Low, aggressive alignment, R888s, rollbar/harnesses/fixed back, etc.

However, I have a feeling if I were to do the same kind of prep to the NC, I'd like it just as well if not better.

i am no expert on miatas but after putting seat time in on all three gens and just bought a 2008 for my summer driver i think the NC is by far the best for what your friend is looking for. it is refined and better driving and i got the retactable which i really like.........BUT with the numbers these guys are throwing around like 10k and higher for NA's and NB's i would buy a Z3 before them. i look at 1999 to 2003 Z3s in that range with under 100k on them all the time. if he is looking for a fun roadster upto 10k he shouldnt rule out the Z3 either

Z3 is a good suggestion IF this guy is a gearhead. Deferred maintenance on a BMW product will eat someone who can't/won't do their own work alive. The Miata is basically a typical Japanese economy car when it comes to maintenance-change the oil and drive it.

Otherwise, a six-cylinder Z3 is better as a sunny-day cruiser than a Miata in most respects.

I've seen nice-ish '99 and '00 Miatas go around here for less than 5k. It doesn't happen often and they don't last long. The '01-'03 cars, which just about everyone likes better than the '99-'00, tend to be worth more.

Just a thought. If he's looking to hang on to it for a while, the NA's are about at the bottom of the depreciation curve right now. Clean ones are starting to tick UP in price.

Don't get a retractable hardtop Miata if you want to go on the track. You can't put a roll bar in it. Cue sadness and disappointment.

$10k is on the extreme high end for an NA and most NBs. But with Miatas, there's always the "but I just bought a creampuff with a hardtop for $150!" postings. More realistically, look at KBB.com and completed eBay listings. That'll tell the true story of market value, not the perceived value from a bunch of cheap-ass forum members who are trying to one-up each other with tales of how cheap they are.

Like so many other cars, reliability is directly related to maintenance. Get a cheap and nasty neglected one, it'll likely be less reliable than someone's pride and joy.

10k can get you into a higher mileage NC which is what I did. Even at 95k "not babied, but not neglected" miles it's the cleanest car I've ever owned. Mileage should be a bargaining tool for price, not a reservation to buying. Just look everything over when shopping.

With $2500 in wheels and suspension this thing is a frick'n hoot.

My friend bought a 4000 mile 2001 for 13K. The car was flawless, other than the gold trim. It was too much money, but probably the right price for the condition of the car.

Prices are really all over the place. I've seen decent NB's (second gen) for high $5K to low $6K range. Exceptionally clean or low miles, add another $1K to $3K. NC's (third gen) start in the $12K range and go up from there. That's kind of an "average" price. You may find one a little cheaper in the fall and everything will be a little bit more this time of year.
If mileage means a lot to your friend, believe it or not the "snow belt" Craigslist listing are a good place to look, because Miatas tend to be off the road for up to half the year. As mentioned above, a well maintained example will run for a long time, so tell him not be afraid of a car with low to mid 100K miles on it so long as the maintenance is up to date.