A Cars forum. AutoBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » AutoBanter forum » Auto makers » Mazda
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

I rarely buy cars



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old September 8th 04, 04:25 AM
Rivergoat
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default I rarely buy cars

I have a 1990 Honda that for the past year has started giving me all
kinds of mechancial issues. From the small, like a dead power antenna,
to a master cylinder, a $300 cooling fan, dead A/C, ABS pressurization
problems, and now possibly timing belt tensioner issues. I bought this
new, which is why I say I rarely buy cars (only the second car I've
owned in 30 years, though I also own a truck).

What does this have to do with this board? Do I want to keep the Honda
and add more money into it? Good questions; I've been toying with the
thought of a low mileage Miata. I've never driven one, though would
love to find a place that rents them (in the San Francisco area). It
would be more interesting than a vulture/dealer salesman along for the
ride.

So I've started searching info. I see people favoring NA over NB,
though my first inclination is a recent model. I have over 140k miles
on the Honda, why get into another high mileage car? Any words of
wisdom/encouragement over the 2001-2003 models? It may be a few months
before I could seriously make the plunge, but it gives me a lot of
time to research. The Honda dealer hated me back when I bought that
because I fought a well deserved price for new after careful research,
though today's prices make a $23K- $28K car too rich for my meager
blood.

What's the word, sports enthusiasts? Is it a car worth seeking out? Of
course on this board what answer would I expect? *

TIA
Ads
  #2  
Old September 8th 04, 12:44 PM
Chris D'Agnolo
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

The NA vs NB issue could probably be argued till the cows come in, go do
some test drives of used miatas and test drive a new one. Old miatas are
generally as bullet-proof a car as you can buy. Unlike my '96 V6 Accord
(130k), my Miata (130k) has not needed the alternator replaced, nor the coil
/ distributer (2 times). Of course, the soft tops only last 3 to 7 or 10
years depending mostly on how much abuse / weather they endure.

Great info @ miata.net, dig and dig there, read FAQ's (there's a section on
'what to look for in a used miata'. I seriously doubt you'll regret
ownership. Theory is light weight / nimbleness (less weight is equal to more
horsepower with increased agility) not 'overcoming physics with horsepower'.

Let us know what you do,
Chris
92 BB&T

"Rivergoat" > wrote in message
...
> I have a 1990 Honda that for the past year has started giving me all
> kinds of mechancial issues. From the small, like a dead power antenna,
> to a master cylinder, a $300 cooling fan, dead A/C, ABS pressurization
> problems, and now possibly timing belt tensioner issues. I bought this
> new, which is why I say I rarely buy cars (only the second car I've
> owned in 30 years, though I also own a truck).
>
> What does this have to do with this board? Do I want to keep the Honda
> and add more money into it? Good questions; I've been toying with the
> thought of a low mileage Miata. I've never driven one, though would
> love to find a place that rents them (in the San Francisco area). It
> would be more interesting than a vulture/dealer salesman along for the
> ride.
>
> So I've started searching info. I see people favoring NA over NB,
> though my first inclination is a recent model. I have over 140k miles
> on the Honda, why get into another high mileage car? Any words of
> wisdom/encouragement over the 2001-2003 models? It may be a few months
> before I could seriously make the plunge, but it gives me a lot of
> time to research. The Honda dealer hated me back when I bought that
> because I fought a well deserved price for new after careful research,
> though today's prices make a $23K- $28K car too rich for my meager
> blood.
>
> What's the word, sports enthusiasts? Is it a car worth seeking out? Of
> course on this board what answer would I expect? *
>
> TIA



  #3  
Old September 8th 04, 06:13 PM
Candy
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Hi Rivergoat,
I must reply to your query- I cannot be still. When I saw my first Miata, I
simply
saw a very cute and neat little car that I assumed would leave me stranded
by the
freeway at will as the sportscars I had owned in the past had. Then I
decided to
do some investigating after a friend bought one and loved it. I went to
Consumer's
Reports online, paid $4.95 to read what rating they were given and what
problems
to expect if I were to own one- do this- you'll be surprised and impressed.
THEN,
I did a search on the particular used Miata I had tentatively decided to
purchese to
learn if it had any accident history the owner wasn't "owning up"
to(carfax.com, $19.95),
and learned my baby had been shuffled-though not much-and had no undisclosed
history. So I bought it and I love it. Being a mechanical being, I know it
will have to
be repaired here and there along the way, though not very much according to
the
Consumer's Guide, but I am so glad that I bought it! Mine is a used
vehicle, a '93,
actually, but drives like new. Miatas are classified as "Roadsters" instead
of "sports cars",
so the insurance on them is less than that of a sports car- have I omitted
anything of importance?
Test drive one! You'll love it! I sincerely doubt you'll ever be sorry. I
know you want a new
one-I'm headed to a dealership for a new one if this ever dies on me- and
know little about the
new breed as yet, but I'm sure the new and recent edition Miata owners here
will fill in those
cracks for you. Just had to give you my "testimonial"on what a pleasant
surprise Miata ownership
has been for me. Good luck, though I doubt you'll need it!
Candy'93red
P.S. I also did a Better Business Bureau search on the dealership I
purchased from (www.your city.
bbb.org) to ascertain if they were in good standing.

"Rivergoat" > wrote in message
...
>I have a 1990 Honda that for the past year has started giving me all
> kinds of mechancial issues. From the small, like a dead power antenna,
> to a master cylinder, a $300 cooling fan, dead A/C, ABS pressurization
> problems, and now possibly timing belt tensioner issues. I bought this
> new, which is why I say I rarely buy cars (only the second car I've
> owned in 30 years, though I also own a truck).
>
> What does this have to do with this board? Do I want to keep the Honda
> and add more money into it? Good questions; I've been toying with the
> thought of a low mileage Miata. I've never driven one, though would
> love to find a place that rents them (in the San Francisco area). It
> would be more interesting than a vulture/dealer salesman along for the
> ride.
>
> So I've started searching info. I see people favoring NA over NB,
> though my first inclination is a recent model. I have over 140k miles
> on the Honda, why get into another high mileage car? Any words of
> wisdom/encouragement over the 2001-2003 models? It may be a few months
> before I could seriously make the plunge, but it gives me a lot of
> time to research. The Honda dealer hated me back when I bought that
> because I fought a well deserved price for new after careful research,
> though today's prices make a $23K- $28K car too rich for my meager
> blood.
>
> What's the word, sports enthusiasts? Is it a car worth seeking out? Of
> course on this board what answer would I expect? *
>
> TIA



  #4  
Old September 9th 04, 05:18 AM
Rivergoat
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Hey Candy:

Thanks for the tips. Because of such high costs, in many respects I
don't want a new one, but one maybe only 2 years old. Yes, I've
started studying Consumer Reports and various other areas of research.
I also took the advice and spent time today on miata.net reading about
things to look for. Much of it common sense when looking at
"pre-owned" but well worth repeating.

Years ago a friend had an MG (we decided that MG stood for "might go"
as that car spent more time in the shop than on the road, but that's
typical of many MGs; and I once read an article that said the British
Triumph was the best reason to take up walking!!!). Anyway, point is I
had a chance to drive the MG a little. We took it up around Bodega Bay
(I live around the San Francisco area) and I must say I had a blast
with it. The Miata is for all intent and purpose much like the MG I
would imagine, that is as far as a roadster is concerned. It's just a
LOT more reliable.

When I'm truly ready I'll look at cars in person; I have checked on
line sales, however. I even saw one in my area that would basically be
the perfect one I'd look for, though I just can't commit to it just
yet, there are work issues that need resolving as our company is
fighting for some well deserved rights. But that's blah blah woof
woof; there will always be cars around. I hope to make a dealership
truly sweat, not me. I would plan to do as recommended and crawl all
over and under one (or more). Drive a new one? Yeah, maybe, but until
I win the lottery I'd rather get one for $10,000 less! Good tip about
driving with the windows and top up, however; I'm gathering they are a
bit noisy and it's best to hear it run in as quiet an environment as
possible.

Lastly...what about gas? Do they really take the highest octane (91
around here) or does 89 do a good enough job, let alone running 87? I
prefer 89 now depending on prices. Also, you did bring up insurance.
How does a Miata compare with a standard coupe? Obviously my own
insurance and my own record will ultimately determine, and I would
call them when ready.

If my Honda just gets to be too much, I'm still confident I could find
a new home for it quickly as it's a rather rare model. I could easily
drop $3k-$5K in it without blinking, but I may be blinking. We'll see;
thanks, I'll keep reading the boards and studying up. I'll post when
I've actually started test driving one, too!
  #5  
Old September 9th 04, 02:53 PM
Candy
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Hi!
You sound much like I did before I purchased my Miata- reeeeaaaalll iffy!
Then a car accident that totalled my previous vehicle
decided it all for me and launched me into this love affair with my new
(old) car! I used to be a car salesman back when, so I
hear you when you voice trepidation about driving one at a dealership, but
I'll tell you this- car salespeople will respect your need
to shop and think as long as you are up front and tell them you are still in
that stage. They will call and ask later on if you had decided or whatever-
as any good salesperson will do- but know they are just people like you and
me. I felt so sorry for the salesman I bought my Miata from, as I "took no
prisoners" when it came to the don't-bug-me-and-let-me-decide-edness I
unnecessarily harped at him from my first phone inquiry to finalizing the
paperwork. "Miatas sell themselves," he said. "I don't
HAVE to push a sale on these cars." And they can be helpful- they'll call
you when they get a car in that you might be interested in.
So don't be afraid of the salepeople- just remember they work for YOU, not
the other way around. They don't really see a DumDum sucker when they look
at you, as the cartoons of old depicted! Especially if you're educated on
the vehicle and sure of what you want. Were I still a carsalesman, I'd
admire the fact you knew what you wanted and weren't going to be "sold" by
anything other than the car itself. Practicing "Buyer Beware" and following
through with those vehicle checks (a lot of dealers will provide a carfax
report for you at no charge) will assure you won't get a car you don't want.
As for gasoline, I always put mid grade (89) in my Miata, and treat "her"
occaisionally to a tank of high test for no other reason than I just love
this car, for it runs beautifully on mid grade. My friend purchased a '97
because he liked the pop up headlights and that was the last year they had
them, and he just loves the car. His wife totalled his previous car (a 90
Miata), so he found another for himself.

On your insurance query, I pay the same premium on this car as I did on my
previous, same year car (which was a minivan of all things!). It does
depend on your driving history. I hope others here will pipe up on their
own insurance costs and knowledge for you, because I'm not educated in it
enough to even guess. I do know your insurance company will welcome the
opportunity to quote for you what you could expect to pay based on your
existing history with them. You have but to call, give them the make,
model, year, safety devices and price range of your desired vehicle, and
they can have it for you in a flash- people do it all the time, and it's a
part of their job. I did this before my purchase- I don't like surprises
when it comes to things like that! Trust me- they won't mind doing that for
you at all.

I have owned a TR, an MG, and a Fiat Spider. DON'T buy any of those! Your
friend's experience was typical of any of those cars! But they ARE such
fun! (But Miatas are "funner"!!!)

I hope to read you have bought and love your Miata sometime soon- life's
just too short to waste time driving anything less!!
Keep us posted on your progress.
Candy93red

"Rivergoat" > wrote in message
...
> Hey Candy:
>
> Thanks for the tips. Because of such high costs, in many respects I
> don't want a new one, but one maybe only 2 years old. Yes, I've
> started studying Consumer Reports and various other areas of research.
> I also took the advice and spent time today on miata.net reading about
> things to look for. Much of it common sense when looking at
> "pre-owned" but well worth repeating.
>
> Years ago a friend had an MG (we decided that MG stood for "might go"
> as that car spent more time in the shop than on the road, but that's
> typical of many MGs; and I once read an article that said the British
> Triumph was the best reason to take up walking!!!). Anyway, point is I
> had a chance to drive the MG a little. We took it up around Bodega Bay
> (I live around the San Francisco area) and I must say I had a blast
> with it. The Miata is for all intent and purpose much like the MG I
> would imagine, that is as far as a roadster is concerned. It's just a
> LOT more reliable.
>
> When I'm truly ready I'll look at cars in person; I have checked on
> line sales, however. I even saw one in my area that would basically be
> the perfect one I'd look for, though I just can't commit to it just
> yet, there are work issues that need resolving as our company is
> fighting for some well deserved rights. But that's blah blah woof
> woof; there will always be cars around. I hope to make a dealership
> truly sweat, not me. I would plan to do as recommended and crawl all
> over and under one (or more). Drive a new one? Yeah, maybe, but until
> I win the lottery I'd rather get one for $10,000 less! Good tip about
> driving with the windows and top up, however; I'm gathering they are a
> bit noisy and it's best to hear it run in as quiet an environment as
> possible.
>
> Lastly...what about gas? Do they really take the highest octane (91
> around here) or does 89 do a good enough job, let alone running 87? I
> prefer 89 now depending on prices. Also, you did bring up insurance.
> How does a Miata compare with a standard coupe? Obviously my own
> insurance and my own record will ultimately determine, and I would
> call them when ready.
>
> If my Honda just gets to be too much, I'm still confident I could find
> a new home for it quickly as it's a rather rare model. I could easily
> drop $3k-$5K in it without blinking, but I may be blinking. We'll see;
> thanks, I'll keep reading the boards and studying up. I'll post when
> I've actually started test driving one, too!



  #6  
Old September 9th 04, 11:47 PM
L. Santer
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

>"Rivergoat" > wrote in message
> I've been toying with the thought of a low mileage Miata. I've never
> driven one, though would love to find a place that rents them
>(in the San Francisco area).


A friend tells me he would rent them at A-I Rental in the city and at
the airport. Hopefully, they still do that business.
  #7  
Old September 10th 04, 02:24 AM
Tom Howlin
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

First, there are no "bad" Miatas - NA, NB, Special Edition,
Supercharged, whatever. Desireability is purely in the eye of the
beholder with the possible exception of the some of the rarer modls
(sunburst, BRG, R). No one on this board is going to live long enough
to see this car become a valuable classic (it's already achieved the
classic status, just not the value part) because there are so many of
them and they apparently are determined to run pretty much forever so no
natural attrition. I'm a big guy (6'2" 200lbs) and do fit better in the
original body style and I personally like the barn door headlights
because they make the car distinctive.

Having said all that, people who try and substitute a Miata for a family
car (accord/civic) are often disappointed because of the inability to
actually carry a family. I couldn't live with the Miata as my only car
but will never live without one as one of my cars. As a matter of fact,
I'm looking to buy a nice low mileage 95M that I'll store until my 92
finally dies. I'm afraid they are going to destroy the car with the
next iteration because it looks like its going to gain weight and cost.

Drive a couple of private sale cars, NA & NB and see what you think.
Another couple months and the price will come down some because of
aproaching winter.

Tom
92 Red

Rivergoat wrote:
> I have a 1990 Honda that for the past year has started giving me all
> kinds of mechancial issues. From the small, like a dead power antenna,
> to a master cylinder, a $300 cooling fan, dead A/C, ABS pressurization
> problems, and now possibly timing belt tensioner issues. I bought this
> new, which is why I say I rarely buy cars (only the second car I've
> owned in 30 years, though I also own a truck).
>
> What does this have to do with this board? Do I want to keep the Honda
> and add more money into it? Good questions; I've been toying with the
> thought of a low mileage Miata. I've never driven one, though would
> love to find a place that rents them (in the San Francisco area). It
> would be more interesting than a vulture/dealer salesman along for the
> ride.
>
> So I've started searching info. I see people favoring NA over NB,
> though my first inclination is a recent model. I have over 140k miles
> on the Honda, why get into another high mileage car? Any words of
> wisdom/encouragement over the 2001-2003 models? It may be a few months
> before I could seriously make the plunge, but it gives me a lot of
> time to research. The Honda dealer hated me back when I bought that
> because I fought a well deserved price for new after careful research,
> though today's prices make a $23K- $28K car too rich for my meager
> blood.
>
> What's the word, sports enthusiasts? Is it a car worth seeking out? Of
> course on this board what answer would I expect? *
>
> TIA


  #8  
Old September 14th 04, 02:53 PM
Joe
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

You didn't mention where you live. I live 90 minutes from Ft Wayne,
Indiana, USA. I have a 2000 miata and an '88 Chevy short bed. I
don't baby my cars; cars are tools, not art. I do take care of my
tools though. I change the oil and rotate the tire every 5000 miles.
I waxed the Miata for only the second time this year. The paint is
starting the show that I don't wax it enough. The front of the car
sits so low (and there roads here are dirty) that there are a
significant number of scratches and dings on the front bumper and
hood. The hood is aluminum so there is no rust though.

In 4 years I've put 70,000 miles on the Miata. The only maintenance
has been oil, plugs and wires, tires, and as I type this brakes. My
gas milage is just under 30 mpg, less on windy roads.

I use the truck when conditions indicate that someone else would
easily slide into me. (During a 90 minute commute twice a week there
are plenty of chances for that.) The original Michelin pilots were
awful on snow. The new Firestones are much better on snow and wet,
but lousy on dry (soft sidewalls).

I've have put more in maintenance on the truck since 2000 than the
car, but I only put about 5000 miles on the truck each year.

Joe
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
European Cars Least Reliable Richard Schulman VW water cooled 3 November 11th 04 10:41 AM
FS: 1991 "Classic Cars" (Of The World) Cards with Box J.R. Sinclair General 0 May 27th 04 07:31 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:23 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 AutoBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.