The truth would be nice [Archive] (2024)

cantdrv55

11th August 2004, 19:36

toddwcarpenter

11th August 2004, 20:14

Snapshot

11th August 2004, 20:24

cantdrv55

11th August 2004, 20:34

MX5Jon

11th August 2004, 20:49

Might have to look a bit out of your area. I found a really nice 94 C pkg, (leather, power everything, torsen - great shape) on Autotrader but had to drive 90 miles to get it. Turns out I was the first to call and stop by with cash. Paid $4200. Be patient and be willing to move fast - you'll find one.

-Jon

gary p

11th August 2004, 20:59

Good things come to those who are patient. You want a clean, well-cared-for car at an average, somewhat-neglected car price. It can happen, but statisticly you're gonna have to look at a lot of turds before you find the gem.

It took me a year-and-a-half of looking before I found a car that was nice enough and cheap enough to satisfy me. I looked at a few nice cars that the owners wouldn't come down enough on. I looked at a few cars that were in my price range but were too rough for my tastes. Mostly I looked at cars that were too much and too rough. But I kept looking and ended up scoring a cherry 90 A package with 35k miles for $3600.

Like ewijon says, you've got to be ready to move quick when you do find it. There are lots of guys (and gals) ready to jump on a good deal.

[ 11. August 2004, 21:04: Message edited by: gary p ]

Jerry & Cootie

12th August 2004, 06:10

Before I bought Cootie new, I would answer ads for cream puff cars (over six months of looking) and we would end up talking about how great my old car looked and had triple the mileage of their like new cars with 50K.

I remember looking at one in Mt. Pleasant, SC that was ratted out from the word go, the tire stems were even chewed by the owners dog, wires hanging from the dash, etc. It's buyer beware and you are the buyer.

There is no truth involved with most sellers, they think they are wannabe dealers and have license to lie, it's a game.

Baston-Rob

12th August 2004, 08:26

When you call about a car for sale ask a million questions. It can save you time driving to see a pig.

If the seller does not want to give detailed answers, or seem to get upset by a long line of questions, it's a good reason to believe the car is not worth a drive to go see.

A long conversation with the owner on the phone may also give some hints about how motivated they are to sell the car.

MX5/XJ6

12th August 2004, 13:08

Originally posted by cantdrv55:
Recently I've been looking at 94-95 Miatas to purchase...

For a change, I'd love to see and ad that tells the truth...

"Car's got dings and mismatched paint, top's worn but you can't tell by the pics and the radiator leaks which is why I'm pricing this car at $4K". Yeah, and that pretty much sounds like what you WOULD find on a '94-'95 for $4k.
I wouldn't take a penny less than $6500 for my '94.

cantdrv55

12th August 2004, 15:04

Originally posted by MX5/XJ6:
Originally posted by cantdrv55:
Recently I've been looking at 94-95 Miatas to purchase...

For a change, I'd love to see and ad that tells the truth...

"Car's got dings and mismatched paint, top's worn but you can't tell by the pics and the radiator leaks which is why I'm pricing this car at $4K". Yeah, and that pretty much sounds like what you WOULD find on a '94-'95 for $4k.
I wouldn't take a penny less than $6500 for my '94. If ads for '94 to '95 told the truth as above, I'd save a little longer to buy one like yours MX5/XJ6. However, the ads I see are less than truthful leading me to believe there are bargains out there now. Sounds like my budget should be $6K.

The Angle

12th August 2004, 15:45

First and foremost, what the seller is asking for the car has nothing to do with the price. Educate yourself on what cars of your desired vintage are worth in various conditions. Pay no attention whatsoever to the price the seller is asking. Just because the guy is asking $5,400 for a car that you know is worth only $4,000, don't assume you can't buy it. When you find a vehicle you're interested in, make an offer based on what you're willing to pay, not the asking price. Be ready to back up your offer with information about Blue Book value and how the car's condition affects it. And be prepared to have sellers get angry or think you're nuts. But just because they turn down your first offer doesn't mean they won't listen two weeks from now when the car's still sitting in the driveway and they've had no other offers. Be calm and reasonable; know what you're talking about; and be firm in what you want and what you'll pay. There are tons of good Miatas out there but sellers always ask too much. If you want a good deal (for everybody), you often need to educate the seller as much as yourself about what his car is really worth.

Be patient and be willing to move fast - you'll find one.There's the key.

Steve

roja_dude

12th August 2004, 16:14

The Angle

13th August 2004, 12:57

If someone won't be up front about a salvage title, just walk away. I'd have no qualms telling someone who was hedging, "show me the title in the next five minutes or I'm gone."

Steve

r-man

13th August 2004, 23:16

While I DO NOT reccomend or practice out and out trickery/lies when it comes to dealing with this type of person (people who lie/exaggerate the condition of their car, or salvage title 'hold outs'), when I DO find myself looking at one of their cars as a prospective purchase, I find that geese are often dismayed/befuddled when the gander plays the same game: On more than one occassion now (ok, probably like 20-50 :) ) I have turned the tables on this type of person. I am up-front, blunt, and semi-confrontational in these situations...

Never, EVER let yourself get emotionaly attached to a car that you have just met. If you've personally known the owner for a long time, fine, different situation. But if you meet a car, ANY CAR (miata, porsche, ferrari, jag, mcclaren, whatever) do not get emotionally involved until you have thoroughly, exhaustively investigated/probed/inspected it. Remember: The person selling the car is emotionally invested in selling it, but that doesn't mean it has to be YOU that buys it...This type of person is going to run screaming for the hills if you tell them that you want to buy it...pending approval by your mechanic!

For most people, spending $50-100 for a true inspection is a very good idea.

Remember: We live in the greatest country on this planet, but part of that greatness carries personal responsibility (free market, GOOD), so CAVEAT EMPTOR!

harprd

15th August 2004, 18:46

mitro

15th August 2004, 21:19

If I post an ad for a car, I'm not going to list all the defects in the ad. That would be bad marketing. I would get no responses.
While I won't list a 7/10 as immaculate, I'm not going to say it's a 7 either.
If you call or stop by I'll give you the lowdown if you ask , otherwise, I'll keep my mouth shut. The idea is to sell the car.

--john--

RCBuddha

18th August 2004, 02:59

Great replies guys, keep them coming....

I too have been looking for my first miata with a similar budget. I've already looked at about three of them, all with varying degrees of problems. The biggest reason for me not to buy one of them is because i'm looking for someone who has had a vested interest in the car. I.E. someone who has taken the time to properly maintain, TLC the paint, added mild mods to pep the car up, followed the service schedule etc.

I think this goes for any car, not just a miata. I believe it is ok to have such standards, as I don't really need the car, but want to get one.

The search goes on.....

jmardy

19th August 2004, 02:44

Craig's list (http://www.craigslist.org/cgi-bin/search?areaID=1&subAreaID=0&query=miata) is a great place to find Miatas around here.
They are out there, have cash ready and move VERY quickly when you see one you like.

Good luck.

RCBuddha

19th August 2004, 11:53

Originally posted by jmardy:
Craig's list (http://www.craigslist.org/cgi-bin/search?areaID=1&subAreaID=0&query=miata) is a great place to find Miatas around here.
They are out there, have cash ready and move VERY quickly when you see one you like.

Good luck. Thanks for the heads up jmardy, I just added a few leads to my search. I couldn't believe how many more miatas were for sale up north, than in SoCal...there was like double the amount...

Rich Wilkman

19th August 2004, 13:46

RCBuddah:

It doesn't really surprise me. The last slap to the face in the tech sector, pretty much centered up here, has folks from all economic brackets selling their toy cars. Some of us are just walking the knife edge as best as possible to keep them. :(

-Rich

TurboEric

19th August 2004, 14:35

MX5/XJ6

19th August 2004, 14:56

Originally posted by TurboEric:
This kind of thing works both ways. I once tried to sell a winter beater for $50. It had a good battery, 4 good Michelins and started and ran well. Yet prospective buyers complained that it wasn't in very good shape! That's unreal - I don't even think you can buy a running lawnmower for fifty bucks :eek:

What kind of car was it? From just what you said above it should have brought $500 :ohno:

TurboEric

20th August 2004, 12:06

Well, this was the late 80's, so prices were a little lower. It was an early 70's Simca 1204. Simca (French car company) was owned by Chrysler at the time and the 1204's were imported to Canada by Chrysler. For those of you who think your 1600 Miatas are too slow, the 1204 refers to 1200 cc and 4 cylinders, in a car between the size of a Mazda 3 and a 6. An unusual car in North America even when new and I haven't seen one for years.

If you're curious, see http://mclellansautomotive.com/photos/B24323.jpg

MX5/XJ6

20th August 2004, 16:19

Montee Montego

21st August 2004, 01:52

Originally posted by TurboEric:
Well, this was the late 80's, so prices were a little lower. It was an early 70's Simca 1204. Simca (French car company) was owned by Chrysler at the time and the 1204's were imported to Canada by Chrysler. For those of you who think your 1600 Miatas are too slow, the 1204 refers to 1200 cc and 4 cylinders, in a car between the size of a Mazda 3 and a 6. An unusual car in North America even when new and I haven't seen one for years.

If you're curious, see http://mclellansautomotive.com/photos/B24323.jpg Damn,that is one ugly car! Were you asking $50 Canadian? Maybe that would be a deal... but $50 U.S. ... I gotta think about that a bit! :D

TurboEric

21st August 2004, 11:06

gotquestion

25th August 2004, 13:36

Don't lean too heavily on KBB or Edmunds. I sold my 90 with a salvage title and 140K miles recently for more than what a personal seller should get according to the sources mentioned above.

The car was in good shape and I just sold it because I got a screaming deal on a 91 with 62K.

I told the perspective buyers straight out that it had a salvage title and not to even mention what KBB said it was worth ($1200 - 1400).

My asking price was $2900, my floor price was $2300. I'd have kept it for a winter "beater" for less than that. I ended up getting $2500.