zoom zoom!!! (WAS zoom zoom ???? )

[AutobahnSHO]

So my boss, who I talk with a lot in person- we shared a room in Afghan the last week (seriously, they put up to 3people in some rooms the size of a large walkin closet)   is moving in a few months- he's been reassigned to Hawaii.
They have a Trailblazer and a 1994 Miata, red.   The Army will only pay to ship one car, guess which one is newer and more practical??

He mentioned it to me because I said I'd love one "someday". He says he might unload it before he moves, I asked about keeping it at his family's house or whatever, he doesnt' want to.

He literally installed a new clutch and transmission (manual!) 3 weeks ago, for $2100. He wants to recoup that money. It has about 150k miles. It was rearended last year, shop did a job that looks brand new.

What Think Ya'll??

USAA pre-approved a loan, the littlest they'll lend is $2500, which would cover first insurance and registration also. Could go $119 for 2years or $78 for 3years, they would even go 5 if I wanted. (crazy!!!!)

I'd still keep the Subaru (and work on fixing the CEL) because obviously the family won't fit in a Miata. Wifey is strangely ok, she says she'd never drive it (manual) but has always wanted to ride around in a convertible.

IF he sells, IF I look at buying, what else is there to look out for? How do you check the roof for leaks and whatnot??

I don't want to get my hopes up then get let down. But it's kinda possible....

[Eye of the Tiger]

I think you know where I stand on this (do eeeeet).
Any unthusiasts care to counter my rock solid logic?

[giant_mtb]

How do you check the roof for leaks and whatnot??

I suspect putting the top up and acquiring a garden hose could be a good start.

[SVT666]

If you need a loan for $2100, you should not buy it.

[Rupert]

I would think the loan is OK is you could pay it off all at once if you needed to (have the money, just don't want to spend it all at once).

Check out miata.net for a bunch of buying and checking info.

[mzziaz]

You might be too poor, but it sounds mighty tempting. have you taken it for a test drive, yet?

[Onslaught]

94's are about the best year you can get. If I was getting one it's what I'd look for. Where do you live? I'm going to come up and buy it.

[AutobahnSHO]

I have about $1500 in the bank right now but am taking vacation this summer and will need it for teh gasmoney$.
Live in Clarksville, TN. He won't have it up on the internets unless I decline. IF he sells at all.

So what about the price/condition?? I'd feel kinda bad talking him down but if something will need work right away I can't be spending on it.

[Byteme]

$2100 is probably a good price.  Going to Miata.net is a good recommendation.  They have a great resource for checking the condition. 

I'm assuming the usual 14" wheels, cloth interior.  What condition is the top in?  Put it up, hit the car with a garden hose.  Dopn't be surprised and turned off if you get a couple of drops coming in at the top of the window and the top's weatherstripping if you shot the water there directly.  Spray the car completely around the doors and runk lid as sell and then check the trunk for leaks.  Look behind the trim panel in the trunk for leaks.  What kind of battery does the car have?  Any rust in the battery area.  The car takes a special battery that vents to the outside.  If someone cheaped out and put in a normal battery the fumes will rust the trunk. 

What has been replaced and when?  Shocks?  suspension bushings?  brakes?  any oil leaks?  When was the timing belt and hoses and belts last replaced.  Does the current owner keep service records?  Does everything work?  headlights pop up?  AC, if equipped, blow cold?  If it has power windows, they will likely be slow, this is pretty much normal and can be easily fixed with out a lot of drama and a few dollars for lubricants.

One thought.  If it's in decent shape and you decide later you don't want it you can more than likely get your money out of it, unless you wind up dumping a bunch in it for repairs.   

[Middle_Path]

If you need a loan for $2100, you should not buy it.

This.

[SVT666]

Dude, I'm not kidding.  If you need a loan for $2100 and the only money you have in the bank is to be used for your gas on a trip this summer, and that if something breaks you can't afford to fix it, then there is no way in hell you should be contemplating this car.

[Byteme]

Dude, I'm not kidding.  If you need a loan for $2100 and the only money you have in the bank is to be used for your gas on a trip this summer, and that if something breaks you can't afford to fix it, then there is no way in hell you should be contemplating this car.

I'd agree.  If the $1,500 is your total savings you don't need the car. 

[hounddog]

I think the question is not about how much you have in the bank, but rather, is the $200ish a month to buy and insure it too hard on your budget?

Honestly, if you have to consider it for more than a split second, then you probably should wait awhile.

The one thing I have always found is that if you pass one up, there is always going to be another some day down the road.  Sometimes it is even a better deal.   Its funny how that works out most times.

[AutobahnSHO]

heh we've NEVER been good on moneys.

It would be a $100/month loan, something we can easily swing- not so much the upfront purchase price. Had to transfer moneys today- I was mistaken, we have $2100 savings, plus more than enough moneys for the rest of the month.

Part of my motivation is also the Subaru is acting funny. CEL with cyl misfires, however i'm getting better gas mileage than ever before. If I had another ride I could fix it at my leisure in our garage, as it is i will end up spending whole Saturdays with the stupid thing.

[68_427]

New plugs and filter brah.  Fixed my misfire.

[cawimmer430]

You're a Delta Force Soldier and you're considering a Miata?

May as well apply for a position with the nurses! 


j/k   

[Madman]

You're a Delta Force Soldier and you're considering a Miata?

May as well apply for a position with the nurses! 


j/k   

It's a whole different army since "Don't ask, don't tell" went away!   

[cawimmer430]

It's a whole different army since "Don't ask, don't tell" went away!   

[MrH]

I think the question is not about how much you have in the bank, but rather, is the $200ish a month to buy and insure it too hard on your budget?

Honestly, if you have to consider it for more than a split second, then you probably should wait awhile.

The one thing I have always found is that if you pass one up, there is always going to be another some day down the road.  Sometimes it is even a better deal.   Its funny how that works out most times.

I have about $1500 in the bank right now but am taking vacation this summer and will need it for teh gasmoney$.

Does that answer your question?  If all you have in savings is $1500, the answer is a firm FUCK NO.

It's one thing to have the money, but want the cash to keep yourself flexible, and find the interest on the loan worth it to keep that cash available.  It's an entirely different issue if you can't pay it in full to begin with.

[AutobahnSHO]

New plugs and filter brah.  Fixed my misfire.

Already did plugs, wires, ignition coil. Still CEL. Weird part is I'm getting 23mpg, which is better than it was the last time I was driving it a lot (2010).

------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh, to all the naysayers, I get a $150/month payraise in April. If I don't spend it on car wife will spend it..

[SVT666]

I think you need to have a sit down with your wife and get a handle on her spending man.

[FoMoJo]

If it checks out okay get it.  Having a loan, you're going to make your payments.  With no loan, your wife's going to blow the money anyways.  Might as well have something useful for your spent monies.

[Payman]

The guys are right, of course. But you know that. You are trying hard to justify an irrational purchase when you're still walking a fine line with family finances. I completely understand where you're coming from, and you and the wife greatly deserve a fun reward for what you've done these past few years. But, and it pains me to say this, perhaps you should wait a little longer. Sock away the extra $150/month and forget about it. Before long you'll have a down payment for a home, or maybe a good downpayment on a 2015 BRZ. Bankruptcy forced me to skip frivolous spending, and next spring all my agonizing over not having this or that will pay off when the backhoe is digging the foundation for the house I've been working for these past 10 years. I really want to say "do it, you deserve it!" But I respect you too much as a friend to say that.

[Payman]

Actually, Will, it might not be such a bad idea after all. Unlike other $2000 cars, I can't see a Miata depreciating any further, especially if you take care of it. You and wifey get to enjoy the car, which would actually be a vehicle for saving $2000-2500, because you could potentially recoup your money and maybe a little more when you sell it. This of course depends greatly on it not being a money pit.

I dunno. I really want you to get it, but I know too well the hazards of irrational financial choices. Maybe this way you can justify doing it.

[Secret Chimp]

Join Club Brum.

Onslaught, HotRodPilot and I are the only remaining members (NCs don't count :P)

[68_427]

Join Club Brum.

Onslaught, HotRodPilot and I are the only remaining members (NCs don't count :P)

Miata John.



Also, check the Filter anyways.

[MrH]

He's got a total of $1500 in the bank, and you're going to recommend an old Miata as an investment? Am i the only one who thinks this thread is absolutely crazy?

[Payman]

He's got a total of $1500 in the bank, and you're going to recommend an old Miata as an investment? Am i the only one who thinks this thread is absolutely crazy?

Not a recommendation... merely offering some justification if he feels he really wants it. Since the $150/mo will probably be spent anyways, at least he'll have a Miata worth the $2k he invested in it.
Not so crazy, really.

[hounddog]

Does that answer your question?  If all you have in savings is $1500, the answer is a firm FUCK NO.

It's one thing to have the money, but want the cash to keep yourself flexible, and find the interest on the loan worth it to keep that cash available.  It's an entirely different issue if you can't pay it in full to begin with.

The question is not mine to need answering. 

The man asked, I offered my opinion.  (you should also read what I wrote )

 

[hounddog]

I think you need to have a sit down with your wife and get a handle on her spending man.

None of our business, man, none of our business.