Looking at 96 Miata
 

Found a 96 close to me and I already got to take a great look at it, I'd say it all checks out but the back window being cracked really sucks, could use some touch up paint as well. The interior was in good condition and pretty clean but the speakers weren't finished (covered).

Pros: Good maintenance record, new breaks, no rust, good interior, cold air intake, new clutch.
Cons: Small marks in paint (could touch up), cracked soft top back window (professional fix is quite pricey), speakers aren't covered or impressive.

I think 4.5k is too high for the condition it's in (112k miles) but maintenance has been solid (belt changed etc) and the test drive checks out.

If you have a friend who owns a Miata, enlist him to go on a test ride in this car. Folks who own one really tend to have lots of "feel" for this car and may be able detect things that you are not aware of. Of course, taking it to a trusted mechanic would be a great idea as well. I purchased my 97 Miata on Ebay about four years ago I wish those were the steps I took. No big problems with my purchase but it would have been nice to have someone NOT making an emotional decision like did.

Only thing I can remember one thing, it almost seemed as if there was a rattle at the release of a rev. Maybe something in it was loose, but I'm not sure what it was, it could have just been the exhaust

The opinion was from my trusted friend who has driven a Miata before BTW.

I paid $3000 for a 120k mile '96 car in good running order back in 2008. That was quite a while ago. It was loaded with leather, power, cruise, etc. It was bone stock except for the radio and had some clearcoat issues. I think $4500 for a stock '90-'97 Miata is a bit high unless it is beautiful and has under 60k miles.

I was under the assumption that it was overpriced for sure, I can find similar models for almost a thousand less but their locations are always a few states away from me.

I think I'll be calling it quits on looking into this one further, I would be willing to pay the asking price is I found everything to be just right about it.

It is amazing to me how the price seems to keep going up,then you have to realize that there are fewer and fewer good ones to pick from
A big factor in price is the state you live in .Get further south and you have more of them to pick from. You still see a lot of over priced ones but there are a lot of them that are priced reasonable

Well Sowexly, I would also suggest checking some Miata Owners Clubs in and around your area as well as some further South as was suggested. Where the sun shines most is Miata country for sure. I purchased my 97 Miata on Ebay about four years ago. It had over 150K miles on the clock but was in very good condition inside and out. It has been nicknamed my "mid-life crisis car" by my wife, but I just love it! Worth waiting for just the right one!

Price is subjective.... color can bring it up/down, miles, rust, seat condition, mods....
I have owned a lot of Miata in the last few years. My 95 M sold in less than a week because the owner HAD to have the color. The 96 Montego, same thing. I couldn't talk the people out of it. Now that I am selling off the Super Charged car I am finding that:
1. people either love or hate Red
2. Even a professionally assembled/tuned/low mile car is difficult to sell. I actually may be better off selling the performance parts and then moving the car stock. It's too bad because its so damn fun!
Good condition NA's are becoming harder to find. Most have been rusted, or have high miles, or have been hit.
Then there is this to think of... low mile garage queen, family's third car, driven a few times a summer....has the maintenance really been done? Hell, my wife drives her truck every day and complains that I work on it too often. That's just because she sees me do an oil change every 3000 miles. Most folks hear a funny noise and turn the radio up until it stops ;-)
Long way to the point but if you find a nice clean car with paperwork to support maintenance and you can feel good about what you are paying, get it.