Buying NA Miata Tomorrow
 

Hi all,
Name's Anthony. I'm a long time Ford Ranger guy and am currently building a 5.0 Race motor for my 95 4x4 Ranger. Due to the fact that the truck will be torn to the frame for a while while we complete the build into a desert racer I have been looking for a second car. It had to have a stick and rear wheel drive, and a convertible would be a nice bonus. After looking a t old mustangs and 300zx's for a while I remembered a little favorite of mine.

I've been in contact with a few sellers on Craigslist around Delaware and finally found a guy willing to negotiate. The car is a red 1993 with black cloth interior and working A/C. Alll electrics work. The top is in decent shape and the car only has a couple minor spots of damage. The owner before him tried to roll the drivers front fender and there is a small indent. Theres also a small hole behind the drivers side rear fender. The motor was completely rebuilt 50k miles ago and the chassis has ~240k on it.

Since I won't need to use it until next summer I have all winter to fix a few issues. He says it needs a new muffler, upper ball joints, and could eventually use a restich around the back window.
I have gotten him down to $1800 on the phone and am trying for $1600-1700.

I plan on a few things for this car after we finish the truck. Possible autocross or full restore to new.

The car: 93 madza miata
And my ranger build: Project: Baja or Bust Build Thread - Ranger-Forums - The Ultimate Ford Ranger Resource

Welcome to the forum. I didn't think there were deserts in Delaware.

Ha very true. We just wanted to do something different and have our sights set on doing the baja 1000 in a few years. We still have the pine barrens and some other secluded spots to test long travel suspensions and things.

I went and took a look at the red 93 Miata and she was not what was advertised. Dents everywhere, paint coming off and rust all over, no muffler, front suspension coming apart, not to mention the "new engine" and 240k on the chassis.

I found another nearby. A white 90'. There is a small fender dent that can easily be fixed, 180k miles, good top, new brakes/tires and a 5 speed. I'm in contact with the seller to come test drive it this week. Super excited!

1990 Miata

Welcome, hope you find one soon! When you get done with the Ranger, stick a 5.0 in the Miata too! Searching for "V8 Miata" on Youtube always makes my wallet start to cower in a corner.

Haha we already had the idea of just swapping it into the Miata but I'd like to keep the car mostly stock and in like new condition. Plus I don't even want to imagine how much trouble I could get in with a V8 in that thing!

So far Ive planned on lowering the car a little bit on some nice 6ul's and maybe a 195 or 205 tire. Maybe a roll bar too and a nice mild exhaust.

You should not have a lot of trouble finding a 90-93 in decent shape for under 2.5K. Keep looking. Your Miata is out there waiting for you.

Watch out for harmonic balancer wobble on any of those 1.6 cars. It can be trouble.