Should I buy this?

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Through a contact at work I have an "opportunity" to make an offer on a banged up Miata. What's it worth? What would I want to do with it? If I bought it and parted it, there are a few things I could use - top, wheels, tires, etc.

Apparently it runs and drives fine. Might make a nice Gen II rallyx car with a bar in it. Hmmm.

Candidate for a spec Miata? Or I could just work on restoring it into a street car again.

Take the 1.8 motor out and put it in my '93?

More pics:
http://www.nogumracing.com/whitney/Miata/index.html

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Fri May 21, 2004 10:48 am

Having never owned a Miata, Im sure you are wondering WTF am I doing answering this.

Here's my take: Kevin Butlers Miata looked WAAAAAYYYYYY better than that after I slammed into the rear of it. I bent the frame seven ways from Sunday on that beyotch, its currently on its SECOND tour of duty at the body shop.

At a MINIMUM, I would take it to a body shop and see if the frame is square.

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Fri May 21, 2004 11:27 am

If it's an OBD2 car I'd run fast and far from putting the 1.8 in. Travis is *still* futzing with his trying to get it to work right. I'd say the 1.8 is no good for a Spec Miata also, they have to use restrictor plates.

BTW Whitney I think there's something wrong wtih you. I'm quite convinced of it.

Rob Keehner · **Posted:** Fri May 21, 2004 11:54 am

locost donor

Chuck Frank · **Posted:** Fri May 21, 2004 11:55 am

Most rearend hits are very serious in a Miata. The rear crush zones extend all the way up into the passenger compartment. If it's cheap enough it might be worth parting out, especially if it has the Torsen rearend. If it has the Torsen and a good top and <60K miles it's probably worth ~1K if it has the open rear, ~600. There's too many good chassis out there for that one to be worth messing with.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Fri May 21, 2004 1:10 pm

MikeWhitney wrote:

If I bought it and parted it, there are a few things I could use - top, wheels, tires, etc.

If you do buy it and end up parting it out let me know. There's a few items I could use from it.

AdamMenges · **Posted:** Fri May 21, 2004 9:54 pm

Ah, buy it and go for the 1.8 swap. It's relatively easy, and the increase in torque is well worth it.. then sell me the rear end from that wreck

shawnwhipple · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 6:28 pm **Posts:** 603

Buy it !! Then put the 1.8 in the MG. If you did that it would a) Have a good chance of running more than one day in a row and b) leak less oil. :lol:

David Spratte · **Posted:** Sat May 22, 2004 11:08 am

I'd buy the mirrors, if they're power. I think it's a direct swap to my 93.

RobLupella · **Posted:** Mon May 24, 2004 12:44 pm

I could use the top from it so I have a rear window...... I'll buy the car for $300 :lol:

JamesFeinberg · **Posted:** Mon May 24, 2004 12:58 pm

I swear I saw this car on I-40 on the way back from the RallyX on Saturday. If that wasn't it, there are 2 red NA's with the exact same crease in the rear quarter panel...

Jim

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