I saw a car of interrest on Craig's List for a 97M automatic with the matching hardtop and only 27K miles. This is one of the desired color combinations - Marina green with the carmel tan top/interior - that my wife really likes (as do I). And the automatic eliminates the need to try and teach her to drive a stick.
The posted pics look great, etc. But, the guy is asking $9K. This just seems really steep to me. He had it listed earlier this summer for $10K with the hardtop, so he has come down $1K.
Is this price in line for a really clean, low mile auto with hardtop, or is still overpriced by $1K to $2K?
First, the 97M is probably the least desirable color (no offense to current owners), too close to olive drab in certain lighting. So, don't let the color drive your opinion. The other issue is the automatic - makes a Miata much harder to sell, normally. However, if you are seeking a slushbox, like the color, then offer $8K for the car, maybe settle at 8.5. Is it on the high side - sure, but if it's been properly maintained and looks almost new, you're getting a car with another 200K miles in it for less than 10K. The hardtop is worth 1K by itself (maybe more to another 97M owner) so you're getting the base car for $7.0-$7.5, not a bad price if it meets your needs.
I saw a low mile beautifully maintained 97M this past year.... I thought it was a repaint but I was assured it was not. I thought it looked spectacular. Makes the BRG look downright boring! If you like green it is a beautiful color. I had a 97M automatic parked next to me at the (Mass) Miata Meet at the Museum of Transportation a couple of weeks ago. Pic doesn't do the car justice....
PD.... Yes, the car is still overpriced IMO.
When it's clean, the Marina Green is a beautiful color (to me).
The pic of the 97m above looks like a 94 (montego) m. I havent seen them look that dark (I could very well be wrong however).
Back to the topic. The car seems to be the color and package that you want, and the fact that it has low miles and a HT is great. 7.5-8.5k would be a good deal (sans HT you are looking at a 6.5-7.5k car with very low miles). I usually have no problem paying full price for something that is exactly what I want, as long as I plan on keeping it. I do not think at 7.5-8.5k you are massively overpaying, it is a low mile car with a special package and a very expensive (and popular) accessory (HT). Plus, if you decided to buy a different 97m and get the HT later, I think you would have a hard time finding it in that color, so a respray would be in order.
I do not think I have seen a 97m with the HT on, I do like the color and think it would look great with a HT! If you do end up getting it definately post some pics.
I missed a 97 M on the CA CL. I'm out of state and the seller wanted to sell to first person with cash. $4900. firm, 83K, manual, no HT, all service up to date including new TB, even had the original window sticker. Back window needed to be replaced but seller would cover the cost. It sold to second person that looked at it before I could figure out a way to get a deposit to seller. Seller was a great guy, was sorry it didn't work out and even offered to check out other cars in his area for me.
Here is a pic of the car in question.
Sounds like it's what you want. If it checks out, I'd follow Tom's advice and move on it in the way he suggested. I'd add to make it clear to the seller it's a cash deal, just meet me at the bank.
Folks belittle auto cars, but if it's what you want, they are just fine. And they are harder to find because there were less made.
These cars with such low mileage are getting scarce. If the condition is truly flawless, buy it and enjoy it.
Beautiful color, nothing drab about it. In fact, color is the first thing that people disagree on. Let me bring back a point that seems to have been lost on most, Laguna Blue was a disaster for Mazda, it sold in very small numbers. As time goes by, and people change their tastes, it has gained such popularity that it's looked on as a limited production car, similar to Sunburst Yellow, which no one wanted at the time.
So, go for whatever color floats your boat, but don't overpay by a huge margin, overpay by as much as you can afford.
Do your wife the favor of teaching her to drive stick. You'll both be much happier in the end.
Buying the cleanest, lowest mileage miata oftens turns out to be the cheapest in the long run, esp if you have to pay someone else to do the maintenence. If you are going to keep the car for more than a year or two, overpaying by $500 is really no big deal to me. Life is too short to waste without a miata.
This will have to be one of the rare instances I disagree with Tom. I've seen a few clean unmolested examples in the flesh, and they look spectacular. The wheels on this particular Miata are IMO the best Mazda offered, other than the BBS rims from the 93LE and 95M. If you get it, take care of those wheels - they're special!!!
Ask him if its 4 wheel drive? That will add to the value. Actually thats a nice car. And I agree with being an auto makes it harder to sell. Thats why everyone selling an suto usually says with Ultra Rare Auto transmission!!!!!!
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Anyway, I don't find the price to be too ridiculous. If it were mine, I'm pretty certain that I wouldn't let it go for a penny less than $8k.
My first Miata was a 97M, I loved the color.
That's not really out of line with a hardtop and such low miles. I'd start with an offer of $7500.00 and see what happens.
I like the color. I am saddened that it has an automatic
To me it seems overpriced.
Also check that the new lowered price now includes the hardtop he may be advertising it without to make it look cheaper.
Originally Posted by Porsche5050
The wheels on this particular Miata are IMO the best Mazda offered, other than the BBS rims from the 93LE and 95M. If you get it, take care of those wheels - they're special!!!
Or the 92 Bamp;T.
Originally Posted by Frank Reiss
Beautiful color, nothing drab about it. In fact, color is the first thing that people disagree on. Let me bring back a point that seems to have been lost on most, Laguna Blue was a disaster for Mazda, it sold in very small numbers. As time goes by, and people change their tastes, it has gained such popularity that it's looked on as a limited production car, similar to Sunburst Yellow, which no one wanted at the time.
So, go for whatever color floats your boat, but don't overpay by a huge margin, overpay by as much as you can afford.
First...I've always like the 97M..color and wheels. I'd offer $8.5 and enjoy the daylights out of it.
Second, Frank..was Laguna Blue really a quot;disasterquot; or were there other company decisons that affected the fact that it was only around two years. I wish Bob Hall was still on this board, he probably has the inside scoop.
Third...wonder why Winning Blue on lasted one year on the NC?
Fourth...I just came back from MATG and saw a number of beautiful 10AEs. THAT may be the best blue ever on a Miata.
Steve
95 Laguna |
Post at 2-7 07:35 AM
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