The Ultimate Miata Buyers Guide 

Updated guide for the recent price increase! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_oZi4GMzoVM.html

I’m here from 2021 where 4300 dollars for that is an absolute steal.

A few tips for those looking to buy and maintain a **rust free** NA: 1. If the antenna doesn't go up or down properly, it could mean the internals of the mechanism have rusted out or the drain tube has clogged up and it's likely leaking rain water into the trunk near the battery. Pull the battery and investigate for rust in this area, be prepared, it could be ugly if it's been neglected too long. 2. If you hear sloshing from your door sills after rain, get a piece of thick wire, find the drain holes beside the jack points on the rocker, stick the wire in and giggle and thrust. This should clear out any clogs and drain any water, and will help prevent sill rust 3. Be sure to clean out your door seals and around the rear of your soft top when folded down. Clear out the moss and grime build up in these areas often to prevent water from sitting or getting where it shouldn't be and causing rust or rot. 4. If your windows are struggling to go up or down, your runners could be rusted. The A-pillar side runner is quite prone to rust as rain drains down it from the triangular 'quarter' window. Remove the door card and rain seal to check your runners. If you can't salvage them or a simple lube doesn't help, sourcing a replacement shouldn't be too difficult. Be sure to tighten and lube the bushings on the glass too, as they can work loose

6:40 I've learned that some people put auto in the description but in the photos you can clearly see it's a manual so don't rule cars out if it says auto in the description

I just got into cars and this was very helpful. I think I’d better start saving for one lol.

I’ve owned Miatas for nearly a decade now, so I’m familiar with most of these problems and details. But let me say this video was still very well constructed and a pleasure to watch.

1 year later and the "overpricred" miatas are a good deal right now:((

Pro tip, if you have a trunk release, it can be disabled by turning the lock on the trunk counter clockwise, then it can only be opened by the key again.

I’ve always wanted one as a kid, the pop up headlights is what made me fall in love with this little car. Thank you so much for this information

4200$ = outrageous price me, laughing in europe where miatas are sometimes going for 10k or more $ 😂 Oh, and we also got a 90HP 1.6 from 1995-1998 😪

2024 and it cost 10 000

And now a clean one is $6000+

Varies greatly with region. The same quality examples in the northeast are $4000 to $6000. If you want to pay less, you're taking one with a ton of rust.

Its incredible to see how cheap are Miatas / any used car, on USA, The cheapest one that I can find on my country when converted to dollars is $5500, Gotta save A LOT for 8 months to afford that. Wish me luck

Hey man. For someone who’s looking to get a first Miata. This is a hella good review and you did a damn good job at the review and knowledge that you have. Awesome job man!!!!

We just got our first Miata 🥰 it’s a blue 95. Has a salvage title but it’s super clean with no rust 🤩

wow man. your videos are outstanding i cannot believe your subcount isn’t over 500k atleast like wow the quality and delivery is amazing man

Hey man i stumbled upon this video because i like miatas a lot and have been watching a lot of videos about them! Anyway i just wanted to say thanks for the informative video, which i'm definitely saving for the future when i have enough money to buy one.

Thanks for bringing us yet another vibe 🥂 enjoyed

I was listening to sara's podcast and found this channel through it... love the video man.... u earned a sub👍🏾

I'm literally trying to buy a 1.8 NA Miata right nowwwww

Great video! Im about to try and buy an NA as a project car, its going to need a little work but im excited. I am a huge car enthusiast at 15, so this will be my first car!

I’ve been saving for one and this helped so much thank you 😊

A good way to tell between the 1.8 and 1.6 is the CAS on the back of the engine. On a 1.8 it’s gonna be on the drivers side and on the 1.6 it’s on the passenger side!

great video, awesome quality, keep grinding, your channel will eventually grow

i’ve been looking for a miata for a while and this helped a lot

Super informative vid thank you! You just got yourself a like and a subscriber. This vid definitely made me want to look more for the 1.8 rather than the 1.6 . . . I think it’s kinda funny cuz if I saw a Miata like the overpriced one you showed I would buy it instantly haha

Thanks for this video I’ve been into cars since the beginning of quarantine and I think this will be my first car in high school I can’t wait to get on and mod it ⁉️

Missing mine some more now. That 1.6 was nice and pushed to its limits when I had it.

I too own a 90’ short nose crank as well. Somethings to lookout for is general wear depending on your area. If there is snow where you live check underneath the car for rust, if it rains a ton look for mold on the interior carpet, soft top, etc. price also changes upon where you live. Aside from that, I think this was a very well executed video.

Thanks for this video, Im in the UK and looking at buying a Eunos (Japanese Import), this has helped loads! Got a lot to take into consideration, I'm hoping to find one around the £2000 mark that isnt in too bad condition, a lot of them over here are very rusty though down to the weather over here and the fact that the UK salt the roads in the winter! Subbed to you though, thanks!

I bought a 1.6 four years ago, not knowing anything about cars. Basically my first project. I was so upset after like 2 years of learning and building that it’s a 1.6. But the 1.6 can surprisingly handle up to 300hp (on the safe side) and with forged internals, boring the motor to a 1.78 liter, it can handle up to 500hp and 50psi of boost no problem. Around 280hp with 10psi of boost already makes the car feel fast and fun to drive cause it’s a small car. Great project to start with. Only if there was more aftermarket support. I custom made so many things. Keep in mind that the diff is weak so change it out to an rx7 diff or do a custom swap

Superb vid. Thanks!

0 experience with cars but looking to buy my first car and for it to be a project car. Low key kinda terrified with what’s a good price, good conditioner, etc. Do feel a little more confident after watching this. Cheers man!

needed this video thanks

Damn lots of good info in here. Awesome video

The "1.8 NA" shown @ 4:46 actually has an NB dash and center console swap. So don't expect to see that dash when you go to buy a 1.8 NA. Great vid tho!

Great video man!

I’m seeing clean, low-mile NAs selling at auction on Bring A Trailer for five-figures, and this seems to be trending upward.

I am a teenager really considering a white 97 Miata. It’s 3k and looks to be in good condition from the outside. Idk about miles but thank you for giving me some tips this will be my first car purchased with my own money.

I have not read all comments but only other thing I can think of being a N/A owner myself is if u use soft top the drain holes behind seats on shelf clog alot depending on were car kept (ex. I live in N.C alotta pine trees and mine was gloged and rusted out when I got it ) and the rain rail tends to leak apparently with age or when the top is changed if it is not replaced .... other than that brotha awsome informative video 🤘✌👨🏽‍🔧

It feels good owning a 94 Miata I learned a lot from this

Really enjoyed the video just subbed

Got my NC automatic 2006 Drove 2 hrs to get home and I love it.

Thanks for this yo I needed a car and mitia looks a fairly good car for a first buy

thank you sm for this helpful video!

I'd like to point out that even the long nose crank can have keyway wear if improperly serviced. My 1994 had the exact problem you described for the short nose cranks.

TFW you’re looking at the pricing guide in 2021 and the used market is on fire :’)

didn't age well the market got stupid expansive

great video! I have a 90 that ive 1.8 swapped love these little cars

Very helpful. Going to be able to work and drive soon, and i want a miata

Hey, I love the video. What camera and lens are you using to shoot the video?

I'm picking up a 1994 tomorrow. I think it is a package A based on the options. It's owned by a 67 year old dude, and is super clean for how old it is. $4k, can't wait. It's going to be a fun project car!

For reference to compare with some of the ads, I bought my mariner blue 1990 bone stock with 65k miles for $4300 about two years ago :)

got a 91 5 years ago and she's only at 176k. everything is true, they are so affordable and reliable!

WhiteBoy7thst long lost brother, great video

If anyone is looking to buy any NB model in the northeast beware of a severe rust issue. The frame rails in all NB’s use a “sandwich” construction that traps water and causes severe rust. This specific rust issue starts from the inside of the frame rails and goes out so it can be difficult to detect until it’s too late and the car is a death trap!

I bought a 1995 with the LSD 14 years ago with 169k miles for $2,000. I spent another $1,000 on a hard top and the car has been a joy to drive since. I don't do much commuting so the ODO is sitting at around 203 now but I love it and am planning on keeping it forever.

Should do a follow up on this during this market

What a nice and decent guy

JUST TELL ME HOW TO PUT IN A STI MOTOR! haha! I want a AWD Miata so I can have this cool thing in the snow! Really helpful video.

Now let’s see a updated guide where $7-9k will get you started

A good review with points that I agree with. Personally I prefer the 1.6 engine as I find it's more sporty. I have 3 MX-5's. 2 x MK1 BBR Turbo's [150bhp and 204bhp] and a standard Mk2 with the 1.8 engine. The combined mileage of the 4 MX-5's I've run this century is 500,000 miles. I've had to replace 2 fan belts, nothing else went wrong. I had zero problems with my short nose crank engine, it's at 180,000 miles. The prices you quote are much higher than cars for sale here in the UK.

You should do an episode like this on the Corolla. Its also a good four banger with some racing history aand th ae86 was the car that started drifting. Can we get an episode on the corolla please. Also i do like how he brought up issues worth looking out for. You can maintain a car better be keeping in mind any issues from the factory. If its a small part i can swap it out for a better part but its nice to know najor issues aswell . Thank you

nice video, you should pump a series out. I’m in Japan and own a 1.6 now which needs engine bay surface rust stop ... owned a 97 RS LTD before and a couple of 94,s last one was painted over a rusty rocker panel... Japan is huge and has Okinawa where soda vending machines rust out in 7-8 years to Hokkaido and Saporro where they salt roads. I would like to make a video about buying Eunos Roadsters, wish I was a bit more video friendly (I look tough and already 45 lol) and was editing savvy

I bought my 1.6 miata na "91 over 2 years ago almost 3 years ago for €2300,- also 1.6 you got the 90hp and 116hp i got the 116hp.😎

THATS CRAZY!!! that silver Miata he said was good is now located close to where i live for like double the price listed. oof

prices in MidAtlantic US latched on to the 2020 COVID curve right after this video was made. In January of 2020, I was thinking of going back to a stick shift ragtop C-4 Corvette and put out feelers for my NA - high mileage (260k) but rust free, clean interior, leak-free original top, never hit AC/PS/PW/Cruise/ABS with big brake kit, fairly new suspension bushes and stock-height coil overs.. I've owned it for 20 years and don't have $2500 all in - that's including the original $1200 cost of the car (bought sight unseen from a family pizza joint that used it as a delivery car for 10 years/150,000 miles. And that $2500 includes all the wear items and fluid changes along the way. Best I offer I had was $1900. This past Labor Day, a young cop pulled up behind me in a parking lot and said he saw me make a "bat turn" while doing the 35 mph speed limit.... he'd been looking for a fun car, had his eye on Miatas and that's what sealed his decision to buy one.... I don't know what other cars he may have looked at, or drove, but we got to talking about them in general and I let him take it for a short hard ride in an empty parking lot. And when he offered me $3500, the 73 year old sentimental dumbass that I am (even while imagining I was drying my tears with a bundle of fifties) had a change of heart and told him I needed another thousand to part with it. On one hand I'm glad he didn't bite (I'm over the Corvette-fever) but on the other sort of wish he had countered at $4000.... (now have my eye on another old Martin guitar....) Anyway, I saw him at the sub shop recently in a gorgeous blue NA8 with 20k miles and a factory hardtop - Original owner was asking $12k - he said he got it for $10k cash and that he would never have found a new car for that kind of money.

Would like to see a video about the front fender cut, it would ve interesting

This Dude knows his Miata's...

The fact that miatas are under 5k is a blessing already its worth is and if a clean good one is 4200 thats not a bad price

Year later, the Miata market is absolutely ridiculous. All I can find is junk miatas for $7000+

I bought my my first Miata a month ago, 1996 with 61k miles for 5500$. Sadly the prices here in central Texas are usually more than what your seeing, but I don't regret it.

Thank you!

I'm in Kansas, a totally rusted out miata is $4k! One that is all original in great shape with around 80-120k miles will run you close to $10k and I am NOT over exaggerating

I really want one of these, though I don’t know if I’ll be able to obtain one for a while

Just bought a 1997 for $4700 has power everything, stock everything, paint was great interior looked cherry (honestly i haven't seen many miatas with the tan leather interior that looked that good, i thought he had it reupholstered), and has 70k miles on it. Spent a bit much, but it had everything i wanted in a miata and im pretty happy with the purchase.

Time to update this for 2024.

I need this perfect timing lmao

the 1994 motor also had a high pressure oil port and coolant port on the side of the block perfect for turbos, this was the only motor that was a 1.8 to have it. all 1.6's had these ports as well

I impulsively bought my '04 so I could learn stick. Shit had 27k miles on it, and was being sold for $8k (originally $10k when I got there, but it was $8k online, so they dropped it). Now I'm seeing some from around the same age with like quadruple the mileage being sold for the same price??? ಠ_ಠ Mine was a salvage title, but insurance said the shit was literally golden (had a battery issue right after I got it, but that was easily dealt with). It's been a damn blast every winter we've had, and has been my favorite car, that I hope to keep forever. This was still a dope video ❤ I found mine online in an ad on a site when I was trying to learn song lyrics. I pissed my fiancee and parents off with going for it, but it ended up becoming the perfect 2nd car, that I had to daily for a while, while my fiancee drove my daily '14 Mazda 3. Now she has her own Mazda 3, and I want to trade mine in for a brand new Miata RF with a stick so I can be double the hair dresser 🔥🔥

If only miatas were still this cheap today

Good vid. FYI.... the 1995 also has the OBD-1. Mine is a 95 M Edition with the OBD-1. But from what I understand its just the early '95s. The later year cars are OBD-2.

Dude. The value of these cars are shooting through the roof. It's crazy

Last month bought my first Miata after looking for a whole year. It is a 1990 silver miata 67k miles no rust garage kept for $2800. Be patient good deals do pop up, and for anyone wondering got it in the Maryland area.

the fact that you were able to search up miata and actually get miatas is rare

I just saw the 92 with rust on marketplace! I thought I recognized it

Miatas in Poland are ususally sold for around 20000 PLN, that's around $5000

I bought a 1991 Mazda Miata for 1000$! No rust and it has bc coilovers and ngk steeringwheel and it’s super clean, I got a steal

This video is in perfect timing

My friend is selling his 96' Miata with 169k miles for $4,600. I'm going to try to talk him down to $3k. Your video was super helpful! Thank you!

97 STO Edition is another rare one. Only made one year. 1500 made and they are numbered

Very good overview and explanation, my question would be get the obd1 or the obd2 if you want to swap in a nc 2.0 engine, my guess would be a obd2 or doesn't it make a difference when you go stand alone?

I spent 3300 on my 95 R-Model. Torsen rear, 77k miles, 2nd owner. Had new belts, water pump and brand new A/C. Manual everything. Had it for 4 years, now at 114k.

I live in the bay area so 4k is pretty cheap lmao usually they are around 6 k

intersting vid, top tip, try and hold your eye contact with camera for a couple of seconds after finishing a line, then go back to your notes on your desk, this way when you come to editing the cuts, you are not constantly turning away from the camera which i really hard to watch.

Managed to get a NC 2.0 Sport 2007 with 60k miles on it for £1000! No rust but has a damaged front right wing and door, very easy to repair

I got a $800 94 miata definitely worth putting that extra change into parts :D

Picked up my first Miata a few months ago, past December. A '94 Classic Red R - Package. Absolutely love it. Its my daily right now when I am not riding my Katana, and will be used certainly for autocross and potentially HPDE.

main thing is check if its salvage title