Rep Power: 583

whats up all?

i have a question for those who have had, or now have, a lease. my lease on the civic is ending in december and i am planning on getting another used car. i am looking for a 1999 miata (keep any flaming crap to yourself), but im looking on websites and it seems like its not an easy car to find in my area at least. reasons for the 99 miata are:

cheap - with reasonable miles for the year, the price is in the range of 8-10K.
fun - if anyone can say that a 2 seater, RWD convertible roadster isnt fun to drive, you obviously dont know what youre talking about.
loads of modding potential - performance AND looks wise, there are tons of stuff you can do to this car.
reliable - one of the most reliable cars as reviewed by consumer reports and past/current owners.

BUT, like ive mentioned, its not so easy to find. so what should i do in the event that i cant find a 99 miata with good miles and under 10k in my area by the time my lease runs out in december? i guess one option is to buy out the civic, but i really dont want to do that if i can avoid it.

my criteria are:
i want a car i will have fun driving
something under $10k
reliable
mod-friendly

so, what do you all think?

 
Rep Power: 302

I saw some car show on the SPEED chanel and they made a guys Miata ****ing siiiiick! They threw a supercharger on it with Tein suspension and an EDFC.. It was a SICK car afterwards! Autocross monster!

 
Rep Power: 583

yeah, if you think thats sick, youre in for a rude awakening. lol some guys are trying to put a v10 from a viper into a miata. imagine that for a sec. its gonna be crap to drive because of the weight imbalance, but in the drag it will be insane...if he can get the wheels to grip that is. LOL

 
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anything is possible with the right tools

 
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MR2's are great cars for the money.

 
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my vic is also a lease but ending in july 06. im planning on getting a 02-03 type s then. in your case, i would get a 99-00 civic SI or a 2000 maxima se on stick.

 
Rep Power: 583

why? im not too crazy about the 7th gen, so why would i want a 6th gen? even if it is an SI, those are even harder to find...and for less than 10k in good condition?

why a 2000 maxima se?

 
Rep Power: 0

save the time...get a bike
doesn't get much funner than that and as for mods...no need if you got yourself a nice bike

 
Rep Power: 0

x mistake

 
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Maximas are pretty powerful actually. 4 door: means its practical and a V6 engine with tremendous power. Can't go wrong with that.

 
Rep Power: 583

uhm...not very practical in the winter. it snows in NJ...

and i cant wait and save...i need the car to get to work. no car = no work = no $$ = BAD!

i like maximas...but how easy is it to find a 5spd v6 maxima for under 10K that will be in good condition and not have a million miles?

 
Rep Power: 0

there are 2000 maximas for 10g's everywhere. a 5 speed is even cheaper but harder to find. search around dude. its a beautiful car with a highly capable engine. my friend had a 2001 se. the wheel / suspension setup was incredible. he has a 2003 acura 3.2 tl type s now and it doesnt compare handling wise to the max.

 
Rep Power: 0

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6400

that is a little over your budget but im sure if you search, you can find a 2000 5 speed with about 60,000- 80,000 miles which is nothing for a max.

 
Rep Power: 0

Most of the time, The dealer will find a car for you. Tell them what you want and they will look for whatever kind of car you want. Thats about the best way I can think of. Check other dealers also and tell them. It never hurts to ask.

 
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300zx...

 
Rep Power: 275

ive seen a 302 fully blown in a Miata

 
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be careful with the miata, there transmissions are a little touch and go. You might get a good one you might get one that blows at 50k miles, it is about a 50% toss up with their transmissions.

 
Rep Power: 284

Miata's a niiiiiiiiice car! A guy that works at my local tuner shop has a boosted 89 miata, and that thing is FAST!!! He has reworked EVERYTHING and runs 22psi! Low 12 second 1/4's!!

 
Rep Power: 583

hmm...ill look into the maxima i guess. i havent considered that big a car, but what the hell.

but a convertible, RWD car would still be nicer. lol

 
Rep Power: 0

I have driven a miata before and its fun to drive, but there is very little room in the trunk for music and barely any room for anything else. Plus I did feel very girlie driving it.

 
Rep Power: 343

Dan if you get a Miata you better come Autocrossing....and let me drive it. I want a early 90's miata as a project car when my car is paid off

 
Rep Power: 320

Lets think about this...

How about an Integra GSR?
VW Jetta 1.8t?

Thats about all I can think of off the top of my head for what you seem to want in the price range still being somewhat new...

You wont find a 5spd maxima for under 10k, they are usually around like 20 or so, and I believe they didnt start offering it untill 2002 in the SE model...

 
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Yo Hawk how can you be so gaga about a Miata when you have a K20 Civic, thats gotta be way sicker than a Miata. I know Miata's are cool but come on! I bought mine out too by the way.

 
Rep Power: 316

Check this link if it works, I dunno if it will...
http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/r...=used&x=19&y=7

I looked up 99 miatas from autotrader within 200 miles of Clifton, VA for under $10,000. There were actually a few I could find. Not sure if u've checked that yet.

 
Rep Power: 343

Because miatas kick my *** at every event. Miatas are one of the best handling cars in the world.

My car is great for putting around the course and finishing mid pack, but i'm in a class with road goin go-karts (miatas and minis) i really stand no chance. I mean i'm gonna continue to mod my car, but miatas are just so damn fun, i raced one once and i'm hooked

 
Rep Power: 583

thanks MREEZYSMRS!! i didnt know about that site. i am still saving for the car, but come november i will be more serious about buying if i find the right car. my lease runs out in december, so i have some time to look still.

that one in brick looks good. if i go to look at cars down by your area, ill let you know so we can meet up.

and Hawk is right, his k20 is a very nice car, but its a completely different animal from a miata. ony thing his civic has over the miata is the trunk space and the rear seats. no offense adam.

 
Rep Power: 343

Hey rear seats are good some times

Its completly true though. BTW Dan if you get a Miata i will hate you....then ask to borrow it.

 
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A guy got a black si with 60,xxx miles for under 10k. 8.900 to be exact with slight modds.

I know another guy selling his 2000 si for 12k.
But look it has only 26,xxx and I have recently seen it in his garage. Been sitting for 2 months. **** is dusty
He works a lot to pay it off and drives his 200sx with some go-go
plus he wants to be an actor. Car was never abused.

Also look into se-r and 200sx, they tend to be good with cheap money under 1996 only problem

 
Rep Power: 0

come to long Islang.
There are a lot of goodies out here.
Some people are stupid and don't post on the web or some just don't have the web.

 
Rep Power: 583

10k for a car w/ 60k miles on it? the 99 miatas ive been finding have miles in the 30k range and cost 10k. and im not looking for a modded car. id never buy a modded car. who knows what the owner was doing with the car before selling it. thank you for the suggestion, i appreciate it...but im not getting another honda as my next car.

1996 and older is too old for me. i need something reliable.

and as far as long island, i might have to go there to check some cars out i guess...but LI is such a PITA to get to...i hate it.