Should I buy salvaged Miata?

I'm considering buying a 2003 Miata with a salvaged title. I checked it out, and all seems fine. The guy selling is very upfront with the history of the vehicle. Is it really a CHICK car though? I never thought of it that way, but some say it's not a car for a guy. Help me make my decision by posting your response

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• miata
• chick
• car
• salvage
• title
• help

[ninjasa1]

OK, I ended up NOT getting the car, but I feel like I passed up a really good deal. The car was in great condition, but I just needed to hold onto my funds. Thanks for everyone's advice and input. Much appreciated.

[absolutsoju]

put a rollbar on it and a V8 monstermiata conversion. It'll make it less girly. ;)

If there's anyway to know for sure the frame is straight, I dont see anything wrong with it. The money saved can goto a rollbar, tires, and trackdays. (if youre into that)

[ninjasa1]

What I've found is that the car is actually in very good shape; no bent "frame"; it's actually unibody construction so no frame, but all checks out good. Anyway, I was looking into putting rollbar and maybe some racing stripes on it to make it more aggressive in appearance. Thanks for the comment man.

[ninjasa1]

Rob...thanks for going all out with making a video comment; it's MUCH appreciated. GREAT skit BTW from SNL; I LOVE it and it makes perfect sense. To clarify though, not trying to get the car as a chick magnet; I've already got the mojo goin'. LOL

Anyway, still haven't made a deal on this anyway, but you make very strong points. Thanks again for taking time to offer feedback man.

[deadlymonkii]

Weener

[MistaCJN]

i would have bought it, great deal

[Mopar78360]

Anyone who has ever called it a chick car has clearly never driven one, and are too insecure to even try. It's a sportscar. besides, I see just as many guys driving these cars as I do girls. I've seen girls driving corvettes before, does that make a corvette a chick's car?

[mofayer]

@Pyr01 about 90% of them are manuals, girls dont usually drive manuals.  Unless by "chick car" you mean girls like it.

[mofayer]

@eIitesoIdier7 1500 to fix it? the car is already fixed. and there is nothing complicated about selling a salvage title car. I sold already 4 of my cars I owned. and they were all salvage. Just get the car to a good mechanic to see if there are any problems before you buy one. to me, a good salvage car is a good deal.

[soucorp]

Miatas are so fun to drive, Ive owned 2, many bmws, many porsches, but love my 1996 miata! Its not a chic car, its not gay, its just unadulterated fun like when you were a kid! Now, as far as salvage title, probably want to pass up on that if you ever want to sell it evenually. Sounds like the guy is telling you half of the story, assume its worst!

In market, there are plenty of nice miatas in your price range that you do not need to end up with a salvaged one. all the best mate, chee

[IShitOnYurFace]

Get an Escalade!! :D

[dawson212007]

I own this exact car and I love it. 03 sepcial edition. It is quick and fun as hell. And it is considered a chick car but that doesnt matter. I love mine. also they onlymade 1550 of this special edition

[eIitesoIdier7]

Another thing its not just salvage because of that bumper is missing. Who knows exactly what happened. Really strange that the front bumper is missing/damaged and its considered salvage. I go to car auction here and there with a dealer. A salvage title is an automobile title with a notation that the vehicle has been damaged in excess of approximately 70% of its pre-accident market value. The exact percentage depends on the insurance provider and any applicable laws and regulations.

[eIitesoIdier7]

No i wouldnt do it. Glad you passed it up. Yeah it would be $5500 but you gotta repair it before you can register it with the DMV and all being that its salvage. It would probably be around $1500 to fix it. So it would run you $7000 just to even register it.

Not only that but good luck selling the car later on. No one wants to buy a used car with a salvage title. You would have big problems selling it down the road. Just save up and get to know someone who goes to car auctions :).