Allen, here's exactly the kind of process that you need to work through to
get a great car 'for you'!

Chris
92BB&T

"Chief_Wiggum" > wrote in message
news:G9lhd.23860$G15.7728@fed1read03...
> I broke the cars down into different groups based on a few things... here
> was my thoughts..
>
> I wanted at LEAST a 94 for a couple reasons. First was the R-134
> airconditioning. I don't want to mess with anything with R-12 anymore,
and
> didn't want to convert a system over. Also wanted the 1.8l motor.
>
> 96 had some significance to me because it was the 1st year for OBD2
> diagnostics.... Not a real big deal, but I've come to rely on being able
> to plug my diagnostic computer in when my other cars have problems, CEL
on,
> etc. also makes the smog checks faster and easier!
>
> 97 was the last year an NA could be purchased, so it's the "newest" 1st
gen
> car that could be bought. Of course mileage, condition, etc play a bigger
> part than the model year.
>
> 99's interested me because I wasn't sure if I liked the pop-up headlamps,
> and they came stock with a glass rear window. I also like the interior a
> bit more (mostly the center A/C vents) a bit more, and I kinda like the
> *color* of the tan better than the older ones.
>
> After 3-4 months of searching all over, I settled on a pristine 97 "M"
model
> with 49k miles on it.He was asking 8,500 for it, and I got it for 7k. I
> *really* love the car a lot, and don't regret the purchase for a second
>
> I'm sure somewhere down the road there will be an NB in my future but I
> can't say when. I absoloutely adore the YELLOW that was available in
> (what, 03 ?) I've even considered buying a salvage car, and restoring it
> and having it PAINTED yellow. For now, I'm tickled with my little green
> baby !
>
> I only regret not buying one sooner.
>
> good luck with your search!
>
>
>
> "Chris D'Agnolo" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Allen,
> >
> > All the info you want to read up on is at miata.net
> > http://www.miata.net/faq/ this will tell you allot and there is so
much
> > more. Here you'll hear from some people that they like the 1.6 liter
cars
> > (90 to 93) because they tend to rev more quickly and freely, others
> > (probably more commonly) say that the torque advantage of the 1.8 liter
> cars
> > (94 on) more than makes up for it. I recomend driving a few of each. One
> > very good thing to keep in mind is that tires and inflation rates can
make
> a
> > huge difference in the percieved handling of a miata. What I did was
drove
> > directly to a gas station and got all 4 tires aired up to, say, 30psi so
> > that I'd be comparing (as much as is possible anyway) apples to apples.
> You
> > wont find that tidbit in the FAQ's!
> >
> > But, Lanny is right, establish your budget, then unless you have a
strong
> > feeling on the engine choice, buy the newest / best cared for car that
you
> > like and can afford. These cars are bullet proof if properly cared for
so
> > that is a BIG deal also.
> >
> > Remember, the shopping process can be allot of fun, don't rush in
> > unprepared.
> >
> > Chris
> > 92BB&T (135k)
> >
> > "gjt" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Allen:
> > >
> > > I have a 1997 that I bought in May of this year. I am very pleased
with
> > > it. It is red/black. It has 80K miles. I paid $7K for it. I am
> > > considering selling. I am way overweight and it is tough for me to
get
> > > in and out of it. I have only driven it on Sunday afternoons and have
> > > only put 700 miles on it since purchase. I am in Alabama should you
be
> > > interested.
> > >
> > > Thank you.
> > > gjt
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > !Allen Lasting wrote:
> > >
> > > > Hi,
> > > >
> > > > I'm gonna buy a used miata, and thought I'd check here to see if
> anyone
> > can
> > > > make a reccomendation on where the best bang for the buck is.
> > > >
> > > > I don't know which model years have what, or which is better, etc.
> I'm
> > the
> > > > guy who always buys the (fill in the year) and then everybody says,
> you
> > > > shouldn't have got that one you moron, you soulda got the (fill in
the
> > year)
> > > > instead.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks for any help with this.
> > > >
> > > > Allen
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>