What are some good car buying classifed sites? [Archive] (2024)

ghost1986

4th November 2010, 15:42

Im desperate to get into a Miata here as soon as possible. My Nissan ran out of inspection last month and the insurance is due for renewal the end of this month so id like to have another car by then (and stop driving the Nissan of course).

Ive used: craigslist, autotrader, ebay, ebay classifieds (i guess that used to be kijiji, right?)

Im out of ideas for other search sites and im finding MX-5's slowly. Maybe one or two a week id consider but they often have little things I dislike that keep me from committing to them (most recent: a Mariner blue 92' in Maryland for $2500. I brushed it off because its only an A package, and i would PREFER a '94 or '95 just for the 1.8 and likely torsen in the rear)

If anyone has any sites they used to search for cars Id be grateful for your advice!!! Thanks!

rem83

4th November 2010, 15:44

Jmikbo

4th November 2010, 15:50

raff

4th November 2010, 17:45

Have you tried cars.com?

http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchresults.action?prMx=10000&prMn=0&alMdId=21460&mkId=20073&mdId=21460&crSrtFlds=stkTypId-feedSegId-mkId-mdId-pseudoPrice&rd=100&zc=17821&PMmt=1-1-0&stkTypId=28881&alMkId=20073&rpp=50&feedSegId=28705&searchSource=SORT&pgId=2102&sf1Nm=price&sf1Dir=ASC

Nicad

4th November 2010, 17:50

Jack_B

4th November 2010, 20:33

I like ridelist.com to search for multiple CL sites.

If you don't see an area that you want email him and he'll add it.

ghost1986

4th November 2010, 22:47

AH! I was looking at cars.com just now and the first one listed is the one I test drove 2 weeks back. Haha. Strange coincidence. Honestly I may just snag that one, he said he would take $2500 with no issue and its in decent shape. I like the cars.com, thats a nice little search engine.

Ill check the others now =] Thanks.

rstange1

5th November 2010, 11:39

Im desperate to get into a Miata here as soon as possible.
Well, you absolutely have to check out: http://www.funcarsforsale.com/

I'm not even looking for another Miata but can't stay away... No personal experience with the vendor, but he is very well regarded on Miata.net.

Gene-M

5th November 2010, 23:15

Try search tempest.com It combines a search of all those sites. Oodle is another good one. In Canada, Kijiji is kicking Craigslist's rear.
Actually that's autotempest.com (http://www.autotempest.com/). And thanks for the reminder. My buddy's Jeep blew up and we're using that site to find another one in the region. It's been very helpful.

Just yesterday I had asked Tom if he knew a search engine that covered lots of different venues, and this one does just that: eBay, cars.com, oodle, autotrader, craigslist and more. Thanks again for mentioning that one. Tom and I had both forgotten about this one. :)

Greg 713

6th November 2010, 11:55

Im desperate to get into a Miata here as soon as possible.

Well I think you are going to have to expand your search area. I would look as far south as Baltimore and southern NJ. I know it may be a little bit of a drive but lets face some facts. Danville is some beautiful country but not the nexus of Miatas. You have Berwick, Bloomsburg and Hazleton and of course Catawissa!! and I don't recall seeing tons of Miatas in those areas. Jump on 81 and go south or 80 and go east.

Did you look at this one (http://reading.craigslist.org/cto/2029112988.html) when you went to see the black and tan 94? Get a tow dolly and bring this 92 (http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/2043706749.html) home and with a weekends work you should be ready to go. Gas tank is easy to drain and the fuel filter is easy to put on. I would bet $$ it is the clutch slave ($40) and not the clutch. Put some new plugs in it and get a battery and it should be ready to drive. Do the rest of the stuff over the winter and in the spring you will be set. Or go east and get this 95 (http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/2043760298.html). It has your Torsen and 1.8. It sounds like it needs a rear wheel bearing. It has been driven hard so don't expect a cream puff but for $2000ish? not a bad price. How far is the NE extension? 45 minutes? an hour? It will probably take you 2-1/2 hours to get there so make sure you gets TONS of info over the phone. Ask SPECIFIC questions about what you want to know. Let the guy know you are driving a distance so please don't waste your time as you will see everything in person anyway.

Be smart and be patient. Don't rush into anything or it may wind up costing you more than you expect. btw- don't forget the Auto Locator in your area. I am sure they are at a Turkey Hill or any other gas station or grocery store.

ghost1986

6th November 2010, 14:00

Yea, that 91 I ruled out because if i bought an early model one Id be trying for a special edition one or at the very least the blk/tan models. The 92 I just saw the today earlier yea. That one doesn't look shabby but i can get that fine running 94 for that price i think. Also it needs some hefty work done, i dont have much time to prepare this new vehicle so a running one would be the best bet. That 95 R is actually listed on tristatetuners for $1900. I asked for pics but he hasnt gotten them posted yet. The guy is "wheresmycar" who i beleive actually is on here too, Ive seen the name here before. But it would need towed and it has been sitting so I dont know if i could swing getting a tow ready vehicle for it and renting a trailer.

Yea, i cant find anything locally. Ive been looking in the "Northeast" section of crazedlist which covers PA, NJ, MD, DE, NY, and the northern states. Any of them are free game really. I do believe based on all my searching recently im going to give this guy a call again and offer him like $2200 for this: http://tinyurl.com/22kzdm8

Its only issues are no maintenance records, top has pinholes where the metal rubs it, and the front tires need replaced. Other than those issues it seemed fairly solid when i drove it. Unfortunately those issues are kinda costly (but not really huge issues in my eyes) He said he would take $2500 cash when i looked at it. I may offer lower to try to save some cash for a top, i didnt even bring that up when i made the $2500 offer. It isnt bad yet, so if i tape the pinholes it should be fine for winter.

Greg 713

6th November 2010, 17:22

Its only issues are no maintenance records, top has pinholes where the metal rubs it, and the front tires need replaced.
You are going to get a LOT of issues on a $2500 Miata. On the 94 what you list is small in comparison to the work done on the rockers. If you do get a solid Miata with maintenance up to date, with records and receipts it will have 190K miles. Me? I would take a solid 190K mile Miata owned by a Miata nut over the 94 in Reading. Just remember there is a reason that car has not sold. He has had it for over 4 months.

This 96 (http://cnj.craigslist.org/ctd/2019572189.html) has your 1.8 but will probably not have your Torsen rear. You can pick up an NB top for about $250ish and swipe the whole top and frame in about 4 hours (2-3 hours if you have done it before). The NB top will give you a nice solid glass rear window. There are three in Allentown, Hannah's and one in Wind Gap, Deer Foot. You are also not very far from Planet Miata (miata.net sponsor). They will have one too. Call them at 1-866-296-1100 to see if they have any Miatas they are selling. Not everything they buy they pull apart and put on the shelves.

ghost1986

6th November 2010, 21:19

On one of my Suzuki 4x4 forums a fellow member was able to run a carfax on the 94 for me quick. It actually looks like a really lean record. Has 33 entries logged with all being registration entries and service intervals. Nothing funny other than an auto auction sale in '02. I assume some one traded it in and the dealer sent it for auction?

Can I post a run carfax here? Ill let you all look it over to check it. It has a lot of service dates at dealers. It MAY not be as bad on the maintenance front as I thought.

Honestly I may go and bring the used car checklist to check it out super thoroughly and make another offer on it. The rockers really didnt look that shady at all, in fact compared to my mechanics '90, everything BUT the door looked the same. I cant explain the door looking off in terms of rust proofing though. That is odd. Maybe door damage and it was replaced/repainted.

Gene-M

7th November 2010, 11:34

Well I think you are going to have to expand your search area. I would look as far south as Baltimore and southern NJ. I know it may be a little bit of a drive but lets face some facts. Danville is some beautiful country but not the nexus of Miatas.

Absotootely! You'll thank yourself for looking in South Jersey-Philly region and further south. There are some nice low mileage Miatas floating around there at good prices. The climate is a LOT milder than Danville, and I think you can expect to find vehicles that have been exposed to a lot less road salt.

ghost1986

7th November 2010, 11:40

I have been looking to the south but I dont really want to go further than the MD/VA border if i can help it.

That being said, I unfortunately found this today: http://easternshore.craigslist.org/cto/2046310036.html

He just has to be 340 miles from me, doesnt he??? Haha. That 6.5 hour drive's gonna be longgg. I asked him for pics if he has anymore.

JanuaryGirl

7th November 2010, 13:05

Greg 713

7th November 2010, 20:41

I have been looking to the south but I dont really want to go further than the MD/VA border if i can help it.

That being said, I unfortunately found this today: http://easternshore.craigslist.org/cto/2046310036.html

He just has to be 340 miles from me, doesnt he??? Haha. That 6.5 hour drive's gonna be longgg. I asked him for pics if he has anymore.

That is a WICKED good deal if the car checks out. So what, you blow a weekend buying a car. What else are you going to do? Go cow tipping? :-) Spread it out over a couple of years and the 6-1/2 hours will seem like nothing. The hard top will make that a VERY serviceable car for you. Give it some SERIOUS thought.

ghost1986

7th November 2010, 21:03

I havent gotten a response yet. Thats not a good sign =[

On an unrelated note: the old Subaru I wanted to buy is now on fire-sale since the guy cant take up the extra parking spot at his living complex anymore. He said any offer over 1000 bucks will work. Im going on Thursday for it. Its an '87 GL wagon with the turbo 1.8 and push button 4wd. NO RUST ANYWHERE.

Vince3

8th November 2010, 01:35

I havent gotten a response yet. Thats not a good sign =[

On an unrelated note: the old Subaru I wanted to buy is now on fire-sale since the guy cant take up the extra parking spot at his living complex anymore. He said any offer over 1000 bucks will work. Im going on Thursday for it. Its an '87 GL wagon with the turbo 1.8 and push button 4wd. NO RUST ANYWHERE.

The 1992 black and tan Miata is priced very nicely. Buy both.