zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
At $8,500, Could This 1994 'Pit Crew' Mazda Miata Win By A Nose?
At $8,500, Could This 1994 'Pit Crew' Mazda Miata Win By A Nose?-March 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:09:37

Image for article titled At $8,500, Could This 1994 'Pit Crew' Mazda Miata Win By A Nose?

Today’s Miata is offered by a self-described “motivated seller.” One look at the car and you’ll realize that it was also modded by a motivated builder. Let’s see if its price motivates you to give it a big thumb’s up.

Subarus are fun because they’re different. The company offers AWD across its lineup and is one of the few to power its cars with boxer engines. Those are likely contributing factors to the company’s stellar customer loyalty. That loyalty is all the more amazing when you consider one other aspect of Subaru ownership which is a strong likelihood of head gasket failures among many of its models.

A few of you noted that as a caution against buying the we looked at yesterday. At just 67,000 miles and a modest $3,450 asking, however, that caution was thrown to the wind as fully 83 percent of you anointed the car with a Nice Price win.

Image for article titled At $8,500, Could This 1994 'Pit Crew' Mazda Miata Win By A Nose?

Are you an enthusiast? I ask this because the seller of today’s has shaken their Magic 8-Ball and prophesied that it “will be bought by an enthusiast.” I just want to confirm you are in the running.

This enthusiast-targeting Miata has a lot going for it to make that case. The most notable perhaps is the font clip. That trades the NA Miata’s pop-up lamps for an extended nose with fixed units and a gaping mouth in between. With the chrome eyebrows, this gives the car a somewhat comically “stoned” appearance. That change may not be to everyone’s tastes, although it should be noted that the re-bodying panels alone can set you back three-grand.

Image for article titled At $8,500, Could This 1994 'Pit Crew' Mazda Miata Win By A Nose?

Out back, the car gets a similar make-over although there you might notice that the work feels incomplete. That’s because the rear bumper and its covering cap have not yet been installed. According to the ad, both are included with the sale, but the seller simply prefers the car with its ass-less chaps look. And yeah, I do know that ALL chaps are ass-less. Let’s move on.

Image for article titled At $8,500, Could This 1994 'Pit Crew' Mazda Miata Win By A Nose?

The ad claims that pretty much everything on the car is new, and shots of the engine bay, interior, and underside seem to support this assertion. It rolls on Advanti wheels wearing also-new Hankook tires. Behind those sits a revamped suspension featuring fat anti-sway bars and adjustable Yonaka coilovers.

Image for article titled At $8,500, Could This 1994 'Pit Crew' Mazda Miata Win By A Nose?

Everything else down there is claimed to either have been rust-proofed, replaced or both. The motor is all stock but does sport a tidy presentation that includes a root beer-hued cam cover and aftermarket aluminum radiator. It’s said to “run like a dream,” and to pass smog without being a nightmare.

Image for article titled At $8,500, Could This 1994 'Pit Crew' Mazda Miata Win By A Nose?

The interior sports stock seats but those face a dash that houses aftermarket lights, stereo, and a repositioned rearview mirror at the top. Door cards have been updated with new hardware and some serious tuck if that’s how you roll.

Some issues of note mentioned in the ad—the A/C is intact but non-functioning, and the speedometer is for show only since its needle isn’t in the know.

Image for article titled At $8,500, Could This 1994 'Pit Crew' Mazda Miata Win By A Nose?

The bodywork looks to have been professionally done, and while the seller does note a few boogers here and there, it looks really solid in the pics. You can see more of those on the seller’s Google Drive . I guess nobody uses Flickr anymore.

The work is fairly recent too, with just 1,000 miles under the car’s belt since it’s all been done. There are 125,000 miles in total on the car, but with so much of it replaced or renewed do those matter all that much? Well, perhaps to the rings and valve seats in the engine they do.

Image for article titled At $8,500, Could This 1994 'Pit Crew' Mazda Miata Win By A Nose?

The rear bumper does come with the car, if not expressly on it, as does not one, but two crates of parts just in case you like clutter. An OEM hardtop could also accompany the car to a new owner, however, that appears to be a separate negotiation. It’s hard to say for certain about that based on the conflicting mentions in the ad.

The tan soft top looks to be in fine shape so perhaps that’s less of an issue. The title is clean, and as noted, the car can pass smog for ownership change without a problem

Image for article titled At $8,500, Could This 1994 'Pit Crew' Mazda Miata Win By A Nose?

What may be a problem is this custom Miata’s $8,500 price. That apparently was the case at least once since the seller notes in the ad that a previous deal fell through when the buyer couldn’t come up with the payment. That’s their loss, and potentially someone else’s gain.

We’ve noted that the seller is motivated and that the buyer will most likely be an enthusiast. Do you think its worth that $8,500 asking for two such individuals to meet?

You decide!

Orange County, CA , or go if the ad disappears.

H/T to Bruce Bianchi for the hookup!

Help me out with NPOCP. Hit me up at and send me a fixed-price tip. Remember to include your Kinja handle.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Buying
For $4,900, This 1982 AMC Eagle SX/4 Looks Ready To Fly
For $4,900, This 1982 AMC Eagle SX/4 Looks Ready To Fly
Did you know that the Eagles started out as one of Linda Ronstadt's back-up bands? If you don't know who Linda Ronstadt is then maybe today's Eagle will additionally have you asking AMC what? That doesn't mean you still can't get familiar with this '80s flier. Terrible then, terrible-ier now....
Mar 30, 2026
These Are The Best Certified Pre-Owned Car Programs
These Are The Best Certified Pre-Owned Car Programs
If you want to drive a luxury car, you have three options: buy new, lease, or buy used. Tavarish says the smart money buys used and buys on Craigslist for cheap, but if you want a little more peace of mind, certified pre-owned is the way to go. you might...
Mar 30, 2026
The Ford Focus ST Is Fun Even When You Have A McLaren In Your Garage
The Ford Focus ST Is Fun Even When You Have A McLaren In Your Garage
You might think that with the unusual circumstance of having a in my garage, I would have no time for a humble hatchback that costs about a tenth its price. Not so, when the hatchback in question is the . Need a fun normal car for when you’re not in...
Mar 30, 2026
For $14,000, Could This 1999 Lexus SC300 Be A Supra-Star?
For $14,000, Could This 1999 Lexus SC300 Be A Supra-Star?
The LFA not withstanding, Lexus has never been known for ball-flapping performance, and that rep goes for the SC300 as well. Today's SC isn't exactly stock however, and you're going to need to decide at what price this cool car's ball flapping should begin. Just because you can, doesn't necessarily...
Mar 30, 2026
Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG: The Jalopnik Review
Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG: The Jalopnik Review
Mercedes has decided that America won't accept the same A-Class small hatchback that anchors their lineup around the world. However, they do think you'd like the GLA-Class, a small hatchback with slightly more ground clearance. But what you really want is the , a nutjob rally-hatch monster that makes no...
Mar 30, 2026
For $3,985, This Custom 1988 BMW 750iL Is A Wide Load
For $3,985, This Custom 1988 BMW 750iL Is A Wide Load
Oh what a world we live in when even the most plebeian can potentially afford a V12-powered luxury sedan. Today's 750i is just such a twelve for the masses, although its custom body will assure that you still stand out. Do you remember your teen years, that time in your...
Mar 30, 2026
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved