Mahk's 2004 MSM Build

[daftIntrovert]

^^ my same thoughts. 14-15k.

The car is definitely "worth" more to me, at least at an emotional level. If it's just going to be a fun project/toy car, why even bother with the MSM though? If I was buying a car today I would buy a 90-94 instead of my MSM, I just feel like I'm wasting it by it sitting in the garage all week.

Instead of 15k you can spend 3-5k, have 95% of the fun (some, myself included, would argue that a non-turbo Miata is more fun than an MSM), and then even if you spend 5k on suspension and non-turbo mods you still saved a big chunk of change.

Don't get me wrong, I love my MSM. They're seriously awesome cars. Not really worth modding much, as Mazda got a decent number of things right. A nice amount of power, but not too much. Handles well, but the suspension isn't harsh (IMO). It's a nice package.

Another thought, is this a rust-free car? Like seriously not even surface rust on the underbody? Then I'd say 15k is ok.

[bazooka joe]

Mark.... first of all, what color?

I'd go as high as 15 for that many miles. That's about it.

color, prob red, black, winning blue (i know that might be an issue with a MSM)

^^ my same thoughts. 14-15k.

The car is definitely "worth" more to me, at least at an emotional level. If it's just going to be a fun project/toy car, why even bother with the MSM though? If I was buying a car today I would buy a 90-94 instead of my MSM, I just feel like I'm wasting it by it sitting in the garage all week.

Instead of 15k you can spend 3-5k, have 95% of the fun (some, myself included, would argue that a non-turbo Miata is more fun than an MSM), and then even if you spend 5k on suspension and non-turbo mods you still saved a big chunk of change.

Don't get me wrong, I love my MSM. They're seriously awesome cars. Not really worth modding much, as Mazda got a decent number of things right. A nice amount of power, but not too much. Handles well, but the suspension isn't harsh (IMO). It's a nice package.

Another thought, is this a rust-free car? Like seriously not even surface rust on the underbody? Then I'd say 15k is ok.

you're prob right...get an older model, save some cash, but i liked the idea of "factory turbo", not that it's the "be all end all", but i've been through the aches and pains of modding with after market parts, i really don't want to do that again. i love a trubo'd car.....? thanks for all the input folks....i'm gonna look at some NA's with lower miles and see what's out there....i'll report back with my findings...

[SATimko]

The reason I asked the color is because some of them are a lot rarer than others.

4 colors on the MSM
Velocity Red
Titanium
Black Mica
Lava Orange.

The latter two being only available in 05 (with the other two) making them harder to find. The Lava Orange is more rare than Spicy as there are only around 380 in that color. Who knows how many are left.

[MiaTurbo]

Lava Orange is the only one I'd buy. I still wish I bought the one when I had a chance.

[SATimko]

I almost bought a Lava Orange one. They were being price-assholes.

[MiaTurbo]

When I went to the dealer, the battery was dead in the LO one they had. Kid couldn't find a jump box and I said I'd be back tomorrow. Never made it back. But if I did drive it, who knows.

[bazooka joe]

unless the price is REAL right on a msm... i'm probably going to look at an na a few yrs old, not more that 4 yrs old, southern car for sure or one for this area that has real low miles and wasn't driven winters...

[MiaTurbo]

unless the price is REAL right on a msm... i'm probably going to look at an na a few yrs old, not more that 4 yrs old, southern car for sure or one for this area that has real low miles and wasn't driven winters...

a few years old? The youngest NA is going to be 12 years old..

[bazooka joe]

a few years old? The youngest NA is going to be 12 years old..

haha...naturally aspirated!!

[bazooka joe]

well i'm happy to report the purchase of my new baby, an 04 msm, with 27k miles. what a ride! the fun begins.....

wish i could post some pics for you all but i kept getting security token issue??