Miata Mailing List: April 1993, Message #24
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   From: (none)
Subject: Re: Buying a Miata
   Date: (none)

Chris,

> I've decided to buy a Miata, and have started making the rounds at the local
> Mazda dealers. I've come to the conclusion that the particular Miata with the
> options I want is going to be difficult to find. I want a black Miata with
> option package C, air conditioning, and nothing else.  From what the dealers
> are telling me, this is a "rare" car (and therefore be prepared to pay sticke
> for it). Any estimates as to what I should expect to pay for this car?   

Congratulations on your good taste...  :^)  Most cars are shipped over to
the US in the most commonly desired option sets.  Because they are put
together at the factory, and not at the dealer, some less-asked for
options may be hard to find.  I had a similiar trouble when purchasing
my 92b.  I wanted a silver car w/o LSD, but the dealer couldn't even
seem to find a silver 92.  (I'm still not sure if such a beastie
exists..)  I ended up with a red w/ LSD (though I got him to toss the
LSD in for free).  However, your car doesn't sound *too* hard to find.
You may be forced to put up with LSD, however...

Be aware that "rare" might mean that the dealer can't find it on his/her
lot and isn't willing to go looking for it.  Mine (Heritage Mazda, now
on Reisterstown Road in Owings Mills) had to go to a dealer in PA to
retrieve my car.  (The *** drove it down rather than shipped it.  Make
sure they either put it on the back of a truck, or allow you to pay used
car prices for it if they drive it as far as they did mine...)  If you
plan on taking any trips out of state, you may try the local dealers at
wherever you're heading to.

> It also seems like the "Sensory Sound System" is going to come with such a car
> whether I want it or not. (I plan on adding my own CD changer, so I really 
> only need the stereo/cassette radio)

Hmmm...  I wonder how easy it is to move one of those systems into a 92?
Maybe we could work out a swap.  Anyone out there know if this is
possible?

> BTW, I live in the Baltimore, MD area, if anyone would care to point me to the
> "best" local dealer, if one exists ;-)

Like I mentioned earlier, I bought mine from Heritage Mazda.  I'm not
saying that they are the best.  (Plus, they're no longer owned by the
same group as when I bought mine...)  The dealer on 40 turned me off.
He didn't seem to believe that I wanted to or could afford to buy one.
Therefore, I went somewhere else.  I checked with the folks in College
Park to see if they had the car I wanted (nope).  I had no complaints
about them.  I haven't tried any others in the area, though I do know of
one in Frederick.  Good luck, and let me know how your search goes!

Also, in the event you are interested, I'm starting up a Baltimore area
Miata Club.  We aren't yet affiliated with the Miata Club of America,
but I've sent off a request for information from Vince Tidwell, the
MCA's president.  If you or anyone else in the area, contact me at this
email address, or at my home phone number (410) 442-3285.

Good Luck, and let us know how you fare!

John

-- 
      John William Keating, III      | Not affiliated with those other guys....
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      73737.733@compuserve.com       | mine nor the company I work for.  -me-
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