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Wanting a toy car, found a cheap miata...

I stopped by to visit this old man's place and saw he had a 1997 Mazda Miata for sale. No power anything but steering. The car needed an A/C charge, new brakes, and an allignment. The car has only 48k miles on it! Paint was great and there was only one door ding on the whole thing. I ran a carfax and it said it has been in two accidents in New York, was wondering if this still counts as a "clean" title.

Asking price: $6000


Report Summary

1. ACCIDENT CHECK
Total Loss Check No Severe Accidents Reported by a DMV - Buyback Guarantee!
Other Accident Indicators Accident Indicator Reported

2. MILEAGE ACCURACY CHECK
Truth-In-Mileage Check No Odometer Problems Reported by a DMV - Buyback Guarantee!
Odometer Rollback Check No Potential Odometer Rollback Found
Mileage Consistency Check No Inconsistent Odometer Reading Found

3. LEMON CHECK®
No Mfr. Buyback Reported by a DMV - Buyback Guarantee!

4. OWNERSHIP CHECK
Number of Owners 4 Estimated Owner(s)
Type of Owners Originally Registered as a Personal Vehicle

5. RECALL CHECK
No Open Recall(s) Reported

6. WARRANTY CHECK
No Coverage Remaining on Basic Warranty. Interested in an Extended Warranty?
DETAILED VEHICLE HISTORY 17 HISTORY RECORDS REPORTED
Tell us what you know about this vehicle





Year/Make/Model: 1997 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA

Body Style: CONVERTIBLE
Engine: 1.8L L4 MFI DOHC 16V
Fuel: GASOLINE
Driveline: REAR WHEEL DRIVE
Manufactured in: JAPAN
Safety Equipment: 4 Wheel ABS Optional, Dual front air bags/active (manual) belts

Standard Equipment: Power Windows Optional, Power Steering Optional, Air Conditioning Optional, AM / FM Cassette, Power Brakes, 6-digit Odometer

Total Loss Check:


GOOD NEWS! No severe damage events were ever reported by a DMV for this 1997 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA (JM1NA3539V0734862).
Other Accident Indicators:


This 1997 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA (JM1NA3539V0734862) had accident indicators reported to CARFAX from its sources. This section checks for accidents and/or related damage reported from many public and private sources. Not all accidents are reported to CARFAX. A vehicle inspection completed by your dealer or professional mechanic is recommended.

No Salvage Auction Record Reported No Crash Test Vehicle Record Reported
No Fire Damage Record Reported No Airbag Deployment Record Reported
No Automotive Recycler Record Reported No Damage Disclosure Record Reported
No Frame Damage Record Reported No Collision Repair Facility Record Reported
Police Accident Record Reported

Accident Indicators Detail:
Date: Source: Detail:
10/30/1998 New York Police Report Accident Reported
Vehicle involved in crash
with another motor vehicle

08/01/1999 New York Police Report Accident Reported
Vehicle involved in crash
with another motor vehicle


New York Police Reports:

Do not include an assessment of damage severity
Are required if the estimated damage exceeds $1000
Are released to CARFAX approximately 3 months after the accident date. At times, New York may have a backlog that will affect how quickly some accident records are displayed on the Vehicle History Report.
According to the National Safety Council, Injury Facts, 2003 edition, 12% of the 243 million registered vehicles in the U.S. were involved in an accident in 2002. Over 90% of these were considered minor or moderate.
CARFAX depends on public and private sources for its accident data. Each one of these sources has different processing times. CARFAX can only report what is in our database on 15.Apr.2006 23:36:57. New data will result in a change to this report.
Not all accidents are reported to the Police. Tell us if you know of other fender benders, accidents or damage.

Truth-In-Mileage Check:


GOOD NEWS! No major odometer problems were ever reported by a DMV under the Truth-In-Mileage Act for this 1997 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA (JM1NA3539V0734862). If you find that any of the following odometer problems were reported by a DMV and not included in this report, CARFAX will buy this vehicle back. You must register to activate this free guarantee!


Odometer Rollback Check:


CARFAX found no odometer rollbacks for this 1997 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA (JM1NA3539V0734862). Rollbacks reported in this section originate from readings collected by a DMV or other verifiable source.

Mileage Consistency Check:


CARFAX found no inconsistent odometer readings in the mileage history of this 1997 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA (JM1NA3539V0734862).


Date: Mileage:
11/18/1997 25
10/01/1998 12,216
01/12/2000 24,665
05/03/2000 25,531
05/17/2000 26,030
06/16/2000 26,714
07/18/2000 26,762
08/25/2000 27,037
09/26/2000 27,686
09/27/2001 33,000


Do you know this vehicle's current mileage? Tell us and help protect others from mileage fraud.

GOOD NEWS! No manufacturer buyback was ever reported by a DMV for this 1997 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA (JM1NA3539V0734862). If you find that a manufacturer buyback was reported by a DMV and not included in this report, CARFAX will buy this vehicle back. You must register to activate this free guarantee!

Ownership History:


CARFAX estimates that this 1997 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA (JM1NA3539V0734862) had 4 owner(s). CARFAX analyzed this vehicle's title history and other supporting events to identify potential ownership transfers. In compliance with the U.S. privacy laws, CARFAX does not collect or report owner names or addresses.

Estimated Owners: Date: Location:
1st owner 11/18/1997 New York
2nd owner 06/30/2000 Pennsylvania
3rd owner 09/26/2000 Indiana
4th owner 09/27/2001 Indiana

Types of Owners:


This 1997 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA (JM1NA3539V0734862) was checked for 8 types of registrations.

Personal Use Registration Reported No Fleet Registration Reported
No Lease Registration Reported No Commercial Registration Reported
No Rental Registration Reported No Non-Profit Registration Reported
No Taxi Registration Reported No Built to Non U.S. Standards Record Reported

This 1997 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA (JM1NA3539V0734862) has no recalls that still require repair.

Date: Source: Description:
04/15/2006 Mazda Motor of America, Inc. No recalls open for repair


For your convenience, CARFAX has estimated the remaining original manufacturer warranty coverage based on information reported to us on this 1997 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA (JM1NA3539V0734862). Please confirm remaining factory warranty and extended warranty options with your dealer. Interested in an extended warranty?

Estimated start date of warranty: 09/15/1997
Last reading reported on 09/27/2001: 33,000 miles Recalculate with current mileage
Today's Date: April 15, 2006

Type of Coverage: Original Warranty: Estimated Remaining Coverage:
Basic 36 months or 50,000 miles Coverage expired
Drivetrain 36 months or 50,000 miles Coverage expired
Emissions 24 months or 24,000 miles Coverage expired
Corrosion 60 months or unlimited mileage Coverage expired
Transferable Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered. Same
Roadside Assistance No data reported to CARFAX
Safety Belt & Inflatable Restraint 60 months or 60,000 miles Coverage expired
Specific Components 96 months or 80,000 miles Coverage expired
Notes: Manufacturer covers emissions components under basic warranty. Emissions coverage may vary by state. Refer to owners manual for specific details. Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered. Batteries are pro-rated after 12 months. Safety restraint system is covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Adjustments are covered for 1 year or 12,000 miles.

CARFAX searched more than 4 billion records from over 7,600 sources and found 17 record(s) for this 1997 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA (JM1NA3539V0734862).

Date:
Mileage Reading:
Source:
General Comments:


Not Reported NICB
Vehicle manufactured and shipped to original
dealer


09/15/1997 New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
New York, NY
Registered as
personal vehicle


11/18/1997 25 New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Franklin, TN
Title issued or updated
First owner reported
Loan or lien reported


10/01/1998 12,216 New York
Inspection Station
New York City Area
Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection

View what was inspected

10/30/1998 New York
Police Report
Case #8-637213
Accident Reported
Vehicle involved in crash
with another motor vehicle


08/01/1999 New York
Police Report
Case #9-476510
Accident Reported
Vehicle involved in crash
with another motor vehicle


01/12/2000 24,665 Auto Auction
Sold at auction
in Eastern Region
Listed as
a fleet vehicle


05/03/2000 25,531 Auto Auction
Sold at auction
in Eastern Region
Listed as
a dealer vehicle


05/17/2000 26,030 Auto Auction
Sold at auction
in Eastern Region
Listed as
a dealer vehicle


06/16/2000 26,714 Auto Auction
Sold at auction
in Eastern Region
Listed as
a dealer vehicle


06/30/2000 Pennsylvania
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Coal Township, PA
Title or registration issued
New owner reported


07/18/2000 26,762 Auto Auction
Sold at auction
in Eastern Region
Listed as
a dealer vehicle


08/25/2000 27,037 Auto Auction
Sold at auction
in Eastern Region
Listed as
a dealer vehicle


09/26/2000 27,686 Indiana
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Columbus, IN
Title #00029181040
Title issued or updated
New owner reported
Loan or lien reported


09/27/2001 33,000 Indiana
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Columbus, IN
Title #01029180066
Title issued or updated
New owner reported
Loan or lien reported


04/15/2006 Mazda Motor of America, Inc.
No recalls open for repair

Tell us what you know about this vehicle
 
Ive owned 3 of them. This doesnt seem like a bad deal, but what concerns me is the number of times its changed hands so far. I would make sure the repairs were done properly. Look for misaligned body parts and paint defects.

$8000
 
hey felix, I found another one in the area, 1996 with hard top. This has power options on it and he is askin 7500. Also has less miles at 34k. Go with the hard top lower miles one, or get the cheapest one?
 
Originally posted by: FelixDeKat
Ive owned 3 of them. This doesnt seem like a bad deal, but what concerns me is the number of times its changed hands so far. I would make sure the repairs were done properly. Look for misaligned body parts and paint defects.

$8000

2 crashes (especially since
New York Police Reports:
Do not include an assessment of damage severity
Are required if the estimated damage exceeds $1000
)

01/12/2000 24,665 Auto Auction
Sold at auction
in Eastern Region
Listed as
a fleet vehicle


05/03/2000 25,531 Auto Auction
Sold at auction
in Eastern Region

05/17/2000 26,030 Auto Auction
Sold at auction
in Eastern Region

06/16/2000 26,714 Auto Auction
Sold at auction
in Eastern Region

Fleet vehicle? Keeps getting re-auctioned? What do they know that we don't? Why aren't they straight-up SELLING it, since they'd make more money?

I'd worry. I'd certainly not pay $6k.
 
Well I was thinking they were small cosmetic accidents because they were not over 1000 dollars... I looked at it today and it was fine for being a 1997, then again it barely had miles on it.

I was just wanting to know if it was a clean title
 
Originally posted by: ballmode
Well I was thinking they were small cosmetic accidents because they were not over 1000 dollars... I looked at it today and it was fine for being a 1997, then again it barely had miles on it.

How do you know they weren't over $1000?
 
hmm good question... I don't know... I'll ask the guy again but he has no clue about it either, he wanted me to email the results to him anyways.

 
I think the reason why it has a hard time selling is the lack of power windows/locks. But then again, I'm like that and other people might not feel the same way...
 
I wouldn't take a car that's been in any accidents worth claiming, unless the price is really extreme. A good shop can fix pretty much any accident to look good as new, yet the car seldom is like new for the rest of its lifetime. With accidents on it you're going to have a hard time selling it afterwards too.
 
Originally posted by: clickynext
I wouldn't take a car that's been in any accidents worth claiming, unless the price is really extreme. A good shop can fix pretty much any accident to look good as new, yet the car seldom is like new for the rest of its lifetime. With accidents on it you're going to have a hard time selling it afterwards too.


If you run it to death, then you don't need to worry about selling it. 🙂

That's what I do!
 
It was sold at auctions 6 times in less than one year! I would be EXTREMELY wary of any car getting bounced around that much, especially after two accidents.

I'd run away, if I were you, unless I was getting a KILLER deal on it.
 
Cliffs? that report was way too long.


6k for an almost 10 year old miata thats been in two crashes? No way.
 
run far and fast dude, carfax is meant for cars like these, its a red flag, drop it like its hot, and find another one, there are plenty out there, and its not like 6k is a steal....
 
You can't scratch a cars bumper anymore without doing $1k worth of damage. I really wouldn't freak over that unless it has a rebuild title, that would mean it was in a real ccident. $6k for a 97 miata with 47k miles is a pretty good deal.
 
Originally posted by: ballmode
hey felix, I found another one in the area, 1996 with hard top. This has power options on it and he is askin 7500. Also has less miles at 34k. Go with the hard top lower miles one, or get the cheapest one?

Get the one you are most satisfied with. The right color or better upkeep and interior, top, etc should be the deciding factors. This might be the 8k car I was talking about.

It takes two people to take the hard top off. 😉
 
Who wants power options on a miata anyway? I wouldn't even want power steering. Keep it nice and light and its not like its hard to reach over in one of those tiny things to unlock the passenger door or roll down the window.
 
Could of been sold at auction so many times due to not being able to sell it right away. Dealers dont like to have the same car on thier lots collecting dust so to keep a fresh lot they will auction them off after a month to get it off the books. I know we did when we had cars that wouldnt sell on my fathers lot. After 30 days if it didnt get many lookers off to the auction it goes again.

Also you have some people who dont own a lot that buys cars at auction and runs them right through again in hopes of making a quick profit.
 
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