Some of you have probably wondered what I’ve been doing with the low-mileage Miata that I found near Sun Valley Idaho a while back. Well, besides cleaning it, servicing it, and staring at it… not much. It is a thrill to take out and drive because it feels like a brand new 1990 Miata, but it is also a thrill for other reasons. Driving a first generation Miata is already a frightening experience with all the texting moms and SUVs out there, but navigating around them in a pristine example like this is even more nerve wracking. I love survivor cars, but I also like to drive my cars so vehicles like this presents a conundrum. Do you consume it, or do you stash it away? Well, as much as I love this little roadster, I’m going to let someone else make that decision. It’s now listed here on eBay with a 10 day auction window.

Over the last year, I’ve watched at least two other 6k-mile Miatas sell for over $9,000. Could this be the first one to break the $10k ceiling? I’m not sure about that, but I do know that this is an amazing car. The seats are firm, the steering crisp, and the shifter tight. Basically, it is the opposite of every 100k+ mile Miata I’ve owned. I love the fact that it is a base model car too! Dealers usually ordered one of the two option packages to increase their profit potential a little, but somehow this one got through without a stereo, AC, or power steering. As far as I am concerned, that is how every roadster should come equipped!

Anyway, here’s a description of each area of the car along with all its flaws:

Exterior

I’ve owned a couple of Miatas and looked at quite a few, but never have I seen one that glowed like this. There are no signs of oxidation and even the tops of the mirrors are shiny. If you’ve owned a Miata, then you know that is a rare thing. There is dimple on the front bumper where the license plate frame bumped into it and there’s a scratch on the back bumper. It also has a couple of dings on the top of the trunk from people pushing down on it. I think these things must have left the dealer lot with this because they all seem to have a few. The original top is in great shape too and the plastic window has some scratches. There are a couple of chips in the windshield. No rust or other major concerns. I’ve tried to include photos of all the problem areas in the photo gallery here.

Interior

As would be expected of a 6k mile car, the interior is also in amazing condition. There are some scratches on the armrest and I swapped out the radio surround and blanking plates for oem pieces because someone had partially installed an aftermarket radio. The mats are original and the seats are firm. Everything works as it should in here and the original owners manual is in the glove box. The original spare, jack, and wrench are in the trunk and have never been used. The top boot is included also.

Drivetrain

There isn’t much to say about the drivetrain other than it goes, stops, and turns just like a new Miata should. I had the local Mazda dealer change the oil and perform an inspection. They were intrigued by the fact that the lug nuts appear to have never been removed. Everything checked out during the inspection and the paperwork from that service and a previous one are included. The service stickers have the mileage printed on them. The original tires are still on the car as is the original timing belt. If you plan to daily drive the car, you may want to address those items but they should be counted as a bonus for collectors.

Finding a low-mileage Miata like this was a dream come true, but I think it should go to an owner who will either drive it or add it to their permanent collection. If you are interested please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.