Hello everyone,
I'm currently looking into buying an NB Miata and noticed that the majority of them have large bits of rust. On that topic, how much rust is too much to be worth your time?
Well first look under the car. If the frame is rusted run away don't buy it. And now if it's all around the wheel wells realize to fix that right? You'd have to cut all the rust off. Put new metal in and that's super expensive. Putting bond towing is just a half-assed way of fixing some
I've been looking at a certain one and I'm wondering how bad it is. Is there a way I can send you a picture of it?
The answer is: not much.
NB's are not expensive cars. If you have to spend hundreds or thousands to repair rust damage, it won't be worth it. But there are plenty of NBs out there with little or no rust, especially in southern states.
FYI: I'm restoring a barn find NA that I picked up for $800. It had a ton of surface rust, but nothing that would compromise the integrity of it. Scotty is right that if it has a lot of rust through the frame rails (they all have a little from where people bash them over speed bumps) then don't get it. So it kind of depends on your objective. If you want a project car and don't mind doing rust mitigation, you should be able to get an NB cheap. On the other hand, if you want it as your regular daily driver, don't settle for a rusty one.
PS: if there is just minor rust on the frame rails, you can get aftermarket kits that simply bolt on over the top of the existing rails and give it extra rigidity. Lots of miata vendors sell them (like Flyin Miatas).
Is there a way I can send you a picture of it?
Scotty does not generally revisit topics he has already answered. Instructions for photos are in the FAQ.
