What should I check when buying a used Mazda MX-5 Miata?

Caught this a bit late but had to chime in since I've been through the Miata ringer too many times. Tbh, the $8k market is pretty disappointing lately... used to be you could get a pristine car for five grand, but now you're mostly seeing NBs with way too many miles or NAs that have been modded poorly. Unfortunately, these cars aren't always as good as expected if the previous owner was cheap. Coming from a BMW, you'll love the simplicity, but dont let the reliability talk make you lazy. Check the radiator first thing. If the plastic top tank looks brownish or olive green instead of dark black, it’s basically a ticking time bomb. It’ll crack and overheat the engine before you even get it home. I had issues with my second one because of this exact thing. It's a cheap fix but a massive headache if it pops on the highway. Since you're on a budget and a tight deadline, pay attention to the suspension. If the car feels floaty like a boat, you’re probably gonna need new dampers. I usually suggest Koni Sport Shocks for 1990-2005 Miata to make it handle right. Also, keep some cash for basic maintenance. Pick up some 303 Aerospace Protectant 32oz UV Protection for the rubber seals so you dont get those BMW-style leaks. Finding a solid one by Friday is gonna be tough, but they're out there if you're quick.

Basically, if you're looking at NAs or NBs, rust is the absolute killer. In my experience, these cars rot from the inside out so check the sills.

• Inspect the rear rocker panels for bubbling paint.
• Verify soft top drains arent clogged or leaking. I always bring a BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro OBDII Scan Tool to check for hidden codes. That 8k budget should get a solid NC tho.