Example report · a real search, run earlier
The 2005 at $8,995 is the safest bet if it has no timing issues—skip the 2000 automatic and inspect the 2001's check engine light before any money moves.
The market is deep: 51 Miatas under $14k, median $8,792. Nearly 40% are private sales. You are looking at the sweet spot where supply is strong enough to walk from a problem car and find another. The NB1 (1999-2000) models with the crankshaft keyway issue sit at the bottom; NB2 (2001-2005) machines with the pinned crank command a premium and are worth it for reliability. One automatic in the bunch is not a manual—walk past it immediately.
Every figure above is an asking price. None of these cars has sold, so this describes what sellers want, not what the market pays.
cargurus.com (21) · craigslist.org (19) · cars.com (10) · ebay.com (1) · 19 private sellers · 51 screened
The shortlist
Where a seller published a gallery, the listing is opened and the photographs are read panel by panel. The count beside each read is how many were actually examined.
2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata LS
The 2005 LS is the pick: NB2 chassis with pinned crankshaft, 87k miles, and dealer support mean lower catastrophic risk. Seller discloses nothing, so demand full service records, undercarriage inspection, and proof of recall work (ball joint, Takata airbag) before committing. Fair market for the year and mileage, but $8,995 is not a steal—it is asking price. Inspect for timing belt condition (not critical on NB2, but verify), valve cover seepage, and clutch feel. If records are solid and the car is dry underneath, make an offer.
- Worth paying
- $8,200–$8,800
- Check first
- Service records must show regular oil changes and clutch history. Takata airbag recall (2004-2005 model) must be documented as completed. Undercarriage inspection is mandatory given your no-rust requirement. If ball joint recall work is not documented, budget $400–$800 for it. Valve cover gasket and cam angle sensor o-ring leaks are common; check for oil weeping at 87k miles.
- VIN
- JM1NB353550410787
- Built as
- 2005 · Mazda · MX-5 · Convertible/Cabriolet · 1.8L BPD Gasoline · built in HIROSHIMA, JAPAN
Free federal build data. It is not a vehicle history report: there is no owner count, no accident record and no odometer trail in it.
- How it was shot
- Single photograph taken outdoors at a dealership lot in daylight, offside profile only. Natural light reveals body lines but only one angle provided.
- Body & paint
- Silver paint appears even across visible panels with consistent reflection. Shut lines at the door look uniform. No obvious colour mismatch or respray texture visible from this single angle. Front and rear bumper integration appears factory.
- Wheels & tyres
- Aftermarket multi-spoke alloys, appear straight with no visible kerb damage on the visible side. Tyre brand not legible. Tread depth cannot be assessed. Brake disc condition not visible through wheel design.
- Interior
- Red leather interior visible with roof down. From this distance, seats appear intact with no obvious bolster collapse visible. Cannot assess steering wheel, gear knob, or pedal wear from this single distant shot.
- Not photographed
- No engine bay, no boot, no undercarriage, no nearside panels, no front or rear detail shots, no interior close-ups to verify wear against 87,805 miles, no service book, no wheel arches or sills for rust inspection.
- Single photograph only – wholly inadequate documentation
- No rust inspection possible
- Cannot verify interior wear against mileage claim
2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata LS
The 2003 LS at $8,659 is second choice: 86k miles, NB2 pinned crank, and only $336 cheaper than the 2005. Studio dealer photographs hide paint and rust, and seller wrote nothing. The lower mileage is a minor edge, but no documentation or transparency kills the appeal. Same recall and inspection demands as the 2005. If records materialize and underbody is clean, this could undercut the 2005—but dealer silence is louder than price.
- Worth paying
- $8,200–$8,600
- Check first
- Dealer photography obscures condition—demand underbody images or a pre-purchase lift inspection. Require ball joint and Takata airbag recall documentation. No disclosure of service history is a red flag; push hard for records. At 86k, clutch and soft-top condition are critical.
- VIN
- JM1NB353630301817
- Built as
- 2003 · Mazda · MX-5 · Coupe · Convertible/Cabriolet · 1.8L BPD · built in HIROSHIMA, JAPAN
Free federal build data. It is not a vehicle history report: there is no owner count, no accident record and no odometer trail in it.
- How it was shot
- Studio photography on a white sweep with professional lighting designed to flatten imperfections. Two nearly identical offside profile shots from slightly different distances. Controlled environment conceals paint texture and panel detail.
- Body & paint
- Dark red/burgundy paint appears glossy under studio lights. Panel reflections are deliberately flattened by the lighting setup, making respray detection impossible. Tan soft top fitted. No shut line detail visible at this resolution and lighting.
- Wheels & tyres
- Factory five-spoke alloys visible on offside only. No kerbing visible from this angle but only one side shown. Tyre condition, tread depth, and brands not assessable. Brake disc condition not visible.
- Interior
- Tan/beige leather interior visible but too distant and through reflective glass to assess any wear detail. Cannot evaluate bolster condition, steering wheel polish, or gear knob wear from these angles.
- Not photographed
- No engine bay, no boot floor, no nearside, no front or rear views, no close-ups of any panel gaps or shut lines, no undercarriage, no sills or arches for rust check, no interior detail shots to verify against 86,805 miles.
- Studio lighting deliberately flattens paint defects – hides evidence
- Only two near-identical shots from one side
- No rust inspection possible
- Cannot verify wear against stated mileage
2001 Mazda Miata
The 2001 at $6,500 is a value trap: seller admits a check engine light with camshaft position timing codes (P0012, P0015), and a mechanic could not rule out timing belt failure. On a 1999-2000 NB1, this is serious—the crankshaft keyway failure sits behind timing belt issues. The 2001 is NB2 with a pinned crank (more robust), but the seller's uncertainty about the fault and refusal to diagnose it fully is disqualifying. New clutch and tires are pluses, but a live check engine light is a veto. Walk away unless the seller provides a full shop diagnosis ruling out crankshaft and timing chain wear—and even then, the price should drop $1,500.
- Worth paying
- $5,000–$5,500 as-is with active fault code
- Check first
- The check engine light and timing codes are the seller's own disclosure. Do not buy this car without an independent shop diagnosis of the P0012/P0015 codes. Timing belt wear on the NB2 (chain, actually, not belt) is rare but possible; camshaft timing slip can indicate a stretched chain or a sensor fault. Cost to diagnose: $100–$200. Cost to replace cam angle sensor o-rings: $400–$600. Cost to replace timing chain if stretched: $1,200+. The seller's mechanic did not finish the job—you must.
“2001 Mazda Miata 93,000 MI 5 speed has a new clutch new tires AC works straight body nice interior convertible top was replaced about 3 years ago with new rear glass. It runs good but check engine light goes off and on the OBD code reads p0012 and P 0015. It says camshaft position timing over retarded. Mechanic that says it may just be a timing belt but not sure 100%. It has a clean title and current registration.”
- How it was shot
- Photographed outdoors in daylight in two different locations – a commercial parking lot and a residential street. Natural light shows paint condition clearly. All four angles shot from mid-distance; no close-ups of details.
- Body & paint
- Red paint shows even gloss across all panels with no obvious colour mismatches or texture changes visible at this resolution. Bonnet shut lines appear even. No visible overspray or stone chip damage evident from these angles. Front bumper integration looks factory. Both headlight lenses are heavily clouded.
- Wheels & tyres
- Factory five-spoke alloys appear straight with no visible kerbing. Tyre tread depth cannot be assessed from these angles. Tyre brands not legible. No visible brake disc condition through the spokes.
- Interior
- Black cloth seats visible with the roof down. Driver's seat bolster shows no obvious collapse. Steering wheel and centre console not close enough to assess wear detail. Gear lever visible but condition unclear at this distance.
- Not photographed
- No engine bay, no boot floor, no undercarriage, no close-ups of wheel arches or sills where rust forms on these cars, no service history, no detailed interior wear shots against the 93k odometer reading, no fourth corner (nearside rear three-quarter).
- Heavily clouded headlight lenses – both need restoration or replacement
- No rust inspection possible without undercarriage or sill close-ups
- Four photos only – minimal documentation for a 23-year-old car
2000 Miata LS
The 2000 LS at $7,200 is automatic, not manual. Your brief says manual transmission is a must-have. The seller's description confirms it: 'Automatic transmission.' Skip it entirely. The private-party transparency (full records, garage storage, second owner since 2003) is exemplary, but a transmission that is not manual fails the gate. Do not waste time negotiating or inspecting.
- Worth paying
- N/A—not a candidate
- Check first
- Automatic transmission disqualifies this car against your stated requirement. Do not spend any time or money on inspection or negotiation.
“Year: 2000 (later build with fog lights) Model: Miata LS Exterior: Classic Red Removable Hard top: OEM Classic Red Soft top: Tan with boot Interior: Tan leather Engine: 4-cyl. 1.8 L I4 Gasoline Mileage: 89,400 Configuration: Automatic transmission, AC, Bose stereo, power door locks. Condition: Drives great. Second owner since 2003 Lived in a garage; used mainly for commuting 8 miles to work All maintenance and repair records Clear Carfax Report”
- How it was shot
- Photographed outdoors in two locations – parking lot and residential driveway – in strong natural daylight. Multiple angles including interior close-ups. Direct sunlight shows paint and interior condition clearly.
- Body & paint
- Red paint shows even gloss and consistent colour across all visible panels. No obvious texture changes or colour mismatches between panels. Bonnet and door shut lines appear even from available angles. Front bumper lower lip shows typical stone chip wear consistent with age. Headlights moderately clouded but not as severe as Candidate 0.
- Wheels & tyres
- Factory five-spoke alloys appear straight with no visible kerbing on photographed sides. Tyre brands not legible. Tread depth not assessable from these angles. No visible brake disc condition.
- Interior
- Tan leather interior in very good condition for 89,000 miles. Driver's seat bolster shows minimal wear with sharp edges maintained. Seats appear firm with no visible sagging. Steering wheel rim shows no visible polish wear. Gear lever boot and centre console appear tidy. Door cards clean. This interior presents as lower mileage than stated.
- Not photographed
- No engine bay, no boot floor with spare well visible, no undercarriage or sill close-ups for rust inspection, no service history documentation, no pedal rubber condition, no rear arches from below.
- Interior condition appears better than expected for 89k – could indicate lower actual miles or recent retrim
- No underbody rust documentation for a 24-year-old car where buyer specifically wants no rust
1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata Base
The 1999 Base at $2,999 is the cheapest because it should be. At 117,539 miles, it is approaching the threshold where suspension, clutch, soft-top, and bushings all need money—often $2,000–$3,000 in deferred maintenance for a 25-year-old car driven hard. Seller discloses nothing; dealer provides no history. The 1999 is NB1 with the vulnerable crankshaft keyway, and at this mileage, you must assume it was not garage-kept or meticulously maintained. No photographs to inspect for rust. For a true weekend toy where you plan to rebuild the drivetrain anyway, it has bargain-bin appeal—but the risk of a $1,500–$3,000 crankshaft repair hiding in the engine makes this a no-look pass unless your budget includes a pre-purchase full inspection and crank keyway assessment by a Miata specialist ($300–$500). Even then, you are rolling dice.
- Worth paying
- $2,500–$3,500 if high-mileage deferred maintenance is budgeted
- Check first
- Crankshaft keyway failure is the silent killer on 1999-2000 NB1 cars. At 117k miles, the crank pulley bolt must be inspected for looseness or history of retorquing. Demand service records showing timing belt replacement (due at 60k) and clutch history. If records do not exist, assume $2,500 in immediate work. No dealership transparency and no photos mean a pre-purchase shop inspection is non-negotiable. Soft-top and rear window are likely shot at this age and mileage.
- VIN
- JM1NB3539X0126615
- Built as
- 1999 · Mazda · MX-5 · Coupe · Convertible/Cabriolet · BPD · built in HIROSHIMA
Free federal build data. It is not a vehicle history report: there is no owner count, no accident record and no odometer trail in it.
What you are buying
Crankshaft nose pulley keyway failure
$1,500-$3,000 if keyway is damaged and crank needs welding/sleeving or replacementThe woodruff key in the crankshaft nose can shear, especially on 1999-2000 NB1 models, causing timing to slip and potential catastrophic engine damage. The crank pulley bolt must be torqued to spec (116-123 ft-lbs) and threadlocker used. If it has ever rattled or been loose, the keyway may be wallowed out. 2001+ NB2 engines got a pinned crankshaft which mostly solved this.
Valve cover gasket and cam angle sensor o-rings leak
$150-$300 DIY, $400-$600 at a shopThe valve cover gasket and the two o-rings on the cam angle sensor (front of valve cover) leak oil commonly after 80k-100k miles. Inexpensive repair but messy if neglected. Check for oil pooling around the valve cover or dripping down the front of the engine.
Soft top wear and rear window delamination
$800-$1,600 installedThe vinyl or cloth soft top develops tears at the seams and corners, and the plastic rear window delaminates or cracks, especially if the top has been folded in cold weather. Replacement top is $300-$800 depending on quality, plus $500-$800 labor if not DIY.
Front frame rail rust
$1,000-$3,000+ for rail replacement/welding if severeThe front frame rails behind the bumper and along the rocker panels rust from the inside out, especially in salt states. Surface rust on subframe is normal, but perforation or flaking in the unibody rails is structural. Inspect thoroughly with the car on a lift. Buyer specifies no rust—this is the critical area.
Clutch slave cylinder failure
$600-$1,200 (labor-intensive, often done with clutch)The internal clutch slave cylinder can leak fluid into the bellhousing, causing clutch slip or pedal going to the floor. It is inside the transmission so requires gearbox removal. Often done alongside clutch replacement. 2001+ cars are less prone but not immune.
Differential mount and subframe bushings wear
$300-$600 for all mounts/bushingsThe rubber differential mounts (often called PowerPlant Frame mounts) and front subframe bushings wear out, causing clunking on shifts and acceleration. Common on higher-mileage cars. Polyurethane upgrades are available.
What you can stop worrying about
Faults this model is famous for that do not belong to these years. Worth knowing before a seller prices one in.
Short nose crankshaft failure
The early 1990-1993 1.6L NA Miatas had a short-nose crankshaft that could break. This does NOT affect the 1999-2005 NB generation at all—all NB cars have the 1.8L BP engine with the long-nose crank. Sellers and forums confuse this with the keyway issue above.
Ruled out after reading the listing
These looked right on price and mileage, so their pages were opened. Their own listings disqualified them.
- ������ 1999 Mazda Miata MX-5 — 38,170 Miles — Excellent Conditionsalvage or rebuilt title
- ������️ 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata ������mechanic's special
Budget beyond the sticker
- Service records audit: $100–$300 to have a shop review them for gaps or red flags.
- Pre-purchase inspection and undercarriage rust survey: $150–$300. Non-negotiable for a 1999-2005 car where you specified no rust.
- Crankshaft keyway assessment (1999-2000 NB1 only): $300–$500 if you pursue the base 1999 model or the 2001 with active check engine light.
- Recall completion verification: $0–$200 if you must visit a Mazda dealer to confirm ball joint and Takata work; sometimes free if the dealer did the original recall.
- Timing belt replacement (1999-2000 NB1 only; 2001-2005 NB2 has chain): $400–$600 if overdue or unknown; 2001+ cars do not need this, so verify the generation.
What separates a good one from a bad one
- Good: documented oil changes every 3k-5k miles, no oil leaks or smoke, valve cover dry or recently resealed, top in good condition with clear rear window, zero rust in frame rails or rockers, clutch engages smoothly with no judder.
- Bad: oil weeping from valve cover or front of engine, rust bubbles or perforation in rocker panels or front frame rails, clunking from diff mounts or suspension, soft or spongy clutch pedal, top with torn seams or opaque rear window, missing service records.
- 2001-2005 NB2 cars have the pinned crank (more reliable), 6-speed optional on some, revised VVT engine with 10 more hp, and stiffer suspension. Generally preferable to 1999-2000 NB1.
- Cars over 150k miles often need suspension bushings, clutch, and top. Budget $2,000-$3,000 for deferred maintenance unless provably already done.
Recalls to check against the VIN
- 2001-2005: NHTSA 01V-235 (September 2001) - Accelerator cable may stick or bind, increasing crash risk. Check if performed.
- 2001-2005: NHTSA 04V-302 (June 2004) - Ball joint may separate from lower control arm. Critical suspension recall, verify completion.
- 2004-2005: NHTSA 09V-036 (February 2009) - Takata airbag inflator recall. Verify replacement done with VIN check.
- 1999-2000: No major recalls, but verify via NHTSA or Mazda dealer VIN lookup.
Ask the seller
- Has the crankshaft pulley bolt ever been retorqued or replaced, and was threadlocker used? Any history of rattling from the front of the engine?
- When was the clutch last replaced, and does the pedal feel firm with no sponginess? Any fluid leaks in the bellhousing?
- Can you show me the underside on a lift or ramps to inspect frame rails and rockers for rust?
- What is the service history for oil changes, and are there records for timing belt (if 1999-2000) or valve cover gasket work?
- Have any recalls been completed, particularly the ball joint (2001-2005) and Takata airbag (2004-2005) recalls?
Records to demand
- Complete service records showing oil changes every 3k-5k miles—gaps longer than 8k miles raise questions about care.
- Receipt for timing belt replacement (1999-2000 NB1 only; 2001+ NB2 has timing chain and does not need this).
- Documentation of any crankshaft pulley, clutch, or transmission work, including torque specs and parts used.
- Recall completion records, particularly ball joint recall for 2001-2005 and Takata airbag for 2004-2005. Get VIN and verify via NHTSA or Mazda dealer if seller cannot provide.
Before you buy
- Demand a complete service history for any car you pursue. Gaps longer than 8,000 miles between oil changes are a sign of neglect. For the 2001 with the check engine light, an independent shop diagnosis is mandatory before you commit any money.
- Inspect the undercarriage in person or hire a shop to lift the car and photograph frame rails, rocker panels, and subframe for rust. Your brief specifies no rust—this is the only place to verify it. Dealer photos and driveway photos will not show this.
- Verify all applicable recalls have been completed: the 2001-2005 ball joint recall (NHTSA 04V-302) and the 2004-2005 Takata airbag recall (NHTSA 09V-036). Get a VIN from the seller and check NHTSA.gov or call a local Mazda dealer.
- Check the crankshaft pulley bolt for tightness (2001+ NB2 cars are pinned, so lower risk, but ask anyway) and look for any history of rattling from the front of the engine. If you hear rattling during a test drive, walk away.
- Test the clutch: the pedal must feel firm and fully engage in the top half of the pedal travel. Any sponginess, softness, or grinding means the slave cylinder or clutch plate is failing—budget $600–$1,200 to repair.
- Inspect the soft-top seams and rear window for tears, cloudiness, or delamination. Replacement is $800–$1,600 installed. If it looks original on a 20+ year old car, it will fail soon.
Prices are what sellers are asking, not what cars have sold for. Nothing here has been inspected and no vehicle history report has been read; where history decides the question, the report says which record to demand. How a search is run.