My quest for new car ownership took a major blow today. The Mini Undewhelmed us. Not bad, but it was no Miata.
After 3 years of no car payments, when we do undertake them I would like them as small as possible. Ideally $300, with 325 really being the max I feel comfortable with. With a Mini that was a distinct possibility, with a new Miata it is a lot further out of reach. Then you have to take into consideration that insurance will now go up for your more expensive car, next year’s (and hereafter’s) tax bill goes up too.
There is zero percent financing on 2003 Miatas until next Monday, so for 60 months, $300 would be financing a total of $18,000. Even if the dealer was generous and gave me what KBB claims is a private party price of $4k, that only brings me to the 22 thousand mark. That is base Miata territory and if I’m buying I would want the upscale L package for the cruise and limited slip.
The other option open is there is a rebate on Miatas of $2750 until next Monday, 12/1. This is more appealing as in the price range we are in here and available interest rates now it is cheaper to take the money off up front.
The real problem with all of this is the same one that sent me Mini shopping to begin with, there is no real color Miata out there that really appeals to me. Most the ’03s left over out there are that hideous Splash Green and the equally as repulsive Special Edition color of Strato Blue (which is more violet than blue.) It is almost enough to drive a man to buy a red car. Actually there a few Garnet Red (which is actually more maroonish) cars out there and Donna kinda likes it, but I can’t abide by the tan color interior I’ve seen them with and I’m not too sure they would look good with my interior color of choice, black.
There just may not be a new car in my future. Small sporty convertibles are few and far between. The Toyota MR2 is too quirky looking and has less storage space than the average women’s purse. Boxsters and SLKs are out of my league. I guess I could start looking at 2 year old Honda S2000s, they came in sort of an attractive blue with a blue interior.