CD Article: 20 under 20 - 20 sporty cars you can buy for under $20,000

[davidm]

Especially when you can slip into a perfectly fine 1990 for about $3500 in BC. 

Where?  Cheapest Miata I've ever seen was still more than $5000.  Most of the ones I see listed are asking $7000-10 000.  $3500 for a Miata would be a steal, on the island at least.

Island prices have always seemed crazy to me.  Some kind of BC Ferries premium? 

Here is $4k http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/car/615166694.html

Lots of delusional folks on there.  Here's one in Seattle for $3500 http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/car/633000235.html .  Don't forget 1993 is 15 years old so importation is much easier. This one is TO is $2500 http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/car/596251971.html .

After working on mine I'm happy to say I don't understand any of that stuff the other folks were talking about.  I just own a 7,10,11, 12 and 14mm wrench/socket and you're good to go.

[Wolfe]

After working on mine I'm happy to say I don't understand any of that stuff the other folks were talking about.  I just own a 7,10,11, 12 and 14mm wrench/socket and you're good to go.

With those sockets a Phillips head screwdriver I think you could almost entirely disassemble a Miata.

[tpl]

Are the wheel nuts/bolts only 14mm  ?     Even the Fit is 3/4inch

I assume you need a socket for the wheel nuts not just the wrench that comes with the car.     Otherwise how do you use the torque wrench to tighten them up properly?`

[Wolfe]

I had the lugnuts and a couple of other bolts in the powertrain in mind when I added the word almost. Other than those few bolts pretty much the entire car could be disassembled with the sockets Davidm listed and a Phillips-head.

[The Mighty Duck]

Island prices have always seemed crazy to me.  Some kind of BC Ferries premium? 

   People on the island are nuts.  There was a 94 Civic base model about a year back listed for $9000 (albeit on a dealer's lot).     Insane...

[davidm]

Are the wheel nuts/bolts only 14mm  ?     Even the Fit is 3/4inch

I assume you need a socket for the wheel nuts not just the wrench that comes with the car.     Otherwise how do you use the torque wrench to tighten them up properly?`

Yeah, I have the full set, I was being over dramatic for effect.  Lugs are the usual.  Engine mounts and dash mounts as well.  You really can strip the car with a basic home depot lug set plus the phillips head screwdriver.  I pulled and reinstalled my dash in an afternoon with those tools and little previous knowledge.  This car is really easy to work on.

To me it is the perfect first car for a kid.  True sports car handling, low power, convertible fun, good on gas, reliable, easy to work on yourself/learn, cheap insurance,  cheap to buy, and only 2 seats for minimal "distraction".