Buying Used & CPOQuestionCommunity Starter

2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata — would you buy an ex-rental car at the right price?

SunBeltPilot913Community StarterMar 11, 20262024 Mazda MX-5 Miata ClubDenver
2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club, about 31,000 miles. A former rental is cheaper than privately owned examples and has frequent service records. Cosmetics show normal wear. What extra inspection points matter because of rental use?
apr
4.35
location
Denver
term months
48
asking price
39000
dealer addons
3995
dealer doc fee
1299
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26 replies

EVHauler534Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 11, 2026permalink
I'd want competing paper, not competing stories. Ask for out-the-door on the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata with fees, add-ons, and rate on separate lines. If they balk, that's your answer. This is from a 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata in Denver with 31,000 miles. If it doesn't change the out-the-door or the repair estimate, it's noise. Going to re-read the worksheet tonight.
CanyonMom126Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 11, 2026permalink
If I were shopping this, two 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata quotes only help if both include tax, title, and the same options. Then the comparison gets honest. When does it actually happen? Doc fee is the line I'm watching.
PistonCamperCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMar 13, 2026permalink
Yes, with one caveat: Call your insurer in Denver before you fall in love with the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. On “5 miata — would you buy an,” that was the fork that mattered for me. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. That's my plan before I call anyone.
TrailWrench67Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 12, 2026permalink
Hard-won lesson from my last deal: Keep sale price, trade, and financing split on the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata so a “good payment” cannot bury a worse deal. If they balk, that's your answer. On “5 miata — would you buy an,” that was the fork that mattered for me. That's the sequence I'd use. If they get vague again I'm shopping the deal elsewhere.
CanyonMom126Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 12, 2026permalink
Compare apples to apples or you'll get spun. A written buyer’s order on the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” Do that before you talk monthly again. Have you gotten a second quote in writing? I'd rather be boring and correct. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.
RoadTraveler327Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 13, 2026permalink
I'd push back a little: Two 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata quotes only help if both include tax, title, and the same options. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. A shop burned me once by skipping that step. Doc fee is the line I'm watching.
WrenchEnthusiast541Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 13, 2026permalink
Asking because it changes the advice: If one piece looks too good on the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata, hunt doc fees, accessories, and the APR next. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. No need to make it theatrical. If the title is messy I'm out, full stop.
ColdStartOwner173Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 12, 2026permalink
I'd slow the salesperson down here. If one piece looks too good on the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata, hunt doc fees, accessories, and the APR next. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. If they can't show the line item, I assume it's hiding. Not wiring anything in the meantime.
UsedCarDIYer737Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 12, 2026permalink
Quick add on that: Ask for out-the-door on the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata with fees, add-ons, and rate on separate lines. Do that before you talk monthly again. Post the numbers (or the code) and people can get more specific. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.
RoadTraveler327Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 13, 2026permalink
I'd push back a little: If one piece looks too good on the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata, hunt doc fees, accessories, and the APR next. That's the part that actually changes the decision. This is from a 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata in Denver with 31,000 miles. Had a similar mess a couple years ago and that's what finally sorted it. If the title is messy I'm out, full stop.
MarketHunter747Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 13, 2026permalink
Agree — and I'd add this: A written buyer’s order on the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. On “5 miata — would you buy an,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Verbal 'we'll take care of it' is not a plan. Climate here is different, so treat that as a local data point. That's my plan before I call anyone.
ColdStartOwner173Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 13, 2026permalink
That's a good start, but I wouldn't stop there. I would not wire money until I've seen the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata and the title situation in person or via a trusted PPI. Then the comparison gets honest. If they can't show the line item, I assume it's hiding. Worth doing even if the car feels fine right now. If they only talk monthly I'm walking.
DealHaulerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMar 13, 2026permalink
Quick add on that: Keep sale price, trade, and financing split on the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata so a “good payment” cannot bury a worse deal. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. PPI guy I use is booked until next week, so I'm waiting.
DealScout262Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 12, 2026permalink
If I were shopping this, if one piece looks too good on the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata, hunt doc fees, accessories, and the APR next. That's the part that actually changes the decision. This is from a 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata in Denver with 31,000 miles. Learned this the expensive way on a previous car. I've seen both outcomes, which is why I'd test instead of assume. Doc fee is the line I'm watching.
MarketHunter747Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 12, 2026permalink
I'd slow the salesperson down here. If one piece looks too good on the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata, hunt doc fees, accessories, and the APR next. That's the part that actually changes the decision. This is from a 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata in Denver with 31,000 miles. Verbal 'we'll take care of it' is not a plan. That's coming from doing this as an owner, not a shop. I'm in no rush to be a hero on it.
ColdStartOwner173Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 12, 2026permalink
I'd push back a little: If one piece looks too good on the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata, hunt doc fees, accessories, and the APR next. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. Verbal 'we'll take care of it' is not a plan. If the VIN lookup is clean I'm still doing PPI.
DealHaulerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMar 12, 2026permalink
Insurance and tax belong in the comparison, not as a surprise. Keep sale price, trade, and financing split on the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata so a “good payment” cannot bury a worse deal. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. On “5 miata — would you buy an,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Post the numbers (or the code) and people can get more specific. I'd rather look cautious in this thread than stuck later.
OldSchoolNomad343Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 12, 2026permalink
Treat this like a math problem, not a vibe. A written buyer’s order on the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. Stop there until you know. This is the version I'd tell a friend.
SunBeltPilot913Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 13, 2026permalink
I asked about 5 miata — would you buy an again and they still won't put GAP/add-ons on their own lines. If the VIN lookup is clean I'm still doing PPI.
V8Fan152Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 12, 2026permalink
Get the messy numbers in writing first. Keep sale price, trade, and financing split on the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata so a “good payment” cannot bury a worse deal. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. On “5 miata — would you buy an,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Have you gotten a second quote in writing? This is the filter I use when the thread starts repeating itself. If GAP is bundled I'm making them unbundle it.
BoxerBuilder275Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 12, 2026permalink
If I were shopping this, in Denver, insurance quotes flipped a 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata comparison for me more than the sale price did. That's the part that actually changes the decision. Take it or leave it — that's what I'd do. Worth doing even if the car feels fine right now. Going to compare one more dealer before I decide.
BoxerBuilder275Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 12, 2026permalink
Don't send a deposit on a phone quote. If one piece looks too good on the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata, hunt doc fees, accessories, and the APR next. Then the comparison gets honest. Not gospel, but it saved me a headache. That's coming from doing this as an owner, not a shop. If the VIN lookup is clean I'm still doing PPI.
FlatSixMilesCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMar 12, 2026permalink
Get the messy numbers in writing first. Ask for out-the-door on the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata with fees, add-ons, and rate on separate lines. If they balk, that's your answer. On “5 miata — would you buy an,” that was the fork that mattered for me. That's the sequence I'd use. I'd rather look cautious in this thread than stuck later.
OldSchoolNomad343Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 13, 2026permalink
I'd want competing paper, not competing stories. A written buyer’s order on the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” If they balk, that's your answer. That's the whole play. I'll post OTD once I have two apples-to-apples sheets.
SunBeltPilot913Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 13, 2026permalink
Quick update: a second 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata quote made the first offer look ordinary. I screenshotted the quote for later.
SunBeltPilot913Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 13, 2026permalink
Walked a dealership this week on the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata (31,000 miles) and the doc fee was the tell. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.
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