Long time lurker, first time poster....
 

Decided I want to buy a v8 Miata. I’ve owned several of the cars and decided I want to get a v8 as a fun roadster, maybe it will keep me away from triumphs and MGs.....

any advice on what to look for? It looks like there have been several in the <$12k range, and I would like to be right in there for something properly sorted mechanically. Ideally a NA with a solid body, good mechanicals that needs some finishing of the interior and clean up is ideal.

Hi,

Great to hear that are joining the fray. Probably the best advise is if you are getting a converted car, to buy one that has used a well known kit (Monster Miata, V8R etc..) that way you know that the base engineering for the conversion components is sound as there is a lot of information and material is available to fix any gremlins.

Some important things to look for.

1) Make sure the car has excellent frame rails and has never been in an accident
2) Make sure the quality of the work in the conversion is good...i.e. things are mounted properly, tight, tied up nicely. A sloppy conversion job is easily picked up when you see the car and study it up close.
3) make sure car is rust free, lift up the inside carpets to check for water ingress into passenger or driver footwell areas
4) Listen for rattles, knocks etc that can be an indicator of a poor car.

Spend more to get a better car, fixing a half arsed conversion will be more costly long term than spending a little more up front.

Good luck and keep us posted when you fond the right one :)

Have a good time finding just the right Miata within your price range.
The amount you mentioned pretty much limits you to a Ford build as all of the decent LS based builds I have seen have been in the 20K and up range.