Got Lucky!

ZeeBabar

I have a 2014 sports package 370z in bright red with 18500 miles on it. All highway miles, pristine condition.

About a week ago, I had dropped into a nearby Mazda dealership, looked at their new Mazda Miata's and got tempted (I have a car shopping disease). However, they were all ranging from $25000 for the basic "sports" trim, about $28k for their "club" trim and over $30k for the Grand Touring.

I could not see them giving my car more than $18,500. I took it to CarMax and they offered me $19k for my 370z. I dropped the silly idea...or so I I thought.

On Wednesday, while on EBay, I saw a used 2016 Mazda Miata Grand Touring with 5k miles up for auction. At that time, with about 9 bidders, the bid was $23,600 (A new GT is about $31k) and 5-6 hours to go for the sale to end. I bid $23,700 and then stopped myself, got off EBay so I don't do anything stupid and get into a bidding war.

Six hours later, I received a notification that I had won the auction. The seller was in the Atlanta area. I tossed and turned all night long. In the morning, I contacted the seller, decided I would tame my 370z to Atlanta area, turn in my 370z to Meet the seller, give him the $19k from Carmax and another $3700 cashiers check.

Last night I cursed myself for having made the bid, this morning I kept looking at my lovely 370z and getting mad at myself for having gone to the Mazda dealer, got tempted by the tan leather seats, Bose system, the easily retractable roof and convertible, the awesom 6 speed but still, given that I mostly do long distance diving, my 370Z interior was much roomier, the power so much greater.

I got ready or the 4 hour drive to Atlanta, called the seller, and let him know that Ai was on my way, had the car title would need his full name for the cashiers check and that I expected the car to be pristine and the title available for me before the exchange.

He then told me that the title was with his finance company and would not be available till the end of the month. While I pretended disappointment I smiled. I called EBay and they said he should never have put up the car for sale without a ready title in his hand and that it would not reflect on me if I did not go through with it.

Whew!!! Almost divorced my 370z!! Just took it for a drive to fall in love with it again!!