so i set up craigshelper.com to search on ALL keywords "miata hardtop" with max price $2500, within 600 miles of my zip.
Blacksburg VA, red '93, some body damage and blown engine, comes with replacement engine, $1500:
http://blacksburg.craigslist.org/cto/981413556.html
Joisey, red '92, has bad soft top and dude is keeping the hardtop, no price listed but says he's open to any offers:
http://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/1010706795.html
that's all i found below the $2009 cap. not mine, no affiliation, etc.
I think the one in Blacksburg, VA sold a couple weeks ago.
For the really cheap stuff, you have to get away from Craigslist.
At an auction last month I bought a running '91 bone stock Miata with hardtop, new aftermarket softtop, and the best condition interior I've ever found on a NA6. The white paint had succumbed to the flaking curse and it looks like it was 80% repainted with a decent paint job about 10 years ago.
Cost me $850.
What auctions are you going to?
Miata's at the auctions around here sell for the same price as craigslist. NA's are $3000-5000 arouns here.
I have never seen an auction here (Richmond, VA) that had a Miata for sale.
This would be the opposite end of the spectrum. $3400? Really? 
This is a $1k Miata at most around here.
It's a 1990 Mazda Miata 1.6 liter 4 cylinder.It has 163,236 miles on it an runs
strong.I change the oil every 6,000 miles on it,has a new radiator an
thermostat.Approximately 23,000 miles scents crankshaft and clutch replaced.It was
painted 4 years ago still in good condition.I have all maintenance records
available.Convertible Top in good shape has no splits,no tears,no cracks and no sunburn.Asking price is $3,400.Have $8,000 invested in.
http://gainesville.craigslist.org/cto/1016088630.html
here's a good one...
Someone should scoop it up... http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/1000493542.html
