selling 1994 Miata possibly

[goofygrin]

Yea, the car is not showing in it's best light right now. I got a dog 5 months ago and he's in my car at least 4-5 times a week. I think the car has more dirt in it than the dog park does.

Don't mention this either. Shudder.

[sxk122]

Cleaned up I could see you getting $3500 while the weather is nice.
Just spend a day detailing it; you'd be amazed what a claybar, polish, wax, and glaze would do for it. I also agree with mk2tmr2; look for some cheap oem rims, or at the very least prep and paint those steelies gloss black or silver.

I think the car has potential. A little elbow grease and a few dollars in parts and I think you can realize something close to the low end of your desired price

[Mr Hedges]

Just wondering where you had new soft topput on? DO you know a good shop with a decent price? I need to replace my 1993 soft top....

[black roadster]

Just wondering where you had new soft topput on? DO you know a good shop with a decent price? I need to replace my 1993 soft top....

Track Dog Racing can do it in Dallas.

[modernbeat]

If I was shopping '94+ cars and it had Daisy wheels on it, I'd worry about how many shortcuts the owner took with the car. If you're going to go for OEM wheels, either get the correct wheels, or later upgraded wheel. Don't put the smaller, earlier wheels on it.

[saffikeagan]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm really pissed right now though because someone backed into me in a parking lot and took a bit of paint off the bumper/scratched up the paint a bit in general. It's not that major so I can't decide whether to just leave it, or to get the insurance involved. Really, I should just have the whole car painted as I have noticed in the last few weeks that it's starting to get that old-red-miata-fade going on.

I do need to get the breaks worked on and a general maintenance work-up. Any suggestions of good places that won't take me to the cleaners based on my mechanical ignorance?

Any idea what a paint job would run me?

I actually bought the top online and had a friend's company put it on.

[Magma]

For Mechanic work, visit your local Miata Crack Dealer

For Paint work, head on over to the west side

[brandonmpace]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36506752@N02/3368476770/

Is the E-Brake supposed to pull up that high?

I've heard it should be between 3 and 5 inches if it's set up right.

Correct me if I'm wrong, I would really like to know.

[JuanoTejano]

To my eye it's not incredibly high, maybe an inch higher than ideal. I like mine to come just above the shift knob.

[trickyrix]

Before you paint it, try giving it a good buff/wax. That red responds really well to a good detail. Besides, a good paint job will probably run you a couple of grand.

Really, I should just have the whole car painted as I have noticed in the last few weeks that it's starting to get that old-red-miata-fade going on.

Any idea what a paint job would run me?

[JuanoTejano]

Porter cable and the right compound should handle just about any oxidation (the reason why your paint looks faded) and light scratches you can throw at it. A couple grand seems a little high, check out the "my paint thread" once it get's finished and see if mk2tmr2's guy wants anymore business when he's done.

[black roadster]

Based on the photos, it looks to be a $2500 car as it sits. Clean it up and get the paint glossy again and I can see $3500 as a possibility.

[saffikeagan]

I've decided to sell.

Now I'm debating whether I should try to sell it (as it does have such low mileage) or turn it over to the Air Check Texas program. The benefit of selling is that I might get $500 odd more for it. The benefit of Air Check is that I get a definite $3000 with 0 headaches.

It seems a pity to scrap a car with such good mileage even though it is older, but then the convenience of $3000 on the spot at the dealership is nice.

The third option is to farm it out for parts. The ACT program will take it so long as it is drivable. I'm sure there are some parts on it that are not necessary for the drive from home to the dealer.

[MiataMike]

You can use that program but you are limited in what types of vehicles you can buy; and how much you spend on that vehicle. Also you can't make more than $X and still qualify.

[saffikeagan]

Yep, I fit all the qualifications (barely)! But I do. Sometimes having student loans is a good thing. Also, I'm wanting a Honda Fit, so no problems with exceeding the money limit there.

[driftdevil]

Would you be willing to part with the hitch that is on it? I'm needing one to tow my motorcycle to the track with. PM me with details on it.

[trickyrix]

[rant]

Not that it's my car or my decision, but it seems ridiculous to send a low-miles car like that to the crusher. I wouldn't do it just based on principle. I'd rather see someone get good use out of it than take the guv'mint cheese. But that's just me...

[/rant]

[saffikeagan]

True, but if I'm going to have to sink more than elbow grease into the car to get significantly more than $3000 for it, my pocket-book is better off the other way.

[trickyrix]

From the looks of it, all you'd have to do is clean it up.

[redmenace]

First, sell the hitch to DD and the bike rack on CL.

Second, don't assume that you can't get more than "we" think it's worth. But you are going to have to put in some effort -- and pay for an ad.

IMO, if you aren't even willing to clean it up then few buyers will pay your full asking price. Despite the miles, the current condition makes it appear neglected. I think you could get a happy buyer for $3500 on cars.com -- but not if you don't wax/buff some shine into the paint and clean it up a bit. If you're not willing to put ANY effort into this, then you should know that the AirCheck program is not exactly a cakewalk. BTDT.

If cars.com doesn't work, you can also try CR.net, where things seem to go for top dollar.