selling 1994 Miata possibly

I'm looking to move into a slightly bigger vehicle in the near future, so I'll need to sell my Miata. However, I'm a bit aghast at the discrepancy between what some place like Carmax will buy it for, and the different KBB guidelines (that don't seem to really be followed anyway).

The car is 1994, 76000 miles, completely stock except I've got some pretty good tires on it, I put a new soft top on it when I purchased it 1.5 years ago. The interior and exterior are in good condition (parking lot dings etc).

Carmax said it's worth $1200 (yea, right!)
KBB says private sales price is $2950
Searching cars.com it seems like it should be going for between $4000-6000.

Can anyone help me figure out what I could realistically expect to get for my Miata? I need to know because I'm trying to get an idea of what price range to start looking in for a new car.

It will depend on a lot of things. Does it have the PEP package (power windows, Torsen rear-end, cruise, etc)? Does it have leather? What condition is the paint? What color is it? Any issues (mechanical or cosmetic)?

Depending on all those things I would guess it's worth $3000-$4000.

I would say around 3000-3500. No way you'll get 6. I think some way newer NB's are going in that range.

We got $4000 for my wifes with a lot higher milage.

BUT! It had a lot of upgrades. A good mantenance history. All the normal wear parts had been replaced including the top as you have. And the paint, outside of the chips and a few small door dents, was in very good shape.

You need to give a lot more detail before the members here can help you with pricing.

It is a base model, so no power. Aside from some small dents and dings from parking lots and hail, it is in very good condition. There are no problems with it. The engine is in great shape, it's red, and has had regular service. I can post some pics.

Pics are always helpful. From what you've posted, I'd say it's worth closer to $3K than $4K.

I would say, start at $5500 and be willing to negotiate. Start high, low miles helps. Have you done the timing belt? You never know what some are willing to pay. Good luck.

Sight unseen, I'd say the first number in the asking and final selling price should be a "3"....

Note to self: Detail car before taking pictures. You'll have to excuse the general dirt/mud/leaves from the past week's rain.

I had a belt wear out last summer and replaced it. I don't know if that was the timing belt or not.

Hmmm...now where to post some pics....

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

Definately detail it before posting for sale pics.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by saffikeagan

Note to self: Detail car before taking pictures. You'll have to excuse the general dirt/mud/leaves from the past week's rain.

I had a belt wear out last summer and replaced it. I don't know if that was the timing belt or not.

Hmmm...now where to post some pics....

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Did you have to take half the engine apart to replace it? If not then it was not the timing belt.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HudsonHawk

We got $4000 for my wifes with a lot higher milage.

BUT! It had a lot of upgrades. A good mantenance history. All the normal wear parts had been replaced including the top as you have. And the paint, outside of the chips and a few small door dents, was in very good shape.

You need to give a lot more detail before the members here can help you with pricing.

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I have seen HudsonHawk's car and it does not show its age! I drove it this weekend, and it feels solid and still have sweet sound of the stock engine! With all the goodies on it, I think I will pick HudsonHawk's car over this one if they are the same price.

This car is a base model with no goodies and has some rough edges, I think 3 to 3.5K is the ball park.

After looking at those pictures, and without knowing about the condition of the "working parts" or the options on the car, I'd definitely agree that $3,000 to $3,500 would be all you could expect. You absolutely want to detail that car before trying to sell it. Maybe even pay someone to detail it professionally. Not trying to be mean, but those pictures definitely are "bringing out the best" in your car... :shock:

HAving seen it now, I stand by my original quote...

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.

http://forums.dfwmiata.com/showthread.php?t=10181

Tkx.

I was expecting a garage queen with the miles. I'll join everyone else now $3***

The first thing I would do if I were selling that car would be to find some cheap, used stock daisy alloys and put them on the car. A small investment that you should at least break even on. However, I think the response you'd get in terms of people interested in the car would be much higher. Those steelies aren't doing you any favors.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by saffikeagan

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.

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Don't mention this either. Shudder.

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

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....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 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....

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Track Dog Racing can do it in Dallas.

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.

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. ::Rant:: 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.

For Mechanic work, visit your local Miata Crack Dealer

For Paint work, head on over to the west side

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

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

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.

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

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.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by saffikeagan

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?

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

[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]

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.

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

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.