GRMers, help me price my car. 1991 Miata.

It's time to part with my 1991 Miata. It is a 6 time Region 64 SCCA class champ, in STS and CSP. I've got a folder with an ungodly amount of receipts (think NYC phonebook). A season old Spec Miata motor, MegaSquirt, Jenvey IRTBS, Bilstein coilovers, HardDog roll bar, 1.8 caliper carriers and rotors, and tons more. BUUUT...it is an automatic. With all new internals and a valvebody mod for crisp shifts, and a $1k Level10 torque converter. It was even featured in 'Your Cars' in GRM a couple of years back, and was Miata.net Miata of the Month back in 07.

Considering it's an auto I have no idea where to start $ wise.

No idea what to tell you on price. But it looks really nice - hope you get whatever you end up asking

Unique car will need a unique buyer.
If it were me, I would throw it up on Ebay with a reserve that you can live with. Ebay will gain national attention for the car.

Even if that reserve is high and the car does not sell the auction should start some dialog with potential buyers who are interested in the car. Follow up on that interest after the auction or relist.
Take the 10 day option to keep it up there as long as an auction will allow.

My own similar experience was that I was selling an '87 BMW 325is (e30) about 3 years ago. I knew the prices were rising but I had bought the car for $1,800 3 years earlier. I probably put about $1,300 total into the car during my ownership and used it as a DD for its first year. My minimum was $2,000 which got me back my purchase price and a little more. I was happy with the $3,250 that ebay brought from a local buyer.
Had I gone through CL, I would have had to priced the car at $3,500 to get close to $3,250 and I really did not have the guts to price the car that high.

What's a comparably built/competitive Miata with a stick worth? What would it cost in parts to swap yours to a stick? That's probably a reasonable ballpark number, give or take, for what you can get for it...unless 2 people really want it.

That's a unicorn. I'd try it on Miata.net. If you can't find someone there that wants it, you won't find it on Fleabay.

I paid $3500 for one that isn't as nice, but was yellow and came with a hardtop.

Maybe $6000 to start?

Looks like you have steering wheel controls too for gas and brake? Are you keeping those, or do they go with the car?

One of my driving school students way back had those installed in a jeep patriot. I don't think the conversion was cheap. Is there a place that specializes in selling/installing those types of devices? They might be interested in presenting your car to their potential buyers if you give them a small kickback?

That is a unicorn, but it would mean a lot to the right person.

A guy like Toly would appreciate it.

If you could find a competitive driver who has gone through a life change and now needs the auto trans and hand controls, you'd be golden.

Look up Michael Johnson, the guy on the Road to Indy running Pro Mazda right now. He needs hand controls and he might have some interest or know who does. He is on the book of faces.

It's only worth a grand. And as proof, I'll give you a grand

I would say it's worth about $300 less than if it had a manual trans. That $300 should be enough for the next owner to purchase a manual trans. I would also put that in your ad to get someone to consider buying it.

This is potentially worth about $500 to $1000 more than a comparable manual transmission. The problem is finding the right person who can't use their legs anymore--but I guarantee they are out there.

I sold a mostly stock 90 manual with 200k miles for $2300 not too long ago if that helps.

Not sure. The auto kinda throws me for a loop.

Thanks guys, good advice all.

Yes the hand controls are still installed, for throttle/brakes, but easily removeable. That set has been on 3 different cars already.

I'll look up Michael Johnson, thanks. Although I have to tread lightly on the book of faces because I'm not someone who thinks everyone should be given everything for free, and political posts pull me in like a black hole

I'm going to try a couple of dedicated disability sites as well.