As I continue to contemplate what to sell and what to keep, I'm trying to put my finger on a good price for the Miata. Part of what I do for a living is car values, so I'm pretty good at it. However, when it comes to cars that are...or are becoming....collectible, it gets murky. Wanted to get others' take. Yes, yes, I know...it ain't worth more than challenge money....
Let's say we're putting the car on CL or FB.
1991 5spd. 124k miles. Red, still quite shiny (not sure if original, but think so). Power windows and cruise, both work fine (windows are a bit slow, but work). Aftermarket stereo w/bluetooth. No rust, body is very straight. Undercarriage is solid, save surface rust on fasteners and the like. Interior very clean...good seats, no cracked dash, no cracked center bezel. Runs/drives as an NA should (I've had several, I know them well). No warning lights, no airbag light. Clutch feels newer. Top in solid condition but not original (rear window doesn't zip). Aftermarket 15" rims with good tires. A/C works great. Luggage rack.
Known negatives: Unknown history, I don't have records for it. Suspect suspension bushings need refresh, I hear rattling over bumps. Top needs some adjusting, to close it you need to give the latches "a hand" to make sure they catch the tabs on the pillar. Has a tape pinstripe that is fading. It has a small oil leak, as in just a few drops when sitting overnight, but it is at the shop this very moment getting looked at...hence why I don't have a picture at this second to post.
What say you?
I'm really not plugged into the pricing of the used market, but NAs have been "becoming collectible" for a few years now. I'd go to BaT to see, because it sounds like a pretty solid example. eBay completed auctions are also a good metric IMO.
A good way to check for original paint on that car would be to wax it. If the rags come up red, it's probably the original single stage. If they stay clean, it's been repainted with a base/clear paint job.
calteg
SuperDork
8/19/22 2:31 p.m.
$6000-7000
It also makes me laugh that the best selling convertible of all time is now seen as "collectible." I have a huge affinity for the flip up headlight miatas, but for the money, I'd be looking REAL hard at an NC before they appreciate
calteg said:
$6000-7000
It also makes me laugh that the best selling convertible of all time is now seen as "collectible." I have a huge affinity for the flip up headlight miatas, but for the money, I'd be looking REAL hard at an NC before they appreciate
It is kinda funny, isn't it? However, I think so many NAs fell victim to rust, driven into the ground, racing, hella flush, neglect, etc...that a clean example is getting hard to find.
To stay competitive with the NB's they got worked, hard. A stock low mileage NA will keep its value. Have you priced a hard top for one of these?
David S. Wallens said:
In reply to SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) :
How do you feel about that luggage rack and the necessary holes?
Personally not my thing, but I know some people like them.
I dunno, I'd advertise on FB, and swing for the bleachers. $9500?
I have no idea if I'm being overly optimistic or not, but with Covid/2020 pricing, I think it should sell well.
SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) said:
David S. Wallens said:
In reply to SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) :
How do you feel about that luggage rack and the necessary holes?
Personally not my thing, but I know some people like them.
I thought you were shopping that car, not selling it, and accidentally deleted my comment. Doh!
I'd agree: start high on price and adjust if necessary.
calteg said:
$6000-7000
It also makes me laugh that the best selling convertible of all time is now seen as "collectible." I have a huge affinity for the flip up headlight miatas, but for the money, I'd be looking REAL hard at an NC before they appreciate
The only thing an NC and NA share is the name and the general layout, though. It's like saying a 1969 Camaro can't be collectible because they've made so many more Camaros in the past 53 years.
I've said it before, if the NA had been the last of the line, the classic car community would have a very different viewpoint on the Miata.
I just looked at a few and they were all in the 7-8K range for a low 100K clean but not perfect NA. Seems like there is very little difference in the 1.6 vs 1.8L pricing at this point.
If I were buying an NA for performance, I'd buy a 1.8 for the stronger diff and bigger brakes and more torks - and I'd probably be looking at NBs. If I were buying an icon, I'd buy a 1.6 due to the funner engine and the more delicate looking dashboard. Neither of them have any performance to speak of in the modern world, maybe that's why they're getting closer.
I had to run an errand really quickly and grabbed a few pictures just so you can get an idea of what it is.
It still has the MAZDA script on the front bumper, I don't think that's been repainted. Those pictures make it look pretty good. Might be time for a bolster support on the driver's side to make it feel a little less tired to test drivers.
https://www.flyinmiata.com/default/seat-bolsters.html
I think 9500 is pretty optimistic. From the FB buy/sell groups I've seen, it looks like prices have stabilized/pulled back just a tad. I guess you never know though, I'm not actively in the market whatsoever. Love my NB but its just a tool to go racing with so the rapid appreciation of the NAs has me somewhat confused.
I'd list that at $8 or $8.5K all day long. I looked at a 93 that was in as nice of a condition minus a bad top and he sold that the next day after I looked at it for $6800.
I'd bet with stock wheels, even daisies you'd get more money for it. Looks nice though.
That looks like $7500 to me if the timing belt's been changed recently - very nice for a summer car, but the wheels, climate controls, seats, and paint will mean that it'll get driven rather then shined up and left to rot.
Rodan
SuperDork
8/19/22 6:33 p.m.
AxeHealey said:
I'd bet with stock wheels, even daisies you'd get more money for it. Looks nice though.
This. I'd try to find a set of Daisies cheap, you'd probably get more interest, and pretty easily recover what you spent.
I do think the market has cooled a bit, and there's a big delta from ~60k to 100+k miles. Should easily bring $6500-7000 in the current insanity.
Let me know if you want a 2001 330i with 95k 
AxeHealey said:
I'd bet with stock wheels, even daisies you'd get more money for it. Looks nice though.
I'd second the Daisys. Car looks clean, and stock wheels would drive it home.
So. I'm seriously interested.
Let me know when you have an asking price. I would do a fly and drive.
Keith Tanner said:
It still has the MAZDA script on the front bumper, I don't think that's been repainted. Those pictures make it look pretty good. Might be time for a bolster support on the driver's side to make it feel a little less tired to test drivers.
https://www.flyinmiata.com/default/seat-bolsters.html
Neat! I had no idea these existed. Gotta love a car they made a gazillion of.
Need to go get a bunch more pictures. I'll put it on CL for $8200 and see what happens. Will look for daisy wheels. I'll give it to a GRM member for $7100
I'm extremely interested. Can we talk some time over the phone on sunday?
