How Much Is My Miata Worth?
#1
Posted 12-28-2011 02:57 PM
Spec Miata ‘91
First off, please forgive my ignorance, I’m a formula car guy who is listing this Miata for my boss (the owner). Neither of us know much about Spec Miata as a class, but I’m trying to give the most honest assessment of the car that I can based on my limited understanding.
SCCA Log 039-370
The book is stamped for two weekends in early ’04. One was the driving school, the other a regional race.
The car is in good shape, never saw any large hits or damage, as far as I know, it has never even had a panel bent because it was raced so little. Results from the drivers school show that it ran 130.3 at Nelson Ledges which isn’t too bad considering the driver was just getting his license (original owner).
I have a folder full of receipts for the car, it was worked on at Auto Tech Performance in Pittsburgh (www.autotechperformance.com). Under the instruction of the current owner, they worked on the car in 2007, and at a glance it appears that at least several thousand dollars was spent.
Using the receipts to track the cars history it is clear that the current owner ‘upgraded’ the car to a larger displacement Miata engine. The explanation was that there were proposed SCCA rules changes that would let this engine race in this body style, but those changes never happened. One of the receipts shows that the car had a 1.6L engines and that a ’99 1.8L engine was installed. Some modifications were made as well. Those include headers and motor mounts.
As the car sits, it’s a good fit for NASA or track days (in my opionion, could be wrong).
If you have a well prepped engine and transmission but your chassis has seen its fair share this might be a good option as well. Or maybe you can part out the 1.8L equipment to a competitor who can use it in their car of the correct year.
To race safely the car needs an annual inspection. To race legally the engine of course needs to be changed. Included are belts that expire 2015.
Also, pictures attached.
Had to remove, was overloading my server.
#2
Posted 12-28-2011 02:59 PM
#3
Posted 12-28-2011 05:17 PM
Glenn Murphey, Crew Chief
Owner Crew Chief Services The Pinnacle of Excellence, Contract Crew Services for the racing community.
Soon to be back in the club racing scene for good
#4
Posted 12-28-2011 07:46 PM
-bw
I have an opinion so I must be right
#5
Posted 12-28-2011 08:30 PM
Ron
RAmotorsports
#6
Posted 12-28-2011 09:44 PM
I’m pretty sure we raced with (against you) in ICA Stars of Karting back in the day – an awesome series! In any case, the engine swap is a non-starter for Spec Miata. If indeed a 99 engine was installed in a 90-93 chassis along with the wiring harness, ECU and front sub frame, it would likely not be worth your time to bring the car back to SM spec, which means installing the proper 90-97 sub frame, 90-93 ECU and wiring harness, and a 1.6 engine with all its associated bits and pieces. That said, as a track day car, you might be able to get more than $5k, but it would take some marketing to the track day crowd to get say $7-8K. Given your recent personal racing experience (and for those of you on this forum who do not know, Chris finished 2nd this past season in the SCCA Pro series F2000 – just about as competitive a series as you get, next to SM of course) I doubt you have a lot of contact with track days guys. But, best of luck nevertheless. Hope to see you at the first F2000 race of 2012 at VIR.
Ray
Kopp Motorsports
Great Falls, VA
#7
Posted 12-29-2011 07:14 AM
#8
Posted 12-29-2011 07:21 AM
A little elbow grease and a couple paint bombs certainly wouldn't hurt the value of the car.
Not enough increase in value. There are WAY too many issues.
The other option would be to rent it out for drivers schools ONLY.
Glenn Murphey, Crew Chief
Owner Crew Chief Services The Pinnacle of Excellence, Contract Crew Services for the racing community.
Soon to be back in the club racing scene for good
#9
Posted 12-29-2011 08:19 AM
Ray, yes the ICA days are some of my favorite. Racing as pure as that simply no longer exists. Fingers crossed, I'll have a program together in time for VIR.
#10
Posted 12-29-2011 09:15 AM
Dave
Dave Wheeler
Advanced Autosports, the nations most complete Spec Miata shop
Author, Spec Miata Constructors Guide, version 1 and 2.0
Building Championship winning cars since 1995
4 time Central Division Spec Miata Champion car builder 2012-2013-2014-2017
Back to Back June Sprints Spec Miata 1-2 finishes 2016 and 2017
5 time June Sprints winner in Mazda's
6 Time Northern Conference Champion Car Builder
2014 SCCA Majors National point Champion car builder
2014 SCCA Runoffs winner, T4 (Bender)
2014 Central Division Champion, ITS (Wheeler)
2013 Thunderhill 25 hour winning crew chief
2007 June Sprints winner, (GT1, Mohrhauser)
Over 200 race wins and counting.
www.advanced-autosports.com
dave@advanced-autosports.com
608-313-1230
#11
Posted 12-29-2011 11:14 AM
The car, minus motor and associated parts mentioned by Ray above, looks ready enough for SM or ITA, but you do need to swap out those parts to run IT or SM... which could be as cheap as a couple of grand... of which you can get some of that back when you sell the parts you take off (you might even be able to trade with a shop).
$6K is about right for your starting point. The lower end of $4-$5K is more likely where you will get it sold.
#12
Posted 12-29-2011 12:31 PM
You could not use that motor in ITA. If it were actually a 1.8 from a 94-97 you could though, but you'd need to upgrade the brakes, dash, diff, etc...(making the car to spec for a 94-97). The 99+ are different. The 99+ cars are in ITS.
The car, minus motor and associated parts mentioned by Ray above, looks ready enough for SM or ITA, but you do need to swap out those parts to run IT or SM... which could be as cheap as a couple of grand... of which you can get some of that back when you sell the parts you take off (you might even be able to trade with a shop).
$6K is about right for your starting point. The lower end of $4-$5K is more likely where you will get it sold.
IM siding closer to Dave's $2500 figure now....Sell the hardtop, sell the SM kit and partout the rest of the car and you could do better......
My 93 doner car is a rust free southern car with hardtop, 90% complete Piper cage and Ohlins coilovers (the reason I bought the car) I paid $4800.00. I have the coilovers for the STL build of the 95 and the 93 is becomming a mid level SSM build for resale after the 2012 race season. It will also be a reincarnate of the John Deere racing SM circa 2005/06 complete with the JD logos!
Glenn Murphey, Crew Chief
Owner Crew Chief Services The Pinnacle of Excellence, Contract Crew Services for the racing community.
Soon to be back in the club racing scene for good
#13
Posted 12-29-2011 12:37 PM
#14
Posted 12-29-2011 01:33 PM
#15
Posted 12-29-2011 02:05 PM
Looks like the perfect candidate for STL, the new National class. Add a wing and a splitter, headers, lighten it up. Whoomah!!!
I'm NOT going 140MPH plus in that CAGE!
Glenn Murphey, Crew Chief
Owner Crew Chief Services The Pinnacle of Excellence, Contract Crew Services for the racing community.
Soon to be back in the club racing scene for good
#16
Posted 12-29-2011 06:13 PM
I'm NOT going 140MPH plus in that CAGE!
I'm not seeing 140MPH no matter what cage I have.
#17
Posted 12-29-2011 07:50 PM
I'm not seeing 140MPH no matter what cage I have.
That's because I'm not driving it !!
Mike Tesch
#18
Posted 12-30-2011 06:46 AM
...off a cliff...That's because I'm not driving it !!
Richard Scott Mooney
"Warm up your tires, brakes and brains"
#19
Posted 12-30-2011 07:05 AM
#20
Posted 12-30-2011 07:53 AM
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