19 replies to this topic

[c-livengood]

So here is the Miata I have, how much is it worth?


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.

[c-livengood]

More Pictures

Had to remove, was overloading my server.

[Glenn]

Sell it as an ITA car. The cage is so-so, seat is lower end, Motor is a HUGE issue. 5K -6K maybe........IMHO of course.

[Bruce Wilson]

Yeah, agree with 5-6k. but might not be legal for ITA. would make a nice track day car for somebody.

-bw

[Ron Alan]

Only really see this as a track day car or maybe a rental for track days. I would take the first $5k offer and run!

[Ray Kopp]

Hi Chris,
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 2^nd 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

[LarryKing]

A little elbow grease and a couple paint bombs certainly wouldn't hurt the value of the car.

[Glenn]

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.

[c-livengood]

Thanks guys! My guess was 5-6k as well, I almost started advertising at that price but figured I should probably do a bit of research first. The low light conditions that I took the photos in certainly don't make the car look great, that said, the car is surprisingly nice looking. Even still, I can understand why the engine change is a hang up. The owner has used it so little as he as moved on to running Sports 2000 cars as well as vintage and other events that I'm guessing getting much of anything out of the car will be a positive thing.

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.

[davew]

I think you guys are high! The only redeeming feature on the car is a hardtop. Poor cage, not built to fit any class. Unknown history. Work not done by a well known shop (work may be perfect, but not by a known Miata shop). $2500 in my opinion

Dave

[davecarama]

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.

[Glenn]

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!

[Keith Novak]

It depends on what someone wants to use it for. As a race car it's not worth much. The $2500 figure would be about right for someone wanting to part it out. For someone just wanting a track day car with no intention of racing it, it's worth more since it's track ready and has a bigger motor. I do however see many IT cars up for sale (Neons, other Mazdas, etc.) offered in the $4000 range. It's a buyers market.

[wheel]

Looks like the perfect candidate for STL, the new National class. Add a wing and a splitter, headers, lighten it up. Whoomah!!!

[Glenn]

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!

[Tom Sager]

I'm NOT going 140MPH plus in that CAGE!

I'm not seeing 140MPH no matter what cage I have.

[Go Time Racing]

I'm not seeing 140MPH no matter what cage I have.

That's because I'm not driving it !!

[screaming monkey]

That's because I'm not driving it !!

...off a cliff...

[LarryKing]

Since we can't go back in time to before when this thread was posted, my advise is to peel the stickers off, give the car a good detailing and advertise the car anywhere but this site for $6,000.

[c-livengood]

The bottom line is that I'm not going to be selling the car as a Spec Miata. I've understood that from the beginning. The feedback has been useful and reaffirmed what I already knew. Thanks for everyones help!