27 replies to this topic

[Bigyellowhead53]

Hey guys looking at this miata to turn into a spec miata I race go karts so I got the jist of racing but don't know much about Miatas
http://annarbor.crai...3044651760.html
This one is near me, looks nice, has 180k miles and engine and trans rebuilt 40k ago
Any info would be great fully aprechited
Thanks Dominic

[Todd Tagget]

IMHO,,about $1k too much ,, maybe $1500 too high.. Really nice car but most of what you're paying for is going out for your build or first race (soft top, nice paint job)

[High Chair]

That is nice but way to nice to turn into a race car. For that price you can get a 99 donor and be in much better shape. Also don't be afraid to buy a used spec miata. There are some good deals out there.

[Bigyellowhead53]

Thanks guys it means a lot! I'll do some more looking and see what I can find in used spec Miatas. I have seen a few but they are all on the up side of my budget.

[Cnj]

You gotta love it when people are telling you not to buy a car because it looks TOO nice. Welcome to Spec Miata racing.
I agree with all the comments - you can get a good used car for a lot less. A group of us recently ran Chump car in what was actually a pretty decent 94 Miata which was bought for just under $500 and would be a great Spec Miata in the future. Keep looking or buy a used SM cheap. Also consider buying a salvaged car - after all you are never going back on the street. Jim Drago (East Street Motors in Memphis) might be able to help although I'm sure he does not appreciate me suggesting $500 as a market point

cnj

[MPR22]

You gotta love it when people are telling you not to buy a car because it looks TOO nice. Welcome to Spec Miata racing.
I agree with all the comments - you can get a good used car for a lot less. A group of us recently ran Chump car in what was actually a pretty decent 94 Miata which was bought for just under $500 and would be a great Spec Miata in the future. Keep looking or buy a used SM cheap. Also consider buying a salvaged car - after all you are never going back on the street. Jim Drago (East Street Motors in Memphis) might be able to help although I'm sure he does not appreciate me suggesting $500 as a market point

cnj

Criag was forced to say just under $500 because of its Chump status. I have sold cars in much worse condition for over $1,500. Look hard and you can find a 99 for about 2 to 2.5 K. If they say it got hot, it means engine is toast.

[Cnj]

Criag was forced to say just under $500 because of its Chump status. I have sold cars in much worse condition for over $1,500. Look hard and you can find a 99 for about 2 to 2.5 K. If they say it got hot, it means engine is toast.

Cynic

[Todd Tagget]

As a reference in Jan I bought my 91 donor with 260k miles in great shape, one owner for $1200 then got the hardtop for 600..
Just bought a spare engine and tranny with 130k miles for $350

[MPR22]

Cynic

Ha, like I've never heard that before.

[Dave Lewis]

Agreed, much to nice for a donor. Where in Mi are you? There is a 1.8 SM for sale in Livonia that I know the history of.

[DrDomm]

By a used SM from a good shop...the prices range from under $10K to over $20K. Fix/update whatever needs it, and go race. Just my $.02.

[davew]

I am currently in the process of thinning my fleet of cars. Everything is for sale. I own 8 race cars. That is about 5 too many. Everything from 1.6 to 1.8 to 99. Under $10k used to $30k new. Anyone in the market, let me know.

Dave

[Lin]

There's a 5K Spec Miata in Tampa with an ISC motor. Car needs some work but comes with SCCA logbook.
Car was posted on RacingJunk.com yesterday

[Mike D]

I have a couple of options....depends on how you want to approach it.....take a look at these 2 and let me know if either of these interest you........


1990
http://chicago.craig...3045591460.html

1999
http://chicago.craig...3045589299.html

[Bigyellowhead53]

Thanks guys! I live around annarbor Mi and would be more intrested in building a SM out of donor car just so i can get to know what goes into it... I know there is lots of saftey stuff involved like roll cage, fire system, seats, seatbelts, fuel cell, but is there i big price difference in building a SM or buying a used one
Thanks Again
Dominic

[Keith Novak]

You can often buy a used one for much less than building one yourself. For instance, the price of that 90 is probably about the cost of the aftermarket parts not including the cage or the tub and you still have to build it yourself.

[DES4]

I'm a proponent of buying a used racecar as your first.

Unless you already are well-versed on what it takes to build your own car, you'll likely make critical and costly mistakes that can be frustrating the first time out. A lot of unfinished racecars have gotten their start that way. You'll have to sort the car out and deal with issues that will arise once you're past the build stage, and unless you're reasonably experienced in at least a couple of areas, you'll find yourself paying someone to get the car working correctly.

Look around at the racetrack and pay attention to how the better cars are screwed together; don't buy a used-up car or someone else's abortion (you can't salvage some of the turds out there). USE THIS FORUM; there's some really great information here, and be sure to peruse the archives, as well.

No need to buy a pro-built car at this stage, work on the driver first. If you're sharp, you'll find something really decent for well under 10K that you can either build on or recoup some of your costs from.

[plane]

+1 buy used. The hard top, suspention, radiator, intake ('92), suspention and really good cage are probalby worth more than I paid for the car - neermind that I was racing 2 weeks later and did not have to rip the interior out.

[Kevin B]

I can share some recent experience.

If you want to go racing this season, I'd buy a used SM that has seen recent race time. Then, I'd get on track and update it down the road with items that you'd choose to outfit it with (if you then had performance items in mind or a more tailored seat or steering wheel preference, etc.)

I went the other route and started with a semi-rough caged car w/toast motor, etc (but with an SCCA log book). I spent more than twice the time and money that I anticipated I would need. Having said that, along the way I've learned a lot about my car and how to prep it and most components are to my preference. In hindsight, however, I could have used that time and money improving myself on the track instead of improving my car at the shop.

Hope this helps.

Kevin

[Brian Ghidinelli]

+1 on buying an existing used (and recently run...) racecar for your first car. I built my second car, had a mechanic's help, and it was still a lot of work and we made a lot of mistakes. I am all for knowing what goes into it but trust me when you have enough to stay on top of with your first racecar that building it will only delay getting on track and increase the amount you spend.

"How do you make a small fortune in racing? Start with a big one!"