24 replies to this topic

[Simon Tibbett]

Hello everyone, I have been looking at buying a Spec Miata for a while now, probably early 2015, however I need a car with a title. I was recently told most SMs will not have titles, is this because many are salvage cars or because the titles were just lost over the years?

 

I know this is sort of a vague question and a half job at doing market research but just seeing what my chances are of finding one with a title. 

[James York]

I am sure they are some SM with titles.  Or you could buy a street Miata and have it built into an SM.

 

However, whoever told you that most SM's don't have titles is likely right.  Most of us don't need or worry about having one.

[Tom Sager]

Squatters rights as good as a title for many of us.   

[Simon Tibbett]

I guess I should have said why I care. The shop space I rent is about ten minutes from Road Atlanta so I have always just driven my past race cars to the track. I'm on too tight of a budget for a trailer. lol

[RussMcB]

Hello everyone, I have been looking at buying a Spec Miata for a while now, probably early 2015, however I need a car with a title. I was recently told most SMs will not have titles, is this because many are salvage cars or because the titles were just lost over the years?

 

I know this is sort of a vague question and a half job at doing market research but just seeing what my chances are of finding one with a title. 

Simon, you've piqued my interest.  Why the need for a title (if you don't mind me asking)?

 

on edit - Never mind.  You beat me to it.  :-)

 

It's been quite a while since I've seen someone drive their race car to the track.  Going Old School.  :-) 

 

Will you be at Rd Atl this weekend (for the ARRC)?  If yes, stop by and say Hi.

[Simon Tibbett]

Simon, you've piqued my interest.  Why the need for a title (if you don't mind me asking)?

 

JUST answered that right when you posted. lol

[Tom Hampton]

My SM is titled and has even been Street legal with plates and inspections in the past.

Of course, it's not for sale so doesn't help you much. ;-)

[Alberto]

Yep, it's a challenge to find an SM with a title since they get lost as the car changes hands.  

 

There are about 7 in SFR that have cars with titles, registered and drive them to and from the races.  I don't any longer but I can if I wanted to.

[Parity]

Two years ago while transporting my Spec Miata to a local body shop I was pulled over at a police traffic stop looking for stolen cars in all trucks and trailers. When I told them I didn't have a title they wanted to run the VIN# but it had been removed. After making a few phone calls they were threatening to confiscate it. Fortunately for me I knew one of the cops and I could produce a sales receipt from the original builder so after a hour they let me go. I've purchased a few Miatas since then and have always requested a title.

[Brian129]

there are some,  it really depends on who builds them.  

Mine is a home built, and I have the title for it.  I even keep it tagged, I would never take it to the mountains for a little fun     

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[CARacer]

Yes, for some reason most people throw the titles of their SMs away. That's annoying, but not a deal-breaker, for those of us that drive the SM to the track. A teammate of mine here in California bought an SM with no title, but with a bill of sale at the DMV it was easy to get another one. Not sure about Georgia. 

[Todd Green]

One other reason is that Mazda often offers "loyalty cash" if you are already an owner of a Madza when you are purchasing a new car.  They'd only accept a title/registration.  Luckily my SM came with one.  IIRC it was $500, nothing to sneeze at.

[Terry Hanushek]

Simon, you've piqued my interest.  Why the need for a title (if you don't mind me asking)?

 

The bank needs to put a lien on it as part of the financing 

 

T

[Simon Tibbett]

Yes, for some reason most people throw the titles of their SMs away. That's annoying, but not a deal-breaker, for those of us that drive the SM to the track. A teammate of mine here in California bought an SM with no title, but with a bill of sale at the DMV it was easy to get another one. Not sure about Georgia. 

 

My last race car was said to have a title but it ended up being lost. I ended up selling it but it would have taken getting a bonded title, a police inspection to run the VIN, etc. Possible but a lot of paperwork, headache, and extra money it sounded like. 

 

The bank needs to put a lien on it as part of the financing 

 

T

 

Not a bad idea! lol

[Diller]

This has me interested. I have the title to my SM and never thought about getting it tagged but it would be nice to take it to the gas station to make sure it still goes down the road straight before I get to the track.

 

Anybody have trouble getting tags for a race car? No emissions testing for me so that should be good but I would hate to be pulled over and ticketed for non-dot seat belts or something like that. Guess I would need to get my blinkers to work again.

[FTodaro]

I can tell you if your going to scrap your car after a big wreck at Road America for example, they will not take the car as scrap without a title. IF you do not have a title you have to cut it up and then scrap.

[Ron Alan]

Does a junk title count?

[Caveman-kwebb99]

junk title is ok if it is transfered into your name, just having the pice of paper is not good enough.

[Brian129]

This has me interested. I have the title to my SM and never thought about getting it tagged but it would be nice to take it to the gas station to make sure it still goes down the road straight before I get to the track.

 

Anybody have trouble getting tags for a race car? No emissions testing for me so that should be good but I would hate to be pulled over and ticketed for non-dot seat belts or something like that. Guess I would need to get my blinkers to work again.

 

you need to look into the state.  There is a lot of it that actually is ok. 

Biggest thing is keeping the noise reasonable, keep DOT tires on it,  and make sure you have over 2/32's tread left. 

blinkers, parking brake, horn are common ones to need to have 

[Simon Tibbett]

This has me interested. I have the title to my SM and never thought about getting it tagged but it would be nice to take it to the gas station to make sure it still goes down the road straight before I get to the track.

 

Anybody have trouble getting tags for a race car? No emissions testing for me so that should be good but I would hate to be pulled over and ticketed for non-dot seat belts or something like that. Guess I would need to get my blinkers to work again.

 

I've never had an issue. The only time I was stopped while driving a race car on the street was when I was driving an ITA car around because everything was fairly new and got pulled over because the cop said he didn't see me wearing a seat belt. I said well I had this harness on, he took a step back, smiled, and said "oh...I thought those were suspenders. Is it fast?" Then let me go. In Georgia though especially around the rural areas police may be a little more easy.

 

We did drive the SSC/T4 car back last year I bought in Nashville, my wife drove it back on A6s. lol I bought some steel wheels with street tires but we were in a hurry because the car didn't have working headlights. 

 

I think as long as it's not ear bleeding loud (did drive my IT7 to and from the track though) and you don't drive like you're on a race track most won't care if the laws in your area are relaxed in terms of emissions and stuff.