Question about this car's value

[tofuboi]

Hey everyone, I'm new here. I just acquired this '91 miata and found this forum searching online. I wanted to post here to ask what you guys think this car is worth here in Seattle, WA state.

It's a 1991 miata base 5spd, power nothing, no a/c. Low miles though, 72k. Clean title. I think its all stock, just has some kind of roll hoops behind the seat which I think are aftermarket. It's got a new top with glass window which is nice.

Thanks in advance guys.

http://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/r578/fingalwang86/DSC043720020_zpse8576db6.jpg (http://s1172.photobucket.com/user/fingalwang86/media/DSC043720020_zpse8576db6.jpg.html)
http://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/r578/fingalwang86/DSC043540003_zpsd14066f2.jpg (http://s1172.photobucket.com/user/fingalwang86/media/DSC043540003_zpsd14066f2.jpg.html)
http://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/r578/fingalwang86/DSC043620010_zps3d4a4dd9.jpg (http://s1172.photobucket.com/user/fingalwang86/media/DSC043620010_zps3d4a4dd9.jpg.html)
http://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/r578/fingalwang86/DSC043590008_zpsde0ae0b6.jpg (http://s1172.photobucket.com/user/fingalwang86/media/DSC043590008_zpsde0ae0b6.jpg.html)
http://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/r578/fingalwang86/DSC043670015_zpse913278f.jpg (http://s1172.photobucket.com/user/fingalwang86/media/DSC043670015_zpse913278f.jpg.html)

[Pyr0monk3y]

Sell it ASAP, they go for more in the summer. Options matter less and less as cars age. Considering the excellent looking condition, you might get 5K for it. Although I wouldn't take a penny less than $3,000 worst case scenario. Since this seems to be a good example (with the excepting of the junk "roll bar"), you might want to keep it as an investment if you have a good place to store it. These cars are appreciating, and clean ones are getting very hard to find.

FYI, @72K it needs a timing belt and other things if not done already.

[atank]

Well just from the pics you have posted it looks really clean, and rust free, do you have any maintenance records? With the low miles, and if its rust free, I think it the minimum value would be $3k+........:lol: Welcome to MazdaRoadster.net!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tofuboi]

Sell it ASAP, they go for more in the summer. Options matter less and less as cars age. Considering the excellent looking condition, you might get 5K for it. Although I wouldn't take a penny less than $3,000 worst case scenario. Since this seems to be a good example (with the excepting of the junk "roll bar"), you might want to keep it as an investment if you have a good place to store it. These cars are appreciating, and clean ones are getting very hard to find.

Thanks, I think that's what I'm going to do. As much as I love a roadster in the summer, I'm looking more for cash than another car. I might post it up on the local classifieds, if I don't get what I want for it, maybe store it in the garage for next year lol.

FYI, @72K it needs a timing belt and other things if not done already.


Well just from the pics you have posted it looks really clean, and rust free, do you have any maintenance records? With the low miles, and if its rust free, I think it the minimum value would be $3k+........:lol: Welcome to MazdaRoadster.net!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, I don't have any maintenance records, my buddy got it from the original owner who did everything himself, I believe the timing belt was changed a few years ago before 70k miles. I'm hoping for closer to 5k as my friend owes me more than that. I'm just trying to recoup as much as I can now, then have him pay me back the difference when he can, which could be ages.

[The Driver]

Unless you are in a hurry to sell, start @ 5,500 and work your way down. Not a fan of red, but evevn with the aftermarket soft top, car looks clean.

[tofuboi]

Unless you are in a hurry to sell, start @ 5,500 and work your way down. Not a fan of red, but evevn with the aftermarket soft top, car looks clean.

Nice, I think I'll start around there. I'm not a fan of red either, on the miata I like silver actually, has a clean look to it.

[Phatmiata]

that is a $5000 car here in Florida all day long, maybe a bit more if you go the eBay route. Welcome to the forum! Maybe list it for sale on here as well, we have a lot of folks that just lurk in the Classifieds section, you never know! :mrgreen:

[BoBo]

Easy 4k+, you just have to wait for the right buyer.You can still sell these cars for a decent price even with 200k on the motor, as long as the body is straight. People will always want a low maintenance fuel efficient roadster. Parts for these cars are ultra cheap compared to other cars out there.

[speedypenguin]

Clean looking red Miata. Give the car a good wash and detailing and take nice hi-res pics. It will help you sell the car faster.

[tofuboi]

Thanks for the input guys! Now I know what I'm looking at realistically. It's weird driving one of these lightweight FR cars, its so easy to slip out the rear end not even driving it hard! I'm spoiled by subaru and its "deathgrip" awd lol.

[Pyr0monk3y]

You better watch out, you might fall in love with it. These cars have a way of making friends with their owners.

[Unk577]

Problem is you're asking enthusiast what the car is worth. At $5500 I'd be dumbfounded if you get any interest. Here in Florida a red NA with a hardtop can be found for $1k. Maybe not as nice or as low of miles but the cars are abundant. "Appreciating" probably not, but they probably have hit the bottom for NA's, as NB, and NC's continue to drop

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/4516959633.html

[The Driver]

Problem is you're asking enthusiast what the car is worth. At $5500 I'd be dumbfounded if you get any interest. Here in Florida a red NA with a hardtop can be found for $1k. Maybe not as nice or as low of miles but the cars are abundant. "Appreciating" probably not, but they probably have hit the bottom for NA's, as NB, and NC's continue to drop

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/4516959633.html

Pricing is a very regional thing. As you well know I'm from FL, but I've lived in So Cal and currently live in CO. Clean west coast cars are pricier because they are harder to find, as they are driven year round. I gave the o.p. a reasonable number, based on how the market behaves in this region. Lower unemployment, higher salaries than FL or even the entire South, comes into play.

[Unk577]

Here is what he is competing with in the $5500 range. A couple of 95 M's, some good NB's, etc. there is even a NC hardtop for $1500 if anyone is interested. You can ask anything you want for it. If you need money soon then I wouldn't start at $5500. If you have months or even years then go for it.
Not trying to be negative, just realistic. I've owned and sold a couple of these cars


http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/4515381798.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/4514121896.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/4514030645.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/4518194626.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/4518998602.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ctd/4520640791.html

[The Driver]

Now you are comparing apples to oranges. An auto NB? A high miles M? You actually confirmed what I stated.

When selling a car it's always easier to lower the price, than to increase it.

BTW, not just miles or similar equipment is important. That M car has a pic with either a shadow or a probable repaint. Threr are many variables involved in pricing a car.

Would I pay 5 grand for a red Miata? No, I wouldn't take it unless it was free. But a clean, sub 100K 5 speed car, on its original paint is worth something.

I too have owned and sold a couple of this cars, I've also lived in a number of areas and seeing how much people paid to get a clean Miata.

[BoBo]

Thanks for the input guys! Now I know what I'm looking at realistically. It's weird driving one of these lightweight FR cars, its so easy to slip out the rear end not even driving it hard! I'm spoiled by subaru and its "deathgrip" awd lol.

I agree,the 185mm factory sizes tires are too narrow in my opinion. I had to make adjustments in my driving because I'm use to my old MR2/Boxster S mid and rear engine platform. 195mm on a miata is OK, but put a set of 205mm tires and you will have all the grip you want trust me. If you upgrade to the stiffer FM springs and adjustable shocks on top of having 205mm tires, you will have one hell of a ride. Although underpowered, these cars are a pleasure to drive in tight technical turns.

[Unk577]

Now you are comparing apples to oranges. An auto NB? A high miles M? You actually confirmed what I stated.

When selling a car it's always easier to lower the price, than to increase it.

BTW, not just miles or similar equipment is important. That M car has a pic with either a shadow or a probable repaint. Threr are many variables involved in pricing a car.

Would I pay 5 grand for a red Miata? No, I wouldn't take it unless it was free. But a clean, sub 100K 5 speed car, on its original paint is worth something.

I too have owned and sold a couple of this cars, I've also lived in a number of areas and seeing how much people paid to get a clean Miata.

Like I previously said. He's asking "enthusiast" what a car(that they like) is worth. I don't care if you are asking about a Yugo, if you ask Yugo enthused what it's worth then you will get an inflated # do to their affection for the car. And of all the enthusiasts I know, there is only 1 that would be willing to pay a premium for a low mileage, original car. So, can he get that $5500 asking price? Maybe. Someday? But most likely he will be doing well to get $3500 for it, and starting with a asking price of $5500 is going to make 99% pass right on by without even looking at it.

On a different note. Never lend money to friends. They'll come to you first next time they need money or it will ruin the friendship.

[The Driver]

^ So because you only know 1 individual, which lives close to two thousand miles away from the op, that would pay a premium for a lower miles car, you are telling the op to aim for lower price? Please, stand back, and just ponder on that.

I'm on first name basis with a guy who spent $14,000 on a low miles laguna blue/leather car, which he spent another $1, 000 to have the car trailered ATL to San Fran. I do know of other similar stories from other high end buyers. BTW, I never told the op to stay firm @ 5, 500, just to start there.

I think I'm done here. O.P. sorry for the bickering, and good luck with your sale.

[tofuboi]

No problem guys, it's good to see everyone's opinions also. I know enthusiasts think their cars are worth more, but they are willing to pay more also. I sold my subaru 2.5RS '98 coupe 5spd in Rally Blue (which kbb values at $3200) for $8500 to an enthusiast, but granted that was a much rarer car than a standard miata. I think I will start at 5-5.5k, but will put a big OBO next to it. I'm not in a hurry to sell, so its not a big deal for me. It's still raining here in Seattle :(, so I will probably wait til it stays sunny before I put it up.

[Mustang73351]

Hey don't know how mechanical u are but put a cheep stage 1turbo in it and some highschool kid will probly eat it up for a few thousand more

[Mustang73351]

Its still graduation season

[3MiataFamily]

a 70k no rust car with a new top is 4-4500 around here all day long...