Miata M value: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Sept. 4, 2009 7:40 a.m. Brust Reader

I'm almost ready to dip my toe in the Miata pool and I'm concerned about values. Theres a couple M-Editions near where I live that are 3500 (158k) and 4500 (169k) respectively. The $3500 car comes with hardtop. I figured it might be better to get a $3500 M (with hardtop) than a $1500 non-M just because the M has the top, the torsen etc. Any advice in this regard? Also these prices seem pretty high compared to the edmunds values listed- are those even remotely applicable? I've scoured miata.net, but any other buying advice- rust spots?

Thanks as usual. Hopefully I can finally back up all my talk with a freakin' car.

By the way, I'm in the DC area.
Sept. 4, 2009 9:51 a.m. peter New Reader

consider the M to be a Miata with the leather package and unique paint. They produced far too many of each year to be worth much of a premium.

Buy one that has the stuff you want. Buy the one that's in the best condition you can afford. Miata prices vary wildly, some can be had for $100 on CL, other misguided seller are asking $10,000.

Figure the hardtop is worth $1k. Now you're comparing a 2500 M to a 1500 non-M. If the only difference is paint, not worth it.

I just saw a 94 black pop up on our club's website. I actually don't know the car or seller, but the seller states he wants it gone this weekend. 94 should have the torsen, which you likely want, and its lower miles than the others quoted.

http://www.chesapeakeroadsters.com/CARForum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=7700
Sept. 4, 2009 10:00 a.m. nderwater Reader

Once you get your Miata, spend some time on the CAR forum Peter linked. They're a good bunch of guys and really helped me get to know my car better back when I lived in Maryland.
Sept. 4, 2009 2:14 p.m. Salanis SuperDork

$3500 with hardtop sounds like a good deal to me, if the car is in good shape. Figure $1000 for the top and $400 for the torsen. Plus, swapping out the diff is a bit of a pain.

Really, you're looking at a $600 premium, and you get power steering and A/C with that to enjoy or remove as you see fit.

I would not give Edmunds or KBB values any credit for a car that old.
Sept. 4, 2009 8:33 p.m. billy3esq Dork

Both of those make the $4k I paid for a '90 B-package with viscous LSD, hard top, and 22k (yes, 22k) look pretty good.

+whatever for ignoring the web site pricing guides on this sort of car.
Sept. 4, 2009 9:47 p.m. Brust Reader

I figured I should ignore the guide- it only gave an $80 premium for the hard top. I guessed it to be worth $1k give or take. That left the torsen (as stated above) as the only other real worthy advantage to the M at about $400. So (overlooking the pita of finding one and installing it), I'm at about a $2k miata, I think it might work out ok if the body's in decent shape. I just hope I'm not the guy to get suckered into a car that the clown moved the torsen out of and sold as the real deal. I understand they act the same as open with both wheels in the air.
Sept. 5, 2009 6:08 a.m. Woody SuperDork

The only M edition that I think would add value over a similarly equipped non M would be a 95 because of the unique seats. Bad color, though.
Sept. 5, 2009 9:23 a.m. billy3esq Dork
Brust wrote:

I just hope I'm not the guy to get suckered into a car that the clown moved the torsen out of and sold as the real deal. I understand they act the same as open with both wheels in the air.

There's only one easy way to check:
1. One rear wheel on pavement
2. One rear wheel on something other than pavement.
3. Mash accelerator.
4. Profit!!!
Sept. 5, 2009 10:29 a.m. pigeon Reader

What year cars? M is just a trim package (except the seats in '95) - year, condition and options you want are more important than the script letter on the side of the car. I wouldn't pay anything extra for an M package, they were not exclusive enough.
Sept. 5, 2009 7:16 p.m. fastmiata New Reader

Dont forget the super lite-weight BBS wheels on the '95 M. 8.5lbs I have a set on my wife's 92 yellow.
There are really only 4 special editions that are worthy of consideration: 91 BRG, 92 yellow, 93 LE(black with red leather interior, R suspension and BBS wheels)and 95 M. Mazda really didnt do anything special for the M or STO cars after those 4.
Sept. 5, 2009 9:07 p.m. pigeon Reader

fastmiata wrote:

Dont forget the super lite-weight BBS wheels on the '95 M. 8.5lbs I have a set on my wife's 92 yellow.
There are really only 4 special editions that are worthy of consideration: 91 BRG, 92 yellow, 93 LE(black with red leather interior, R suspension and BBS wheels)and 95 M. Mazda really didnt do anything special for the M or STO cars after those 4.

I should have remembered the wheels - I had a set of the 1993 14" BBS forged wheels on my '96 ps pkg Miata.