Is there a price floor for a running NA "the answer"?

Assuming it runs and drives, you should still be able to get $1500 for it.

depends on where you are too

First of all, there is a price floor for every vehicle produced. The real question is, can you accept the price floor for your Miata if that's all people want to offer you? I would think that you should be able to sell it quick for $500. $1000 could be the ceiling for a beat up 90 Miata that runs good. An accident is a different problem because of a possible bent chassis.

Well, you state body is still true, but usually when these words are said, it also means the chassis itself is straight.

Its not that a basketcase Miata isn't worth anything. Its that a car with frame damage isn't worth anything.

So, in my estimation, your car is worth scrap. Possibly a bit more than scrap due to the fact that it is still a running, driving car at the end of the day. It sounds like its the sort of vehicle that needs to be either rallycrossed, or sold to someone dirt cheap to turn into a chumpcar.

I would say between $750-$1200 without seeing pictures. About 4 years ago I remember someone I knew got one in better shape than you described for $800 and that wasn't really any special deal.

Based on the asking prices I see in Norcal, I would guess an asking price of $1200-1500 at the very minimum if it runs, is smogged and has a half decent roof an interior. Heck, you probably want to CL it at $2k and see what happens if it's not too beat up.

I've seen people ask $3500 for salvaged 1.8 NAs that look like they had been repaired by Stevie Wonder's service dog. Unfortunately I traveled 2 1/2h for that and then had a hard time not laughing at the seller, but if he'd asked $2500 and the CEL hadn't come on during the test drive, I probably would've given it some serious thought.

TheDeafElectrician wrote: I have a basket-case 90' that actually runs quite well that I picked up for super cheap a year or two ago. Been trying to decide what to do with it since I do not feel it is worth re-instating the reg from last year. At this point I need neither a DD or project as I have an LS FC to finish cleaning up and 2 perfect DDs atm. I figure the only ppl that would purchase it are looking for a project anyways but said demographic (ppl like me) would not be willing to pay much for it. Condition is a 3/10 in my eyes and has all the wrong mods for resale value although it is rust free. Salvage title ofc(air bags deployed) but body is still true. Is there a minimum value on something like this? If I keep it I will just start chopping and welding. I've dreamed about a 323gtx shooting brake NA. P.S. no need to toss fuel on the fire for that(^) idea. I thank everyone in advance.

Did someone say "Miata Shooting Brake"?

No AWd, but in order to compensate for that inadequacy, I will use this as a substitute.

Yeah, it is a Volvo P1800 ES. I like to wreck rare stuff.

TheDeafElectrician wrote:

BoxheadTim wrote: Based on the asking prices I see in Norcal, I would guess an asking price of $1200-1500 at the very minimum if it runs, is smogged and has a half decent roof an interior. Heck, you probably want to CL it at $2k and see what happens if it's not too beat up. I've seen people ask $3500 for salvaged 1.8 NAs that look like they had been repaired by Stevie Wonder's service dog. Unfortunately I traveled 2 1/2h for that and then had a hard time not laughing at the seller, but if he'd asked $2500 and the CEL hadn't come on during the test drive, I probably would've given it some serious thought.

I might send it up there to sell it then. I have family in Auburn that could store it I suppose. I didn't know that the values were that high. I remember shopping a year or two ago and thinking 2k was some crackpipe for a 20yo miata.

Well, I've seen a bunch of Miatas with crackpipe prices up here (flat black rattle canned with badly fitting panels for only $3k? A bargain to you, sir), but the way you describe yours I think you should be able to net the 1200-1500 I mentioned.

That said, I hope your family up here have the patience of Saints, because the people you will encounter when it comes to cheap Miatas will test said patience.

TheDeafElectrician wrote:

NOHOME wrote: No AWd, but in order to compensate for that inadequacy, I will use this as a substitute. Yeah, it is a Volvo P1800 ES. I like to wreck rare stuff.

*bows down* I need more friends like you. Why not go tubular with the entire front?

Because I have a non-rational personality. I tend to do things because they are the "hard way".

My other Albatross is a 1967 MGB GT that I have tolerated for 36 years; in effect an early incarnation of what a Miata Shooting Brake could be. I actually placed an MGB GT roof on a Miata once upon a time just to see what might be. Appealing, but not trivial around the door glass area.

Edit: The first Miata chassis taught me enough to realize that I should start over with another Miata. So I found a rust free shell with a salvage tittle for not much $$$ and re-calibrated.

If they're that cheap down your way and you come across a good condition '95 M-Edition (the Merlot Mica one), hit me up, willya? Been looking for a good one for a while and just had one in San Diego get away.

Plastidip it, by the cheapest 15x80 offset wheels you can find, install some 195/50-15 walmart tires, Raceland coilovers, and a huge bubble shift knob. Slam it. Ask $5k on Clubroadster/Craigslist.

Swank Force One wrote: Plastidip it, by the cheapest 15x80 offset wheels you can find, install some 195/50-15 walmart tires, Raceland coilovers, and a huge bubble shift knob. Slam it. Ask $5k on Clubroadster/Craigslist.

This, sadly.

ANY running and driving is worth $1000 has stood me well for 25 years. You may have to wait a bit but you'll get it.

Your car should fetch a bit more. If it has a good top, non-trashed interior, and isn't hideously fugly or rusty you should get $1500-2000 for it as mentioned above. If you're leary of selling as a street car due to the title issue then list it anywhere SM guys hang out. A straight(ish) rust free runner should be snapped up in a matter of hours, and those guys care not for titles, tops, interiors, or aftermarket anything.

Good luck.

In reply to TheDeafElectrician:

If you drive it out to IL it would be a $5k car this time of year. If it looked nice, and was stock in addition to being rust free, I could see it fetching $2500 even with the salvage title. If the mods make it look like something a younger person would like, then it still might bring $1500 here.