Need help determining value (Miata content)

94 Miata.

Been re-painted. Mild rust bubbles (has not gone through) on the rockers, only where the black paint is. Interior in decent shape.

Here's a quote from the current owner.

Sure thing, it is a 94 with ~147k miles on chassis, has AMS built engine with MS2E pnp powered by a curiously strong BEGi GT2554R kit. ARP fasteners, Eagle rods and JE pistons 9:1 CR, FM clutch with lightened flywheel, currently has 2.5" Enthuza exhaust with extra resonator and FM 2.5" down pipe but as formerly stated I just purchased an FM 3" down pipe and a 3" Enthuza exhaust for it. The car also has new shocks, I think KYB but the springs are stock. There are also a nice set of AEM gauges and a set of 6UL wheels (15x8) on the car.

Also, the parts I have that are uninstalled are: The begi intake box, it interfered with the hood prop kit and I have not gotten around to buying a replacement. The aluminum radiator panel cover Trunk prop kit (I think IL motorsport) 3" FM downpipe 3" FM downpipe support bracket

The motor has about 20k miles on it. Block is the original 94, the head is a 99 with a port and polish job.

Pics. Dirty and in a badly lit garage for now, the car is snowed in.

Vinyl patch on driver's bolster:

Engine bay looks reasonably clean.

Coil on plug setup.

Worst of the rust:

$0

But I'm not interested in buying cars with rust like that.

I wouldn't be keeping it. It's a nice ball of parts that i'm not interested in in a car that i'm not interested in.

Oh, and it DOES have a Torsen.

I think the question is how much could i reasonably expect to sell it for?

And how much could i reasonably expect to get if i parted it out?

Really depends on your location. Maybe $3500 in Florida but I would have to have a better look at the car. Probably less in Atlanta. I bought a 99 10ae with a turbo setup in the trunk(not installed) for $2k

If that were cleaned up in Iowa, it could sell for around $4000, especially to some kid fresh out of high school. An enthusiast would stay away due to either 1) rust, or 2) turbo. Said kid would buy it because 1) convertible, and 2) turbo. Youngins don't care about rust as long as it's out of sight.

Exhaust components (if installed) would go for around 1/2 retail if commonly used, 1/3 if not. The uninstalled stuff is probably worth 2/3 retail. The wheels are worth around 500-600. Steering wheel and hub will sell online easily. Gauges will be tougher. If you can't get a buyer for the motor with the turbo bits as a "pre-configured" package, I'd sell off the turbo stuff for a loss, find a Miata with a blown motor, buy it, swap in your motor sans turbo, and then flip the reborn car. The diff is worth some money, but I have no idea how much track junkies buy them used for. The interior parts are only worth as much as your ability to remove them undamaged. After you calculate all of the above, divide it by two and you have a reasonable estimate for parting it out. Sell the rest as scrap.

Hrmmm... I gotta say I was expecting more like $6k. I see stock cars in this condition selling for $3000-3500 and while I know aftermarket stuff doesnt hold value, it does have a fresh built-for-boost motor.

Would it be worth more if I turned it up to 350whp?

Post it on some of the miata forums and see what kind of interest you get. Start high and then adjust. May be able to get something decent in trade for it

Well the problem is that I dont have it yet.

Trying to decide if I can take it as partial trade. By the time I put it up for sale, i should already know that.

And that thing will be a PITA to strip. Every nut and bolt is going to fight you. I feel for you rust belt guys. I bought a 1990 Miata that had been sitting in a muddy salvage yard in Miami, for $2000. Absolutely no rust on any fastener. Even the exhaust bolts came off without a fight.

If I were in your shoes; no interest in the car or parts, I'd pass.

All the parts i'd strip have only been on for 20k miles, though.

Are these numbers you guys are throwing out typical numbers or am I seeing the GRM "look at this awesome deal I got" syndrome?

Rust free running miatas for $2000 dont exist in this part of the US. I wouldnt expect anyone on the other side of the country to be interested in this car.

But if it's really only worth $3500 then I guess I dont have a buyer for the MSM. berkeley.

I will say about 4.5k.I live a state up. Most of us adults looking at a car like that will be put off by the rust--as has already been mentioned. Without rust I will say 5.5-6k. That is what I would pay. Rust really puts me off--even with the cool parts. At 6k, I am only a stone throw away from a higher mileage S2K which is what i would want. Unfortunately it is in the price range that most people can't or are unwilling to pay cash for. Those who can will not because of rust.

That would be a $4k car on the Chicago craigslist at this time of year.

The problem is that only clean, adult-driven, rust-free Miatas actually sell for 4-7k in the Midwest and this ain't that. The turbo doesn't help value; it drastically hurts it and scares away your ideal "weekend-driver" buyer. If the built motor was in a super-clean car, it'd be a value-enhancement. The problem is it's in a typical winter-driven Iowa Miata.

BTW, I just noticed that the plates are Johnson county (where I'm at). I'm surprised I haven't seen this guy on the road around town yet.

Hrmmm... never heard of a turbo kit from a respected company hurting value on a Miata. Learn something new every day I guess.

So what youre saying is that I can sell the turbo kit for $2k, run the car n/a, and sell it for more afterwards?

I want it, that's for sure. Not that I have a place to keep it, but still, the want is there.

Swank Force One wrote: So what youre saying is that I can sell the turbo kit for $2k, run the car n/a, and sell it for more afterwards?

All depends on your local(ish) demand for used Miata parts and how clean you can get the car. If I bought the car to sell it, I'd leave the turbo on at first, give it a thorough wash and wax (especially under the hood), install these new rocker panels while repainting the black portion of the car, and try asking for $7000. Best case, you seriously profit. Realistically, you could get around $5k for it after spring arrives. The problem is that people interested in a turbo Miata would have already bought your Mazdaspeed instead or will grab the much safer Flyin' Miata kit for their own Miata (or a $3k example).

That brings up plan B with the car: part the turbo and sell naturally-aspirated. Around here, the turbo components wouldn't sell for $2000, but you might have more luck in Indy. They also move pretty slowly on Miata.net, so I don't think you'd get your price there either. At least with the turbo off, you could up or downplay the built motor based on the buyer and how race-oriented they are or aren't.

Either way, that's a whole lotta project and a whole lotta risk.

Swank Force One wrote: Hrmmm... never heard of a turbo kit from a respected company hurting value on a Miata. Learn something new every day I guess. So what youre saying is that I can sell the turbo kit for $2k, run the car n/a, and sell it for more afterwards?

To some, the BEGi name is a warning. But any aftermarket turbo moves the car into a different market than a stock car reaches. Doubly so if there are random uninstalled parts.

I agree that it's worth more in pieces than whole. Spend a bit of effort to make it a nice car, sell off the scary upgrades and uninstalled parts and you'll do better. 6ULs are going for good prices right now as they're currently unavailable and the Jongbloeds have not yet started shipping. You've got a window of opportunity there.

Also, prices go up in the spring.

I'd be interested in it as a roller if you buy and part it.

kylini wrote:

Swank Force One wrote: So what youre saying is that I can sell the turbo kit for $2k, run the car n/a, and sell it for more afterwards?

All depends on your local(ish) demand for used Miata parts and how clean you can get the car. If I bought the car to sell it, I'd leave the turbo on at first, give it a thorough wash and wax (especially under the hood), install these new rocker panels while repainting the black portion of the car, and try asking for $7000. Best case, you seriously profit. Realistically, you could get around $5k for it after spring arrives. The problem is that people interested in a turbo Miata would have already bought your Mazdaspeed instead or will grab the much *safer* Flyin' Miata kit for their own Miata (or a $3k example). That brings up plan B with the car: part the turbo and sell naturally-aspirated. Around here, the turbo components wouldn't sell for $2000, but you might have more luck in Indy. They also move pretty slowly on Miata.net, so I don't think you'd get your price there either. At least with the turbo off, you could up or downplay the built motor based on the buyer and how race-oriented they are or aren't. Either way, that's a whole lotta project and a whole lotta risk.

Oh... looking at it from a Miata.net viewpoint?

Yeah, i wouldn't even bother listing it there. They haven't been interested in the Mazdaspeed either, because it's not 100% stock as it left the Mazda factory, and as such, is completely ruined.

Miata.net blows for car listings. They're at least good for used parts sometimes!

I just know that clean cars disappear off of "all of Iowa" plus St. Louis craigslist after a week or two. It's always "that turbo car" which keep reappearing in my search results. You can get away with a lot as long as the paint shines and you don't have visible rust. Just remember that only adults will break the 5 grand barrier and they like their toys to be pretty!

To me, the combination of the turbo kit and the rust would be more or less a deal breaker. I'm probably just prejudiced against the cheaper end of the turbo kit market but I've had problems with that type of mod before. I'm also scratching my head over someone building a motor and all that, but not addressing rust issues.

This thing has "part out" or "Exocet donor" written all over it.

BoxheadTim wrote: To me, the combination of the turbo kit and the rust would be more or less a deal breaker. I'm probably just prejudiced against the cheaper end of the turbo kit market but I've had problems with that type of mod before. I'm also scratching my head over someone building a motor and all that, but not addressing rust issues. This thing has "part out" or "Exocet donor" written all over it.

Good idea! It's a turbo and injectors away from 350whp or so, so that would be awesome in an Exocet.

I'm also half-tempted to put the driveline in my 93.

kylini wrote: Just remember that only adults will break the 5 grand barrier and they like their toys to be pretty!

I thought that bore repeating. Not so much the "pretty toys" line, but you're selling to grownups. So the car should be something a grownup should buy.

Keith Tanner wrote:

kylini wrote: Just remember that only adults will break the 5 grand barrier and they like their toys to be pretty!

I thought that bore repeating. Not so much the "pretty toys" line, but you're selling to grownups. So the car should be something a grownup should buy.

Fair point.