Value for an early Miata....

I was perusing the runlist for tommorows Carmax auction when I noticed a 1990 Miata listed for sale. I looked at the VIN listed and it appears to be the 173rd Miata made in 1990. It has a date of 4/89 listed on the carfax as the date it shipped to the dealer.

Does the fact that it is a very early production car add to its value at all? Do the very early cars differ from the later 1990's in any way? Were there any preproduction cars used for testing making this perhaps one of the first customer cars?

It is blue and appears to be in decent shape from the small pictures that were posted of it. It has 170 k and has been owned by the same person since 1995. They are listing it with a transmission issue, I havent looked at it yet and don't know what that entails.

I have a very early miata myself (manufacture date on the door is also early '89). It's Marnier Blue too. I haven't noticed anything different on it compared to other shortnose miatas.

If anything, I'd guess that these cars might be worth a little less due to the crankshaft bolt/key issue. That said, in running/driving condition they're selling for between $2,000 and $3,000 here in Atlanta. More if they're in excellent condition.

I figured it was worth around 2500.00 in decent shape. I was hoping the early production number would make it more collectible etc... :)

I also agree that the early VIN is more likely a detractor due to the crankshaft/key issues.
John, owner of #8869 June '89

I have an Oct '89 build, so mine isn't that early. Perhaps 20 or 30 years from now, when 110 of the first 125 (or whatever) built are no longer on the road the early build will mean something. But right now, I don't think it adds value.

Real early Miata's have an issue with the transmission getting stuck in 5th gear and reverse at the same time. The transmission will appear to be locked up.

The quick fix it to remove the reverse light switch on the gearbox and use a screwdriver to push the reverse linkage back into position.

My 89 had this problem when I bought it.

06-89 # 10232

The slave cylinders also fail somewhat often on those cars. That can make someone think the trans is grinding/not shifting well when really the clutch just isn't releasing all the way. A new one is like $20 and an hour of your time.

fujioko wrote: Real early Miata's have an issue with the transmission getting stuck in 5th gear and reverse at the same time. The transmission will appear to be locked up. The quick fix it to remove the reverse light switch on the gearbox and use a screwdriver to push the reverse linkage back into position. My 89 had this problem when I bought it. 06-89 # 10232

That might explain the "transmission needs service" announcment. I will cross my fingers.... Can I fix that with a jack and a screw driver or do I need a lift?

pimpm3 wrote:

fujioko wrote: Real early Miata's have an issue with the transmission getting stuck in 5th gear and reverse at the same time. The transmission will appear to be locked up. The quick fix it to remove the reverse light switch on the gearbox and use a screwdriver to push the reverse linkage back into position. My 89 had this problem when I bought it. 06-89 # 10232

That might explain the "transmission needs service" announcment. I will cross my fingers.... Can I fix that with a jack and a screw driver or do I need a lift?

The fix can be done on the side of the road..... if required.

Unless it's the very first one (maybe first 10 if you're generous), there's no extra value in this car. Especially not right now. It'll still be some time still before Miatas are seen as collectible.

The first 10 (by VIN) were preproduction test cars that have been scrapped, although #26 survived and is still around. It IS different, see the original R&T test to see some of the variances. Basically, I don't think any cars with a VIN under 100 got out.

My parents own #338. I've heard of one other 1xx car out there, 118 or something. And you'd be surprised, the collectors are circling. Exceptional cars are starting to bring exceptional money. Guys are hoarding floor mats.

This car, however, is not in exceptional condition and since there are few mechanical differences, I wouldn't expect the build number to make much difference.

As for those mechanical differences - the slave changed. The wiper motor changed in mid 1990. I believe the H point was a bit different (seating position). Related to build date or not, the brake pedal feel in #338 is astoundingly good. The short nose crank design was shared with all other 1990s. The diff doesn't have cooling fins but has a smooth case.

I have number 18xxx which also has (had) a smooth case diff.

I would agree that it wouldn't really add value to this example.

Keith Tanner wrote: Guys are hoarding floor mats.

Hoarding floor mats?

Keith Tanner wrote: The first 10 (by VIN) were preproduction test cars that have been scrapped, although #26 survived and is still around. It IS different, see the original R&T test to see some of the variances. Basically, I don't think any cars with a VIN under 100 got out.

Really. I thought the white Showroom Stock Miata (Actual Size Racing) that appeared at Miatas at MRLS a couple of years back is number 16 or something in that range. At the Miatas event in this April, I was talking to dude in the show tent where they number 15 and number 17 on display. He told me the "Actual Size" car is right in between them in the VIN order.

I may have misunderstood.

Yes, hoarding floor mats. NLA from Mazda, so if you want a perfect new floor mat to win Pebble Beach in 2047, you'll need to have one in storage.

I'd forgotten the Actual Size car. It was pre-production. From the article Dan helped me write about that car: "Dan’s car was a pre-production unit - number 17 off the line - and Dan's agreement with Mazda prohibited it from being driven on the road."

Don't know anything about the other teen cars you reference. I know that 26 was pulled from a junkyard in Europe where it was supposed to have been crushed after it was damaged in testing. It's quite possible Mazda has a few salted away. It's fair to say you won't be seeing them on Craigslist.

Klayfish wrote:

Keith Tanner wrote: Guys are hoarding floor mats.

Hoarding floor mats?

Doesn't surprise me. All 10,000 Jensen Healeys built came with these big rubber floor mats that are a lot like Weather Tech mats. Those things are unobtanium now and bring big $.

<------ Going home tonight to yank out my rather clean mats and replace them with Pep Boys ones...

So it sold today for $800 at the auction.

The shifter would move between 1st and 2nd but refused to go into the other gears. The car would go backward regardless of where the shifter was placed. I am assuming it suffered from fujioko's previously mentioned transmission malady.

There was a dent in the front fender and the A/C didn't work. Other then these things it was a pretty nice little car. The interior and the top were both in decent shape. It ran well and didn't have an major leaks that I could tell. I defered from buying it because there wasn't enogh room to make any decent money after fixing its little issues.

Keith Tanner wrote: As for those mechanical differences - the slave changed. The wiper motor changed in mid 1990. I believe the H point was a bit different (seating position). Related to build date or not, the brake pedal feel in #338 is astoundingly good. The short nose crank design was shared with all other 1990s. The diff doesn't have cooling fins but has a smooth case.

Keith Tanner wrote: Yes, hoarding floor mats. NLA from Mazda, so if you want a perfect new floor mat to win Pebble Beach in 2047, you'll need to have one in storage.

And the honorable Mr. Tanner will be judging.

I will be checking floor mats. You have been warned.

Sorry I'm late to the party. Sad to see it be in such poor shape.

From my early VIN database the info I had on this car was "Spent some time in the Mazda press fleet before being sold as used. Original owner sold it in 1996 in Jacksonville. akira2787@xxxxxx currently owns."

I updated the database on 00173.