Miata pricing

So I have decided that it is time to move on from the $600 E30 automatic daily driver and am looking at Miatas.

How accurate is KBB compared to what I should expect to pay?

I went to look at a 94 miata (stock, non-automatic, 87k miles, NON-M, no torsen). The car has all of the maintenice records, but has been sitting in the guys driveway for at least a year. (but runs and drives well, he got a newer BMW)The paint is showing this a bit (white paint) and will need attention. At the seam for the trunklid the paint has worn off and there is mild (easily addressable) surface rust. The tires also might need to be replaced. I looked over the rest of the car and despite needing cleaning attention from sitting it seems great.

KBB says $3500 excellent condition and the guy is asking $4500 (down from $6500) I offered $3500, but no bite. I left my contact info in case he decided he would come down to my price.

Should such a miata be going for that kind of price? Do they really draw that much more then KBB? Or was I right to offer that much and walk?

Been puzzling it over and just need some opnions

yes they draw more than kbb. that car does not sound "excellent" though if its showing rust there, there are other places as well. Doesnt sound like he wants to sell the car how do you know it doesnt have a torsen?

without personally seeing it, its hard to say, but im guessing that your offer was way more than I would have been willing to pay. but then again I buy a lot of em, and pass on iffy deals. There are just too many around to settle.

If you have 4k to spend you should be able to get a really nice car if you have a little patience

Also, it's prime Miata-buying season right now, so that adds 20% to the expected selling price. Call him back in 6 months.

My Dad sold his '97M in Connecticut last week for $3500. He was asking $4000. It had a crease in the front edge of the driver's door and there were some minor scratches. ZERO rust. Non-M wheels with newer performance rubber. Custom dark brown cloth top, Hard Dog sport, 40k mile suspension, H4 headlights, front chassis brace, and a few things I'm forgetting. It had 114k on it with all services up to date. I told him he could have gotten $4k easy.

What I call rust there is from someone rubbing the paint putting something in the trunk leaving bare metal open to the elements. I looked the rockers over really carefully and didnt find a thing.

But its good to hear, I though I was being generous with my offer as well. I am not in a rush to get one, so I will wait and see what I can find. (well, want one really bad, yes.. but the E30 is still around and drives alright)

I am kind of expecting that I will get a call from him sometime. He said he has only driven it 50 miles this year and been trying to sell it for 9 months.

On the torsen, he didnt know when I asked, so I assume no and figure if I find it has one later its a pleasant surprise. (if he cant say it has one I dont see paying extra is my mentality, equal cars I would pay a bit more for one with the torsen)

Apexcarver wrote: On the torsen, he didnt know when I asked, so I assume no and figure if I find it has one later its a pleasant surprise. (if he cant say it has one I dont see paying extra is my mentality, equal cars I would pay a bit more for one with the torsen)

What other options does it have? IIRC the only ones that didn't come with a Torsen in 94 were the base models, so if it has even the basic stuff like headrest speakers or power mirrors, it's at least an "A" package car and should have the Torsen.

As far as the pricing, it sounds a bit high. It's getting rare to find one with under 100k miles on it anymore, and maybe that's why he's being firm on the price, but it sounds like the condition is good, not excellent, and besides, high miles on a Miata are no big deal. I think $3500 is more than fair, I wouldn't go any higher.

Having said that, KBB is notoriously off on older enthusiast-type vehicles. See what they think a clean Fox Mustang is worth vs. how much you'd actually have to pay for one.

A friend just bought an 81k mile 93LE with the boot and cockpit cover included for $4500.

Yes, I hate him too.

Junkyard_Dog wrote: A friend just bought an 81k mile 93LE with the boot and cockpit cover included for $4500. Yes, I hate him too.

Jason's car is berkeleying awesome.

I found a MINT '90 with 95k. Summer only, garage kept, 5k a year... $5000

I'm gonna take a second look and get all the info, and if it is unlocked, sit in it to see if I fit. Then come back with accurate value print outs from edmunds and kbb to leave in the car. I will skip nada as it lists 1990 as "classic" and worth 3x the other sites

$2k in KY