Not your normal what car thread...

I have a Miata that I dislike. I've already sunk too much into it (over $4K at this point) and it needs more work, at least $1K worth, just to run right on let alone be competitive at autocross. It has it's good points but is essentially not selling.

I would much rather own something else that is more useful for 2 people to autocross (hatchback), is nicer, and less issues. I'd also like to move to something more powerful and possibly a Porsche (944) so that autocrossing with my favorite club will be cheaper.

So, do I

A: Buck up and spend the money on the Miata, make it a proper sports car (suspension) and drive it another year before selling at a loss.

B: Fix the thing just enough to sell and eat the loss.

C: Strip the thing and try and minimize my overall loss so I can buy what I really want.

D: Sell it cheap to get it out of my life and go on with buying what I want.

I'm having a hard time with this as I've never really lost money on a car before.

If you think $4k is alot to put into a car, I would strongly recommend not buying a 944.

If you hate it, get rid of it and eat the loss.

What on earth have you spend four grand on for a Miata - a new turbo kit? I don't know anyone who's added forced induction to their Miata and then wanted to sell it

Travis_K wrote: If you think $4k is alot to put into a car, I would strongly recommend not buying a 944.

This. Keep the Miata.

Cars aren't good investments anyways. At the end of the day, everyone loses money on a car.

But out of curiosity, what exactly goes wrong on a Miata that costs $1000? I could replace the engine AND transmission for less than that...

If you dont have fun looking at it or working on it, i would just sell it asap and eat the loss. Otherwise getting through the repairs or the parting out would be a grind and you'd probably rather be doing something else with your time.

b is my fall back normally.
Strip whatever can be sold seperately while leaving whatever is necessary to keep the car a salable vehicle.

how can anybody hate a miata?

easy...... I can't stand convertibles......

plus at 6'2" I don't fit really well... race seat the only way I don't rub my head... the mirror is in the line of sight... etc....

8-valve 944 == meh.

It's not about putting $4K in a car (been there, done that, many times over). It's putting $4K into a 93 1.6 open diff Miata. Granted, about $1500 of which was at least mods to make it go faster or handle better, and $1500 was buying it, licensing, and taxes, but still. At the end of the day, it's just not that desirable.

Javelin wrote: At the end of the day, it's just not that desirable.

There's your answer, if you don't like it, just get rid of it. Whether you part it out or just sell it as-is, you're done with it. Move on to something you're going to enjoy.

Sounds like right car, wrong buyer or vice versa.

Personally for me, nothing is insurmountable. I'd fix it, even if i couldn't do it myself, and enjoy it. You never know after it is "fixed", who would want it for the price you want for it and never had to advertise it.

As I see it, you would be better off fixing it and having a running car and selling for a small loss then not fixing it and selling for a even bigger loss.

Claim it was once owned by a celebrity to cover the gap in price.

If you don't like it, sell it and buy something you want.

I agree. Go drive a bunch of other cars and see which one you like the best. A Miata is not for everyone, regardless of what you read on here!

However, you need to autocross a 944 before you head down that road. I've owned several and like them, but I HATE to autocross one. You have to drag it around the course kicking and screaming. To me, they simply are not fun in that environment. Track events are more to it's liking. Upkeep is also expensive, and you will need to look after the number 2 rod bearing. An accusump or similar, along with a really good oil pan baffle is a must.

Thanks for the advice. I guess I'll admit the answer is now definitely "get rid of it", the decision is whether or not to re-engine it first. I have a line on a trade with cash on top from me that's hopefully going to go through though...