How Low Would You Sell For?

Short version is: I'm trying to decide how little I'd accept for my '94 Miata compared to its value to me as a reliable and inexpensive DD.

I'm selling off my cars to raise money for brewing school. I've got a '94 Miata that was my track rat and is now my DD, an '03 Chevy Astro, '95 Accord with only 60k miles, and Porsche 944Spec race car. The Accord and Astro should have no trouble selling. The race car may or may not sell before I leave, but doesn't matter since it isn't street legal.

I'd like to sell the Miata for about $3000. That gives me some extra funds for the trip, and I'll have enough to pick up another decent DD when I return. I do have friends willing to hold it for me if I let them use it. I'll need to put new tires and front brake pads on before doing that though. I've got a potentially interested buyer, but he's making noises like he'd more likely pay $2000, maybe $2500 for it.

Car isn't nice cosmetically (the top is crap), but it's got a rollbar and good suspension, a few other upgrades, gets 26-28mpg, and is a known commodity that has proven to be reliable for me. It is only tires, brake pads, and an oil change away from being ready for the track again.

I'll be gone for about 7 months, and will need a DD when I return. Trying to decide if I should lower how much I'm willing to take for the car, or just hold onto it because it would be more work and money to find as reliable of a DD when I return.

If the hardtop is included I wouldn't budge much unless you are strapped for cash badly.

No hardtop. Just a soft top in sorry shape. But this is CA, and it's sunny t-shirt weather still.

Not strapped for cash either. Any money I can get will certainly help with the trip, but I've lined up a healthy amount of cash to last me.

How much would it cost you to replace?

MG_Bryan wrote: How much would it cost you to replace?

More than I'm asking for it. Probably about $4k. But I'm willing to take a small hit for the sake of buffer cash and not having to worry about it while I'm gone. I'd probably also replace it with something a bit more practical.

If you're already taking a hit, I wouldn't budge too much, but I'm extremely cheap. I just can't see taking an offer that you wouldn't take if you were staying in the country. Just my opinion though.

I'd keep the miata if it's in decent shape. By the time you buy another cheap used car and fix whatever it needs it would likely be more like $5k, so selling the miata for $2500 wouldn't really make sense.

Having driven Salanis' car, I'd say 2.5k is a steal - $3k feels like a fair price given how tight it is, but I can see the roof putting a lot of people off. I'd be tempted to put a top on if you really want to sell it and add part of its cost to the cost of the car.

For 2.5k I'd just hold onto it, because it'd be hard to find a replacement for something approaching the same money when you're coming back. As you said it's a known quantity and that would be worth the money to me unless you're utterly strapped for cash.

Yeah, I probably should just go ahead and put a roof on it. It would make it easier to sell if I decide to go that route. If I decide to store it, I won't need to worry as much about covering it up so that it's water tight.

+1 more on replace the top and add that to the $3k

I bought my 94 @ 99K for $3K, drove it for 20K. Sold it with 119K, I crushed the left front fender and sold it for $3200

I think your price is inline, wait what is the mileage?

FlightService wrote: I think your price is inline, wait what is the mileage?

155k.

And it has intake, header, exhaust, new cat, FM suspension, rollbar, all-metal radiator, and nice diff. Plus I've replaced all the engine rubber, timing belt, and water pump.

155k.

And it has intake, header, exhaust, new cat, FM suspension, rollbar, all-metal radiator, and nice diff.

As a casual buyer this would make me offer $2K or less because the car has been abused.

Plus I've replaced all the engine rubber, timing belt, and water pump.

As a casual buyer this would make me think $3k is worth it.

Your will get more if it is stock. Between $2K and $3K is about right with your condition mods and mileage. IMHO

I could swap out the FM suspension for stock, remove the rollbar, and sell those separately. Think that would get me more for the car?

If the rest of the car is in good shape, it seems people will pay for a well sorted car.

I'd spend the money to put a top on it, out here your car would likely sell for $4500-5000 in no time. (with a fresh top)

Roll bar is a common option probably wouldn't worry about that. Personally I would go back stock and sell it for what you are asking then sell the suspension bits

More MOOONEEEE' as the french would say.

But now you are going against the weather. :(

I buy convertibles and street bikes the first day it snows. For obvious reasons..

Sell everything but the Miata.

When you get home it'll be the best car to drive around the place you haven't been in awhile.

Can I tow the Miata cross country with the Astro?

OK, seriously. The Miata has high miles, the rollbar and other mods are evidence of abuse, you will be lucky to sell it for $500.

To be a nice guy, I will take it of your hands for $750, but only because I like you.

I bet that it is rust-free as well.

WHY ARE THESE CARS NEVER CLOSER TO ME???

pinchvalve wrote: I bet that it is rust-free as well. WHY ARE THESE CARS NEVER CLOSER TO ME???

Flights are cheap, whats your excuse?

I'm pretty well decided that, unless someone offers me >$3000 for the Miata, I'm just going to hold it and store it for when I get back.

I might put on a new top and pick up some fresher tires and list it with those, but I'm really not worried about that.

pinchvalve wrote: Can I tow the Miata cross country with the Astro?

Yeah. That's what I got the Astro for. You'd just need to rent a trailer. Or come buy my rust-free, sorted, NASA log-booked 944 race car. I'm only asking $5500 for it for the next couple weeks in hopes of not having to store it. It has a tow bar and is great to flat tow with the Astro. $9000 gets you race car, spare parts, and the van to tow it with. You can fly out and drive them both back. 100% serious. If you live within a day's drive or near my friends or family (Washington, San Diego, Austin TX), I'm willing to deliver it for the cost of my travel expenses (fuel and plane ticket back).

I just sold my BMW 2002 for a little less than challenge money. I had way more into it than that just in parts, but I was desperate and in a time crunch. I miss it, but it had to go.

I'll Trade you straight up for an econo-box that you could probably sell for the same money...

The SWMBO would be really pissed, but it might be worth it :P

01-Carolla manual 177k, good tires.

In reply to imirk:

Intriguing suggestion. I sent you a PM regarding it.