selling miata, have a question

Ok, so I have to sell my beloved miata to fund my start-up business. I put a timing belt on it yesterday (and found 10 or 15 lost ponies too!!!). Since I'm out of work I'm trying to keep my cash outlay low so and this begs the question: Should I replace the top or not? It needs it. It's not totally waterproof anymore and isnt goingn to fix itself. Let's say I drop a couple hundred for a top, do you think I'll get that back out of it when I sell or will a buyer think "I'm buying a $2,500 second car, I don't plan on driving it in the rain" or something like that. It's a 91 with the long nose and no rust so I think it'll sell ok. I'm more than willing to put the top on it if I'm not going to loose that money. What do you guys/girls think? IF I should replace the top, any recommendations?

Just my personal opinion, but on a car this old I'm not so sure I'd spend the money for a newer top, as you won't get ALL of your outlay back. At this price point, no one expects a concours perfect car. That said, a newish top makes you more credible as a concientious (sp?) owner.... otherwise, I wonder where else you "cut corners".

Depends on the rest of the car. Are you selling an otherwise mint car for a premium, or is it just an average 91 driver? For the former, the top might pay off. For the later, probably not.

Don't spend the cash on the top. Having sold a Miata last fall, I found that there are plenty of shoppers out there looking for a Spec Miata donor who won't care about the top

offer it up, both ways.

If someone wants a spec car the top would be almost worthless If some person is looking for a daily driver , they would be happy to have a nice dry car

or find someone building a spec miata from a car with a decent top, and buy their top frame/fabric complete for $100-ish.

AngryCorvair wrote: or find someone building a spec miata from a car with a decent top, and buy their top frame/fabric complete for $100-ish.

They don't always come off in re-usable condition. Rain rails get very brittle.

Gorilla tape will often fix a rain rail.

If you're selling for less than $2500, no top. It will be someone's fixer-upper anyway. Use tape and silicone to make it as water-tight as possible.

If you can replace the top and somehow make it a $3500 car, go ahead. That may be tough with a '91, though.

If you do replace it, go with the Robbins economy no-zip from Moss. I did this on my '96 a couple years ago, and it's okay. I'd rather have the zip-out window, but I don't drive the car that much, so I wanted to go as cheap as possible. I spent a few days on the job (not full-time). It wasn't easy, because Robbins sent me the old instructions, which they admitted were wrong. Good instructions made the job easier.

I'll help if you get to this point.

How much does top replacement cost?
Be ready with documentation and source a local shop.

Now, use this info in price negotiation if you must. I would list it as needing a top and price appropriately. The worst that can happen is you spring for the price of a top, but you might not have to.

Thanks folks. I think I'll offer it both ways and let the buyer decide.

Kramer wrote: If you can replace the top and somehow make it a $3500 car, go ahead. That may be tough with a '91, though.

Unless he lists it on miata.net ;)

Given your location, post your ad for free on www.xceedspeed.com. The rice-boys in Mich.may be attracted to your low price.

jrw1621 wrote: Given your location, post your ad for free on www.xceedspeed.com. The rice-boys in Mich.may be attracted to your low price.

xceed classifieds are a waste of time as far as i can tell. for every 10 responses, 5 are "trade u x-box", 4 are "if i had $ i'd totally buy that", and the last one is a bump by the seller.

AngryCorvair wrote:

jrw1621 wrote: Given your location, post your ad for free on www.xceedspeed.com. The rice-boys in Mich.may be attracted to your low price.

xceed classifieds are a waste of time as far as i can tell. for every 10 responses, 5 are "trade u x-box", 4 are "if i had $ i'd totally buy that", and the last one is a bump by the seller.

ROTFLMAO

AngryCorvair wrote:

jrw1621 wrote: Given your location, post your ad for free on www.xceedspeed.com. The rice-boys in Mich.may be attracted to your low price.

xceed classifieds are a waste of time as far as i can tell. for every 10 responses, 5 are "trade u x-box", 4 are "if i had $ i'd totally buy that", and the last one is a bump by the seller.

LOL... That sounds like putting something on the VW Vortex...

I so want a Miata... but have no room/money...

I have had pretty good success on the Lansing and Ann Arbor Craigslists. College kids spending daddies money is always good.

CL will be my first attempt, and maybe exeed and the like if CL doesn't pan out.

My advice is not to sell the Miata. shrug