What are mazda miata's going for?

I'm looking for a dirt cheap SCCA capable car, and figured a cheap mazda miata would do the trick. Figure I can beat on this car for a summer, and still do it for less than brake pads/rotors on a testarossa...

Can you get an early miata for 3k$ or so? Is high mileage an issue with these cars? I assume modifications are dirt cheap? Anything in particular to look for?

I have been looking in cars.com and autotrader.com, but folks are asking 6k$ for an early 70k mile example. Seems awefully steep as the car was only about 10k new (or so).

Who has thoughts on these little cars? Are they competitive? Any good web sites?

 

Mileage isn't an issue, mods are moderately inexpensive, and the cars are very reliable.

$3000-4000 buy s a decent one to play with... though they are not as common or as cheap in your area. They are used as year-round drivers more in other areas of the country,so the wear and tear and mileage is a bit worse.

Sticker was about $13k in 1989, but most sold for closer to $18-$20k. By the late 90's I think the average car was over $20k.

$6000 for a pristine 70k model really isn't bad... but you should be able to find an early non-AC car in average shape and 100-120k for $3000 or so if you're willing to head south and/or east to pick one up. They went to an 1800 engine in '94 or so and that's worth paying a few dollars more for.

I was looking for just such a car myself for my teen (and found several local cars in the under $4k range) when I found a low mileage '94 Mercury Capri (very rare in the US, Series 3 car with dual air bags) in extremely nice shape for under $2000. Not as a real sports car like the Miata, but a good learner car.

For a REAL blast, pick up a cheap Chevy Corvair with a 140 and manual transmission. There are active clubs in your area and the cars do well with MSCC in the "stock" class (which allows you to run trick shocks, cut springs, and sticky rubber). When I was in your region I ran my '66 Corsa with MSCC in the summer and with W-A-G ice racing and ralley-cross in the off-season. Buddy of mine is still running a similar car that he has under $1000 in total...

Good luck!

Bill

 

above post was excellent.. prices right where they should be.. but to elaborate on the 1.4liter.. it was a nice step up from the previous engine. it was a fun little car. i had it when i was 17.. but still it was neat..mods are inexpensive and its very reliable..if you take care of it.. if not, crap happens..also, mine came with a hydrolic clutch stock.. thats pretty neat.. no abs..atleast not on mine.. i dind't have power steering or ac either..but that saves the horsepower..i think mine had like 110 at the crank.. with the accesories i'm sure itwould go under 100.. i woulnd't worry about spending 4/5k on a car that hasn't been beaten to hell..cause thats what you are going to do with it.. it gets GREAT gas mileage and coolent system is very efficient..but like always, you can upgrade..have fun

 

Why not get a WRX Imprezza. They are reliable, mods readily available. Look good, plus are a hard top.

 

I brought a turn-key street legal 1999 Spec Miata for $13K. I could have gotten for less, but I gave up wrenching on cars a long time ago.

These cars are beyond bullet proof, and make excellent track cars. However, keep in mind that you have to drive em. Make one mistake, and you'll never catch up on the track.

They just changed the Spec Miata rules to allow the 2nd generation cars to run. However, you should note that the Spec Miata class is very, very competitive. The Miata lap record at Texas World Speedway is only about one-half a second off the record pace. This is a course that includes roughly 1/3 of a NASCAR oval. Thus, you may have more fun at the SCCA level.

Dale

 

Because they're REAL expensive to road race compared to running a early Miata in Spec Miata class.

 

oh, good point. I would race a Miata but I would like a hard top version.

 

No hard top version available in the US (very limited edition one in Japan, and the hard top is grafted on; not strong).

I know Spec Miata requires you use a removable hard top, which is good for aerodynamics, even though I don't think it was designed to support the weight of the car if you end up upside down.

 

I bought a 97 a year & 1/2 ago, and found Autotrader to have by far the most listings. I paid $6800 for a 70k car which was obviously very well looked after, with nice after market wheels to boot. Use it as my daily now.

I have helped two other friends buy theirs, a dinged up 94 with 60k for $4800, and a nice 50k white 93 (1.6L) for $3800. A lot of car for the money, imho, with my preference being the 1.8L first generation cars (the NAs).

The Miata Ferrarichat equivalent is http://www.miata.net There is a comprehensive aftermarket vendor listing, an active forum, and a tips/garage section with loads of useful info, including tips on what to look for when buying a Miata!

Hth, Jon

ps, I think the hardtop helps to reduce weight (once the convertible top is yanked, and increase body stiffness. Get a roll bar! BossFrog is SCCA approved I think (ie load tested, not just the broomstick test).

 

Forgot to put my price info:
Bought a 93 in 2000 with about 65k miles and in perfect shape for $6200 in northern VA.
Bought a 95 in 2002 with about 72k miles and in okay shape (couple door dings) for $5300 in Dallas, TX.

Bought and installed a Bethania Garage Harddog Hardcore rollbar. It's SCCA legal. Hard Dog is probably the most popular brand of rollbar for the Miata, though the Boss Frogs are looking pretty nice too.

 

They're out there.

http://www.cars-on-line.com/15931.html
http://www.carbuyer.com/search/miata/

and, of course, ebay.

Are you looking to build it up to Spec Miata, or just use it as a track beater for autocross, track days, etc.? Maybe see if you can find one with a salvage title.

Parts are cheap and available, the car is simple and can be rebuilt with a hammer and crescent wrench (well, almost).

 

Grassroots Motorsports had a nice writeup on their project Miata. Some good ideas in here. They do a lot of setting cars up for track use.

http://www.grmotorsports.com/miata.html