How much did you pay for your Miata project?
 

Not for the project as a whole, but for the initial car itself. I am browsing around right now and I'm curious to see what others have paid. If you bought your car new, totaled, salvage title, etc... please specify!

Since the motor will be totally over-hauled anyways, why not find a deal on a car with spun bearings or some price killer like that. I dont trust these salvage websites though, 25$ to register, 400$ deposit, etc...

3000+

60k Mile '94; $5,500; Stealership; before I knew better.

$20,000+ for whole project FML

EDIT: Just read the whole thing, paid 3,500 for my car initially. 170,000 Miles, with a trunk rack and hardtop. Mint condition.

dude those prices are way tooo low.

Or if you live in texas come get my shells!

Maybe I am expecting to find a car for less than what I am going to have to pay.

There is a guy selling a miata out here in southern NJ with rod nock, torn seats, 1XX,XXX miles, etc... for about 1,500. I dont really want to pay more than 2,000 for the initial car because I will be replacing most of it, and what I dont replace will be ripped out and thrown away (Or parted out?)

Is this an unreasonable request? I see many 90-93s in my price range.

Its not unreasonable to expect to pay 1000-1500 for a 90-93 since you don't have high expectations for its condition and will be replacing most of it anyway. Sounds about right to me.

$4900 for a 90' but car is clean with no issues

700$ for a '94 with 100k, no carpets, a/c, p/s or service history, but it did have an LSD and no leaks or noises.

I bought it from a Nissan dealership.

$1600. 170k. Came with flares and wheels.

3600$, late 90 with 100 000 miles, third owner.
one spot of rust and a little fading in the paint.

bone stock, un-modified with new tires.

canada's prices:(

I paid just under $6k for mine. 1990 with 44k miles. It was always kept garaged, until I got my hands on it. lol

You get what you pay for. Some guys get smokin good deals though, but that's just a "right place at the right time" kind of situation.

Since I bought the car I've lost track of how much money has gone into it. I stopped counting after awhile.

'96 montego blue with 100k on it... 4 grand.
Purchased in 2007

Over payed for the condition it was in. Oh well

$1200 for my red 90. Clean title, it had 225,xxx miles on the chassis. With a junkyard motor in it. Most has been replaced since then. Getting paint next week.

I'm just saying I think most people on here paid more than what is on your poll. I think it is fairly easy to find one in one of those price brackets. Just don't think a whole lot of people have done it. I'm sure there are a few out there.

I paid 2k in '08

4.5k for a beautiful, 100% stock '96

i paid 2600 for a 93 with 165000 miles

I payed $4,500 for my 97' w/ 86K a little less then a month and a half ago. Check as many craigslist's as possible, and I'd avoid salvaged cars unless you know exactly why it was salvaged (proof = pictures, or maybe papers from the shop who repaired it). Always avoid water damaged cars.

3750 for a 91 with 117k, no rust, no accidents, couple dings but overall in good shape

$18500 In 2006, the car had never been titled and had 240 miles on it.

$3000 for my 94 with 72k on the clock. clean car, no rust.

$4500 with HT, 135k km (84k mi) in Dec 2008, the BMW \ Merc dealer was asking 8k down from 10k. As its been said, things cost more in Canada.

This thread deserves to be locked. This is a question that should not be asked.

http://theskyisnotblue.com/images/stuff/funny/gtfo.jpg

1990 - 88,000miles $1,800 great shape other than rust in the quarters..... $210 replacement pannels and she was good to go.

$1400 for a 94R with 140k miles and at least one dent on every body panel.

1000, in 04, with 97k on it. Had a torn top and blown head gasket. I was in for a little under 1400 when the work was done. Has 230k now.

$0 170k with hardtop, ac, 2 sets of wheels

$25,000 or so -- brand new in 1998.

--Ian

6k in 2004, '93 with 57k miles. Faded paint and torn soft top.

Dealership, and didn't know better.

1600usd
92 187k 1.6l

Lost oil pressure on engine that was in it

$1.2k 91 212k
Brembo BBK, Robbins top, few other goodies

$28Κ for my 2002 Sport, back in 2004. My boss' car, bought with 15k original miles. Was like $40k new. You gotta love european prices.

$650 for my stock '92 with 92k. It needed a timing belt, tires and a rear window for the soft top. It also had a small dent above the wheel in the right rear quarter panel and flaking paint on the trunk. I got it off my friend's brother.

91 silverstone, 100% stock and somewhat rough shape and not running. 136k. $800

8000 AUD, lol thats 8500 USD right? Decent Nick 90 with hardtop 3500 dollar SSR wheels and HKS coilovers.

Dann

+1, I hate this thread.

Anything in a light color, straight, and OBD1?

Both straight, One black one red. Both OBDII :/

My first Miata:

'95 fully track ready: Hard Dog HCDD, Ultrashields, G Force Harnesses, RPF1s, JR header and intake, hardtop, AGXs, Ground Controls, new Azenis, fully gutted.

$4100 in 2007.

My 94 was 2800, less than 100k when I bought it 2 years ago. Had a new top and the AC is ice cold, still is too. Bout 4000 dents and scratches in it though.

$300 with half cage. Gutted but perfect base to start my project.

I am workin on a deal with a guy, I hope it goes through! Really bangin price for a miata :laugh:

I'll let you know soon. I dont want to jinx myself

$2000-3000 for me.

Bought my 1990 in 2005 with 66k on the odometer for $2850. Had no intention of turboing it, or doing even a fraction of what's been done to it back then, so wasn't really intentionally buying a turbo project.

To the OP, I would always want to start with a running car, even if I knew I was going to build the motor and turbo it. Starting with a running car just avoids a lot of possible issues that could arise.

-Ryan

My late 1991 was free three years ago with 200k on the clock.

The car ran fine but would not go into gear. The seller was unaware that all it would take to get it driveable was minor clutch hydraulic work (~$50). Massive rust in all rocker corners (now fixed properly), and even the floor, etc. It was very rough so I've replaced virtually everything. 1993 Ford Escort BP swap in progress, and about $5000 later I have a pretty much brand-new car.

Lots of garage time for me, but it's worth it. Hopefully I'll have enough funds and time to throw a turbo in late summer or over the next winter season. =)

$1300 stock 93 with 185k. needed a new top, front bumper has a hole it in from a low speed impact, paint is flaking off, headlights wouldn't go down. nothing a little krylon spray paint and a new fuse couldn't fix.

in 07 i bought a 99 with 36k miles for 8200 bucks!

I paid $8500 for mine.

Got my 1995 M edition with a hardtop with 130k miles for $1600. Guy was from out of state, so I insisted that he get it smogged (CA b.s), and apperently he talked to his mechanic friend who told him "that it probably won't pass blah blah blah". So I talked him down from 3k. It passed EASILY. Now it is in the process of being built with a non-carb turbo, MS, and catless (sorry environment, I daily a newer toyota that gets 31mpg so that should make up for it)

Not a very bright guy, it previously was his father's car. It's in better hands now :greddy2:. And I found it on, of all things, ebay.

$2800 for my 94 as well, 170k and some bad paint but everything else was great :)

$2025 for my 93 with 180k in 2008. Only mod on it was a hard dog rollbar (that is getting changed).

I could of got something cheaper but I wanted a rust free car and this one spent its entire life in southern California.

$2800 last week for my 1999 with Koni yellows and ground control sleeves, BBS wheels(rough) and magnaflow exhuast. Just needs a bumper,fender,and headlight. 136,xxx miles.

Free.

1990 NA6 $3200 NZD in 2009
rough body, lots of head work +cams, 140000kms
havent blown it up yet (+ turbo)

have probably spent 5 times as much as the car on it