So I've got a 91 Miata sitting in my shop where I'm working on it... I was wondering if you guys think it's worth my time, money and effort to rebuild or if I should just scrap it, cut my losses, and wait for something "better" to come up?

If I continue with it it's going to be getting a new motor (Built 1.8l), and a turbo kit, all new suspension, hard top, the fun stuff like that. But until then I'm going to need to cut and weld in two new rear quarter panels, both rocker panels, and the area in front of the rocker panels. I need advice to see if this is worth it? I picked up the car for $750 haha, it had a clean frame which is all I was looking for. Do I even bother? Or do I throw the wheels back on, drive it to the salvage yard, and tell them to weigh it and pay me?

Thanks

 

Pics

 

 

I'll try and get some tonight after work, I'll upload them as soon as I can.

 

I'll take it if you don't want it.

 

Where are you located? Rusty but running Miatas are valued as donors forlocost builds up here in the rust belt area.

 

I'm in Michigan, up in Traverse City. The frame (well frame rails since it's unibody) is really good, it's straight and was undercoated early on so it's clean, it's just the body panels that need help, and it wouldn't be too hard to cut and weld. Just not sure if it's worth all the time and money that would be going into it.

 

A decent running miata can part out for more than you have into the car. Get us some pictures, with the right body mechanic knowledge you can get out some pretty nasty dents

 

It's not dents that I'm dealing with, it's rust up here :/ someone didn't take the best care of her. It's just cutting and welding really. Will have pics tomorrow.

 

Ahhhh didn't read up on where you were located. Pics will def be our starting point, just keep us updated!

 

Michigan is hell for cars when people don't care for them :( But here's the thing... for the price that I'd be putting into the car for the engine, turbo, suspension and wheels alone I would be able to buy a nice turbo'd Miata and save myself thousands of dollars and months of hassle... Just food for thought.

 

My only thought though is knowing how the car is built, you'd spend a lot of money buying a nice well built turbo car, if you do it yourself you know the work put into it. That's the main reason I started from scratch but different people have different views

 

Well that's what my thoughts were on it: I'd know every inch of that car, and know exactly how everything was done. I was also looking for the sense of accomplishment being able to look at it and be like "hey, I built this." but if it makes more sense both financially and time-wise to buy a prebuilt car then I wouldn't really have a problem with it. I would look for one that's what I'm looking for, that's solid and well done - the way I'd want to do it myself. And these forums seem to have some good cars to offer and good people too. We'll see what happens! But any advice/opinions helps. Pics later today.