Thanks and ballpark estimate
 

I just wanted to thank everyone for all the great information in these threads. While I'm not new to building an engine or turning wrenches, I am new to miatas and turbos. I was able to find just about everything a person could need to put together their own turbo car.

I recently test drove a turboed miata, and now feel that I have to have one. The acceleration was immediately addictive.

I've got my eyes open for a car right now. Haven't decided between already turboed and diy. I'll let a good deal dictate that.

What is everyones opinion about how much to spend on a 94-96 well cared for miata, with ~100k miles with a torsen? Just trying to get a feel for knowing when a deal is too good to pass up.

Thanks,

Dave from Huntsville

Dave; I doubt you'll find a 94 with a Torsen.

Actually, the torsen was first introduced in 94', and they put it in almost every model. If he gets the VIN number or knows what package the car is, he can find out. But they put more torsens in miatas in 94 then they did in any other year.

vin torsen id
 

I checked a vin number decoder, and it didn't seem to tell what package came on the car. If it does, can you tell me what code to look for? This would be a good tool for getting a good deal on a base car that I want.

Also, what is everyones opinion on building a turbo car, or buying one that is already done for about 7k? Would you pay extra to get a well done reliable car, or do it yourself for less money? We'll assume for this scenerio that money isn't an issue but 7k is max for predone, and 5.5 to 6k is max for diy

I don't know all the specifics about what packages had a torsen. If you search around, the info has been posted before.

As for buy a setup vs. build one, it's up to you. To me, I enjoyed building my setup as much I as enjoy using it on the streets. Plus I get a lot of satisfaction knowing "I built this". But some couldn't care less about what's under the hood or who put it there, just that the car moves when you push the right pedal.

As for price, buying somebody else's setup will be cheaper. When you buy it all, you buy at a discount.

Sixshooter linked a 96 f/s in Tampa for $4,500.00 (I think). Are you only looking close to you?

If I were in your shoes; I'd look for a well sorted out one and buy it (if the price is right). You also have a misconception. If you are willing to pay $5,500 to $6,000 max for a non turbo; there's no way you'll be able to turbo it for $1,500 to $2,000.

A common weak spot is the cooling. Check "coolant reroute" threads for additional info.

BTW Pat; I stand corrected. :bowdown:

5.5k - 6k
 

I was thinking more along the lines of paying between 2.5 and 3.3k for the car, and trying to turbo it for 2k to 2.5k. I t would require some thrift, and probably only leave the MS computer as an option if I want a new piece

close to me
 

I'm a bit nervous at the moment about looking at cars that are more than 3 hrs away. I'm new to this, and will readily admit that there are a lot of things about these cars that I don't have a firm grasp on. I think it would be easy for me to buy my way into a problem car. What do you look for in a car, when determining if it is quality or hack job? I test drove a car in my area, and I let it slip away because I was unaware of how much things cost. I really should have jumped on it. Doing the work myself allows me the satisfaction of knowing that I did things right. Does the car in Tampa look like a good deal?

This is more like it.




I understand your logic. Let's see if sixshooter reads this thread and chimes in. I'll also post a question about it in the one he started.

94

Pretty much if it has power mirrors (unless it was put on by the owner), then it has a torsen in 94. The only exception is an R package. The r package will look similar to the base package but will have the front and rear skirts and a spoiler and the torsen.