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  Feb. 6, 2011 11:12 a.m. Javelin SuperDork

  I have a Miata that I dislike. I've already sunk too much into it (over $4K at this point) and it needs more work, at least $1K worth, just to run right on let alone be competitive at autocross. It has it's good points but is essentially not selling.

  I would much rather own something else that is more useful for 2 people to autocross (hatchback), is nicer, and less issues. I'd also like to move to something more powerful and possibly a Porsche (944) so that autocrossing with my favorite club will be cheaper.

  So, do I

  A: Buck up and spend the money on the Miata, make it a proper sports car (suspension) and drive it another year before selling at a loss.

  B: Fix the thing just enough to sell and eat the loss.

  C: Strip the thing and try and minimize my overall loss so I can buy what I really want.

  D: Sell it cheap to get it out of my life and go on with buying what I want.

  I'm having a hard time with this as I've never really lost money on a car before.

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  Feb. 6, 2011 11:45 a.m. Travis_K Dork

  If you think $4k is alot to put into a car, I would strongly recommend not buying a 944.

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  Feb. 6, 2011 11:50 a.m. Toyman01 SuperDork

  If you hate it, get rid of it and eat the loss.

  A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.

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  Feb. 6, 2011 12:13 p.m. nderwater HalfDork

  What on earth have you spend four grand on for a Miata - a new turbo kit? I don't know anyone who's added forced induction to their Miata and then wanted to sell it

  Auto photo blog: http://motomania.tumblr.com

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  Feb. 6, 2011 12:25 p.m. 92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork

  Travis_K wrote: If you think $4k is alot to put into a car, I would strongly recommend not buying a 944.

  This. Keep the Miata.

  Cars aren't good investments anyways. At the end of the day, everyone loses money on a car.

  But out of curiosity, what exactly goes wrong on a Miata that costs $1000? I could replace the engine AND transmission for less than that...

  SCAVENGE THE SEA FLOOR FOR NUTRIENTS

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  Feb. 6, 2011 1:03 p.m. Vigo Dork

  If you dont have fun looking at it or working on it, i would just sell it asap and eat the loss. Otherwise getting through the repairs or the parting out would be a grind and you'd probably rather be doing something else with your time.

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  Feb. 6, 2011 6:26 p.m. internetautomart SuperDork

  b is my fall back normally.
  Strip whatever can be sold seperately while leaving whatever is necessary to keep the car a salable vehicle.

  Now I'm working for myself and making no money

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  Feb. 6, 2011 6:43 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

  how can anybody hate a miata?

  During the Sound Check, nobody can year you scream

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  Feb. 6, 2011 7:04 p.m. wbjones Dork

  easy...... I can't stand convertibles......

  plus at 6'2" I don't fit really well... race seat the only way I don't rub my head... the mirror is in the line of sight... etc....

  understeer: when you hit the wall with the front end,,, oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back end.... horsepower: how hard you hit that wall.... torque: how far you drag that wall

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  Feb. 6, 2011 10:28 p.m. Lugnut HalfDork

  8-valve 944 == meh.

  I am a King Prawn.

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  Feb. 6, 2011 11:02 p.m. Javelin SuperDork

  It's not about putting $4K in a car (been there, done that, many times over). It's putting $4K into a 93 1.6 open diff Miata. Granted, about $1500 of which was at least mods to make it go faster or handle better, and $1500 was buying it, licensing, and taxes, but still. At the end of the day, it's just not that desirable.

  Michael Pinto - 73 AMC Javelin / GoKart / 93 Miata STS / 01 Grand Prix GT / 06 Mazda5

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  Feb. 7, 2011 9:35 a.m. dj06482 Reader

  Javelin wrote: At the end of the day, it's just not that desirable.

  There's your answer, if you don't like it, just get rid of it. Whether you part it out or just sell it as-is, you're done with it. Move on to something you're going to enjoy.

  '97 328is | '05 Odyssey | '06 RAV4 | '06 Dodge RAM 1500 QC

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  Feb. 7, 2011 10:02 a.m. Ranger50 HalfDork

  Sounds like right car, wrong buyer or vice versa.

  Personally for me, nothing is insurmountable. I'd fix it, even if i couldn't do it myself, and enjoy it. You never know after it is "fixed", who would want it for the price you want for it and never had to advertise it.

  As I see it, you would be better off fixing it and having a running car and selling for a small loss then not fixing it and selling for a even bigger loss.

  "Never trust an intelligent man with no money to play fair."

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  Feb. 7, 2011 10:33 a.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

  Claim it was once owned by a celebrity to cover the gap in price.

  "Don't Sweat the Petty Things." Yes, and Don't Pet the Sweaty Things.

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  Feb. 7, 2011 10:44 a.m. 93EXCivic SuperDork

  If you don't like it, sell it and buy something you want.

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  Feb. 7, 2011 11:18 a.m. racerdave600 HalfDork

  I agree. Go drive a bunch of other cars and see which one you like the best. A Miata is not for everyone, regardless of what you read on here!

  However, you need to autocross a 944 before you head down that road. I've owned several and like them, but I HATE to autocross one. You have to drag it around the course kicking and screaming. To me, they simply are not fun in that environment. Track events are more to it's liking. Upkeep is also expensive, and you will need to look after the number 2 rod bearing. An accusump or similar, along with a really good oil pan baffle is a must.

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  Feb. 7, 2011 5:27 p.m. Javelin SuperDork

  Thanks for the advice. I guess I'll admit the answer is now definitely "get rid of it", the decision is whether or not to re-engine it first. I have a line on a trade with cash on top from me that's hopefully going to go through though...

  Michael Pinto - 73 AMC Javelin / GoKart / 93 Miata STS / 01 Grand Prix GT / 06 Mazda5

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