Effect of recession on Miata pricing - recent sales [Archive] (2024)

JP 92HZ

7th December 2008, 15:31

Trying to get a handle on the market for Miatas during this recession. My feeling is that the NA, for the most part, is pretty recession-proof. What are others seeing?

I came across the following Thurs night on CA craigslist:
1994 Red with black, 96K miles, garage kept
One owner, original window sticker and all maint records
A/C, power steering, cruise control, power antenna
Torsen LSD
Recent 90K service, 13K miles on Pirelli radials
Showed very well in pictures
Asking $3700

Price seemed good. However, owner responded that front had been repainted due to gravel spill on freeway, and rear quarter had been panel repainted due to hit from motorcycle splitting traffic on freeway while car was stopped. Owner was very honest answering all questions.

Since I don't NEED another Miata :D , I passed due to the repaint without even looking at the car. Car sold next day for full asking, $3700.

Was this priced fairly, all things considered -- or was it a better deal than I thought?

greenmonster1918

7th December 2008, 15:52

came across the following Thurs night on CA craigslist:
1994 Red with black, 96K miles, garage kept
One owner, original window sticker and all maint records
A/C, power steering, cruise control, power antenna
Torsen LSD
Recent 90K service, 13K miles on Pirelli radials
Showed very well in pictures
Asking $3700

JP, ShadeTree in AZ just sold his 91BRG for 3600.00 for a good car priced rite. The CA car had less mileage and all documentation one owner car. I would say someone got a great DD and fun car for a very good price. For 3700.00 you get a fun "BULLETPROOF CAR".

But the question you have to ask yourself did I really need a second Miata? Properly not. Unless you have a garage Queen you are trying not to drive. :D
John
93LE 49,441
95-M 22,800

tom4416

7th December 2008, 16:52

I don't think anything is recession proof at this point. For the vast majority of owners, the Miata is a toy, regardless of generation. When times are tough, people sell their toys and the more for sale, the lower the price. I'm saving as much cash as I can for this time next year. By then, we'll either be in a depression and I'll buy cars for 1/2 their value or we'll be in the beginning of a recovery and I'll use my cash to buy stocks.

I've seen some nice deals of late on daily driver Miatas. The collector quality ones either aren't selling or people aren't putting them on the market because they were purchased for a different reason.

wallijonn

7th December 2008, 23:07

When it comes to a recession check the newspaper ads for Jags. The more jags for sale the worse the recession.

Here in Phoenix there have been some really good deals, like '99s going for $3500 to $4500. NA1s usually go for $2500 - $3500. NA1.5s go for $4000 to $5000.

The problem is always maintenance records.

And there are some real stinkers out there, too. There are some cars that shouldn't even be listed, they should just take them directly to the junk yards. I passed on a '94M that was a beater selling for $3000 that needed about $3500 in repairs. I wouldn't give the guy $500 for that piece of trash.

There's a couple of NAs which haven't sold in over 6 months, popping up regularly on Craigslist. What I've noticed lately is that they are jacking up the prices because it's Christmas season. Now that gas prices have come down there is less need to proclaim the Miata as a great gas saver - "It gets over 30mpg!!!"

There was a '99AE for $4850 which has now been re-listed at $7999. Wonder who made the price mistake?

Byrdmen

8th December 2008, 10:45

POP TOPP

8th December 2008, 12:05

2006 for $12.5 with 22k in Houston (http://houston.craigslist.org/ctd/948430569.html)

Normal retail at a dealer is close to $17,000 for this base car with 22K miles. That's a great price if no adverse history and it's not a scam... :eek:

Greg 713

8th December 2008, 12:16

I think the economy is taking it's toll. I have found NAs on CL with hard tops with less than 100K miles for under $3000. Could be turds or they could be gems I don't know but that is still cheap.

Consider I sold a rough but rust free Mariner blue 90 with 155K 2 years ago for $2200, a nice clean, simple Classic Red 90 with 145K miles and a rough SnugFit hard top for $3500 18 months ago.

If I had those 2 cars and HAD to sell right now, probably $1300 for the blue and $2600 for the red. You neck of the woods may differ.