Well, it finally happened. My beloved 1995 R package has bitten the dust.
A few weeks ago, I had a very low speed collision. At the worst intersection I know of, the Toyota SUV ahead of me pulled out, then nailed the brakes. By that time, I was accelerating in first behind her, watching the gap in traffic, and couldn't quite stop in time. It was a very minimal impact -- no air bag deployment, and we weren't even jerked forward noticeably. Maybe 5 mph. But the right front corner of the Miata hit the Toyota's right rear bumper and slid a bit under.
The damage didn't look too bad -
So the estimate was $3088. Looking at the value of the car, its extremely low miles, the fact that it's an R, and the fact that I love driving it, I was going ahead with the repair on my own dime.
But today the shop called. They've determined that get enough room to weld the extension properly, they need to pull the engine, which adds another $2K onto the job. I really don't want to mess with all that. Especially since I'd be tempted to have the entire car painted, which would cost another $3K. That's just too much to put into it, so it's going to go.
I'll probably sell the hardtop (with rear defroster) separately, since that's a known value. And I'll sell the car for whatever I can get for it -- probably put it on Miata.net and the local Craigslist. My question is, what should I ask for it in its damaged state?
-1995 black Miata R package, one of 465 made that year; 1,800 made in total over four years.
-Manual everything; has air conditioning. New Sony FM/CD, door and headrest speakers.
-Borla exhaust, short shifter, Hard Core Hard Dog bar (fits under hardtop and soft top), five-point belts (original retractible belts still in place).
-40,000 original miles and a very strong engine, autocrossed a handful of times, maybe a half-dozen Miata Club track days at Summitt Point. Always the fastest Miata there, except for the highly prepared racers.
-Always on Mobil 1 changed every 3k or six months.
-Soft top is shot; new soft top provided in box, ready to install.
-Wearing nice 15x7 alloys with good Dunlops, includes original 14x6 Miata R alloys with old Yokos.
-Two minor dings on the driver's side panel right behind the door latch, where a motorcycle fell against the car. No paint damage.
All suggestions appreciated. Thanks.
-- Larry (Alexandria, VA)