The Mazda Miata is undoubtedly a legendary part of sports car history. Though they used to be remarkably affordable, appreciation for the mighty little roadster has caused prices to continuously soar. Particularly rare examples are fetching some pretty insane numbers. However, this rare Mazdaspeed Miata just sold for a mighty reasonable price.
Once again, the age-old technique of searching for a car with modifications to get a good deal pays dividends. Much like the Porsche Cayman that sold for a great price due to modifications, this awesome Mazdaspeed Miata sold on the auction website Cars and Bids. The final hammer price came to $11,100.
For those not in the know, the Mazdaspeed Miata is, to date, the only Miata that ever came from the factory with a turbocharger. Mazda only built 5,428 of them. Considering crashes, scrapped cars, and ones that caught on fire, that number is likely substantially dwindled. It took the refined and capable handling platform that is the NB Miata and threw 178 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque at it, which is almost as much power as a 2022 Miata.
In addition to the engine upgrade, Mazdaspeed Miatas also got a special suspension setup. They came with a limited-slip differential, a special body kit, leather seats, and a six-speaker Bose sound system. That may not sound like much, but if you’ve ever been in a Miata, you’d know that six speakers are more than enough.
A quick Cargurus search shows that virtually all other Mazdaspeed Miatas for sale currently have a remarkably high price. Some even go as high as $20,000. Though there is currently one for sale for $7,000 in San Diego, it has a salvage title.
So, ultimately, it boils down to modifications having made this legendary turbocharged Miata with only 88,000 miles on the odometer surprisingly decent in price
Right off the bat, the most problematic parts of this Mazdaspeed Miata are the refinished wheels and the sad-looking headlights. Certainly, the headlights could use some buffing. In addition, the front bumper is full of rock chips. Unfortunately, that’s just something that happens when you, you know, drive a car.
On the other hand, the fact that it has a hard top is a huge bonus. However, it appears to be an aftermarket hard top with a plexiglass or Lexan window. So, hopefully, the new owner isn’t in a cold climate. If they are, they’re not going to enjoy trying to defrost that top!
Otherwise, this Miata has a host of high-quality parts. It has an upgraded aluminum radiator and a billet reusable oil filter system. In terms of performance upgrades, it has an AEM cold-air intake and a Flyin’ Miata downpipe and exhaust. It’s got RGB LED headlights, aftermarket fog lights, and, finally, aftermarket shifter bushings.
Overall, despite the modifications, this gorgeous Mazdaspeed Miata is a sound investment. This is especially true considering the low mileage. Like most special-edition Japanese sports cars, the Mazdaspeed Miata is only likely to increase in value as time rolls on!
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