Advice needed, quick!

[Kevin M]

Okay, so monday night I posted one ad on miata.net for the hardtop that came with my car. Within 48 hours, I've got 5 people throwing the $900 asking price at me... one from Oregon, one from SF, a couple local, dunno where the other one is. 3 emailed replies, one called and emailed, and a local just called. There's no "fair" way to decide who gets it is there? And with this much interest this fast, from one obscure (or so I thought) ad, am I way underpricing it? I checked the rest of the classifieds there; no hardtop was offered for less than $800, and some of the rarer colors (like mine) were going as high as $1300!

So, what do I do? Eeny-meeny-miney-mo to pick the guy that gets it? Do I ask them all to place a higher bid? Or maybe just tell them it's not for sale and re-post it in a month or two for more money?

[MattR]

I'd say go the easy route and get rid of it locally.

[khail19]

Yeah, save the shippping hassle and sell locally.

Oh, and you aren't going to get any quick replies at 3:20 AM, ha ha.

[Dean]

Whoever shows up at your door with the cash first.

[AtomicLabMonkey]

Umm, why get rid of it if you're planning on tracking the car? Those things are hard to find.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by AtomicLabMonkey

Umm, why get rid of it if you're planning on tracking the car? Those things are hard to find.

Bingo. I'd just take off the soft top to save weight. Add a rollbar, and put the hard top over it.

[Dean]

Originally Posted by sperry

Bingo. I'd just take off the soft top to save weight. Add a rollbar, and put the hard top over it.

I already suggested all the above. even with the taller Hard Dog 2 bar, it is going to be clsoe for Kevin to meet the broomstick rule, and it doesn't fit under the hard top. The shorter one that does is a definite no pass. I agree he should keep it for the winter, etc... especially since it is already color matched.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by Dean

I already suggested all the above. even with the taller Hard Dog 2 bar, it is going to be clsoe for Kevin to meet the broomstick rule, and it doesn't fit under the hard top. The shorter one that does is a definite no pass. I agree he should keep it for the winter, etc... especially since it is already color matched.

If he fits in the car w/ the hard top on, and a roll bar under it... won't he pass tech, broomstick rule or not? Most places will consider a hard top adequate.... except maybe SCCA...

[Dean]

Originally Posted by sperry

If he fits in the car w/ the hard top on, and a roll bar under it... won't he pass tech, broomstick rule or not? Most places will consider a hard top adequate.... except maybe SCCA...

With a full cage, like a Spec Miata, but if they are actually looking, there is a good chance the answer is no. You could take your chances that they don't look.

4 or 6 attachment points and some fiberglass <> structural hard top.

I also mentioned an aluminum race seat bolted to the floor pan would solve the issue with the shorter bar. 4 bolts in and out...

[sperry]

Originally Posted by Dean

With a full cage, like a Spec Miata, but if they are actually looking, there is a good chance the answer is no. You could take your chances that they don't look.

4 or 6 attachment points and some fiberglass <> structural hard top.

I also mentioned an aluminum race seat bolted to the floor pan would solve the issue with the shorter bar. 4 bolts in and out...

I remember reading the rules for some club... maybe it was Unlimited Laps or the TnL school, and they were waiving the broomstick rule for cars w/ hard tops. I remember thinking that it seemed rediculous that a clip-on hard top would count, but it did!

[Dean]

I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case, but it is probably the minority.

[Kevin M]

Good discussion guys.

First, no shipping- they're all going to pick it up here or in Vacaville, where it is now.

Second, selling it is the better play. I won't be using the car much in winter, and the softtop will keep the rain and snow out anyway. I am also not sure how much helmet clearance in optimal driving position I'll have with the hardtop on. Also, I don't want to take the chance that I wouldn't pass tech at an event or trackday with the hardtop and a shorter roll bar. Besides, it's my neck, and I want the bar as high as possible. I don't think the hardtop will be any more effective at protecting me than the roll bar I ordered. With the car upside down, I imagine it would crush down to the bar anyway.

Last- it's a Miata. Why the hell would I want to spend 90% of my time in it with the hardtop on? No, I'd rather pocket the $1000 and take the chance I may want a hardtop again later. It's not like it will be impossible to find, just expensive.

[Nick Koan]

Originally Posted by BAN SUVS

I won't be using the car much in winter, and the softtop will keep the rain and snow out anyway.

Have you ever seen a soft top after a winter in this area?

Unless of course, you've found a covered and/or sunny locale to store the miata in the winter.

[Kevin M]

Originally Posted by nKoan

a covered and/or sunny locale to store the miata in the winter.

Yep. California.

[bruspeed]

Wow! I've been away from the forum for like two days and everythings gone haywire!! So, what'd you get? Le' me see!!