Owning a Miura is much like owning any number of other enthusiast cars, with one big difference. In the case of the Miura there is more, and that more is in both directions.

The Miura delivers styling, acceleration, handling and a driving experience beyond that of any car of its generation. Rocketing through the countryside with your ears enjoying the wonderful sounds of the four cam V12 echoing off the hills with your backside feeling the power as it presses into the thinly padded seats can justify the insane idea of owning a Miura. Even while parked it offers visual delights that are worth the price of admission. Making the Miura a centerpiece in a garden is a concept often advanced by owners and fans of the car. It's like a painting by one of the great masters; simply looking at it can be the source af many enjoyable hours.

The "more" can go in the other direction too. The Miura is not an easy car to own. The car is fragile and temperamental to the extent that it almost has a personality. Contributing to the situation is the fact that all Miuras are at least 30 years old. They were not reliable when new; with age they are less so. Compounding the problem is that repairs are very expensive. An item that would not be a big deal on another car can cost $5000 on a Miura. Since the Miura was a low production volume car made 30+ years ago, parts availability is becoming a big headache.

Owners cope with the situation by being aware of the weak points of the Miura and acting accordingly. Those without a split sump engine will find themselves shifting slowly and deliberately to avoid getting pieces of the transmission involved with the engine. This isn't easy as the shift linkage in the Miura is long, discouraging speed shifting. A lack of fuel system venting could cause an engine bay fire or even a phenomenon known as "hydraulicing". An owner should be aware of the situation and see to it that a fix in the form of a pressurized fuel return line has been implemented. The electrical system gremlins are many.

Buying a Miura
Price: The least amount of money you could part with in order to put a Miura in your garage would be $200,000*. You could only expect to get a P400, and one that is rough around the edges at that. Upping the budget to say $295,000* to $305,000* will improve your chances of getting a good car and could even buy a Miura S. As stated in the EVOLUTION V page, SVs are the most desireable Miuras and the price jump is significant, in part because few were made. $675,000* is the minimum here. A good SV can go as high as $800,000*. Those that are exceptional, meaning those with a interesting history or that have been recently restored by a well qualified firm can attract even more. A thorough restoration by a quality firm can cost you well over six figures.

Before purchasing a Miura, a thorough inspection by a qualified specialist in Miura work is highly recommended. Although this is common sense advice for even just a ordinary used car, with a Miura it is critical. The many things that can go wrong with a Miura combined with the costs of fixing the ills, which can only be described as brutal, make a hard prepurchase look necessary. Rust is a problem on pretty much all Miuras except for those that have undergone a recent restoration in which the problem has been properly dealt with. Lack of good drainage in the original design is the culprit here. Cracks in the frame are also a problem; extra support is often added to Miura frames during restoration.

Purchasing and keeping a Miura is not for the meek. But the cost issue has one bright side: appreciation is good and all signs are that they are going up in value. Limited production and the fact that their reputation amongst enthusiasts is strong has made the Miura a blue chip collectable.

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