Mk1 Mx5 Eunos S Special - To break, or not to break? Advice

[TTommy]

Hi guys.

So i've owned a 1994 Mk1 1.8 Import, 'S special' for around 3 years now.

Basically I love it, handled like a dream and used it daily - and it has some very good parts on it.

However, it's headgasket went - I had the head skimmed by a reputable engineers, I replaced the HG and ran for another 1k miles.

Then it blew up again. (Saw the temp guage rise. - Stopped. Nursed it home 0.5 miles.) Never ran right again. Stopped running it. Sat since.

I've sort of had to accept I don't know what I'm doing anymore and haven't got the time to find a new engine / take another chance.

I just don't know what to do with it and need it gone really. But how do you price a non-running car?

Ideally I need an enthusiast who wants a track project to take the whole lot off me without breaking it.

Here's a few bits on it;


GCF 3 rollbar (Black) proper job, with certificate installed by them.

Rota Grid V wheels in Bronze, 15x7 ET20 (Perfect fit without rolling arches, running 195/50/15 tyres)

Also have original BBS 14" wheels with ALL centre caps, rare on these now. (Provisionally sold caps to someone already though.) The wheels alone would need tyres and a refurb.

Meister R CRD coilovers approx. 3/4 years old - £800+ coilovers new, 32 way adjustable.

Mishimoto alloy radiator and fan.

Torsen LSD as standard, which I changed the oil on last year.

OMP steering wheel

(Also have OEM Import wheel which are sought after)

Original yellow strut brace on the 1.8 imports.

K&N air filter.

MX5 parts stainless steel 1.8 exhaust.

GV front lip (Bendy one)

Believe it's also polybushed all round.

Interior very clean for it's age.

103k miles. At about 100k miles, I did cambelt, tensioners and waterpump and thermostat with OEM parts 2 years ago - so bits are probably OK to re-use on another engine if needed.

Even have a set of 4 daisys with winter tyres on, lol.

Bad stuff

RUST - It's not bad at all for it's age, compared to other MK1's. The only real place is the passenger rear arch is showing signs now.

Drivers rear side is far cleaner, minor rust in arch. Pretty good for these now. Rest of the car looks good!

Drivers side wing damaged as car drove into it. Have a new wing in black to go with the car.


Any idea what on earth I should do?


I'm thinking ebay with a low reserve? Highest bid wins to tow it away?

Thanks for any advice. Pic -

[tim-b]

I imagine it'd be a lot easier to sell with a new engine, I think there's probably a lot more spare engines around than bodies so I wouldn't have thought it'd be difficult to find a suitable one and get it fitted? Might be a bit of a hassle but probably worth it in terms of getting more money back in the sale.

Personally I'd only consider buying a car without driving it if it was really cheap as you can't tell what else is wrong with it (i.e. gearbox/diff/suspension/brakes) if it's not a runner.....

[bmv6197]

I’d second the suggestion of getting a new engine fitted - my guess would be you’ll struggle to sell it in its current state, without dropping to a price that would feel pretty painful... Also you’re vastly limiting your audience to those who are prepared to fix / break it and have access to a trailer, which also probably means people who are relatively local. A running car, on the other hand, would be widely appealing and can be driven away. So, if you are near to a garage who can do the work, or better still to an MX5 specialist who can supply and fit a (warrantied) engine, then that’s what I’d do.

Good luck,
B.

[Zippee]

You'll likely get more breaking it.
Shocks 3-400
Wheels 400
Roof 150
Strut brace 50-60
Seats if in good nick at least 100
Roll bar 200
Exhaust 50
Plus other parts.

[griffdude]

Tommy, I know a couple of people who are looking for Mk1 projects, where are you located?

[pti]

I'll certainly take a few bits if you're breaking

[snowen250]

Where are you located? If breaking i would be interested in the wheels and possibly the roof!