MK2 MX-5/Eunos how do i know if its a UK Car?

[MElliottUK]

I have a 5K budget (well i little more for the right car) im seriously considering getting a MK2 MX-5 now.

Anyway how do i tell if the car is a MX-5 or Eunos. I would like a UK car as my insurance seems to be alot cheaper (Elephant). im 24 with 2 years no claim.

£5-£5.5K would i get a good UK car for that?

Looking at the 50,000 - 60,000 mile mark. i have seen quite a few in the 80,000's would there be anything to worry about with these?

I assume a 60K miller would probably be better as it should have had the 60,000 mile big service.

I do 16,000 miles per year and it will be my everyday car.

Thanks

[franv8]

Hopefully I'm right in saying this (tha the differences are similar for the Mk 2 - I know the Mk 1 ones...)

Number plate surround at rear will be the smaller 'squarer' type than the long rectangular one for UK cars.

Jap cars will have mostly Jap writing on all the labels under the bonnet.

Speedo likely to be calibrated in km - even if the speedo face is changed chances are on inspectionyou'll find the trip and odometers remain in km.

Difficult one to check - but it'll likely have a 112mph limiter on the Eunos!

Also, the rear foglight may be an add on unit on the Jap version.

Hope this helps - would check the accuracy first - like I say this applies more to the Mk1...

[I want an Elise!]

Dont discount the Eunos !

Mine is insured through A-Plan (MX-5 and Eunos specialists), and it cost me £499 with a £300 excess (I'm 25, with 1 years no claims) whilst Elephant quoted me £874 with a £500 excess.

Give David Cornwell a ring on 01908 271771, and I'm sure he'll sort you out with a decent quote.

[mx-5 lazza]

franv8 said:

Hopefully I'm right in saying this (tha the differences are similar for the Mk 2 - I know the Mk 1 ones...)

Number plate surround at rear will be the smaller 'squarer' type than the long rectangular one for UK cars.

Jap cars will have mostly Jap writing on all the labels under the bonnet.

Speedo likely to be calibrated in km - even if the speedo face is changed chances are on inspectionyou'll find the trip and odometers remain in km.

Difficult one to check - but it'll likely have a 112mph limiter on the Eunos!

Also, the rear foglight may be an add on unit on the Jap version.

Hope this helps - would check the accuracy first - like I say this applies more to the Mk1...

I'm afraid the only one you got right was the Japanese writing.
The rear panel on Mk2's is shaped so that it can accept UK or Jap shaped number plates.
There is no speed limiter on Mk2.
The foglight is incorporated intro the rear light clusters (fog-light one side, reversing light the other).
Also, there are no Eunos Mk2. Eunos was a name given to a group of cars (a bit like Toyota's "Lexus" brand) but this was dropped before the launch of the Mk2. Jap market Mk2's will be Mazda Roadsters.

I'm afraid I can't help much to how to spot a Jap import other than the stickers (under the bonnet & inside the door opening).

If it were me I'd deliberately target a Jap import car as they tend to be lower mileage, have less rust and are usually of a much higher spec (most have AC, LSD, front strut brace...).

[MElliottUK]

Thanks guys, I'm happy to get a jap one provided i can get an competitive insurance quote (no with elephant)

[volte]

MElliottUK said:

Thanks guys, I'm happy to get a jap one provided i can get an competitive insurance quote (no with elephant)

Try AON insurance. They have a discount scheme for members of the mx5 owners club - www.mx5oc.co.uk for details. It's about £35 to join, but AON will quote you as a member if you tell them you are about to join - if the quote is good then you can join after.

I was amazed how cheap it was for my extensively modded Mk1 Eunos Roadster.

[franv8]

I insure through A1 insurance in Cornwall on a Mk 1 Eunos, my father also insures an (obviously import) MR2 Turbo. Were pretty cost effective and a human being seems to pick up the phone rather than some infinitely complex call waiting system.