Uh oh... potential purchase advice, UK Mk1 1.6

[snotrag]

Right.. I've been passing this all week on the way to work, it was begging me to stop for a quick look. I wasnt really planning on getting one yet, but Im interested to know what you think.

I'm gonna ring up for a proper look aroudn tomorrow, but heres what I found so far.

Up for £2195, Red Mk1 1.6. Its a 92 H, so this is the 115bhp model yeah?

Its on 54000 miles apparently. There was lots of info in the window, lots of which I've forgotten.
4 good tyres.

No obvious dents/damage, paint work quite good (not pink).
The back arches are a bit bubbly on the inside surface - I'm not gonna find one without this am I? Easy repair? Do the moulded mudguards you can buy cover the arches, if so I could just hammerite them.

Hood looked ok, interior looked OK through window as far as I can tell. 4 std wheels, matching quality tyres.

Is this overpriced or not? I'd say its certainly not priced to sell... I have no idea of the mechanicals thus far.

The next thing is - test drive. The only cars I looked at last time (2 years ago) where Eunos's, which I couldnt get day insurance on. So I only drove on round an industrial estate. If I can get a proper drive in this one, what do I look out for? Specific MX5 stuff?

Also, timing belt, with the low mileage, I guess theres a chance it may be due one, maybe even its first. How much is this worth in bartering terms? (I'd do it myself).

RE mileage, if its as good as the mileage suggests, is it worth any extra? Is that why I think it may be overpriced a smidge? The pointers (wheels/tyres, mileage, un modified) are suggesting to me this may be a well loved car

General advice please...

Little bit excited, I know thats a bad thing on a car I know very little about yet. But its Red and really pretty

ETA its H147 _ _ _ on the off chance you might know it.

Edited by snotrag on Wednesday 6th August 20:04

[miniman]

I think that is way overpriced to be honest. My 98R 1.8 Berkeley, with leather, chrome bits, 15" alloys, 65k miles FMSH, nice condition, was £2,500 last month.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Yes but you got yours cheap, Berkeleys are usually more expensive than that. I can't help much with the price on the car in question but it's not fair to compare to yours.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Oh, and as for insurance - I always just ring my insurers and let them know that I'll be test-driving a car and they are fine with it (as long as it's not a Lambo or something). It's never cost me a penny so far.

[snotrag]

I'm only TPFT so I have to take out a specific policy for the sellers car. Only 315 or so for the day, but only covers std UK cars, so thus far not had a 'proper' drive in a Roadster, any further than a deserted industrial estate.

[lewis_sharman]

Im getting a 1990 mk1 soon (agreed to buy, just need to sell my current car) and thats got 45000 miles but is absolutely pristene. Weve agreed on £2500

And im buying it from my next door neighbour, thats why hes agreed to hold it for me. And the main reason im buying it really. Hes had it for 14 years (been our neighbour for 15) and has maintained it meticulously. I know id regret letting it go if i missed the chance.

But i think thats seems maybe a little high if you have to sort out the rust.

[desyboy]

I also think its a little on the high side. I just bought my first MX5 a few weeks ago. a 1995 1.8S, UK model in silver with 70k miles on it. FSH, cambelt changed, and also had a hard top, a recent soft top fitted with glass heated screen in it for £2200. There are a few small dings in the car, but the sills and the rear arches are solid. Think I got a bit of a bargain.

[zac510]

I agree, make him feel the credit crunch

[ciderminx]

Wow, i definitely got mine for a steal then. 1.8 Mk1, '96, alloys, although much higher milage, noisy enough exhaust = £1700. However mine was from a friend of a friend.

But i do think for a 1.6, i wouldn't want to pay over 2K, wen i was looking i found LOTS for under 2K. Although i'm not exactly an authority on these things.