Hows this look?
Discussion
Any comments on this guys?
on page 4 if the link doesn't work properly...
http://dealerservices.autotrader.co.uk/122069/stoc...
on page 4 if the link doesn't work properly...
http://dealerservices.autotrader.co.uk/122069/stoc...
I can't get the detailed photos to display on my PC so it's difficult to tell the condition of the hood, wheels, bodywork etc.
If you don't mind having a UK spec car, I'd say that was a pretty good price for a late Mk1, especially one from a dealer. Seems to have been looked after if the service history is anything to go by.
I can't stand private plates but there are plenty of people around who love them, no matter how meaningless - so with any luck you'd be able to find someone willing to buy the plate, saving you even more money.
Might be worth checking it's not Cat D or anything. I've rung dealers before about suspiciously cheap cars only to be told they've been written off, despite there being no mention of it in the advert.
If you don't mind having a UK spec car, I'd say that was a pretty good price for a late Mk1, especially one from a dealer. Seems to have been looked after if the service history is anything to go by.
I can't stand private plates but there are plenty of people around who love them, no matter how meaningless - so with any luck you'd be able to find someone willing to buy the plate, saving you even more money.
Might be worth checking it's not Cat D or anything. I've rung dealers before about suspiciously cheap cars only to be told they've been written off, despite there being no mention of it in the advert.
Edited by Risotto on Wednesday 29th October 14:26
Risotto said:
dan1981 said:
so for the english sepc i loose air con? what else? anything major?
The usual arguments for and against imports apply but in the particular case of the Mk 1 MX-5, you don't get a limited slip diff.And thats only on the Eunos not the mx5?
dan1981 said:
Risotto said:
dan1981 said:
so for the english sepc i loose air con? what else? anything major?
The usual arguments for and against imports apply but in the particular case of the Mk 1 MX-5, you don't get a limited slip diff.And thats only on the Eunos not the mx5?
I haven't owned one for a while now but from memory the Japanese 1.8 models from 1995 onwards came with a Torsen LSD etc which UK cars never had. Before '95 the Japanese cars had viscous diffs which tend to wear and eventually work as open diffs. There are other features common on imports like air con (which, while hardly essential, is very handy for clearing the screen in winter) and power steering (purists sometimes sneer but the car was supposedly specifically designed to have power steering).
Japanese shaken tests (like our MOTs) mean that general roadworthiness standards are often better than cars from the UK. Additionally, the bodywork is generally in better condition as the Japanese don't salt their roads. The average annual mileage seems lower in Japan too. While evidence of servicing rarely accompanies the cars on their journey over here, it doesn't mean they haven't been serviced. If the car's done over 100,000kms, check that there is a silver sticker at the front of the cam cover with a kilometre figure on it - this tells you when the cambelt was changed.
There were plenty of Japanese special editions to chose from - some, like the V-Special had leather & wood if you like that sort of thing, others like the RS-Ltd had bucket seats and Bilstein suspension. The S-Special is a decent package that offers better suspension and a reasonable level of equipment.
The main disadvantage to an import is that insurance companies use it as an excuse to increase the premiums.
I'm not trying to put you off UK cars, I just think that because of the excellent reliability of the MX-5, the main advantage of UK cars (service history) isn't as vital as it would be if we were talking about some handbuilt Italian V12.
Ultimately, whichever model you go for, you'll get a reliable, simple to maintain, fun, cheap, great handling car!
Edited by Risotto on Wednesday 29th October 20:35
hornetrider said:
Well, the pictures of it half up a hill and off a kerb, with the front bumper maybe scraping on the floor. You can't tell from that pic how it's sitting on it's suspension. Just thought it's a bit of a weird way to photograph a car for sale.
Yeah I agree! This is what put me off looking at it, it just doesn't seem right somehow!! Bizzare....I went to see this one. It's not too bad, but it tappety taps like a riverdance show. Got nasty ripspeed-a-like interior, blue lights etc, body is a bit grotty, cheaply welded up sills and various war wounds. Way overpriced at 1900. Would make a fixer upper for a lot less. Fella seemed desperate to sell, unwanted p/x, I think he was just a bit misguided to it's real Market value. If your local, worth a punt, but not worth a morning off work or a long trip. Hth, personal opinion only, but did see it with my own eyes!
snotrag said:
I went to see this one. It's not too bad, but it tappety taps like a riverdance show. Got nasty ripspeed-a-like interior, blue lights etc, body is a bit grotty, cheaply welded up sills and various war wounds. Way overpriced at 1900. Would make a fixer upper for a lot less. Fella seemed desperate to sell, unwanted p/x, I think he was just a bit misguided to it's real Market value. If your local, worth a punt, but not worth a morning off work or a long trip. Hth, personal opinion only, but did see it with my own eyes!
Hmmm thanks for that Snotrag. I am very local and if he's desperate to get rid....
The tappets - possibly solvable with a good oil change? if its not that is it major?
Hmmm maybe I'll takea look and go with a ridiculous offer.
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