Difficult choice!
Discussion
I've decided to look for an MX-5 and drove my first two yesterday, both at dealers.
First: '94 (imported '99) Eunos 1.8, 120k miles. Body needs a polish, Nardi steering wheel, BBS alloys, Recaro seats, air con, looks lowered. Like a scalded cat in a straight line, takes roundabouts as if it's glued to them. Was taken in part-exchange so asking price is only £1750.
Second: '99 Mk2, UK spec, no air con, glass rear screen, nicer stereo with CD autochanger, 90k miles. Bit more room (important as I'm 6 ft 3), nicer interior, smoother to drive, didn't find any roundabouts to test the cornering, private plate included, asking £2995. Thing is, it's only a 1.6 - would this be one of the ones that were detuned to 90bhp? The seller is claiming 110.
Thoughts anybody? Or should I delay my decision until later in the week when I've had a look at a '99 1.8 on sale privately and asking £3495?
First: '94 (imported '99) Eunos 1.8, 120k miles. Body needs a polish, Nardi steering wheel, BBS alloys, Recaro seats, air con, looks lowered. Like a scalded cat in a straight line, takes roundabouts as if it's glued to them. Was taken in part-exchange so asking price is only £1750.
Second: '99 Mk2, UK spec, no air con, glass rear screen, nicer stereo with CD autochanger, 90k miles. Bit more room (important as I'm 6 ft 3), nicer interior, smoother to drive, didn't find any roundabouts to test the cornering, private plate included, asking £2995. Thing is, it's only a 1.6 - would this be one of the ones that were detuned to 90bhp? The seller is claiming 110.
Thoughts anybody? Or should I delay my decision until later in the week when I've had a look at a '99 1.8 on sale privately and asking £3495?
So it's the cheap and cheerful option is it?
I did sit in it and have a play with everything before I drove it and the only fault I can find is in the stereo, the left speaker doesn't appear to be making a noise. Also the wheel is not quite central when going straight - I presume neither is a major problem.
I think I'll contact them and see what deal we can come to, any suggestions as to what final price I should be aiming at? I have to insure it as well of course but my former broker says that as I have full NCB on my first car, I could get as much as 60% discount on the second. The fact that I am a) 55 next birthday and b) a qualified driving instructor should help to keep the premium down.
I did sit in it and have a play with everything before I drove it and the only fault I can find is in the stereo, the left speaker doesn't appear to be making a noise. Also the wheel is not quite central when going straight - I presume neither is a major problem.
I think I'll contact them and see what deal we can come to, any suggestions as to what final price I should be aiming at? I have to insure it as well of course but my former broker says that as I have full NCB on my first car, I could get as much as 60% discount on the second. The fact that I am a) 55 next birthday and b) a qualified driving instructor should help to keep the premium down.
Did the deal this morning at £1650 - they wouldn't budge on that as they'd just spent £300 on a service and new MOT. Still, it's had a polish and looks really smart (dark metallic blue) and the roof is in good nick. Now I haven't got to worry about someone sniping it from under my nose I can post the URL!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
Hurry before they take it down!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
Hurry before they take it down!
The Mk1 RS was the factory holy grail in terms of NA Mk1s. Wonderfully agressive little thing. When I read the first post it did sound like an RS to me.
I'd definitely tell the insurance co. They won't put your premium up by much as the won't really know what it is, but you'll be covered.
I'd definitely tell the insurance co. They won't put your premium up by much as the won't really know what it is, but you'll be covered.
Evangelion said:
Just had a provisional insurance quote from Adrian Flux via email. £235.
Check out classic policies too. I'm with Lancaster and am not paying too much more than that and mine is supercharged, I'm a lot younger than you (Edited by Evangelion on Monday 15th June 12:50
) and have 6 points. Another benefit is that you don't need any NCB for a classic policy.I think first I need to check that it is an RS as opposed to a standard car with some RS badges added. For instance according to my research it should have a rear spoiler but this one doesn't, although it does have the BBS alloys, Nardi steering wheel and Recaro seats. I suppose these also could have been added.
Evangelion said:
Like a scalded cat in a straight line
Buy that one before the price changes - it sounds like someone's forgotten to mention the addition of a very large supercharger. 
On a serious note the MX5's engine is notorious durable, one of the US tuning guys jokes that they're too tight until about 120,000 miles, so you should have no problems. Imports tend to be a better spec and if it feels genuinely quicker than other healthy 1.8s it may have a lowered final drive ratio or something.
Gizmo! said:
Evangelion said:
Just had a provisional insurance quote from Adrian Flux via email. £235.
I was going to say - with the profile you mention above, insurance should be peanuts. £235 falls in that category. Gassing Station | Mazda MX5/Roadster/Miata | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff