Thoughts on this car please...

Thoughts on this car please...

Author
Discussion

theboyfold

Original Poster:

11,010 posts

232 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
Hi MX5 guys and gals...

I'm totally stumped as to what to do for a new fun car, so I'm thinking of picking up an MX5 for the winter and selling it in the spring when prices should mean that I won't loose too much on the car. I'm looking at spending around £2k on the car and have found this one:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1356953.htm

What's the price like for a car of it's age etc? I quite like the fact it's had a lot of work done recently, which means it should prove for a trouble free winter.

If you know of a decent 1.8 out there either Eunos or UK please feel free to drop me a line with the details.

yellowbentines

5,512 posts

213 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
Terrible, steer well clear!!



Just kidding as I've been looking at this one myself! I've done a fair bit of web-searching of these cars recently and it does seem well priced for the age and condition, and appears to have been enthusiast owned (its for sale one one of the MX5 specific forums too), only thing that puts me off is the dreaded rust, however one someone else may pop in to tell us that this is the given for a car of this age?

Munter

31,326 posts

247 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
He's had all the work done I've had to do on my UK 1.8. Except the sill rust if it's happened.

The good news is the new hood. The bad news is no PAS but I'd check it out and see if it bothers you.

theboyfold

Original Poster:

11,010 posts

232 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
I can't imagine the lack of PAS is going to matter too much is it? The car is lightweight enough to not 'need' it when it's being driven.

I've dropped him an email to see if he has any more pictures of the rust.

MX-5 Lazza

7,952 posts

225 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
Am I being stupid? I don't see any mention of rust other than "no major rust"...

Personally I wouldn't want one with no PAS as the cars were designed to have it and they aren't over-assisted but that's a personal choice thing.

Don't expect to buy it now and then sell it for more in the spring/summer though. The prices don't really change much if at all through the year. At that end of the market the prices shouldn't drop significantly though.

theboyfold

Original Poster:

11,010 posts

232 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
I'm not looking to make a profit on the car. I'd just like to make sure I don't loose too much on it, I'm looking for a replacement to my Boxster I had to sell in the spring, and can't make my mind up (re: can't afford the 996 I want!).

So the plan would be to find a tidy example, enjoy it and look after it over the winter and sell it when I find the car I really want and have more of a deposit to put towards the next car.

ETA: This one looks nice http://pistonheads.com/sales/1354985.htmscratchchin

Edited by theboyfold on Wednesday 18th November 11:41

MX-5 Lazza

7,952 posts

225 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
Bear in mind that after 6 months of MX5 ownership you might not want to sell it laugh

theboyfold

Original Poster:

11,010 posts

232 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
I'll be more than happy with that if I don't have to spend stink loads of money on a 911!

I quite like the look of that Merlot, just think the price might be a little high.

Munter

31,326 posts

247 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
theboyfold said:
Good = PAS and rear sills already done.

Bad = No mention of a new hood, or rear calipers. Although he does say all the usual has been done. So find out.

FELIX_5

957 posts

203 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
Think he's quite keen to sell as he's already dropped the price a couple of times so worth making him an offer. Whilst prices don't "increase" in spring/summer, I would argue that these cars are easier to sell/more desireable by non-petrol heads this time of year and so therefor the prices can and will reflect this.
If I was looking for one again, this would be a serious contender.
As said though, be pepared to fall in love with it and keep it..............!

yellowbentines

5,512 posts

213 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
MX-5 Lazza said:
Am I being stupid? I don't see any mention of rust other than "no major rust"...
No, but define 'major'? Does that mean very light rust, but on every panel, or does it mean 1 bubble on a sill or wheelarch?
If it was me selling and I really did class the corrosion as minor I'd post photos - not a dig at the seller, just making the point that minor to one person is major to another.

theboyfold

Original Poster:

11,010 posts

232 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
yellowbentines said:
MX-5 Lazza said:
Am I being stupid? I don't see any mention of rust other than "no major rust"...
No, but define 'major'? Does that mean very light rust, but on every panel, or does it mean 1 bubble on a sill or wheelarch?
If it was me selling and I really did class the corrosion as minor I'd post photos - not a dig at the seller, just making the point that minor to one person is major to another.
That's my thoughts. I've emailed the seller to see what they have to say on it. It seems it's been owned by an enthusiast so it could be a small issue.

yellowbentines

5,512 posts

213 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
That Merlot does look nice too, another I've looked at. It's located too far away from me and it's slightly out of my intended budget but it's probably worth it, looks like a good'un.

Gizmo!

18,150 posts

215 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
The black 1.8 does look good. Same model/age/approx mileage as mine. Non-PAS isn't a problem unless you're really weak, mohair hood is nice, black is nice, 15" alloys are nice.
Check out the sills, take it for a drive, and if it starts crisply, drives tight and accelerates smoothly get it bought. thumbup

theboyfold

Original Poster:

11,010 posts

232 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
I'm going to speak to the owner later today, he's just sent me a message saying it's pretty much rust free but there might be something on there he doesn't know of. So from that I read that the sills are clean.

MX-5 Lazza

7,952 posts

225 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
If I was to sell mine I wouldn't mention rust but if I did "no major rust" would be a good description. The sills & all the bodywork are completely clear but you will find some surface rust on the wishbones/chassis braces etc where it really doesn't matter as you will on pretty much any untreated MX5. That's what I assumed he meant on that advert.

theboyfold

Original Poster:

11,010 posts

232 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
FELIX_5 said:
Think he's quite keen to sell as he's already dropped the price a couple of times so worth making him an offer. Whilst prices don't "increase" in spring/summer, I would argue that these cars are easier to sell/more desireable by non-petrol heads this time of year and so therefor the prices can and will reflect this.
If I was looking for one again, this would be a serious contender.
As said though, be pepared to fall in love with it and keep it..............!
Which one are you talking about here? The original post or the Merlot? I'm referring to the price drops.

MX-5 Lazza said:
If I was to sell mine I wouldn't mention rust but if I did "no major rust" would be a good description. The sills & all the bodywork are completely clear but you will find some surface rust on the wishbones/chassis braces etc where it really doesn't matter as you will on pretty much any untreated MX5. That's what I assumed he meant on that advert.
That is pretty much what he's said in the email to me. Which is a fair description by the sounds of things.

FELIX_5

957 posts

203 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
Sorry the original (black one).

theboyfold

Original Poster:

11,010 posts

232 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
No worries. I think the Merlot could be an easier car to sell on come the spring time, but will wait to see what they have to say.

WarrenG

344 posts

203 months

Friday 20th November 2009
quotequote all
I recognise the wheels, as I removed a set of those from my '5.
They are MK3 MR2 wheels. they are 100pcd, 45ET, which is correct for the car, but they are different J front/rear and would normally run 185 front and 205 rears, so check what boots it has on. Also be very careful that it has the correct wheel-nuts. These wheels need a 'T'-nut, which actually has the shank of the nut between the wheel and the bolt. The standard mx-5 wheelnut is a chamfer type and is not compatible. I was stunned that my set of wheels had been fitted with the standard nut. - very dangerous.



Edited by WarrenG on Friday 20th November 18:39


Edited by WarrenG on Friday 20th November 18:40