First MX5, Should i get one of these

[Emsman]

Mk1 1.6i V-Spec

Simple.

Buying on behalf of mrs emsman, who has only ever had company cars.

We have found a green with tan leather, low (ish) miles, in superb condition.

Can anyone tell me if these are any better/worse than any other i should be looking at?

Any pointers much appreciated

[MX-5 Lazza]

Not as important for a V-Spec as they are JDM only

[TwistingMyMelon]

Personally I would buy on condition or colour/engine preference as opposed to any "editions" or "specs"

[Risotto]

Nothing wrong with the 1.6, although the 1.8 offers slightly more power. As for special editions, the V-Spec is more towards the comfort end of the spectrum - leather and wood; rather than the performance orientated end.

There's some useful links to help you work out the specs of all the limited editions. They're on that wiki that was kicking around here earlier in the week.

Maybe one of the mods could make it a sticky?

EDIT: This one - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by Risotto on Tuesday 2nd March 15:22

[Emsman]

Thanks folks, this is the car in question......

http://www.mx5city.co.uk/stockdetails.html?StockID...
Its in superb nick for its age, and looks like the one she shall be having.

I cant wait!

[BertB]

Firstly "Ouch" on the price, but then it is from a specialist..

I had a J reg V-Spec and it was great, one thing to bear in mind is checking for the short nose crank problem.

http://www.miata.net/garage/crankshaft.html

[Gad-Westy]

It is high money but if it really is immaculate I'd say its just about worth it. We spent £2k on what was a fairly good condition car just under a year ago and I bet I've spent at least £1k on it since trying to make it mint and could easily spend at least that again before it is.

[Emsman]

I realise its dear for what it is, but is really is in superb nick.

And mrs emsman would like a really shiny one.

Other than the cost- which i have got down a little anyway, is it a sound purchase do you think?

[miniman]

Mate, I hope you have got that down do sub-£2500.

Here's my old MX:

http://www.jamesagger.com/used_cars/stocklistgalle...

None of my business what James sold it for, but I bought it for £2,200 2 years ago.

[Emsman]

miniman said:

Mate, I hope you have got that down do sub-£2500.

Here's my old MX:

http://www.jamesagger.com/used_cars/stocklistgalle...

None of my business what James sold it for, but I bought it for £2,200 2 years ago.

I looked at that a couple if weeks ago!

[miniman]

Emsman said:

miniman said:

Mate, I hope you have got that down do sub-£2500.

Here's my old MX:

http://www.jamesagger.com/used_cars/stocklistgalle...

None of my business what James sold it for, but I bought it for £2,200 2 years ago.

I looked at that a couple if weeks ago!

Should have snapped it up chap! The suspension was lovely jubbly.

Never raced or rallied

[Gizmo!]

£3250? It needs to come prepped, polished, serviced, historied and warrantied to within an inch of its life for that (or for £2500, frankly).

It also needs to drive spot-on, and you'll only know about that when you drive it.

Remember there are plenty of them around and it's very much a buyer's market.

"Appreciating classic"

[hornetrider]

Do not pay anywhere near that amount of money for that car, fk me.

This is my actual car which I sold for roughly that amount last year. It was one of the most desirable special editions around, in absolutely perfect condition.

Do not under any circumstances pay anywhere near 3k for a vanilla V-Spec 1.6 - no matter what the condition - absolute folly. And more fool you if you are seduced by a shiny motor in the showroom, sorry to sound harsh.

[Dan_1981]

Ahhh its from mx5 City.

They are local to me and are pretty ambitious when its comes to pricing their stock!

They've been around for a fair while though so must do something right.

That does look very very very very expensive though - and it says reserved for Emma - so i guess you went for it???

[Ryder35]

Strange all these 5 owners complaining about high prices, I would have thought you would have been happy about the prices holding firm or going up. I also always find it amazing when people are surprised that dealer prices are £1000 above private sale values. they service the car, fix anything that needs fixing provide a warranty and have the temerity to want to make some money out of the deal. Don't forget a dealer has to buy his stock from the same places you do by and large so pay the same prices for cars before adding their costs. Also why do people assume that dealers expect to sell the car for the advertised price, most are willing to haggle.

Bottom line: if you have the mechanical knowledge and want a project buy privately, if like me you are a mechanical numptey buying from a specialist and knowing you are getting a car in top condition wit a warranty is a sound option.

[MX7]

It looks nice, but their are far later options available, and when you consider what a killer rust is on these cars, I'd give a 1991 a miss for that money.

You could easily be looking at a late 90's Mk2 with similar mileage, with a warranty, but if you really like it, go for it.

[Gizmo!]

Ryder35 said:

Strange all these 5 owners complaining about high prices, I would have thought you would have been happy about the prices holding firm or going up. I also always find it amazing when people are surprised that dealer prices are £1000 above private sale values. they service the car, fix anything that needs fixing provide a warranty and have the temerity to want to make some money out of the deal. Don't forget a dealer has to buy his stock from the same places you do by and large so pay the same prices for cars before adding their costs. Also why do people assume that dealers expect to sell the car for the advertised price, most are willing to haggle.

Bottom line: if you have the mechanical knowledge and want a project buy privately, if like me you are a mechanical numptey buying from a specialist and knowing you are getting a car in top condition wit a warranty is a sound option.

I agree with everything you say.

IF "they service the car, fix anything that needs fixing" and "provide a warranty".

It doesn't mean that an educated, informed Pistonheader should line their pockets unneccessarily.

[OnlyMX5ives]

I've just sold a BRG with leather for £1850 - though I will admit it was an average example.

I am suggest you take a look on A Trader etc.

[Emsman]

All,

I have had a look at various cars, and test driven a couple.

Mrs emsman wants something in good condition, and the one we have reserved is exactly that.
Not a mark anywhere on the shell, or the wheels, or indeed on the interior.

It has a full history, has had a full service prior to delivery, has had the cambelt replaced, and has also just had a new hood fitted.

Given that most of the ones we looked at had either aftermarket wheels, a patchy history, and were scruffy in a couple of places (to be expected given the age) have i really paid much over the odds?
It is in superb condition- that was the most important aspect, and given that we got it for a little less than the asking price, 6 months tax is included, and its being delivered from MX5 city to milton keynes, are we still way over the odds?


I guess that is subjective, but we are happy with the deal.

The next thing to do is to look forward to MX5 ownership- roll on the weekend so i can go and have a short play in it.

[miniman]

IMHO yes you have paid far too much for it. It's a 1991 1.6 car. Look at the PH classifieds - you can see what is available for £3k and it will get you into late Mk 1 cars and early Mk 2.

Still, if you're happy with it...