Discussion
Tomorrow night I am going to look at an NA. All looks good from the pics and at just below £2500 with a years MOT I'm thinking there will be hiden issues but at the price there is definitely scope in my budget to take it on and repair in the future. The interesting part is I've started looking at insurance quotes and when i put in the reg it comes up as a BBR Turbo. Thing is it's not got much detail in the advert and I am not wholly familiar with the BBR Turbo's. Are these desirable ? Anything I should be looking out for ?
Edited by tribalsurfer on Tuesday 7th September 20:22
Big fat disappointment. Roof was knackered, drivers window didn't lower. Bodywork was OK, but .................................... absolutely no sign of a turbo. Bloke said he would change the roof and fix the window so may still return and take it for a test drive but the search continues.
Can I hijack this thread? I'm looking to buy an MK1 so any advice appreciated.
I'm particularly interested in:
How many should I pay for good one? Prices seems to vary quite a bit
Are there any particularly better or worse colours to get?
Is an import as valuable as a UK model?
Is the 1.8 more desirable than the 1.6?
I'm particularly interested in:
How many should I pay for good one? Prices seems to vary quite a bit
Are there any particularly better or worse colours to get?
Is an import as valuable as a UK model?
Is the 1.8 more desirable than the 1.6?
First of all, a great choice. The MK1 is a proper modern classic. I had one a few years ago and it was the only proper sports car I've driven!
It is not fast. They aren't supposed to be. Instead you wind them up and enjoy the experience of super direct steering, light weight and great handling without being terrified.
Consider the tax difference, £170 per year for the 1.6, £280 for the 1.8.
For me, I'd be happy with another 1.6 in red! And I pay good money £4-5k? for an excellent rot free one rather than a cheaper car riddled with tin worm.
It is not fast. They aren't supposed to be. Instead you wind them up and enjoy the experience of super direct steering, light weight and great handling without being terrified.
Consider the tax difference, £170 per year for the 1.6, £280 for the 1.8.
For me, I'd be happy with another 1.6 in red! And I pay good money £4-5k? for an excellent rot free one rather than a cheaper car riddled with tin worm.
We have a 1997 mk1 mx5 in UK Monza spec. In both balls at present, but soon to be back on the road. Ready for winter.
Ours had 2 problems soon after we got it. Cables snapped in the drivers window mechanism. And the bolts in the wing mirrors sheared off when we attempted to move the mirrors.
We have added a heated rear window a better stereo, but still quote basic and
Don't do these things ever.
A cobalt blue stainless exhaust.
And
Power steering. Needed due to a problem my wife has with her shoulder. It's not great.
The Monza is a 1.6 and only 92 bhp. Which is okay as long as you avoid motorways (made worse by a noisy exhaust)
Ours had 2 problems soon after we got it. Cables snapped in the drivers window mechanism. And the bolts in the wing mirrors sheared off when we attempted to move the mirrors.
We have added a heated rear window a better stereo, but still quote basic and
Don't do these things ever.
A cobalt blue stainless exhaust.
And
Power steering. Needed due to a problem my wife has with her shoulder. It's not great.
The Monza is a 1.6 and only 92 bhp. Which is okay as long as you avoid motorways (made worse by a noisy exhaust)
Not sure on those tax prices as my 1992 1.6 Eunos costs circa £280 for the year to tax.
1.6 revs a bit sweeter than the 1.8 but there's very little in it, given the choice of two cars, a 1.6 and a 1.8 I'd pick the one in better condition.
Japanese cars (Eunos Roadster) are generally more sought after as they both come with better kit as standard, and haven't suffered as many UK winters as the UK cars, so tend to be less rusty, though if the car has been over here 20 years that advantage disappears somewhat.
This page gives a good indication of what the Japanese special edition cars came with, something like an RS limited is about as good as they got and command a high premium if they're intact and still have the original seats and wheels.
I spent a while looking for mine as I wanted one that wasn't rusty and hadn't had dubious sill repairs done on it, so whilst the paintwork is not great, the underside is really clean. It's an S Special and whilst the LSD is probably doing next to nothing by now, I've fitted lightweight 14" wheels to it and Ohlins coilovers, not fast by any standards but it never fails to leave me with a massive grin.
1.6 revs a bit sweeter than the 1.8 but there's very little in it, given the choice of two cars, a 1.6 and a 1.8 I'd pick the one in better condition.
Japanese cars (Eunos Roadster) are generally more sought after as they both come with better kit as standard, and haven't suffered as many UK winters as the UK cars, so tend to be less rusty, though if the car has been over here 20 years that advantage disappears somewhat.
This page gives a good indication of what the Japanese special edition cars came with, something like an RS limited is about as good as they got and command a high premium if they're intact and still have the original seats and wheels.
I spent a while looking for mine as I wanted one that wasn't rusty and hadn't had dubious sill repairs done on it, so whilst the paintwork is not great, the underside is really clean. It's an S Special and whilst the LSD is probably doing next to nothing by now, I've fitted lightweight 14" wheels to it and Ohlins coilovers, not fast by any standards but it never fails to leave me with a massive grin.
Edited by Stevil on Saturday 30th October 08:40
Stevil said:
Not sure on those tax prices as my 1992 1.6 Eunos costs circa £280 for the year to tax.
https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables/rates-for-cars-and-light-goods-vehicles-registered-before-1-march-2001Is the 1.6 actually over 1600cc? I'm sure mine fell into the lower bracket.
Lincsls1 said:
Stevil said:
Not sure on those tax prices as my 1992 1.6 Eunos costs circa £280 for the year to tax.
https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables/rates-for-cars-and-light-goods-vehicles-registered-before-1-march-2001Is the 1.6 actually over 1600cc? I'm sure mine fell into the lower bracket.
https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables/rates-f...
Did have to go off and check myself
Lincsls1 said:
Stevil said:
Not sure on those tax prices as my 1992 1.6 Eunos costs circa £280 for the year to tax.
https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables/rates-for-cars-and-light-goods-vehicles-registered-before-1-march-2001Is the 1.6 actually over 1600cc? I'm sure mine fell into the lower bracket.
Stevil said:
They categorise it as over 1549cc now, the 1.6 is 1598cc
https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables/rates-f...
Did have to go off and check myself
Well ain't that a bummer!https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables/rates-f...
Did have to go off and check myself
Sorry guys.
Everyone's different so just look for the colour you like.
I love Mariner blue but couldn't find a decent one in my price range and ended up with silver which was not my first choice but the best condition.
MX5. BROOKWOOD. (1 of 1) by nessiemac1, on Flickr
I love Mariner blue but couldn't find a decent one in my price range and ended up with silver which was not my first choice but the best condition.
MX5. BROOKWOOD. (1 of 1) by nessiemac1, on FlickrGassing Station | Mazda MX5/Roadster/Miata | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff