Newly imported Eunos VR-Ltd 1.8 in superb condition

If you are looking for a really special MX5 or Eunos, this might be for you: One of the most desirable MX5s is the high spec VR-Ltd 1.8, one of my personal favourite models. The VR-Ltd was a special edition produced for the Japanese home market and it was available in either Wine Red with light tan leather trim (known as the Combination A model) or in Excellent Green Mica with black leather trim, known as the Combination B. Only 700 were produced in Wine Red and just 800 in Green, making it a very rare and highly sought after car. In a collaboration between MX5 sales specialist Goodwood Sportscars and leading MX5 racers and repairers AK Automotive, we search out and import the best rust-free MX5s from Japan and due in shortly is a VR Ltd 1.8 Combination B. We have been importing MX5s (or Mazda Eunos as they are called in Japan) for some time now and the condition is always exemplary and this one is no exception.

It’s the specification that makes the VR Ltd so interesting: for a start it has black leather seats, embossed with a green ‘Roadster’ logo on each headrest. Then it has highly polished alloy gearknob and handbrake handle, an alloy gear surround, Momo leather-rimmed steering wheel, electric windows, power steering, air conditioning and 5 spoke Enkei alloy wheels. But it’s the mechanical tweaks that really make a difference to the way the VR-Ltds drive. This has the later ‘Type II’ spec engine which means a factory fitted lightened flywheel and revised 16-bit ECU which improves power slightly to 133bhp and lets the engine rev more easily. The final drive ratios were slightly shorter at 4.3:1 and of course, it has a Torsen limited slip differential. The difference this lot makes out on the road is actually quite dramatic with a marked improvement in acceleration. Bilstein suspension is fitted as standard giving a slightly firmer ride and helping the car sit slightly lower than standard.

This 1996 model has covered around 130000 kilometres which is about 81,000 miles and specification is just perfect as can be seen above. This one hasn’t been modified or altered in any way and its pretty much as it left the factory. The first few photos here are of an identical VR Ltd we imported a few months ago and these will give you a good idea of the condition to be expected. The remaining photos are of the actual car (still sitting in Japan when the photos were taken). I hesitate in stating that any car that’s 18 years old is in superb condition but this one is as good as any Eunos I’ve seen in a very long time.

To the uninitiated, this looks like a standard MX5 and certainly, the condition of the interior and outer bodywork is very good (there are certainly no rusty wheel arches, wings or sills on our cars). However, its the underside of the car that has to been seen to be believed – it looks as though it rolled off the production line a few weeks ago rather than nearly 20 years ago. With any MX5, the crucial areas are sills, wheel arches and floors and this example is superb in all of these critical areas. Again, all suspension and steering components are in excellent condition. For example, both upper and lower suspension arms are still finished in their original Mazda factory applied black paint and all nuts, bolts and other fittings are corrosion free. Paintwork is excellent with no marks, scratches or dents and it looks superb and it still has its original 15” Enkei alloys, fitted with good tyres all round and the exhaust system is like new.

Inside, everything works as it should (even the air conditioning!) and again everything is in nice clean condition. The black leather seats are in good order with rips or other damage and the carpets and door casings are clean and smart. The engine bay is in spectacularly clean and original condition as is the boot.

The car isn’t due to arrive here in the UK until early August and then it will be checked over and fully serviced by AK Automotive along with a full four wheel alignment and wheel set-up. Well take care of all import duties and taxes and we'll give it 12 months MOT and 6 months tax. The car will need nothing, will need no expense and will be ready to be used and enjoyed straight away. Price is £4500 and a £1000 deposit will reserve this immediately.

Now while £4500 may sound like a good few quid for an MX5, the difference between this and an Ebay Russian roulette special is like night and day. Good MX5s are becoming increasingly hard to find and prices have definitely firmed up markedly over the last 12 months. Rare editions in good order are always in demand and have started to increase in value. The last VR Ltd we imported sold instantly and I don't expect this one to hang around for long.

Why Buy From Us?

Between my team at Goodwood Sportscars and the chaps at AK Automotive, we have many years selling, repairing, modifying and racing MX5s. Anthony and Dan at AK Automotive are highly respected throughout the MX5 world and their 430bhp turbo-charged MX5 Mk1 has to be seen to be believed. Their race-prepared Mazdas have successfully competed in various championships throughout the UK including the Ma5da MX5 series and the BRSCC Mazda MX5 championship. No-one knows MX5s as well as these guys and between us, we are able to thoroughly sort out and correctly prepare our MX5s to a high standard. As for me (Steve at Goodwood Sportscars), I have sold performance cars for 20+ years and have specialised in MX5s for the last 8. I like to think that I can sort out the good from the bad and the exceptional from the simply expensive. Every car is checked, serviced, test driven, professionally valeted and prepared to a high standard. It will be ready to drive away, ready to be enjoyed. We always prepare our cars this way - I’m not trying to kid you that an 18 year old car is going to be perfect but if there is something that needs attending to then I’ll tell you so there are no surprises. We would much prefer to point out any faults at the outset than have you find them later on and be disappointed. We always like to prepare our cars so the new owner can get on with enjoying the car without having to worry about sticking his hand in his pocket straight away.

At heart we are simply car enthusiasts. We only buy cars that interest us – the kind of cars that we would like to own and drive ourselves. Please feel free to Google my name (and AK Automotive's), check out the owner’s forums, read the reviews and make up your own mind about us. I would also strongly suggest that you visit my website where I have an MX5 buyers guide, lots of photographs and details of other MX5s newly imported from Japan including a black 1.6 S-Special, a superb white 1.6, a black S-Special 1.8, a black V-Special and a lovely silver 1.6. I’m happy to chat about MX5s all day long so please feel free to phone for a chat about your requirements.