mk1 mx5 - frsh import worth a premium?
Discussion
For me personally, I wanted an import rather than a UK car because of one thing - rust.
I used to have an 03 plate mk2.5 Montana in BRG with matching hard top, cream leather, etc. lovely car and looked amazing...I spent a whoe 2 days applying Dinitrol, cavity wax, etc. but still she rusted from the inside out and was actively bubbling up when I sold her.
I wanted to make sure my next one was as rust-free as possible, so in my opinion that means import.
I bought a car that only came into the UK this January and I am confident it wil outlast any comparable UK car purely because it has not been subject to the huge amounts of salt we see on the roads in this country every winter.
Add in the fact that, as a V-Special means she's black with tan leather, I think only adds to the attraction - the only option for a UK equivalent is the limited edition mentioned elsewhere in this section of PH but extremely rare.
Imports tend to come much better equipped than UK cars - strut braces, LSDs, aircon, etc, etc. I don't see why you would go for a UK model over an import, unless something like insurance is an issue (which, at 44 is not for me).
Yes, back in the day, when jap imports were a relatively new thing, there were loads of people scared off them due to rumours of higher running costs, no foglights, etc, etc. but anyone who knows this is simply not the case.
I used to have an 03 plate mk2.5 Montana in BRG with matching hard top, cream leather, etc. lovely car and looked amazing...I spent a whoe 2 days applying Dinitrol, cavity wax, etc. but still she rusted from the inside out and was actively bubbling up when I sold her.
I wanted to make sure my next one was as rust-free as possible, so in my opinion that means import.
I bought a car that only came into the UK this January and I am confident it wil outlast any comparable UK car purely because it has not been subject to the huge amounts of salt we see on the roads in this country every winter.
Add in the fact that, as a V-Special means she's black with tan leather, I think only adds to the attraction - the only option for a UK equivalent is the limited edition mentioned elsewhere in this section of PH but extremely rare.
Imports tend to come much better equipped than UK cars - strut braces, LSDs, aircon, etc, etc. I don't see why you would go for a UK model over an import, unless something like insurance is an issue (which, at 44 is not for me).
Yes, back in the day, when jap imports were a relatively new thing, there were loads of people scared off them due to rumours of higher running costs, no foglights, etc, etc. but anyone who knows this is simply not the case.
rb5er said:
So will you be unfersealing and rust protecting it? Otherwise its likely to rust faster than any UK car.
what makes you think that?" All MX5s were undersealed to the same standard regardless of where they were to be sold."
http://www.goodwoodsportscars.co.uk/info.html
Mike22233 said:
No
He sells all variants. Ask him which sell for more....
Dont know why you wont accept the fact, are you a poor non air con, non LSD, UK MX5 owner?
Sure he sells more imports because he has a supply of cheaper rust free cars, which he can turn into greater profit.He sells all variants. Ask him which sell for more....
Dont know why you wont accept the fact, are you a poor non air con, non LSD, UK MX5 owner?
Air con on an MX5?
You buy an MX5 because it's cheap back to basics no frills top down motoring. Not for air con.
Mike22233 said:
rb5er said:
So will you be unfersealing and rust protecting it? Otherwise its likely to rust faster than any UK car.
what makes you think that?" All MX5s were undersealed to the same standard regardless of where they were to be sold."
http://www.goodwoodsportscars.co.uk/info.html
This may be why they buck the trend if they do.
Let's take the UK vs Jap question out of the equation, just for a sec, and look at a specific example. Let's say there's 96 1.8 v-spec for sale privately for £3k, it was imported 10 years ago. The other option is the exact same model, colour etc, but just imported, at £5k. Is the fresh import worth the extra? If the £3k car seems to be rust free is it the better buy?
Sephiroth said:
Let's take the UK vs Jap question out of the equation, just for a sec, and look at a specific example. Let's say there's 96 1.8 v-spec for sale privately for £3k, it was imported 10 years ago. The other option is the exact same model, colour etc, but just imported, at £5k. Is the fresh import worth the extra? If the £3k car seems to be rust free is it the better buy?
All other things being equal there's no reason to spend the extra. You really need to get your head around how much these cars rust. If you can find a rust free example for decent money get on it. If it lacks any go faster bits you can add them later but if it's rusty you'll be forever chasing your tail.g7jhp said:
You buy an MX5 because it's cheap back to basics no frills top down motoring. Not for air con.
Get over yourself.Aircon in an MX5 is wondrous, when you're stuck in traffic, you get no airflow to cool you down, and the cabin is badly insulated so heats up something chronic.
Additionally in the winter, bang the A/C on and turn the heat up, instant clear windows.
Richyvrlimited said:
Get over yourself.
Aircon in an MX5 is wondrous, when you're stuck in traffic, you get no airflow to cool you down, and the cabin is badly insulated so heats up something chronic.
Additionally in the winter, bang the A/C on and turn the heat up, instant clear windows.
My MX5 is a summer toy and air con isn't a requirement. Guess if it's your daily year round hack that might be different. Aircon in an MX5 is wondrous, when you're stuck in traffic, you get no airflow to cool you down, and the cabin is badly insulated so heats up something chronic.
Additionally in the winter, bang the A/C on and turn the heat up, instant clear windows.
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