RE: Shed Of The Week: Mazda Eunos S-Special
Discussion
22 year old S-special owner here (thats me btw, the cars 24) and I was desperately looking for a v-special when shopping for MK1 Eunos' when my one came up. But when I heard about the S-Special and saw one locally, I snapped it up. Having not driven other MX-5's I can't compare their differences, but despite it being completely standard it's tons of fun. Sad thing is though, I paid £1600 for it in November....
I bought one of these a few years back and we ran it as a second car. I didn't do much homework when I bought it and only found out it was an S-Special and learnt what that entailed after I had put the deposit down. Was chuffed when I realised it had those nice little BBS wire wheels and Bilstein suspension. Ours drove really well, but quickly became rotten in the arches and sills unfortunately. I now know that when people say 'its only a bit of surface rust', this generally means the panel is so rotten that the rust is pushing outwards against the paint and lacquer! Live and learn.
The car was great fun to drive. You could have the zesty little motor howling like a banshee whilst chasing the redline in each gear as you worked your way through the box. Then you'd look at the speedo and realise you were barely doing 50mph. The ideal car to have fun with on our speed-camera infested roads without getting yourself into any trouble. The steering was fantastic and the manual box had one of the nicest actions of any car I have ever driven.
One without the rot would make a great little summer plaything.
The car was great fun to drive. You could have the zesty little motor howling like a banshee whilst chasing the redline in each gear as you worked your way through the box. Then you'd look at the speedo and realise you were barely doing 50mph. The ideal car to have fun with on our speed-camera infested roads without getting yourself into any trouble. The steering was fantastic and the manual box had one of the nicest actions of any car I have ever driven.
One without the rot would make a great little summer plaything.
Had one very similar. Great little thing but the most uncomfortable car I've owned for ride quality.
One clean Eunos! by David Gaunt, on Flickr
Eunos sale photos by David Gaunt, on Flickr
2010-09-25 at 20-06-16 by David Gaunt, on Flickr
Best mod ever by David Gaunt, on Flickr
One clean Eunos! by David Gaunt, on FlickrEunos sale photos by David Gaunt, on Flickr2010-09-25 at 20-06-16 by David Gaunt, on FlickrBest mod ever by David Gaunt, on Flickr
MrGeoff said:
Blackpuddin said:
Richard-390a0 said:
Another MX-5 yawn
Yes, damn all those MX-5 Sheds, that's the second one in the last two years. As I've mentioned before, I've had a Eunos for about 8 years now. It's done 210,000 kms, about half of those with me.
Obviously it needs money spending annually, but it's still the cheapest car, and nearly the most fun car I've ever owned. For the money nothing comes close.
I honestly don't understand why everyone doesn't have one as a second or third car.
Obviously it needs money spending annually, but it's still the cheapest car, and nearly the most fun car I've ever owned. For the money nothing comes close.
I honestly don't understand why everyone doesn't have one as a second or third car.
Richard-390a0 said:
MrGeoff said:
Blackpuddin said:
Richard-390a0 said:
Another MX-5 yawn
Yes, damn all those MX-5 Sheds, that's the second one in the last two years. 
Errr... Hi
So this is my MX-5, a little overwhelmed by the response to shed of the week, my phone has gone and actually melted.
I'm not going to pretend that the car is in perfect condition, like I mentioned in the ad its 22 years old, but its not in bad shape for its age! Hence why its up for less than £1k.
Its currently in the garage having an oil change and some new tyres, trying to overcome some of the more important items on the MOT list.
This would make a brilliant project car, the picture the guy put up of his look very similar to mine, the steering wheel badge on mine has faded and fallen off but I still have it. Much less chrome in mine too.
I've attached some images taken today.
Sad to see it go
So this is my MX-5, a little overwhelmed by the response to shed of the week, my phone has gone and actually melted.
I'm not going to pretend that the car is in perfect condition, like I mentioned in the ad its 22 years old, but its not in bad shape for its age! Hence why its up for less than £1k.
Its currently in the garage having an oil change and some new tyres, trying to overcome some of the more important items on the MOT list.
This would make a brilliant project car, the picture the guy put up of his look very similar to mine, the steering wheel badge on mine has faded and fallen off but I still have it. Much less chrome in mine too.
I've attached some images taken today.
Sad to see it go
MJcars said:
Errr... Hi
So this is my MX-5, a little overwhelmed by the response to shed of the week, my phone has gone and actually melted.
Thanks for posting. So this is my MX-5, a little overwhelmed by the response to shed of the week, my phone has gone and actually melted.
It may be helpful for those causing your phone to be as hot as a welding torch to let the PH MX-5 fanclub now when it's sold.
Previous posters said the 6000s aren't the most suitable tyre. What tyres have been fitted now?
Wouldn't buy a Mk1 with any mention of corrosion in the MOT - that one has knackered sills and at least one arch.
If you can see the rust bubbling, it'll be 10 times worse once you start cutting back to good metal.
Better to spend more and get one that has had all the work done - there are only 2 kinds of MX5 Mk1 out there - ones where someone has spent several hundred quid on sorting the rot and ones where someone will have to do it very soon! - I flogged mine rather than try to fix it up.
If you can see the rust bubbling, it'll be 10 times worse once you start cutting back to good metal.
Better to spend more and get one that has had all the work done - there are only 2 kinds of MX5 Mk1 out there - ones where someone has spent several hundred quid on sorting the rot and ones where someone will have to do it very soon! - I flogged mine rather than try to fix it up.
Had an identical S-Special as a track car a few years ago. Did track days at the Ring, Brands and Pau. Absolutely loved it and planned to keep it forever. Just so chuckable and sweet to steer, and being a 1.6 it loved revs.
Then i stupidly drove it to work one day while my wife used my company car, and an old boy in a Rover drove into me at 30mph when i was stationary in traffic, pancaking me and the 'Ooo-nos' between it and a Saab 9-3 in front. Both crumple zones did their job and i walked away with concussion and whiplash.....but the car bravely sacrificed itself to keep me out of hospital and was a total write-off. Still gutted. Would buy another!
Then i stupidly drove it to work one day while my wife used my company car, and an old boy in a Rover drove into me at 30mph when i was stationary in traffic, pancaking me and the 'Ooo-nos' between it and a Saab 9-3 in front. Both crumple zones did their job and i walked away with concussion and whiplash.....but the car bravely sacrificed itself to keep me out of hospital and was a total write-off. Still gutted. Would buy another!
Edited by darth_pies on Friday 21st October 20:30
There was always a whiff that a Eunos was not quite 'proper' compared with an MX-5, a sort of budget cheapo version somewhat akin to 'grey imports'. Think Butlins instead of Bermuda. I seem to remember such versions of the Honda S2000 with colour & trim options not available through UK dealerships. On the Eunos to many eyes the ugly square rear number plate was at odds with the rest of the rear, as if it was an added afterthought. The rumour mill also proclaimed that rust prevention was non-existence. The up-side is of course you did get lots of extras including air conditioning well before they were available on the MX-5.
gdaybruce said:
bmv6197 said:
As for the tyres, anyone who's had the "pleasure" of running Pirelli P6000 on an MX5/Eunos Roadster will note their astounding ability ... when cold or wet, to provide a similar level of traction to a greased monkey.
Have to agree with this. P6000s doubtless work well on bigger, heavier cars but definitely not on MX5s. Mind, I should add that I've no idea how old mine were - I just knew they had to go!They were absolutely shocking.
darth_pies said:
Had an identical S-Special as a track car a few years ago. Did track days at the Ring, Brands and Pau. Absolutely loved it and planned to keep it forever. Just so chuckable and sweet to steer, and being a 1.6 it loved revs.
Then i stupidly drove it to work one day while my wife used my company car, and an old boy in a Rover drove into me at 30mph when i was stationary in traffic..
I feel your pain. City Link did this to mine..Then i stupidly drove it to work one day while my wife used my company car, and an old boy in a Rover drove into me at 30mph when i was stationary in traffic..
Had seven Mk1's, almost all rust free with two being as close to mint as you are likely to ever get - all sold for much less than they are going for these days!
The turbo one was a laugh, but not required for the grin factor.
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