Eunos or UK car?

[GreenArrow]

Is there any perceived wisdom in terms of which is the better buy and worth the most? I guess if you are talking Mk1s, good original UK cars will eventually appreciate the most, but is it correct that the Eunos' have a better spec, such as an LSD?

[GreenArrow]

Jobbo said:

GreenArrow said:

I guess if you are talking Mk1s, good original UK cars will eventually appreciate the most

I'm not even sure that's true - it's a Japanese car, the best/most interesting variants were made for the Japanese market and they're already prized more highly than UK cars (e.g. the RS).

Yep you may be right. I've noticed on Ebay that Eunos' attract a lot of interest and pretty good prices. You live and learn!

I think MX-5s will eventually go up in value. We had a 205 GTI and for years it didn't appreciate because there were plenty of them around. Then suddenly last year, woosh, it nearly doubled in value during a 6 month period, because, I guess 205 GTIs are finally pretty rare....Couple of car mags agree with me, I think Octane have an article this month titled "buy a Mk1 Mazda MX-5"

Anyway I am gonna look at a few MX-5s over the next wee, Mk2s actually and go on condition...

[GreenArrow]

Jobbo said:

While I have an interest in talking up the values of the mk1, I can't see them going up that quickly; there are simply so many around. Having said that, Goodwood Sportcars in Berwick are importing cars again (they became too cheap to make it worthwhile for about 7 or 8 years) and they're up for £4-5k; of course, they are absolutely pristine for that price, but they are selling quickly. At 20+ years old, they're not necessarily factory standard either, and even if they come with a history 99% of UK buyers won't be able to read it.

Anyway, if there are some rare editions like the RS which always command a decent price, there ought to be plenty at sensible prices for some time yet

ETA: sorry, I never answered your original question! My insurance is so cheap (£81 for the year on a classic/specialist policy) that I don't think there's any way a UK car would cost less. The better spec and (usually) less rust of an import would always point me to a Eunos first now.

Who is the insurance with? does it have to be 25 year old cars or more?

I am watching an auction for a supposedly mint Mk2 Mazda MX-5 1.8 right now, with 45,000 miles on it. Starting bid £1300. At that price I doubt the value will rise but hopefully I can get it all back when I sell it. That's the theory! In regard to Mk1s, I think I have missed the boat on low mileage affordable examples, although I am also watching an auction on ebay for a 1992 1.6 Eunos with 77K miles on it, which is "buy now" £1625 or best offer. This car too is supposedly mint having been imported in 2002 and then garaged.