Can I get an opinion on this '5?

[Chris71]

I've been idly browsing the classifieds with the intention of getting something like an MX-5 or an MR2. I wasn't planning to take the plunge for a few months, but I really like the look of this VR Ltd and I'm now wondering if I could find the funds and the space on the drive to bring those plans forward. The only thing is, it's at the other end of the country.

What do people think?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

What info would you like to know before travelling long distance to see it? Are there any particular areas you'd want to see photos of?

[Chris71]

Yeah, that is my slight hesitation on buying an MX-5. Whatever I get will be my daily driver through the winter.

Last time I looked I couldn't find a single truly rust-free example apart from one that had been recently welded. Based on that experience I had wondered if it might be more economical to find one that needs the sills doing, negotiate a suitable price and get them done - that way, I figure, it shouldn't need any attention for a while and might actually raise the value enough to cancel out the cost of getting it done. Saw an otherwise-lovely low mileage S-Special when I was on the lookout before that had a fairly serious rust issue, but it was up for £1,200...

Anyway, I digress. That VR Ltd looks like it's ready to go.

ETA Anybody know anything about the TSW wheels? I gather '5s are quite sensitive to unsprung mass?

[Chris71]

I asked for more info and got an email back saying there's someone coming to see it at the weekend and they'll be in touch if it's still around after that. Presumably if it's as tidy as the ad implies it'll be gone. Am I right in thinking £1,950 is a bit of a steal for a low mileage VR Ltd in good nick? The aftermarket wheels can't rob it of too much.

The rust is an interesting one. I'm looking for a daily driver, but I work from home, so it won't actually be used every day and won't cover a huge mileage. I don't mind getting it Waxolyed somewhere, but realistically I'm not the sort of person who'll jet wash the arches after every trip out and it will have to live outside because I have a broken TVR in the garage!

Considering various other options like MR2s, E36s and even Imprezas. Also should really sell my Clio first, but this VR Ltd popped up and sounded like it might be worth a punt.

[Chris71]

MX-5 Lazza said:

It looks worth the money to me, just from the pictures & description. Ignore that it's a VR as the spec makes very little difference. If it was an RS it would get more interest and usually a bit more money as long as it has all the original spec but otherwise it's just an MX5/Eunos/miata. The only reason it might fetch a bit more is because someone particularly likes it rather than it actually being worth more.

I used to have an RS Ltd and I loved the childish antics you could get up to with the Torsen diff. I've not actually driven a mk1 1.8 with the standard diff ratio, but I'd imagine the lowered final drive helps too? I also prefer the leather seats and the Nardi wheel to the UK-spec cabin.

I think my ultimate spec would be an R Ltd with the chintzy red leather.

[Chris71]

drgoatboy said:

I looked at a few "immaculate, rust free cars" none of them were do I ended up buying a cheaper one that is not terminally rusty.

Indeed. My last attempt to find an MX-5 included a lot of immaculate cars, only one of which was remotely close to the description. Admittedly, though, there weren't any for sale locally through enthusiast sites like PH or Nutz, they were all Autotrader/eBay sellers.

As mentioned above, I had wondered if getting a cheap car and budgeting for new sills is the way forward.

[Chris71]

hornetrider said:

That VR looks ace. Price is very good I'd say. If it's a nice as he says the guy coming to see it will buy it.

My thoughts too. If the first buyer says no I'm not sure I want to travel 200 miles to see it!

[Chris71]

MX-5 Lazza said:

If it is as good as the pictures & description... well there are plenty of top quality, unwelded, non-rusty Mk1s going for £3.5k upwards now as these are very hard to find now so if it really is completely rust & weld free then £2k is a very good price. If it was more local I'd be tempted to go and take a look myself even though I have no space or need for another car.

Yep. As it is I'm still a few months away from having the space or the funds for another car, but tempted by that one. It'd be a very long way to go if it turned out to be yet another 'rust free' rust bucket, though. Presume it will have sold by now if that's not the case. Oh well.

Anyone fancy buying a Clio 172 Cup to help with my driveway space situation?

ETA The VR-Ltd is indeed sold. Think it went to the first person who saw it.

Edited by Chris71 on Friday 9th October 18:34

[Chris71]

chasdad said:

That did look a nice car for the price.I've had a couple of vr ltds and there is a bit of a difference between the ones without the ecu,flywheel changes. But I wouldn't right any good car out whatever the spec.I've a nice mk1 that may be up for sale soon if my parking problem doesn't improve

Saw your post on Nutz, dropped you a line.

[Chris71]

drgoatboy said:

Couple of nice looking cars in mx5oc magazine that just arrived in the post today. Can email photos from mag if you like?

That'd be great, will drop you a PM with my address.

[Chris71]

Well, that was quick. Sold my current car, so the hunt for a replacement is on.

MX-5 the favourite, but also tempted by an MR2 or an E36, so going to keep an open mind until something like that VR Ltd comes up again. Still think that was a conspicuously good buy if it was as advertised.

[Chris71]

There don't seem to be many cars for sale on Nutz currently. With the exception of here (I'm already keeping a careful eye on the classifieds) where would people recommend looking out for an MX-5?

(Dan kindly sent me some ads from the MX5 OC magazine. Also, keeping an eye on eBay and Autotrader, but I'd prefer to go for an enthusiast's site, where they're more likely to be looked after and the owners will understand the potential issues better....)

[Chris71]

Sbloxxy said:

Chris71 said:

There don't seem to be many cars for sale on Nutz currently. With the exception of here (I'm already keeping a careful eye on the classifieds) where would people recommend looking out for an MX-5?

(Dan kindly sent me some ads from the MX5 OC magazine. Also, keeping an eye on eBay and Autotrader, but I'd prefer to go for an enthusiast's site, where they're more likely to be looked after and the owners will understand the potential issues better....)

Ar the risk of being accused of free advertising, take a look at my website: Goodwood Sportscars. I always have quite a few Eunos/MX5s for sale, though most are newly imported and are not necessarily the cheapest out there. No rusty ones though...

Funnily enough, when I was looking the other year I did notice a lot of interesting examples that you'd advertised on here. Aren't you up in Northumberland somewhere? It's about as far from me as you can get while remaining in England, unfortunately.

Did have a look on the website recently too - some lovely cars, but most of them were a bit beyond my budget.

[Chris71]

Quick question. What would you say the going rate is for a very early JDM 1.8, 92,000 miles, genuinely rust free and in very good condition with plenty of recently refreshed mechanical bits?

Secondly, how much work would you have to put in to keep it that way if it lived outside and was driven through the winter? Would a coat of Waxoyl and the occasional blast with a pressure washer do the trick or are we talking about a more slavish routine?

Ya know... just out of curiosity.

[Chris71]

drgoatboy said:

anywhere from 2-5K depending on how clean it is. don't be shy though Chris. Share the link

It's not publicly for sale. Does look nice, though...

I think my concern is less about the value of the car, but whether I can a) afford it, and b) keep it in that condition during regular year-round use.

I work from home most days and there's a good chance I could pinch my wife's car if there was three feet of snow on the ground, but it would have to live outside and I'm not the sort of person to get the pressure washer out after every trip.

ETA At the other end of the scale, how far wrong can you go for £895?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Or this, perhaps? It's a cheap mk2 which means rust is virtually guaranteed, but it's got a slippy diff and the later engine. Could be fun if it will MOT for another year:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

I think it's either a cheap mk2 1.8i S or a more expensive mk1... Hmmm.

Edited by Chris71 on Tuesday 13th October 19:49

[Chris71]

hornetrider said:

Chris71 said:

ETA At the other end of the scale, how far wrong can you go for £895?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Are you trying to curry favour with us?

You've lost me.

Ah ... NA AN. Sorry, I was up most of the night with a screaming baby, took a while to register.

Edited by Chris71 on Wednesday 14th October 11:11

[Chris71]

Chris71 said:

Or this, perhaps? It's a cheap mk2 which means rust is virtually guaranteed, but it's got a slippy diff and the later engine. Could be fun if it will MOT for another year:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

I think it's either a cheap mk2 1.8i S or a more expensive mk1... Hmmm.

Starting to take that one a bit more seriously. Got a response from the seller, who says:

There is a small amount of cosmetic rust on bootlid. The sills have been done by a previous owner. Last year's MOT was passed with just a headlight bulb connector replacement. I've hardly done any work other than a service and it's never let me down.

Sounds like they have a reasonable idea what they're talking about.

Assuming the sill repair is recent and the chassis legs are okay, does that mean it's likely to be solid for a while now?

[Chris71]

MX-5 Lazza said:

The sill repairs can be seen, just about, in the pictures. To be honest, that in itself is not a good sign. It does suggest it was a cheap patch job rather than quality work. Only a proper look will tell for sure though.

Yeah, the more I think about it, the more I reckon that's one to avoid.

Like I say, last time I looked the one mk1 I saw - a tidy V-Special at something like £1300 with a hard top - was the only non-repaired car that wasn't rusty. I saw a very clean mk2 but that was more than a grand extra because it had been freshly welded.

Kicked myself repeatedly for not buying that V-Special. It drove beautifully too - really crisp little engine the 1.6.