1994 Mazda

1994 Mazda MX5 1.8 - Japanese import Eunos Roadster S-Special.

I have owned this MX5 since 2012 and kept it garaged during the whole of my ownership. The sills and underside are really good. It has an MPH speedo but the odometer reads in km; 140,600km recorded, though I don't have much history before I bought it, so I can't be certain how accurate that is. It was imported to the UK in 2001.

Laguna Seca blue paint, the S-Special spec includes seats with headrest speakers (still working), a Nardi steering wheel and gearknob, Bilstein suspension and a front strut brace. I have replaced the Bilsteins with a set of Meister R adjustable coilovers so it is slightly lower than standard. It has been professionally set up and corner weighted a few years ago.

MOT expires in July 2019 but I will happily put a full year's MOT on it. The private registration seen in the photos is coming off but is still on the car currently if you wish to do an MOT history check.

The white 15" Enkei wheels are from a mk2 MX5 RS; I do have the original 14" BBS cross-spokes which came on the S-Special, complete with the four correct centre caps and BBS spanner if you would prefer it to be original. I will be selling the spare set of wheels afterwards; or make me an offer.

It has a Sony CD/MP3 head unit, working electric aerial, fairly recent replacement battery and has been 100% reliable in my ownership. I'm selling because I don't use it much; that hasn't been an issue because it always starts first turn of the key. I am changing it for a Suzuki Grand Vitara to do a bit of green-laning, hence deciding to sell now.

The bad bits:

Air-con is fitted but doesn't work; it has worked in the past but gas leaked out over the course of a year after a re-gas.

The hood is a bit tired; it still seals reasonably well so it'll keep you dry but the plastic rear screen is milky and has clear waterproof tape over a crack. I only ever drive it with the roof down so never bothered to replace the hood but if you intend to keep it outside then you will probably want to fit a new hood fairly soon.

There is no rust underneath but there is a small bubble at the bottom of the passenger A-pillar; this was there when I bought it and hasn't got any worse.

It's 25 years old, so not absolutely pristine; up close you can see stone chips etc.

Good bits:

The Meister R suspension which I mentioned above.

Cobalt exhaust.

The brake system (including calipers) was renewed in 2012, and braided hoses were fitted.

Properly mounted full roll bar, which I believe is a Carbing (in the car when I bought it).

Recent battery.

Replacement headlights with upgraded bulbs.

In my ownership it has been looked after by Dave Flew Automotive just outside Weston-super-Mare who I highly recommend.

Overall it is a good-looking mk1 MX5 which has been thoroughly reliable and which I shall miss.