Buying a 1993 Eunos - need advice

[gibelatos]

I've have just put down a deposit on a 1993 Eunos with 55K on the clock £200 deposit, with the intention of paying the remainder this friday. It is a gift for my missus' forthcoming birthday. After some extensive reading on various MX5 related threads I am a little worried I may have been too hasty in giving him the deposit, but I figured that it would soon go in the condition it is in.

The car's bodywork is in good shape, with no rust to the exterior and no evidence of rust around the sills or arches(only from looking on the outside).

I did take the car for a quick drive and found it to be fine to drive.

I am tempted to return and check the underside of the sills, and a good look at the wheel arches. I also want to check if there is water build-up in the sills due to clogging in the drains.

Would it be wise to have someone give it a good once over before paying the remainder or can I carry-out the required checks myself? I know the AA/RAC offer an inspection service but I'm not sure if they would know what to look out for on the MX5 Eunos.

It is up for MOT in July; I don't want to by on impulse and have her upset when the car is shelved come summer...

Any advice or pointers would be appreciated, she's expecting to take it out next weekend...

[mike13]

I've got the same car/year,my sills were done prior to me buying it,mechanically they are pretty robust with most parts being available second hand for reasonable cost,sills rust from inside so unless you have an opthalmoscope you'll never know, if you got it for a good price just figure in the cost of repairs.Where are you in the uk?

[gibelatos]

I'm in Bolton(unfortunately).

I am very happy with the price, but the mileage just cannot be genuine, and it needs a new rear window and work doing to the front bumper. I just don't want to get to MOT time and be told it's a death-trap.

I just feel I've been a little naive in handing over £200 without having it properly checked out.

[mike13]

i had the same worries when i bought mine having checked it myself,get over to mx5 nutz and see if someone in your area can take a look,good forum/guys,i'm in Edinburgh unfortunately or i would have came with you,if the sills haven't been done then they probably will need done soon,mileage could be genuine but like i say parts/engines are plentiful and cheap.

[gibelatos]

Just posted on there, hopefully someone will help me out. In truth I've made a right tits-up of the whole process. I got insurance quotes for the UK version not realising about the whole import situation - when I revised the quote it almost doubled, and now the best I get is£1600 third party, fire and theft with Adrian Flux.

[mike13]

Can't you try for a classic policy on a limited mileage,i'm paying 170 fully comp

[MikeOxlong]

gibelatos said:

Just posted on there, hopefully someone will help me out. In truth I've made a right tits-up of the whole process. I got insurance quotes for the UK version not realising about the whole import situation - when I revised the quote it almost doubled, and now the best I get is£1600 third party, fire and theft with Adrian Flux.

In my experience AF are a bunch of piss taking shysters. They claim to be specialists but the only thing they specialise in is outlandish quotes and refusing to move an inch on prices or anything else for that matter.
I'm 24, My 92 Eunos is insured with Direct Line fully comp for £362 on 8000 miles a year. The best the "specialists" offered me was 2 grand.

Parts are cheap and working on it yourself is easy, when I bought my car it all looked in reasonable condition, at MOT time it failed on a split ball joint dust boot. If you accept that the sills will need doing eventually then there isn't really anything to worry about. It's a cheap car that's cheap to mend.

Edited by MikeOxlong on Sunday 23 March 19:25

[Itsallicanafford]

Heritage insurance, £155 per year, 3000mile limit fully comp ( I usually end up paying to up it 5000 during the year which is another £70 or so). It's a UK MX-5 though....

[gibelatos]

Tried the common insurers but all came it at over £2000. It is for the missus and she's only been driving for 2-years, and being on her mothers mobility policy she hasn't accrued any NCB.

I haven't drove for years but putting me on the policy as a named driver shaved fair chunk off the quotes. I rang a few insurers, one flat-out refused to quote because she had no NCB. I may try a few more on Monday but one 'specialist' company got quotes of 3K upwards

1600 third party is the best we've had on the Eunos. I made the mistake of quoting for the UK version and now only realised after putting a deposit down on the Eunos.

It already needs bodywork on the front bumper and a new roof...it was supposed to be a cheap, fun first car for her.

She's very excited, I'm drained.

[Wacky Racer]

If you are that unsure, just back out of the deal, make some excuse...better to lose £200 than a weeks sleep.

Also it's a twenty one year old car, any car of that age would almost certainly need some money spending on it.

[gibelatos]

Leaning towards that, but if by some miracle the mileage is genuine, and the body is in good condition then a few hundred quid on a hood and some paint work seems a good deal.

I shall see if I can find cheaper insurance first up.

[mozmajor]

Try Red Star Equity for insurance - google them. Classic policy, 5k miles per annum, they don't bother with no claims etc. "Mazda Mender", look him up on MX5 Owners club from Wigan might take a look for you. I'd not worry too much.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Wayne (Mazda mender) can be more easily found here: http://www.mazdamenders.net/forum/

Post up on the forum and you'll get all the help you need

[renaultgeek]

it being a eunos has the advantage that the rust is less likely to have taken hold.

Did you try insuring yourself as the main user and her as a named driver?

I've a 92 eunos insured as a classic with carole nash (albeit in Ireland, but same company)

[MX-5 Lazza]

renaultgeek said:

it being a eunos has the advantage that the rust is less likely to have taken hold.

Try telling that to our Mk1 '95 1.6 track car which has already had both sills replaced once and is in need of getting it all done again!

[vrsmxtb]

Although I'd usually say don't just rush in and buy the first one you view, to be honest unless it is a complete dog most things on the MX5 can be fixed fairly cheaply. Definitely have a dig round and find a local specialist. If there's no obvious rust (although the sills etc rust inside-out so surface rust usually the last to show), it drives well and the price is right I wouldn't worry too much. Get it to a specialist or a trusted indie garage ASAP, they will probably do a good look over it for some beer money, then you can prioritise any jobs.

[vrsmxtb]

OP, had a very quick google for you, go over to the MX5Nutz forum and search a user Roadster1980, he's in Bolton and seems to be well rated as a '5 mechanic.

Insurance-wise it sounds like you're going to have to spend a morning ringing round the various specialists, classic policies are worth a look but many don't cover under 25s. I'd be surprised if the fact it is a Eunos will be too much of an obstacle.