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xrs444

Original Poster:

15 posts

188 months

Sunday 13th March 2011
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<delurk>

Hello all, after lurking here for quite some time I've noticed the distinct lack of MX-5 in my life, so I'm on the lookout for a MK1 pre 1993 1.6 (non-import) as it keeps the insurance somewhat reasonable.

This being my first secondhand car purchase (and indeed my only!) I was wondering if there was anyone London based who might be willing to join me on poking a few in return for suitable pub-based sustenance.

I've read through the buyers guide, and so I understand I'm looking for something with sills in good nick, a dry boot and no wobbly woodruff key however reading about it compared to actually looking at it are two different things!

Finally if anyone knows of a decent one going I'm in North London but willing to travel! smile

piefacemate

592 posts

195 months

Sunday 13th March 2011
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Halfway decent insurers shouldn't charge more for imports, you might want to see what the goods one will do so that you don't have to exclude the often higher quality imports.

Afraid I'm in Manchester so can't help with the search, but best of luck!

xrs444

Original Poster:

15 posts

188 months

Sunday 13th March 2011
quotequote all
Admiral were quoting 350 odd quid more for an import, and out of the normal insurers they seem to be by far the cheapest.

I need to get some quotes from some of the specialist insurers, but although I'm 29, I've only had a licence for about 2 and a half years, and my missus has only had her UK licence for a year (US one for years though!) so a lot of places just quote silly money. Coupled with it going to be parked on the street in Haringey it's not going to be cheap whichever way I play it!


Night Runner

12,423 posts

218 months

Sunday 13th March 2011
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I bought one 11 months after passing my test, I found that I could afford to insure a >1996 1.8 as they had immobilisers which reduced the cost by about 50%.

With 1yrs ncb it was costing me the same as a 1.25 mk5 ford fiesta which I had before. That was with Admiral too.

piefacemate

592 posts

195 months

Monday 14th March 2011
quotequote all
xrs444 said:
Admiral were quoting 350 odd quid more for an import, and out of the normal insurers they seem to be by far the cheapest.

I need to get some quotes from some of the specialist insurers, but although I'm 29, I've only had a licence for about 2 and a half years, and my missus has only had her UK licence for a year (US one for years though!) so a lot of places just quote silly money. Coupled with it going to be parked on the street in Haringey it's not going to be cheap whichever way I play it!
£350 sounds a good price to me, I'd just go with that and buy the best you can get.

Don Phil

622 posts

213 months

Monday 14th March 2011
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xrs444 said:
so I'm on the lookout for a MK1 pre 1993 1.6 (non-import) as it keeps the insurance somewhat reasonable.
You tried Aviva, cost me less for an import than a UK car last year (go figure confused )

xrs444

Original Poster:

15 posts

188 months

Monday 14th March 2011
quotequote all
Good call with the 1.8, I shall ask the insurers! Aviva want the wrong side of 5K to insure me though...

Just tried Adrian Flux, apparently closing at 7 does mean closing at 7, the line died on the dot just before they could give me the magic number, and they've not called back or emailed.

I'll try REIS too, however considering where I live I doubt I'll get it much cheaper. The people around here are not exactly licenced, insured or able to drive.....


piefacemate

592 posts

195 months

Monday 14th March 2011
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That sounds like Flux's current level of service. REIS were very sensible and well priced for mine. They do primarily motorsport to know what they're up to.

xrs444

Original Poster:

15 posts

188 months

Monday 14th March 2011
quotequote all
I'd have asked them already, but they're only open 9-5!

xrs444

Original Poster:

15 posts

188 months

Tuesday 15th March 2011
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Well, REIS can't do anything as it will live on the road, but Admiral have come up with something reasonable for an early 1.6 Eunos so it's a go on that front. smile

Who's best for breakdown cover?

piefacemate

592 posts

195 months

Wednesday 16th March 2011
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I use the AA who've been good so far. They also do a warranty whereby if they can't fix the car on the roadside they'll contribute £200 towards the repairs.

Riknos

4,701 posts

228 months

Wednesday 16th March 2011
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piefacemate said:
I use the AA who've been good so far. They also do a warranty whereby if they can't fix the car on the roadside they'll contribute £200 towards the repairs.
That sounds too good to be true! Wonder how many exceptions are in the small print...

I'm with RAC because they were cheaper for the same cover.

I'm also with Admiral as they were the cheapest when I took out the policy!

piefacemate

592 posts

195 months

Wednesday 16th March 2011
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Riknos said:
That sounds too good to be true! Wonder how many exceptions are in the small print...

I'm with RAC because they were cheaper for the same cover.

I'm also with Admiral as they were the cheapest when I took out the policy!
None that tripped me up when I claimed. And it's £500 they contribute not 200 as I posted. Instructing the garage on what to tell them possibly helped.

beeblebrox

184 posts

182 months

Wednesday 16th March 2011
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I'm in very much the same boat as you - looking for a cheap to insure MX-5, 27, license for 2 years - but in the South Wales area. I'm definitely going to have to go further afield for one! What's your budget for the car itself, if you don't mind my asking?

xrs444

Original Poster:

15 posts

188 months

Wednesday 16th March 2011
quotequote all
About a grand to 1.2K give or take a touch.

Hopefully looking at one or two this Saturday in Kent and Essex if anyone is around who would be happy to cast a more expert eye over them in return for comestibles? smile

beeblebrox

184 posts

182 months

Monday 4th April 2011
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Did you find one in the end, OP? After looking at a few rotters I found a really nice Eunos in Hereford and have been having lots of fun since smile

Munter

31,330 posts

265 months

Monday 4th April 2011
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Night Runner said:
I bought one 11 months after passing my test, I found that I could afford to insure a >1996 1.8 as they had immobilisers which reduced the cost by about 50%.
scratchchin That's a good point. I wonder how many people doing quotes are including an immobiliser in them. The cost of fitting one may be covered by the reduction in the 1st years premium if the difference is as big as you found...

Interesting.

(For some reason the 1st owner of my car fitted an immobiliser, when it had one as standard anyway!)

xrs444

Original Poster:

15 posts

188 months

Monday 4th April 2011
quotequote all
Munter said:
scratchchin That's a good point. I wonder how many people doing quotes are including an immobiliser in them. The cost of fitting one may be covered by the reduction in the 1st years premium if the difference is as big as you found...

Interesting.
With Admiral on my 91 Eunos there was no difference in quote for an alarm or immobiliser!

www.flickr.com/xrs444

She needs a bit of tlc and a good service, but her bodywork is sound and the engine runs rather nicely! smile

mondayo

1,834 posts

287 months

Tuesday 5th April 2011
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I just insured my car with footman james yesterday and they were very good....my quotes when something like.

Chris Knott over a 1000
http://www.rhclassicinsurance.co.uk 195
footman james 182

I went with footman james as they were recommended, plus if you join the MX5 owners club, they give you a 15% discount...they'll quote you before you're a member too, so you can see if it's worth joining or not.

That's for central Sheffield parked in a garage overnight on a classic/restricted milage policy, for me and the wife.

Gizmo!

18,150 posts

233 months

Wednesday 13th April 2011
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xrs444 said:
About a grand to 1.2K give or take a touch.

Hopefully looking at one or two this Saturday in Kent and Essex if anyone is around who would be happy to cast a more expert eye over them in return for comestibles? smile
How did it go? I didn't see this but I'm in Essex (IG10) if you find another this direction.