Mk1 Eunos/MX5, First Car.
Discussion
Hi,
Just before anyone points out the slightly mad (stupid) side of having a Mk1 Eunos/MX5 as a first car I know. I have already considered how much it will be to run.
So anyway. I'm really really tempted to get a Eunos/MX5 as a first car and have decided on the Mk1 as a decent example can be had for under £1000. At the moment I've got the better part of a year to wait until I can start getting driving lessons, but I made the mistake of looking on the internet at some Eunos' and have decided I want one. I don't want to be like most other 17 year olds (probably about this time next year) and drive something like a Corsa or a Saxo. I want a Eunos. I have planned out what I can do. Pick up a decent example for under £1000. I will then look for a hardtop for it to save the convertible roof from being slashed while I am in college by someone who is jealous of my 20+ year old car which cost 3x less than theirs. So anyway I just wanted to find out what it is like running one. I am about 6"6 but do actually fit in one (my uncle's GF has one which is a pretty much flawless example of an 89 Eunos (which might also be a possibility as she is contemplating selling it)) with the roof down. But hey I figure what's the point of a convertible if a bit of cold weather makes you wuss out of putting the roof down, that's what heaters are for. I also noticed that some Flux guys come on here sometimes and was wondering if it would be possible at all to find out how much a Eunos/MX5 of that vintage would cost to insure. I know *WHEN* I get one the mother's car is being kicked out of the garage. I will also probably do some advanced driver training courses. (Wow this post has really grown). So anyway thanks in advance for any advice about Mk1 Eunos/MX5 ownership. And especially thank you if anyone in the insurance industry can find out how much it would cost to insure when I am 17 with my current circumstances. (I am currently 16 but consider myself a bit of a petrol head. (no mopeds(hair drier with wheels) for me saving for a car)). Ok thanks. Man this post is so long winded. o0 before I forget it is the 1.6 I am looking at.
Just before anyone points out the slightly mad (stupid) side of having a Mk1 Eunos/MX5 as a first car I know. I have already considered how much it will be to run.
So anyway. I'm really really tempted to get a Eunos/MX5 as a first car and have decided on the Mk1 as a decent example can be had for under £1000. At the moment I've got the better part of a year to wait until I can start getting driving lessons, but I made the mistake of looking on the internet at some Eunos' and have decided I want one. I don't want to be like most other 17 year olds (probably about this time next year) and drive something like a Corsa or a Saxo. I want a Eunos. I have planned out what I can do. Pick up a decent example for under £1000. I will then look for a hardtop for it to save the convertible roof from being slashed while I am in college by someone who is jealous of my 20+ year old car which cost 3x less than theirs. So anyway I just wanted to find out what it is like running one. I am about 6"6 but do actually fit in one (my uncle's GF has one which is a pretty much flawless example of an 89 Eunos (which might also be a possibility as she is contemplating selling it)) with the roof down. But hey I figure what's the point of a convertible if a bit of cold weather makes you wuss out of putting the roof down, that's what heaters are for. I also noticed that some Flux guys come on here sometimes and was wondering if it would be possible at all to find out how much a Eunos/MX5 of that vintage would cost to insure. I know *WHEN* I get one the mother's car is being kicked out of the garage. I will also probably do some advanced driver training courses. (Wow this post has really grown). So anyway thanks in advance for any advice about Mk1 Eunos/MX5 ownership. And especially thank you if anyone in the insurance industry can find out how much it would cost to insure when I am 17 with my current circumstances. (I am currently 16 but consider myself a bit of a petrol head. (no mopeds(hair drier with wheels) for me saving for a car)). Ok thanks. Man this post is so long winded. o0 before I forget it is the 1.6 I am looking at.
Not a silly idea at all, would be a great first car.
Remember to sell it to your parents by saying that you'll never be that person who crashes their Saxo 5 up and kills four of his mates. You'll get one of them, at most.
Joking aside, they're not at all expensive to run. A Eunos import might be harder to insure for a young chap, but you might be pleasantly surprised as it's not a "usual" 17 year old's car.
My first car was a pretty "old man" Nissan Bluebird, which cost much less to insure than an equivalent Fiesta or Nova would have done.
Remember to sell it to your parents by saying that you'll never be that person who crashes their Saxo 5 up and kills four of his mates. You'll get one of them, at most.
Joking aside, they're not at all expensive to run. A Eunos import might be harder to insure for a young chap, but you might be pleasantly surprised as it's not a "usual" 17 year old's car.
My first car was a pretty "old man" Nissan Bluebird, which cost much less to insure than an equivalent Fiesta or Nova would have done.
I can duck 
. If I hunch my head fits in under the top of the A-pillar. I would try to use the roof as little as possible anyway. Only for college which is where the greatest risk to the fabric roof would be.
Oh and my parents don't actually care as long as I don't drive like an idiot. I sold it to the mother on the only 2 seats so no distracting passengers, and the father didn't seem bothered. At the moment I am eyeing up a pretty nice blue 92 Eunos on Autotrader. From the pictures it looks in good condition. And amazingly when I had a ride in my uncle's I had more leg room than in the mother's 1.1 Kia Picanto (which has been scraped along the ladder in the garage multiple times (which would be covered in those foam protection pad things when I get a 5'.
. If I hunch my head fits in under the top of the A-pillar. I would try to use the roof as little as possible anyway. Only for college which is where the greatest risk to the fabric roof would be.Oh and my parents don't actually care as long as I don't drive like an idiot. I sold it to the mother on the only 2 seats so no distracting passengers, and the father didn't seem bothered. At the moment I am eyeing up a pretty nice blue 92 Eunos on Autotrader. From the pictures it looks in good condition. And amazingly when I had a ride in my uncle's I had more leg room than in the mother's 1.1 Kia Picanto (which has been scraped along the ladder in the garage multiple times (which would be covered in those foam protection pad things when I get a 5'.
Edited by LukeSi on Tuesday 8th February 20:50
mike9009 said:
Plug your details into an insurance comparison website. Do this sitting down because it won't be cheap! Obviously lie about your age for the time being.
Mike
Oh, and make sure you get a quote for having passed your test. I was surprised at how much my premium went up when I passed. Literally £300/year to £2k.Mike
I would happily recommend getting a mk1 whilst you're young, I had one whilst at uni and had loads of fun, however I think the insurance will stop you in your tracks. I never paid less than £700 on my 1.6 eunos from 20 to 22. I know its not what you want to hear, as I was similar when I was 17, I always wanted the car that was going to be out of reach. It'll honestly be better to get something cheaper to insure for a couple of years, and work towards some no claims bonus together to make the mx5 insurable.
On the positive side, there are plenty of other cars that are different and cheaper to insure. My first 3 cars were classic minis, and I still think its harder to have more fun then in one of those, despite low power, they handle beautifully and can teach you an awful lot about driving at low speeds.
Also, on a limited budget, a mk1 can be a bit heavy on the pocket in terms of running costs, I never got better than 28 mpg driving like a saint, unless on a long motorway run, and with the ever increasing petrol prices, that can sting.
Don't give up on getting an mx5, but I don't think it'll be manageable at 17, which is probably not what you wanted to hear, but don't be put off by it, there are alternatives that will be fun and different and more economically viable.
On the positive side, there are plenty of other cars that are different and cheaper to insure. My first 3 cars were classic minis, and I still think its harder to have more fun then in one of those, despite low power, they handle beautifully and can teach you an awful lot about driving at low speeds.
Also, on a limited budget, a mk1 can be a bit heavy on the pocket in terms of running costs, I never got better than 28 mpg driving like a saint, unless on a long motorway run, and with the ever increasing petrol prices, that can sting.
Don't give up on getting an mx5, but I don't think it'll be manageable at 17, which is probably not what you wanted to hear, but don't be put off by it, there are alternatives that will be fun and different and more economically viable.
Alright luke 
I bought my mx5 as my second car as soon as I turned 20, and what a choice of car!( i have the mark 2 btw). I transfered the insurance over from my clio to the 5 and it wasn't all that expensive. I've recently just renewed my insurance with it last week and it came to £995 for the year. I feel that's a good price considering when I was your age they wanted £1800 off me to insure a clio 1.2 
I have three years no claims which I guess helps quite a bit try speaking nicely to your parents and go for admiral multi car. Tends to be cheaper then going on your own Anyway hope all goes well and you have plenty of fun with your future 5. They are by far the funnest car I've driven yet, and a couple of my mates are now considering getting one 
all the best mate!
I bought my mx5 as my second car as soon as I turned 20, and what a choice of car!( i have the mark 2 btw). I transfered the insurance over from my clio to the 5 and it wasn't all that expensive. I've recently just renewed my insurance with it last week and it came to £995 for the year. I feel that's a good price considering when I was your age they wanted £1800 off me to insure a clio 1.2 I have three years no claims which I guess helps quite a bit try speaking nicely to your parents and go for admiral multi car. Tends to be cheaper then going on your own Anyway hope all goes well and you have plenty of fun with your future 5. They are by far the funnest car I've driven yet, and a couple of my mates are now considering getting one all the best mate!Alright luke I bought my mx5 as my second car as soon as I turned 20, and what a choice of car!( i have the mark 2 btw). I transfered the insurance over from my clio to the 5 and it wasn't all that expensive. I've recently just renewed my insurance with it last week and it came to £995 for the year. I feel that's a good price considering when I was your age they wanted £1800 off me to insure a clio 1.2 I have three years no claims which I guess helps quite a bit try speaking nicely to your parents and go for admiral multi car. Tends to be cheaper then going on your own Anyway hope all goes well and you have plenty of fun with your future 5. They are by far the funnest car I've driven yet, and a couple of my mates are now considering getting one all the best mate!
I bought my mx5 as my second car as soon as I turned 20, and what a choice of car!( i have the mark 2 btw). I transfered the insurance over from my clio to the 5 and it wasn't all that expensive. I've recently just renewed my insurance with it last week and it came to £995 for the year. I feel that's a good price considering when I was your age they wanted £1800 off me to insure a clio 1.2 I have three years no claims which I guess helps quite a bit try speaking nicely to your parents and go for admiral multi car. Tends to be cheaper then going on your own Anyway hope all goes well and you have plenty of fun with your future 5. They are by far the funnest car I've driven yet, and a couple of my mates are now considering getting one all the best mate!
this a site I have seen which suggests that anyone can drive as long as they are named. http://multi.co.uk/about/
hornetrider said:
jammy_basturd said:
I don't think a mutli-car policy would count as fronting as long as he is a named driver.
Think I disagree. It's all about who is the main driver of the car in question.Had quite a funny moment just. Through a stroke of luck the mother found this thread (google search about mx5's and this came up so I am told). By the way I have being eyeing up a very nice looking example, Mariner blue and it looks quite good, if only I had a licence. From what I can tell it looks in pretty good nick and the price isn't too bad either. Only problem is that it is about 120 miles from where I live and probably won't be for sale by the time I can drive.
[shameless taking of pictures from autotrader]
[/shameless taking of pictures from autotrader]
Can anyone see any niggling points from the pictures. Oh and another thing is that the MOT runs out on the 1st of March so has got me wondering why he is selling.
[shameless taking of pictures from autotrader]
[/shameless taking of pictures from autotrader]
Edited by LukeSi on Thursday 10th February 20:53
Can anyone see any niggling points from the pictures. Oh and another thing is that the MOT runs out on the 1st of March so has got me wondering why he is selling.
Edited by LukeSi on Thursday 10th February 20:54
LukeSi said:
Oh and another thing is that the MOT runs out on the 1st of March so has got me wondering why he is selling.
This is pretty obvious; they know it's got x,y,z wrong with it so are selling it before the MOT so they don't have to fork out for big bills.This is true in 99% of cases. Fact.
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