RE: PH Fleet Update: Mazda Eunos Roadster

RE: PH Fleet Update: Mazda Eunos Roadster

Author
Discussion

Hellbound

2,500 posts

175 months

Monday 14th March 2011
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VeeFour said:
Did you say it was an imported MX5 or an imported Eunos - that's what makes the difference - and some insurers will also differentiate between Euro imports and Jap imports.

All I know is that if you correctly declare a car as a Jap import Eunos, you'll pay more than you will for a UK spec. car.

I've seen equal numbers of rotten UK and import cars - at one time the stuff about imports being less rusty held true - but most imports were only a few years old when they came into the UK, so there's very little difference these days.

My P-plate UK car is rust free- something I couldn't say for any of the imports I saw.
I agree. I saw a lovely, fully specced late model mk1 1.8i S (white, hard top, chrome luggage rack and roll bars, leather) for something like £2100ono and it had 70k, fsh, and no rust whatsoever. As with cars this age, getting a good'un is very 'right time/right place' sensitive. Also, an import that's been kicking about here for 10 years or so isn't going to be any different to a uk car. Didn't get it because I really need every car I have to seat 4 right now.

rob.brad

22 posts

194 months

Tuesday 15th March 2011
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I'm looking to buy a mk1 Eunos from a friend of mine (6 point cage, coilovers, fast road pads/discs, 4 branch manifold back, OMP steering wheel... Should make a really fun daily) so I am watching every update/comment closely! My main problem isn't with this car, it's trying to get rid of the BMW I already have in order to get the required cash - no one is buying!

Definitely eager to join the mx5 club though.

Ben3883

1,971 posts

165 months

Tuesday 15th March 2011
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Jobbo said:
VeeFour said:
I often feel the myth about buying imports is now just a myth - most imports have been around in the UK for 15 years or more, so are just as likely to be rusty as UK cars.

The advantage with UK cars is that it's much easier to insure them cheaply.
I'm not convinced the imports have any less underseal than the UK cars, judging by how much UK cars rust. Imports seem to be a better bet in that respect.
My rust free import has only been in the UK for 6 years.
And it had a fair bit of underseal on it when it arrived. Didn't stop me redoing it and having the thing waxoyled anyway though.

Dan Trent

1,866 posts

167 months

Tuesday 15th March 2011
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Thanks for the feedback all!

Thought I'd chip in with a bit more detail on the wheels... They are ET37 and the correct bolt pattern/diameter so I lucked out there and all I needed was a new set of spigot rings. Took a bit of hunting down but I got them in the end. I'm extremely wary of over-wheeling and over tyre-ing it too - don't want to mess with that all important jinba ittai eh! - so I'll reserve judgement for now. The Ultraleggeras are very light though, around 4.9kg each IIRC, and NAs did run with 15s so I don't think it's going too far. But I take the point. And the 14s and mighty Tigars are ready to roar if needs be.

Noted on the K&N 'warm air feed' too - a heatshield is on the to-do list for that one. And the stick-on numberplate saga? Don't ask. It's too painful.

GravelBen

15,655 posts

229 months

Tuesday 15th March 2011
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Dan Trent said:
They are ET37 and the correct bolt pattern/diameter so I lucked out there and all I needed was a new set of spigot rings. Took a bit of hunting down but I got them in the end. I'm extremely wary of over-wheeling and over tyre-ing it too - don't want to mess with that all important jinba ittai eh! - so I'll reserve judgement for now. The Ultraleggeras are very light though, around 4.9kg each IIRC, and NAs did run with 15s so I don't think it's going too far.
thumbup

They sound just right then.

NeoVR

434 posts

170 months

Wednesday 16th March 2011
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Did the braided brake hoses make a difference? smile

heebeegeetee

28,591 posts

247 months

Thursday 17th March 2011
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NeoVR said:
Did the braided brake hoses make a difference? smile
If they've replaced old hoses then I feel they must do, but so would new standard hoses too. smile

Dan Trent

1,866 posts

167 months

Thursday 17th March 2011
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Probably not enough to merit the £80 + fitting it cost to have them put on! But it's something I've had on all my cars and it definitely does firm up the pedal a bit. Am daft for not using the new discs/pads as an opportunity to buy the big discs and source the brackets for them. Ho hum!

Oh, and I think MX-5 Parts have braided lines on their special offers this month too. Doh!

iantrinsic

34 posts

185 months

Sunday 27th March 2011
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Bought my stick on plates off ebay. Brilliant and no probs in last two years.