2005 MX5 'Launch Edition' BBR Super 200
Discussion
TameRacingDriver said:
Thanks mate, it is still a very nice looking car I think, and I have enjoyed my time with it very much. 
I certainly know what you mean though, I'm much the same as you would be as a buyer, I'm kind of just hoping that it goes to someone with more time and skill than me to give the car the love it deserves. I just don't have that luxury ultimately, and in any case my tastes have begun to change a bit recently.
We shall see on Friday if it sells, hopefully it will, I don't think I've ever seen a BBR breathed on mx5 go for less money than I've got this up for, so hopefully that will tempt someone. Ultimately, it'd have been better to sell it in spring with a full MOT but it's not a luxury I have.
Lovely example, not for me atm but absolutely lovely.I certainly know what you mean though, I'm much the same as you would be as a buyer, I'm kind of just hoping that it goes to someone with more time and skill than me to give the car the love it deserves. I just don't have that luxury ultimately, and in any case my tastes have begun to change a bit recently.
We shall see on Friday if it sells, hopefully it will, I don't think I've ever seen a BBR breathed on mx5 go for less money than I've got this up for, so hopefully that will tempt someone. Ultimately, it'd have been better to sell it in spring with a full MOT but it's not a luxury I have.
TameRacingDriver said:
Thanks mate, it is still a very nice looking car I think, and I have enjoyed my time with it very much.
I certainly know what you mean though, I'm much the same as you would be as a buyer, I'm kind of just hoping that it goes to someone with more time and skill than me to give the car the love it deserves. I just don't have that luxury ultimately, and in any case my tastes have begun to change a bit recently.
We shall see on Friday if it sells, hopefully it will, I don't think I've ever seen a BBR breathed on mx5 go for less money than I've got this up for, so hopefully that will tempt someone. Ultimately, it'd have been better to sell it in spring with a full MOT but it's not a luxury I have.
If the right person buys it they will get a bargain...but not someone as useless as me! I'm wearing my rose tinted glasses but think they have aged very well.I certainly know what you mean though, I'm much the same as you would be as a buyer, I'm kind of just hoping that it goes to someone with more time and skill than me to give the car the love it deserves. I just don't have that luxury ultimately, and in any case my tastes have begun to change a bit recently.
We shall see on Friday if it sells, hopefully it will, I don't think I've ever seen a BBR breathed on mx5 go for less money than I've got this up for, so hopefully that will tempt someone. Ultimately, it'd have been better to sell it in spring with a full MOT but it's not a luxury I have.
Well, it hasn't sold - it turns out the bid was from a mate who did it after having a few pints to do me a favour on a Saturday night 
Probably the lack of MOT and wrong time of year to be selling such a car.
Will most likely stick 12 months on it, get it serviced, and try again in a few weeks.
If it was practical to wait until Spring I'd have done that, but I can't SORN it and I'm assuming I still have to keep my insurance going - I'm guessing my fully comp cover on my new car wouldn't really cover me for the MX5 even though I barely drive it at the minute.
Nobody will ever get a cheaper Mk3 BBR MX5 than this, but it seems to be a very niche market.
Probably the lack of MOT and wrong time of year to be selling such a car.
Will most likely stick 12 months on it, get it serviced, and try again in a few weeks.
If it was practical to wait until Spring I'd have done that, but I can't SORN it and I'm assuming I still have to keep my insurance going - I'm guessing my fully comp cover on my new car wouldn't really cover me for the MX5 even though I barely drive it at the minute.
Nobody will ever get a cheaper Mk3 BBR MX5 than this, but it seems to be a very niche market.
Update - it's past its MOT, so that's out of the way until Jan 2025, which should help me sell it.
The tester was a bit of an MX5 enthusiast himself, and complimented it on the condition of the underside; although it did have an advisory for surface corrosion, he said that's all it was and most MX5s he sees of that age are absolute rot boxes, so that's a positive to take away.
While it's not the best time to be selling it most likely, I don't really have anywhere to store it, and in reality, even with its new MOT, I can't see it being worth all that much given the mileage and the fact it does need a little TLC. Also I'd also guess I'll get a little insurance and tax back, and lessen the chance of anything else going wrong in the interim. It's also becoming a bit of a chore, as I feel I need to give it reasonably regular runs out to stop it from seizing up, so on balance it'd be nice to see it gone before 2024.
It's been a cool little car though and I still enjoy driving it, and maybe if I had a garage / more space, and a need for a second or third car, then I'd probably hang on to it, alas, the Mini is fitting my lifestyle perfectly, and is just as much of a hoot in it's own way.
The tester was a bit of an MX5 enthusiast himself, and complimented it on the condition of the underside; although it did have an advisory for surface corrosion, he said that's all it was and most MX5s he sees of that age are absolute rot boxes, so that's a positive to take away.
While it's not the best time to be selling it most likely, I don't really have anywhere to store it, and in reality, even with its new MOT, I can't see it being worth all that much given the mileage and the fact it does need a little TLC. Also I'd also guess I'll get a little insurance and tax back, and lessen the chance of anything else going wrong in the interim. It's also becoming a bit of a chore, as I feel I need to give it reasonably regular runs out to stop it from seizing up, so on balance it'd be nice to see it gone before 2024.
It's been a cool little car though and I still enjoy driving it, and maybe if I had a garage / more space, and a need for a second or third car, then I'd probably hang on to it, alas, the Mini is fitting my lifestyle perfectly, and is just as much of a hoot in it's own way.
MC Bodge said:
I do wonder why Mazda didn't do more to prevent rust on the various versions of the MX5.
Seems to be a Japanese thing, especially in the modern era, I guess because they don't salt their roads, and I'd guess they make no real alterations for markets outside of Japan?Another thing is I'm finding hard is deciding how much this thing will be worth, given it does need some TLC, high mileage, but is a limited edition and does have the sought after BBR Super 200 kit. I think I probably overpaid for this in the beginning what with all the covid madness, but the arse does seem to be falling out of the market.
I'm selling at the wrong time of year. On that point, I guess there could be a case made for hanging on a few months but I really can't truly guarantee it'll be worth that much more, something may go wrong in the interim, and I'm losing insurance and tax money every month.
I'd definitely be happy with £4k but realistically, I may have to be prepared to take a fair bit less.
TameRacingDriver said:
Seems to be a Japanese thing, especially in the modern era, I guess because they don't salt their roads, and I'd guess they make no real alterations for markets outside of Japan?
Having previously owned MX-5s, one of which rusted badly, I don't think it is a Japanese thing, as my MR2 is much better. I have had to replace the rear subframe, but it is a bolt on part. The actual bodywork seems much better.Craikeybaby said:
Having previously owned MX-5s, one of which rusted badly, I don't think it is a Japanese thing, as my MR2 is much better. I have had to replace the rear subframe, but it is a bolt on part. The actual bodywork seems much better.
To be fair I also don't remember having any real issues on my MR2 either, although I didn't really keep it long enough to find out. Certainly I remember reading lots about old Honda's rusting, although I agree the mx5 seems to have (possibly deservedly) the worst reputation for it, and it's a costly one. I must admit I was always paranoid about taking it out in winter for that reason. That was probably one reason that mine isn't actually too bad. However it's very nice to not have to worry about so much on my much newer mini that's for sure 
So I'm not really getting any interest in this which is probably not surprising at this time of year. I'm now thinking maybe I should just keep it over winter and maybe look to sell in the spring? I'm sure someone might buy it now but it's gonna go for rock bottom price, I've got a feeling I may even get double what I could get now in the spring?
100%. Literally the worst possible time currently.
Even if you wait till March - its not THAT far away, but the first semi-sunny weeked, the market for old MX-5s and suchlike changes - its very, very seasonal. I've done it many, many times.
Park it up on a battery tender, get it out in 3 months, fresh photos, fresh ad, itll sell easy.
Even if you wait till March - its not THAT far away, but the first semi-sunny weeked, the market for old MX-5s and suchlike changes - its very, very seasonal. I've done it many, many times.
Park it up on a battery tender, get it out in 3 months, fresh photos, fresh ad, itll sell easy.
snotrag said:
100%. Literally the worst possible time currently.
Even if you wait till March - its not THAT far away, but the first semi-sunny weeked, the market for old MX-5s and suchlike changes - its very, very seasonal. I've done it many, many times.
Park it up on a battery tender, get it out in 3 months, fresh photos, fresh ad, itll sell easy.
Even if you wait till March - its not THAT far away, but the first semi-sunny weeked, the market for old MX-5s and suchlike changes - its very, very seasonal. I've done it many, many times.
Park it up on a battery tender, get it out in 3 months, fresh photos, fresh ad, itll sell easy.
thanks mate, thought as much, will do that The end of the road has arrived in this chapter of the cars life; I finally managed to get it sold this morning to a lovely fella in Wales, who sent up a trailer and his friend to collect it. I'm very pleased that it's gone to a good home.
The chap is aware of its foibles, and it even sounds like he read this very thread! He sounds more than capable of giving it the TLC it deserves, and I hope he enjoys the car as much as I did. It should soon be arriving with him at his home within the next few hours.
If only all sales of cars could be this pleasant Obviously I got nothing like what I paid for it originally, but I felt the price was fair, all things considered.
Farewell to the red rocket. I may be back to an MX5 at some stage in the future, although if I do it'll most likely be a 2.0 ND2 RF, but for now, I'm happy with my JCW.
The chap is aware of its foibles, and it even sounds like he read this very thread! He sounds more than capable of giving it the TLC it deserves, and I hope he enjoys the car as much as I did. It should soon be arriving with him at his home within the next few hours.
If only all sales of cars could be this pleasant
Obviously I got nothing like what I paid for it originally, but I felt the price was fair, all things considered.Farewell to the red rocket. I may be back to an MX5 at some stage in the future, although if I do it'll most likely be a 2.0 ND2 RF, but for now, I'm happy with my JCW.
It did get a farewell drive of sorts. My last drive was yesterday to the crematorium to pay my respects to a long time good mate of mine that died before his time, in a way, it seemed a fitting end to my ownership of the car, and I will admit, I still enjoy driving it, and I will definitely miss the experience of it on a warm spring or summers day. My JCW has the pano roof and it's great to be fair, but having a sunroof open is not the same as having the roof down proper!
As for the JCW, it's a complete change and exactly what I needed; the added practicality has been welcome, I love the comfort for day to day and long distance driving, the latter I'm doing a lot more these days. Yet it still goes around corners like something possessed, the engine and exhaust note is addictive, as is the 'ample' torque; it's a car that definitely feels over-engined in a good way! It's even quite impressive on petrol for the performance. I think these cars are quite underrated and can see me with it for a few years. Modest remap to give it a bit more higher up the rev range and it would be more or less perfect for me. Properly rapid little weapon with character and comfort!
I treated the Mini to a valet tonight, it does scrub up quite well I reckon
As for the JCW, it's a complete change and exactly what I needed; the added practicality has been welcome, I love the comfort for day to day and long distance driving, the latter I'm doing a lot more these days. Yet it still goes around corners like something possessed, the engine and exhaust note is addictive, as is the 'ample' torque; it's a car that definitely feels over-engined in a good way! It's even quite impressive on petrol for the performance. I think these cars are quite underrated and can see me with it for a few years. Modest remap to give it a bit more higher up the rev range and it would be more or less perfect for me. Properly rapid little weapon with character and comfort!
I treated the Mini to a valet tonight, it does scrub up quite well I reckon
Edited by TameRacingDriver on Wednesday 21st February 21:22
TameRacingDriver said:
It did get a farewell drive of sorts. My last drive was yesterday to the crematorium to pay my respects to a long time good mate of mine that died before his time, in a way, it seemed a fitting end to my ownership of the car, and I will admit, I still enjoy driving it, and I will definitely miss the experience of it on a warm spring or summers day. My JCW has the pano roof and it's great to be fair, but having a sunroof open is not the same as having the roof down proper!
As for the JCW, it's a complete change and exactly what I needed; the added practicality has been welcome, I love the comfort for day to day and long distance driving, the latter I'm doing a lot more these days. Yet it still goes around corners like something possessed, the engine and exhaust note is addictive, as is the 'ample' torque; it's a car that definitely feels over-engined in a good way! It's even quite impressive on petrol for the performance. I think these cars are quite underrated and can see me with it for a few years. Modest remap to give it a bit more higher up the rev range and it would be more or less perfect for me. Properly rapid little weapon with character and comfort!
I treated the Mini to a valet tonight, it does scrub up quite well I reckon
I must admit you are making me want an F56.As for the JCW, it's a complete change and exactly what I needed; the added practicality has been welcome, I love the comfort for day to day and long distance driving, the latter I'm doing a lot more these days. Yet it still goes around corners like something possessed, the engine and exhaust note is addictive, as is the 'ample' torque; it's a car that definitely feels over-engined in a good way! It's even quite impressive on petrol for the performance. I think these cars are quite underrated and can see me with it for a few years. Modest remap to give it a bit more higher up the rev range and it would be more or less perfect for me. Properly rapid little weapon with character and comfort!
I treated the Mini to a valet tonight, it does scrub up quite well I reckon
Edited by TameRacingDriver on Wednesday 21st February 21:22
Are the standard cooper S's just as much fun or is the JCW part critical?
My BBR will be staying tucked up until April ....
buccal said:
I must admit you are making me want an F56.
Are the standard cooper S's just as much fun or is the JCW part critical?
My BBR will be staying tucked up until April ....
Personally, if you can stretch to the difference, then I'd just go straight to the JCW over the Cooper S.Are the standard cooper S's just as much fun or is the JCW part critical?
My BBR will be staying tucked up until April ....
I reckon if I'd gone for the MCS I definitely would have ended up modding, as it's a little "restricted" out of the box. The JCW has 40 extra BHP, stronger internals, shaper suspension setup, much better brakes, more tunable, and just looks and feels more special... The thing is if I don't want to mod then the JCW is the real deal for me whereas the CS would have fallen just slightly short, I always knew I wanted the JCW though to be fair.
But that said you can easily turn an MCS into a beast, as my mate did with his, same engine really at the end of the day, but his was very stealthy, a real Q car as it was so understated, which might appeal.
An F56 and an MX5 would make a sweet 2 car combo though, they're very different cars.
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