£10k Mazda MX-5 (ND) | Spotted
You can't buy the fourth-gen MX-5 new anymore, but you can have one for four figures - what's stopping you?
There really is no time like the present for the Mazda MX-5. The 2.0-litre model is no longer available to order in the UK, and it’d be nothing short of a miracle if Mazda could repeat the same unfettered joy of the current car with a replacement. In the late '20s, anything as close to the ND in terms of simplicity, low mass and affordability would be astonishing. Even for Mazda, one of the best out there for taking on seemingly impossible tasks.
And while it would be easy to point to a preregistered car with a saving, the ND2 update that really brought the best from the platform or a snazzy anniversary car, the MX-5’s value proposition has always been one of its main selling points. So here’s the first 2.0-litre Mk4 MX-5 we’ve seen at less than £10,000. Hang out the bunting and dig out the party poppers, it’s celebration time. Looks a good one, too.
The 160hp Mk4 MX-5s weren’t perfect, granted. The 2.0-litre wasn’t quite as zingy as the 1.5 - or the 184hp update - but without anything like it just a decade later we’ll take a less-than-perfect 7,000rpm engine than none at all. Similarly, the chassis was a little too roly-poly to confidently exploit, but it’s far easier to overlook gripes when the 1,000kg two-seater is now less than £10k.
And there’s the modifying to think of, too, another key part of the MX-5’s appeal over the decades. While upgrades won’t have become any cheaper while the car has, there’s obviously no warranty to be concerned about at 10 years old. And as parts wear with age, so there’s the scope to get better replacements. From top to bottom and front to back, there’s huge potential to make the MX-5 into whatever you want.
Indeed, it looks like someone has already made a start; the ride height here looks lower, the exhaust larger, the gearknob decidedly worse than standard. The numberplate and stickers would at least suggest enthusiast ownership, as would four matching tyres, so that’s good to see.
The mileage is low, both inside and outside look very smart, and we’ll almost be at British Summer Time before the next MOT is due. While it might have taken longer than expected for the best MX-5s to reach this money, without a direct replacement due it seems unlikely they’re going to sink towards Shed money anytime soon. Even the very cheapest 1.5 are eight grand. There’s never been a bad time for the ND, in truth, because it was the best MX-5 (in an all-round sense) ever made. But now it just looks that little bit more enticing.
SPECIFICATION | MAZDA MX-5 2.0 SE-L
Engine: 1,998cc, 4-cyl
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 160@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 148@4,600rpm
MPG: 40.9 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 161g/km
Year registered: 2016
Recorded mileage: 46,134
Price new: £20,095
Yours for: £9,995
Normally aspirated, RWD, Bilstein dampers, rear diff, manual (rifle bolt) gearbox, great build quality, never goes wrong, 40mpg, cheap to service/insure, looks good, sounds good with a £300 exhaust mod.
It's just too rationally good to justify spending £££ on something else other than for bragging rights. It's one of those cars that you'd look back and regret selling.
Normally aspirated, RWD, Bilstein dampers, rear diff, manual (rifle bolt) gearbox, great build quality, never goes wrong, 40mpg, cheap to service/insure, looks good, sounds good with a £300 exhaust mod.
It's just too rationally good to justify spending £££ on something else other than for bragging rights. It's one of those cars that you'd look back and regret selling.
Or America for the LS conversion….
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