Is it worth buying?
Discussion
I'm looking for a decent MK1 MX-5, my local garage is selling a UK 1995 M Reg MX-5 in Calafornia yellow, question is its covered 124k miles but doesn't have 'full history' but some old invoices.... Its up for £1750, is it worth buying, or should I walk away and insist on a 'FULL SERVICE HISTORY'??
I know these engines are very good, but is it too much of a risk without a Full service history, or shouldn't I be worried?
I know these engines are very good, but is it too much of a risk without a Full service history, or shouldn't I be worried?
You have to use a bit of savvy buying older cars. You aren't likely to find many MX-5s for £1750 with FSH.
Mine is only 7 years old but I haven't had it serviced since it was 3 years old. I do all my servicing myself, mostly because it's cheaper but also because I don't stick to a service schedule. I service parts as and when I think they need it. Oil-changes for example, I do when I think it's needed i.e. about 6000 road miles or after a track-day.
So with cars like this you need to take a good look at the car. The condition of the body-work, the cleanliness of the engine-bay, check the oil & water, listen to it idling when cold as well as when it's warm, the condition/wear pattern of the tyres etc. pretty much what you'd do for any old car.
Mine is only 7 years old but I haven't had it serviced since it was 3 years old. I do all my servicing myself, mostly because it's cheaper but also because I don't stick to a service schedule. I service parts as and when I think they need it. Oil-changes for example, I do when I think it's needed i.e. about 6000 road miles or after a track-day.
So with cars like this you need to take a good look at the car. The condition of the body-work, the cleanliness of the engine-bay, check the oil & water, listen to it idling when cold as well as when it's warm, the condition/wear pattern of the tyres etc. pretty much what you'd do for any old car.
I've seen that one in the trader, was a touch too far for me to go visit at 124k miles. Be interested to know what it was like.
seller of yella mazda said:
Hello,
Yes the car is definatley a UK car with no modifications I will put some pics of interior on today on the add ,hood is in very good cndition with no rips or cracks milage is 124,000 miles Sills and arches are not rusty vehicle has just been MOT'd no signs of rust showing they have been repaired call me on my mobile if interested thanks.
Yes the car is definatley a UK car with no modifications I will put some pics of interior on today on the add ,hood is in very good cndition with no rips or cracks milage is 124,000 miles Sills and arches are not rusty vehicle has just been MOT'd no signs of rust showing they have been repaired call me on my mobile if interested thanks.
sassthathoopie said:
Also bear in mind that by insisting on FSH you are discounting all the Japanese imports (arguably the better cars)
I wouldn't buy an import anyway, its a UK car I'm looking for http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1990-MAZDA-MX-5-SILVER_W0QQi...This one looks quite good??
205gtinut said:
I wouldn't buy an import anyway
Imports are defintely the way to go if your insurance quotes will not be adversley affected - Benefits include;- No rust/dull paintwork
- Electric windows
- A/C
- PAS
- Some aftermarket goodies
- RS Limited, R Limited, S Limited special editions
- LSD
You pays your money....
maz8062 said:
205gtinut said:
I wouldn't buy an import anyway
Imports are defintely the way to go if your insurance quotes will not be adversley affected - Benefits include;- No rust/dull paintwork
- Electric windows
- A/C
- PAS
- Some aftermarket goodies
- RS Limited, R Limited, S Limited special editions
- LSD
You pays your money....
Early (pre 94) UK cars were pretty much the same spec as Jap cars and from 94 the 1.8iS had all those options (again except LSD).
I'd just look for any car that was within my budget, was in the best condition and had the options I want. I wouldn't take UK/Jap market into account at all as they are 99.99% the same car anyway.
MX-5 Lazza said:
maz8062 said:
205gtinut said:
I wouldn't buy an import anyway
Imports are defintely the way to go if your insurance quotes will not be adversley affected - Benefits include;- No rust/dull paintwork
- Electric windows
- A/C
- PAS
- Some aftermarket goodies
- RS Limited, R Limited, S Limited special editions
- LSD
You pays your money....
Early (pre 94) UK cars were pretty much the same spec as Jap cars and from 94 the 1.8iS had all those options (again except LSD).
I'd just look for any car that was within my budget, was in the best condition and had the options I want. I wouldn't take UK/Jap market into account at all as they are 99.99% the same car anyway.
There are plenty of insurance companies that don't care (or not much) if it's an import. And as for the history - the Japanese version of MOT (shaken?) is much (MUCH) more strict than the UK MOT and as a result Jap cars are usually in much better mechanical condition than UK cars. They also don't use salt on the roads in winter so the bodywork is usually in better condition too. People always say they aren't under-sealed as well as UK cars but I think that's a myth. They are all made next to each other on the same production line and I've never seen a difference myself.
Few cars at that price will have a full dealer service history so I would just use buyer savvy rather than any history that is available.
As for the car you mention, impossible to say without seeing it/knowing much more detail. It's at the upper end for a Mk1 1.6 but if it's in fantastic condition and/or has lots of nice extras it might be worth it.
Few cars at that price will have a full dealer service history so I would just use buyer savvy rather than any history that is available.
As for the car you mention, impossible to say without seeing it/knowing much more detail. It's at the upper end for a Mk1 1.6 but if it's in fantastic condition and/or has lots of nice extras it might be worth it.
wot 'e said, basically. The jap cars I looked at were all in far better condition than the uk ones no exceptions. Buy based on what you have in front of you ,not ancient history. Be savvy, and talk to the sellers, you'll find that enthusiast cars might not have a book of stamps, but they've been meticulously cared for. Unless that silver one is mint, then it's overpriced
Edited by snotrag on Tuesday 21st October 13:51
snotrag said:
wot 'e said, basically. The jap cars I looked at were all in far better condition than the uk ones no exceptions. Buy based on what you have in front of you ,not ancient history. Be savvy, and talk to the sellers, you'll find that enthusiast cars might not have a book of stamps, but they've been meticulously cared for. Unless that silver one is mint, then it's overpriced
Good argument, cheers. Yours looks very nice btw!! Edited by snotrag on Tuesday 21st October 13:51
A couple of points.
Although all the toys may have been options on UK cars, very few were specced up as far as I can see. I have never seen a UK Mk.1 with a/c. Only disadvatages with imports are insurance (Although I pay less than 400 for business use parked on the road in greater london with mods, so really not bad) and possibly history. HAving said that, Jap cars are generally well looked after. Mine had patchy history but is straight and runs well.
Other thing, re:radiator paint on lower half. All 5s have a strange finish on the lower half of the body where it's a bit hammeritey!
Although all the toys may have been options on UK cars, very few were specced up as far as I can see. I have never seen a UK Mk.1 with a/c. Only disadvatages with imports are insurance (Although I pay less than 400 for business use parked on the road in greater london with mods, so really not bad) and possibly history. HAving said that, Jap cars are generally well looked after. Mine had patchy history but is straight and runs well.
Other thing, re:radiator paint on lower half. All 5s have a strange finish on the lower half of the body where it's a bit hammeritey!
NiceCupOfTea said:
A couple of points.
Although all the toys may have been options on UK cars, very few were specced up as far as I can see. I have never seen a UK Mk.1 with a/c. Only disadvatages with imports are insurance (Although I pay less than 400 for business use parked on the road in greater london with mods, so really not bad) and possibly history. HAving said that, Jap cars are generally well looked after. Mine had patchy history but is straight and runs well.
Other thing, re:radiator paint on lower half. All 5s have a strange finish on the lower half of the body where it's a bit hammeritey!
Again valid points, I guess at the end of the day it comes down to personal preference. I'm a bit of an anorak when it comes to cars and I love nothing more than seeing a ring binder full of receipts and old mots. I suppose I feel buying an import is a bit like getting a new girlfriend, she looks nice on the outside but you don't know where she's been! lol (Some might say thats a good thing) I think I will pursue my quest for a well maintained UK car with more history than the Royal family..... Although all the toys may have been options on UK cars, very few were specced up as far as I can see. I have never seen a UK Mk.1 with a/c. Only disadvatages with imports are insurance (Although I pay less than 400 for business use parked on the road in greater london with mods, so really not bad) and possibly history. HAving said that, Jap cars are generally well looked after. Mine had patchy history but is straight and runs well.
Other thing, re:radiator paint on lower half. All 5s have a strange finish on the lower half of the body where it's a bit hammeritey!
NiceCupOfTea said:
A couple of points.
Although all the toys may have been options on UK cars, very few were specced up as far as I can see. I have never seen a UK Mk.1 with a/c. Only disadvatages with imports are insurance (Although I pay less than 400 for business use parked on the road in greater london with mods, so really not bad) and possibly history. HAving said that, Jap cars are generally well looked after. Mine had patchy history but is straight and runs well.
Other thing, re:radiator paint on lower half. All 5s have a strange finish on the lower half of the body where it's a bit hammeritey!
I worked that out after viewing 3 with the same fault. Although all the toys may have been options on UK cars, very few were specced up as far as I can see. I have never seen a UK Mk.1 with a/c. Only disadvatages with imports are insurance (Although I pay less than 400 for business use parked on the road in greater london with mods, so really not bad) and possibly history. HAving said that, Jap cars are generally well looked after. Mine had patchy history but is straight and runs well.
Other thing, re:radiator paint on lower half. All 5s have a strange finish on the lower half of the body where it's a bit hammeritey!
NiceCupOfTea said:
Although all the toys may have been options on UK cars, very few were specced up as far as I can see. I have never seen a UK Mk.1 with a/c.
True but 205 didn't say he wanted AC. Also, the Jap options list was pretty much the same as it was here, it's just that the majority of Jap buyers chose AC. There are still a large number of Jap imports that don't have AC, EW, PAS etc...But I'm not trying to agree or disagree - I don't think UK/Jap market should be an issue as long as the car has the required spec & quality.
MX-5 Lazza said:
NiceCupOfTea said:
Although all the toys may have been options on UK cars, very few were specced up as far as I can see. I have never seen a UK Mk.1 with a/c.
True but 205 didn't say he wanted AC. Also, the Jap options list was pretty much the same as it was here, it's just that the majority of Jap buyers chose AC. There are still a large number of Jap imports that don't have AC, EW, PAS etc...But I'm not trying to agree or disagree - I don't think UK/Jap market should be an issue as long as the car has the required spec & quality.
MX-5 Lazza said:
NiceCupOfTea said:
Although all the toys may have been options on UK cars, very few were specced up as far as I can see. I have never seen a UK Mk.1 with a/c.
True but 205 didn't say he wanted AC. Also, the Jap options list was pretty much the same as it was here, it's just that the majority of Jap buyers chose AC. There are still a large number of Jap imports that don't have AC, EW, PAS etc...But I'm not trying to agree or disagree - I don't think UK/Jap market should be an issue as long as the car has the required spec & quality.
I know some people would rather the UK cars due to a better history, "lightness", less to go wrong etc. - my dad bought both of his on this basis. For me it was always going to be a JDM car though.
So to the OP, just as long as you aware of the pros/cons of each you can make your decision
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