MK1 a future classic?

[CaptainSlow]

Will the MK1 become a desirable classic car? Will values hit rock bottom and only go up in future? Do we have another MK2 Escort or MK1 Golf?

[MX-5 Lazza]

Yes and no imo. It's already a desirable classic but there are just so many of them around I can't see the prices increasing for them for quite a while yet.

[pbirkett]

Perhaps sought after special editions in their original (or at least fairly close to) condition may hold their value now, but as said, probably too common at the minute to start appreciating. As more turn to dust though, that will change, but to be fair a lot of MX5 owners are enthusiasts who are probably somewhat more likely to look after their cars so that might take longer than it might with other cars.

[GravelBen]

pbirkett said:

...As more turn to dust though, that will change...

Though they don't really tend to rust the same in other countries, that seems to be more of a UK thing

[Gizmo!]

I think it will take a while, simply because there's so many of them (and still a supply of imports coming from Japan!) The availability of pattern/replacement parts is also very helpful.

But once they start running out, and the tin worm finally starts causing trouble, they'll become (vaguely) valuable. Look at MGs for an example - there were tons of them, and you can still buy heritage body panels - but a good one is worth well over £5k.

[peterbredde]

Already a classic. If I'm honest, the MK1 was better fun than then MK2 but not as good a place to spend time on a long journey. Based upon previous 1.6Mk1 v 1.8Mk2

[OnlyMX5ives]

They are already a classic.

The classic car mags keep doing features on them (frequently full of errors)

They are elegable for many classic events.

Whilst there are loads about, the rate they are being broken I think the values won't get much lower now - for decent examples.

Whether UK or Jap spec will be worth more is anyone's guess but I suspect the better limited editions (RS Ltd, R Ltd etc) and the earliest cars will be the ones to go for.

[snotrag]

Mark makes a good point - theres been a number of articles in the magazines lately that go mainly along the lines of

"why buy an MG-B when you can buy an MX-5 that is just as much fun, but the engine actually starts every time and it wont fill up with water every winter."

Again, I think decent ones certainly wont get much cheaper. The early cars are just that that age (cusp of 20years) where they are a proper 'old' car.