Is this MX-5 mk3 too cheap?

[Henry Hawthorne]

Hi,

Looking to replace the Panda with a mk3 MX-5 up to 10k. Seen this one advertised in classifieds but seems a bit cheap with only 17k on the clock. It has 2 previous owners - making me think there's something wrong with it. Unless by "two previous owners" that includes the garage that owns it now.

Linky: http://pistonheads.com/sales/1802046.htm

Any ideas/alternatives?

I'm near Guildford

Thanks,

HH

[swannynhb]

doesnt look cheap let alone too cheap to me, and it is coming up to 4 years old so is 2 owners really that bad? personally ive never kept a car for longer than 12months so i wouldnt think anything of it. i can hpi it for you in the morning when i get to work if you like, that way at least you can see if its hiding anything obvious.

[Henry Hawthorne]

Hmmm ye, just looking at comparable ones such:
http://pistonheads.com/sales/1808255.htm
6 months newer, 10k more miles, 1k more expensive?
http://pistonheads.com/sales/1863425.htm
6 months newer, 15k more miles, again 1k more expensive AND it's a 1.8?


Dunno I'm only 19 so new to this car buying thing but just seems like something's up to me... Maybe I'm just suspicious cos it's going to be my most expensive car to date!

If you could HPI check it I'd be very grateful.

[LukeBird]

A PHer friend of mine is looking to get rid of his wife's.
It's a 2008 red 1.8 Icon.

I can point him in the direction of this thread if you like?

Oh and do it, do it, do it; they're great fun!

[hornetrider]

No I don't think it's too cheap, it's probably about the money give or take. As you'll no doubt tell from doing a comprehensive search of the classifieds here and on Ebay.

There is not much variation in spec when it comes to Mk3 MX5s so you won't see a large disparity in prices like you do with, say, Boxsters where everything in the spec is an extra and hence used prices vary much more. Mk3s are fairly bulletproof so long as they've been serviced on schedule it's all ok - what you really need to buy on is bodywork condition.

My 2p.

[tank slapper]

Paid that price 18 months ago for a similar car with 12k miles and that was from a Mazda dealer, so it doesn't look too cheap. Slight spec differences, being it doesn't have a computer or remote control for the radio, but it's got everything else on the list.

[rfn]

I reckon that is only so expensive because of the low mileage!

My '56 plate sport is worth around £8k (but has much higher miles on...) - hope that helps...

[MX-5 Lazza]

My advice would be to spend a quarter of that money on a good condition Mk1 1.8, fettle it to your taste and spend the rest on driver training, petrol, track days and a damn good holiday!

[Henry Hawthorne]

Oo er looks like my estimation of prices is a bit off...! Cheers guys

As to the kind person who offered the 1.8 above, I'm really in the market for a 2.0 but thanks anyway.

[Henry Hawthorne]

hornetrider said:

No I don't think it's too cheap, it's probably about the money give or take. As you'll no doubt tell from doing a comprehensive search of the classifieds here and on Ebay.

There is not much variation in spec when it comes to Mk3 MX5s so you won't see a large disparity in prices like you do with, say, Boxsters where everything in the spec is an extra and hence used prices vary much more. Mk3s are fairly bulletproof so long as they've been serviced on schedule it's all ok - what you really need to buy on is bodywork condition.

My 2p.

What exactly are the points I should be looking at for damage/rust etc on a mk 3 body?

[theboyfold]

MX-5 Lazza said:

My advice would be to spend a quarter of that money on a good condition Mk1 1.8, fettle it to your taste and spend the rest on driver training, petrol, track days and a damn good holiday!

I'm on the verge of doing just this!

[swannynhb]

hpi clear, first registered on the 31/10/2006. 2 previous owners, keeper changes on 6/11/2007 and 20/1/2007. VIN JMZNC18F600113775. still seems expensive to me. buy an s2000 instead

[hornetrider]

swannynhb said:

hpi clear, first registered on the 31/10/2006. 2 previous owners, keeper changes on 6/11/2007 and 20/1/2007. VIN JMZNC18F600113775. still seems expensive to me. buy an s2000 instead

So it's a 3 owner car. Not necessarily a bad thing but a point to note. Maybe insurance on an S2K is too expensive or the OP either doesn't like them or specifically wants a 5.

[Munter]

swannynhb said:

buy an s2000 instead

Shameless plug for friends S2000: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1848055.htm

[LukeBird]

Henry Hawthorne said:

As to the kind person who offered the 1.8 above, I'm really in the market for a 2.0 but thanks anyway.

No worries chap.

Oh and the suggestion of an S2000 is a good one, but the insurance is hideous (at least for me and I'm older than the OP) in comparison to a '5.

[Henry Hawthorne]

hornetrider said:

swannynhb said:

hpi clear, first registered on the 31/10/2006. 2 previous owners, keeper changes on 6/11/2007 and 20/1/2007. VIN JMZNC18F600113775. still seems expensive to me. buy an s2000 instead

So it's a 3 owner car. Not necessarily a bad thing but a point to note. Maybe insurance on an S2K is too expensive or the OP either doesn't like them or specifically wants a 5.

Thanks for that Swanny. I'll try and get them down on price.

Also, as HR says S2000 insurance would be kill me as I'm so young. I'd love one but it's a no-go ATM. I also think a jump up from a 100BHP FWD hatch to a 240BHP RWD convertible would be a bit much.

[swannynhb]

LukeBird said:

Henry Hawthorne said:

As to the kind person who offered the 1.8 above, I'm really in the market for a 2.0 but thanks anyway.

No worries chap.

Oh and the suggestion of an S2000 is a good one, but the insurance is hideous (at least for me and I'm older than the OP) in comparison to a '5.

yes you are right on the insurance, both my old boxster and elise was close to half what i pay on the s2000 but it is a great car. my old mk1 5 cost me less than £150 to insure which is a bargain considering the fun i had in it

[maz8062]

Henry Hawthorne said:

Any ideas/alternatives?

Honda S2000

Different league altogether, but insurance is steep. £10k would get you a facelift 04+ car.

I can't see why peeps buy the NC over an S2000

[targa_man]

Definitely not too cheap!

I just bought the same model (i.e. 2.0L Sport) on a '57 plate with 7,500 miles for the same price (i.e. £9,995) - but that was privately and yours is a dealer purchase so it will be proportionately more expensive (but it should include some sort of warranty?)

[rfn]

maz8062 said:

Henry Hawthorne said:

Any ideas/alternatives?

Honda S2000

Different league altogether, but insurance is steep. £10k would get you a facelift 04+ car.

I can't see why peeps buy the NC over an S2000

Having driven them both (quite extensively) before I made the purchase, I much preferred the MX-5 over the S2000 in terms of driveability day to day and the ability to have a great amount of fun driving well below the speed limit.

The fact that insurance was half the cost for the '5 did have some bearing...