This MX5 - worth it?

[Tommy Winchester]

I am planning on joining the MX5 fold pretty soon.

I have been offered the example below and though I would get your opinions.

Mazda MX5 1.8 Convertible,
British racing green (best colour)1996
Private reg
Pictures show with Hard top in place, Beige soft top also with car
Contemporary classic interior (cloth)
98,000 miles
Mot Feb 2011
Taxed until Jan 2011

Also comes with spare (orig) wheels.



What do you guys think?

[Gorvid]

Depends on the price.

[Tommy Winchester]

I knew I'd forgotten something!

£1,200

[Beeby]

Check the most common areas for rust - rear sills at the bottom of the rear wheel arch and the arches themselves. Check the hood drain holes under the carpet behind the seats are not blocked. If these are ok most likely its a good car.

[Tommy Winchester]

It apparently had new sills fitted about 6 months ago for the MOT, didn't know about the drain holes though!

cheers

[carreauchompeur]

Looks quite a good bit of kit. The hardtop is reasonably rare too, I believe.

[Noisy]

Providing it drives ok then seems a good price, had a look over one last week for a friend, suspension was soggy and engine just didn't pull well at all, we walked away even though it was only £1000 for a M plate.

[youngsyr]

As above, most of the key indicators of value aren't listed in your description. The value will vary significantly depending on:

- bodywork condition (rust)
- how it drives (engine, suspension, gearbox)
- condition of soft top
- overall condition of the car (cleanliness of engine bay, amount of scratches, evidence of regular servicing, etc)

When you see the car take these all into consideration and if they're all "ok" or better, then I would say £1,200 isn't a bad price for it, but that's based on prices when I was looking earlier in the year.

I hear the second hand car market has taken a hammering in the past few months, so your best bet is to see a few, compare the prices and make an offer below quite a bit below what you think it's worth and see just how far below your opinion of its value you can barter to.

Edited by youngsyr on Monday 20th September 11:38

[ApexJimi]

I must admit, my first thought was a £1200 Mk2 must be a dog.......

Could be entirely wrong, mind.

[BonzoG]

ApexJimi said:

I must admit, my first thought was a £1200 Mk2 must be a dog.......

Could be entirely wrong, mind.

Indeed, it's a Mk1

[ApexJimi]

BonzoG said:

ApexJimi said:

I must admit, my first thought was a £1200 Mk2 must be a dog.......

Could be entirely wrong, mind.

Indeed, it's a Mk1

Ah.

Err

As you were

[Gizmo!]

The hardtop's worth £400 every day of the week. If you don't buy it I will!

[youngsyr]

Gizmo! said:

The hardtop's worth £400 every day of the week. If you don't buy it I will!

Really, everyone seems to say that a hard top is worth £300 to £500, then you see hard tops for sale at £300 hanging around for months on forums like Nutz.

What's so special about this one - is it the colour?

[J-Tuner]

if thats not got any rot thats a bargain...

a bit depressing though as i paid £2200 for a similar spec a year ago.. its 100% original bodywork and totally rust free, but it still smarts a bit !!

[youngsyr]

J-Tuner said:

if thats not got any rot thats a bargain...

a bit depressing though as i paid £2200 for a similar spec a year ago.. its 100% original bodywork and totally rust free, but it still smarts a bit !!

Think of the grand difference as the amount you've paid to enjoy the car for a year and if that doesn't help - next year's enjoyment will cost considerably less!