The £5k mk1, what to expect?
Discussion
A very low mileage, solid and original s-ltd turned up on ebay last week and after numerous exchanges with the seller I had an offer accepted.
The only issue is that it's a 5 hour train journey for me to see it in the flesh. I've gleaned as much information as possible from him regarding paint condition and he sent me photos of a few superficial scratches which he assures me are the only issues and has described it as being in A1 condition. I'm not that concerned about these but beyond these what else is classed as acceptable on a 24 year eunos at the top end of the price scale?
The only issue is that it's a 5 hour train journey for me to see it in the flesh. I've gleaned as much information as possible from him regarding paint condition and he sent me photos of a few superficial scratches which he assures me are the only issues and has described it as being in A1 condition. I'm not that concerned about these but beyond these what else is classed as acceptable on a 24 year eunos at the top end of the price scale?
This guy knows what he is selling. I have no concern over the cills etc. The car is one owner since import, on 55k miles, service history from a specialist. It has never failed an mot and has no advisories for the last 5 years. It was owed by someone who did about 1000 miles per year and it was always garaged.
A couple of photos of the whole car. It does look like a very good one but his phone camera is not great. It had an advisory seatbelt anchorage years ago but thats not been mentioned since. When I quizzed the seller he said it had something to do with a jacking point and not the cill.
One of the underside
One of the underside
Edited by kuro on Sunday 14th May 19:35
Sad Weevil said:
Thing is, the sill is the jacking point. That advisory nearly always points to rusted out sills, and if it's not shown up on the MOT record for a bit, it must have been repaired. You need to know how good those repairs were, especially as £5k is top dollar for a mk1. On the mk1, there is a rubber bung inside the front part of the wheel arch which can be removed and a scope stuck in, or the plastics on the seat belt tower can be removed and the inside of the sill looked at with a torch and mirror. For £5k, I'd insist on doing this inspection.
This is the advisory in 2009, "Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)", What exactly is this?I've just sent him a text to clarify as he reckons it had nothing to do with the cill. If there is any rust or sign of bad repair I'm out!
For £5k I would expect no rust or, if there has been, then a repair to MX5 Restorer standard.
snotrag said:
At the rear of the car, there is a 'void' that is inboard of the rear outer sill area - its where the plastic funnel for the roof drain pops out for those familiar with it. The bottom of this section meets the outer sill and the inner wheel arch. Common area for rot, not visible from above or outside the car - you need it jacked up and get your head on the centre line and look out.
This is also the are where the seat belt lower mountings are - hence the advisory. I bet its paper thin.
Hmm, This isn’t looking to good. He hasn’t come back yet but from what is being said here I think I’m walking away from this. This is also the are where the seat belt lower mountings are - hence the advisory. I bet its paper thin.
It wouldn’t matter if I was just down the road but a 5 hour train journey to find out is just not worth the risk
He came back to me and has said it was surface rust on the chassis rail where the car can be jacked up. He's having it mot'd tomorrow and will send pictures of the underside.
The car has been looked after all its uk life by a specialist, he happens to run said specialsts. I'm not going to mention who it is at this stage but he has a pretty good reputation in the mx5 community
What I don't understand is, I have told him I don't want to proceed but he still seems very keen to sell the car to me. I'm sure if he re-listed it there would be another buyer who would snap it up without giving him the third degree.
The car has been looked after all its uk life by a specialist, he happens to run said specialsts. I'm not going to mention who it is at this stage but he has a pretty good reputation in the mx5 community
What I don't understand is, I have told him I don't want to proceed but he still seems very keen to sell the car to me. I'm sure if he re-listed it there would be another buyer who would snap it up without giving him the third degree.
Flip Martian said:
kuro said:
He came back to me and has said it was surface rust on the chassis rail where the car can be jacked up. He's having it mot'd tomorrow and will send pictures of the underside.
The car has been looked after all its uk life by a specialist, he happens to run said specialsts. I'm not going to mention who it is at this stage but he has a pretty good reputation in the mx5 community
What I don't understand is, I have told him I don't want to proceed but he still seems very keen to sell the car to me. I'm sure if he re-listed it there would be another buyer who would snap it up without giving him the third degree.
Your last paragraph would certainly make me suspicious. As said elsewhere, 5k really is top dollar and it should be mint for that. This month's Classic Cars mag has a buyer's guide article about the Mk 1 - probably has nothing you can't find on the web but might be worth a readThe car has been looked after all its uk life by a specialist, he happens to run said specialsts. I'm not going to mention who it is at this stage but he has a pretty good reputation in the mx5 community
What I don't understand is, I have told him I don't want to proceed but he still seems very keen to sell the car to me. I'm sure if he re-listed it there would be another buyer who would snap it up without giving him the third degree.
Well I ended up not buying the car. The seller did supply me with a lot of evidence it had not been welded and forwarded me a text exchange between him and the original owner. I don't think it was quite worth 5k but certainly around 4.5k. He's since put a new roof on it and had the paint defects sorted with a new mot and service.
It's back on ebay if anyone is interested. He's a decent bloke and I reckon he would come down on price.
It's back on ebay if anyone is interested. He's a decent bloke and I reckon he would come down on price.
paul n said:
If you have 5 k to spend on a s Special I think you can do a lot better than that!
just put mine up for 4500-4900 (depending on wheels) with a supercharger!
All sills repaired professionally and not a spot of rust on the body. Maybe I have priced it too low!
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
I have had 3 MX 5's a VR ltd and 2 supercharged cars. I know that people want original but these cars can be improved a hell of a lot with a few simple mods. My VR ltd on the original blistein suspension was a horrific harsh ride! Meister R shocks transformed it!
the supercharger adds enough grunt to make the go compliment the fantastic handling!
as people have said if you paying £5k for a "normal" car it needs to be MINT! So probably best getting a fresh import. if you want it to me solid but want to drive it rather than polish it I would be looking at a supercharged or turbo car!......soooo much more fun!
good luck with the search!
Cheers Paul
I'm no longer interested in the car although to be fair it is a good one. just put mine up for 4500-4900 (depending on wheels) with a supercharger!
All sills repaired professionally and not a spot of rust on the body. Maybe I have priced it too low!
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
I have had 3 MX 5's a VR ltd and 2 supercharged cars. I know that people want original but these cars can be improved a hell of a lot with a few simple mods. My VR ltd on the original blistein suspension was a horrific harsh ride! Meister R shocks transformed it!
the supercharger adds enough grunt to make the go compliment the fantastic handling!
as people have said if you paying £5k for a "normal" car it needs to be MINT! So probably best getting a fresh import. if you want it to me solid but want to drive it rather than polish it I would be looking at a supercharged or turbo car!......soooo much more fun!
good luck with the search!
Cheers Paul
Its an S-ltd, based on the s special but has the red leather interior and gold centred bbs wheels. Only 1000 made for the Jap market and probably around 50 or so in the UK and so much rarer than the S. Completely original versions of these cars are really beginning to pick up in value.
Gassing Station | Mazda MX5/Roadster/Miata | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff