Is it still worth importing an NA MX5?

[Gad-Westy]

I'm tempted to directly import an NA from Japan. The main motivator is to try to get a car as rust free as possible and then keep on top of it rather than always be chasing my tail. I know all too well how easy it is to buy a car in the UK that is gleaming on the outside and crusty on the inside so I'd rather give myself the best possible chance and buy a minter directly from Japan.

I need to gen up on the import process. But I guess the bigger question is whether it's still possible to buy a near 30 year MX5 that isn't all ginger underneath? And does it make financial sense? I know I could go to one of the myriad of UK importers but I'd of course be paying a premium and I also quite like the idea of importing one myself. Sounds quite fun.

[Gad-Westy]

Cheers both. Quite happy to buy a UK car (or a car already in the UK) but my experience of these is that it can very difficult to pick through those that are just patched up when rust makes it to the outside and those where they've genuinely been sorted properly by somebody who understands them. In an ideal world you'd find one with a fanatical owner with photographic evidence of work being done properly but those cars are rocking horse poop. The appeal of a fresh import is partly about standing a better chance of getting a very clean example but also I actually really like sound of the process. It sounds like it could be quite exciting. Sad I know!

But in the meantime, while I deliberate, I should maybe keep an eye out for UK gems.

[Gad-Westy]

Chazdad said:

Hi. Ive a friend whos an importer and have a mk1 rs.
Mx5 are making very good money in japan now. Especially ltd ones.
Mines actually for sale and maybe going to a collecter in italy. But id rather it stay in uk.
Feel free to pm if your interested

Doesn't look like your profile is set up to accept emails. Do please send me the details though. Might be of interest

[Gad-Westy]

SAS Tom said:

I think if you’re happy to pay the money to import one then it’d probably be worth buying one from one of the many restorers over here like the mx5 restorer. They seem to go through the cars they sell really well and make sure any rust is sorted.

Thanks, I'm in contact with them.