RE: Mazda MX-5 Mk.1 V-Spec: Spotted
Tuesday 12th June 2018
Mazda MX-5 Mk1 V-Spec: Spotted
Day dreaming about an open top summer? The answer needn't be complicated...
Okay, okay, so it's hardly the most original subject for a Spotted, but there's a reason that certain cars are held in such high regard. And here we have an MX-5 which ticks - for me, at least - all the right boxes. It's a Mk.1, the original and best iteration of the iconic roadster, it's unmodded, and it's a V-Spec.
This in itself means many other good things, namely that it has JDM cachet - as the V-Spec was only sold in Japan - that it's British Racing Green with a tan leather interior (again, the best combo) and that it has a limited slip diff as standard. A wooden Nardi steering wheel and gear knob add further retro kudos, as does the illegal-yet-common and seemingly unproblematic modification of a bonnet mounted sticker in lieu of the front licence plate.
With Mk.1 prices inching ever upward, the £3,650 asking price doesn't even seem particularly dear, especially for what seems to be a vee-specially well preserved example. The odometer shows just 67,000 miles, relatively little given the car's 26 year-old status, both the exterior paintwork and interior leather look to be in excellent condition, as do the factory BBS wheels, and it even has the original V-Spec floor mats.
A hardtop is included in the price, although it seems superfluous given the seller's claim that the car has only ever been used on dry days since its arrival in the UK. A statement which also goes some way to explaining its low mileage... A recent service, good amount of history and a fresh, advisory-free MOT complete what looks to be a very compelling package indeed. The thought of being propelled, roof down, through the country lanes on a glorious summer's evening, by the 115 or so horsepower of the 1.6-litre engine almost has me reaching for the phone. Someone else do it before I get myself in trouble!
SPECIFICATION: MX-5 Mk.1 V-SPEC
Engine: 1,598cc 4-cyl
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Power (hp): 115@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 101@5,500rpm
0-60mph: 9.0sec
Top speed: 115mph
Weight: 955kg
First registered: 1992
Recorded miles: 67,000
Price: £3,650
Discussion
Looks nice! Would definitely want a close up of the sills and arches to go and look at it. Shame there is no pictures of the seats too as they tend to get torn and stained quite easily.
Maybe the wrong wheels and steering wheel for a V-Spec though? I thought V-spec were on Daisies with the lovely thin rimmed wooden Nardi wheel?
Maybe the wrong wheels and steering wheel for a V-Spec though? I thought V-spec were on Daisies with the lovely thin rimmed wooden Nardi wheel?
DeejRC said:
JDM cachet?? It’s not some ricer w
kfest Skyline or Honda Civic thing you know?!
The original UK market cars were always seen in higher regard, esp original G and H regs with the original “minilites”.
The original UK market cars were typically an inferior spec. The reason they were more sought after years ago was that they were generally cheaper to insure - that's it. Many more options were fitted to the JDM imports and they didn't have the raised suspension seen on UK cars either. Also what UK cars came with Minilites from the factory? Not to be confused with the standard 'Daisy' wheels?kfest Skyline or Honda Civic thing you know?!The original UK market cars were always seen in higher regard, esp original G and H regs with the original “minilites”.
Seeking out a JDM car not only means they're less likely to be a complete rust bucket (although that depends on when they were imported and how well they've been looked after) but often that you'll get extra bits like Bilstein suspension, LSD, interior trim differences etc.
I sold my 1.8 S-Special Type II (yep, that didn't fit on the bootlid badge) for £3,300 7 years ago because it was truly mint and had lots of parts thrown in. Still the best car I've ever owned but with 2 kids nowadays it's a distant memory!
C.A.R. said:
DeejRC said:
JDM cachet?? It’s not some ricer wkfest Skyline or Honda Civic thing you know?!
The original UK market cars were always seen in higher regard, esp original G and H regs with the original “minilites”.
The original UK market cars were typically an inferior spec. The reason they were more sought after years ago was that they were generally cheaper to insure - that's it. Many more options were fitted to the JDM imports and they didn't have the raised suspension seen on UK cars either. Also what UK cars came with Minilites from the factory? Not to be confused with the standard 'Daisy' wheels?kfest Skyline or Honda Civic thing you know?!The original UK market cars were always seen in higher regard, esp original G and H regs with the original “minilites”.
Seeking out a JDM car not only means they're less likely to be a complete rust bucket (although that depends on when they were imported and how well they've been looked after) but often that you'll get extra bits like Bilstein suspension, LSD, interior trim differences etc.
I sold my 1.8 S-Special Type II (yep, that didn't fit on the bootlid badge) for £3,300 7 years ago because it was truly mint and had lots of parts thrown in. Still the best car I've ever owned but with 2 kids nowadays it's a distant memory!
Mines a long way from standard these days, but i agree, i can't see any advantage to a UK spec car these days unless you can't insure anything other than the 90bhp 1.6 or you're buying a minty standard one as an investment...
Mine came off the boat with an olive metallic respray, the usual JDM tan leather, and a set of Panasport "Racing Purpose Only" ultralights too, which are probably worth half of what the whole car is
C.A.R. said:
DeejRC said:
JDM cachet?? It’s not some ricer wkfest Skyline or Honda Civic thing you know?!
The original UK market cars were always seen in higher regard, esp original G and H regs with the original “minilites”.
The original UK market cars were typically an inferior spec. The reason they were more sought after years ago was that they were generally cheaper to insure - that's it. Many more options were fitted to the JDM imports and they didn't have the raised suspension seen on UK cars either. Also what UK cars came with Minilites from the factory? Not to be confused with the standard 'Daisy' wheels?kfest Skyline or Honda Civic thing you know?!The original UK market cars were always seen in higher regard, esp original G and H regs with the original “minilites”.
Seeking out a JDM car not only means they're less likely to be a complete rust bucket (although that depends on when they were imported and how well they've been looked after) but often that you'll get extra bits like Bilstein suspension, LSD, interior trim differences etc.
I sold my 1.8 S-Special Type II (yep, that didn't fit on the bootlid badge) for £3,300 7 years ago because it was truly mint and had lots of parts thrown in. Still the best car I've ever owned but with 2 kids nowadays it's a distant memory!
The UK cars have always been the preferred choice in the UK over imports on purely home market basis! Nothing to do with insurance. Originals are always the more desired items, just the nature of the game. Getting hold of a decent G or H is damn rare these days.
DeejRC said:
C.A.R. said:
DeejRC said:
JDM cachet?? It’s not some ricer wkfest Skyline or Honda Civic thing you know?!
The original UK market cars were always seen in higher regard, esp original G and H regs with the original “minilites”.
The original UK market cars were typically an inferior spec. The reason they were more sought after years ago was that they were generally cheaper to insure - that's it. Many more options were fitted to the JDM imports and they didn't have the raised suspension seen on UK cars either. Also what UK cars came with Minilites from the factory? Not to be confused with the standard 'Daisy' wheels?kfest Skyline or Honda Civic thing you know?!The original UK market cars were always seen in higher regard, esp original G and H regs with the original “minilites”.
Seeking out a JDM car not only means they're less likely to be a complete rust bucket (although that depends on when they were imported and how well they've been looked after) but often that you'll get extra bits like Bilstein suspension, LSD, interior trim differences etc.
I sold my 1.8 S-Special Type II (yep, that didn't fit on the bootlid badge) for £3,300 7 years ago because it was truly mint and had lots of parts thrown in. Still the best car I've ever owned but with 2 kids nowadays it's a distant memory!
The UK cars have always been the preferred choice in the UK over imports on purely home market basis! Nothing to do with insurance. Originals are always the more desired items, just the nature of the game. Getting hold of a decent G or H is damn rare these days.
DeejRC said:
The UK cars have always been the preferred choice in the UK over imports on purely home market basis! Nothing to do with insurance. Originals are always the more desired items, just the nature of the game. Getting hold of a decent G or H is damn rare these days.
Not for me, I bought a Eunos, as did a mate of mine. The better spec of the imports was the factor.Paddy_N_Murphy said:
Regarding the JDM spec and that.... TBH I think it misses the point of the car.
Simple fun is 100% what it is about.
Where as I agree in principal with your philosophy (lighter is better), I'm not sure that the addition of AC, power steering and electric mirrors add weight to such a degree that most people would notice. I''d rather have those and shed the extra weight from around my middle. The appeal of a car without those for doing track days is strong though.Simple fun is 100% what it is about.
I'd disagree with the article that BRG and tan leather are the best combo.
BRG works on Minis and Old Jaaaags, not so well on these. Also I saw a few with this combo when I got mine and without exception the tan interior was always gopping - it fades and bleaches, cracks and looks generally nasty. Best combination by far is black with dark cherry red interior, or red with black interior.
As to the JDM/GB thing, sorry but again per posts above when I was involved in the '5 community nobody wanted GB cars apart from for insurance reasons. The JDM cars were better specced, had more powerful engines (yes, all relative, but they do) and often had an LSD which never came on UK ones. Also usually have leather, whereas cloth is often the case on UK cars. Additionally the UK cars are messed up from a ride height perspective as they were essentially jacked up to meet some bumper height regulation or something, so the chassis geometry is less than perfect. The JDM cars are almost without exception better, and yes I have driven a UK 1.6 and a JDM 1.6 as well as a UK 1.8. I preferred the JDM 1.6 to both of the UK cars.
If you look at the used values now this is reflected, JDM cars are generally selling for more than the UK ones - and I know personally when I get my next 5 someday it's a JDM one i'll be buying - the UK cars won't even get a look in.
BRG works on Minis and Old Jaaaags, not so well on these. Also I saw a few with this combo when I got mine and without exception the tan interior was always gopping - it fades and bleaches, cracks and looks generally nasty. Best combination by far is black with dark cherry red interior, or red with black interior.
As to the JDM/GB thing, sorry but again per posts above when I was involved in the '5 community nobody wanted GB cars apart from for insurance reasons. The JDM cars were better specced, had more powerful engines (yes, all relative, but they do) and often had an LSD which never came on UK ones. Also usually have leather, whereas cloth is often the case on UK cars. Additionally the UK cars are messed up from a ride height perspective as they were essentially jacked up to meet some bumper height regulation or something, so the chassis geometry is less than perfect. The JDM cars are almost without exception better, and yes I have driven a UK 1.6 and a JDM 1.6 as well as a UK 1.8. I preferred the JDM 1.6 to both of the UK cars.
If you look at the used values now this is reflected, JDM cars are generally selling for more than the UK ones - and I know personally when I get my next 5 someday it's a JDM one i'll be buying - the UK cars won't even get a look in.
(You lot have made me start looking.
Does the ride height look funny on this? Its only a few km's from me.
https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id...
Does the ride height look funny on this? Its only a few km's from me.
https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id...
Lord said:
said: You lot have made me start looking.
Does the ride height look funny on this? Its only a few km's from me.
https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id...
The ride height is a bit high, but the car looks nice.Does the ride height look funny on this? Its only a few km's from me.
https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id...
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