Description
1990 Mazda MX5 Mk1 (Eunos Roadster) V-SPEC
British Racing Green with Tan Leather interior
Imported from Japan to UK in 1998
I originally purchased this car as a project with my father in 2013. I have owned it since then, and have driven many happy miles in it, including a trip to Italy in which the car performed brilliantly. At various times it has been used as a weekend car, a daily driver, and now I am planning on getting a motorbike so this has to make way, sadly. It needs some TLC to bring it back to its best but it's a very good car for someone, I'm sure.
Good points
Low mileage - less than 90k miles.
12 Months MOT
V-Special including tan leather interior with original Nardi steering wheel and handbrake lever. The gear shift is also wooden but aftermarket. Includes rare original V-SPEC carpet mats.
Electric windows which are fully working.
Has AC but this is not charged and so while it does fire up it does not blow cold.
Aftermarket head unit with CD/ Aux. Speakers in head rests are working.
14-inch BBS alloys complete with centre caps.
Mechanically fantastic. Starts on the button, brakes are strong and it goes as it should. Engine is reliable, responsive and powerful, handling is typical MX-5 - very fun to drive. Gearbox is lovely.
The oil was changed less than 2, 000 miles ago, and is still golden.
Has a genuine Mazdaspeed full front-to-back exhaust, which, with no catalytic converter (imported car of this age does not need one for MOT), sounds fantastic; a lovely burble without being too loud - perfect!
Engine bay clean, tidy and very original save for an upgraded mushroom air filter.
4x Matching Uniroyal RainExpert tyres with good tread (although one was noted as an advisory on the MOT).
New battery.
It does have remote electric central locking which I believe was fitted in Japan but I see any need to use it.
Known flaws
Bodywork is below average, with scratches, dents and rust on the majority of exterior panels. The NSF wing was home-painted by my father; it looks okay but if you look closely it is obviously not a professional job.
While the roof is in overall good condition and watertight, the rear screen is cracked. This is covered currently by waterproof tape. The inside of the roof was cleaned with bleach cleaner at some point and has lost its colour in places inside.
Seats are pretty good for the age of car, though the driver's side bolster bears some wear.
As with the vast majority of MX-5s of this vintage, there is an advisory on the MOT for sill corrosion on both sides at the front. I have previously had the rear sections repaired to a high standard and they have stood the test of time, so it's a case of having the fronts done as well.
Dashboard paint has faded off in places. This has been resprayed with interior paint previously which looks decent, but some areas have started to come off.
Wheels are pitted and would benefit from a full refurb.
There is some minor damage to the chassis legs where a jack has been incorrectly used.
