I picked up the car in May 2003 with 45,000 miles on the clock and the car now shows 89,000 miles. I use it everyday and it always starts first time (even in the cold). The car has had two previous owners prior to myself and it was imported by MX5/Roadster specialists Sam Goodwin of Coventry as a Grade 4 car in Japan (which basically means it was in excellent condition and the Japanese owners looked after and cared for it extremely well).
The car is very reliable and has never ever let me down. I have cherished it since the day I picked it up and no expense has been spared in maintaining it. Oil changes have been regular and it has always received a full service on its MOT appointments (oil filter and air filter change, oil change, fluid top-ups etc etc). It received new discs and pads all round in May 2005 and the cambelt and water pump were changed after 40,000 miles so these don't need changing until the car hits 120,000 miles. The car has always been fed on Shell Optimax/VPower although it will run fine on normal unleaded. It currently gives me around 225 miles to £30 of fuel.
The MX5/Roadster is one of the most reliable cars around and this one is no different. The mechanic (an MX5 guru) who has worked on mine since I have had it says it is one of the best examples he has seen from Japan and says the engine has at least another 100,000 miles in it, if not more.
Specification and Modifications
* Mazda MX5 (badged as a Eunos Roadster as it is a Japanese import)
* BRG (British Racing Green) 1991 H-reg with 88,000 miles on the clock
* 1.6l producing 118bhp (0-60mph comes around in about 9 seconds)
* V-Spec Edition which includes tan leather interior/bucket seats, Nardi wood trim (steering wheel, handbrake and gearknob) and the original brown V-Spec badged mats
* Full working electrics including electric windows and icecold air-con (plus new battery)
* All lights/fog lights/pop-up lights working fine including the interior lights
* Upgraded alloys - 16" Fox Racing Lightweight Alloys wrapped in Federal Sport tyres
* Upgraded ICE - Pioneer CD/MP3 player (face-off), professionally installed Stealth Amplifier (800 watts) along with two Kicker Sub-Woofers (12" tubes) which can be removed for space by simply pulling out two wires which literally takes a few seconds (in the boot of the car)
* New black mohair roof with rear heated glass window with new rain rail professionally fitted by JIMParts in June 2006
* Thatcham 1 TOAD approved immobiliser (your insurance company will love you for this)
* Car comes with 12 months MOT and TAX (up until April 2008)
* Car was last serviced on 30th April 2007
General Condition
The car's paintwork is very good with it being 16 years old. There is no fading whatsoever and it is a vibrant BRG colour and when polished and waxed, it looks amazing and really sets the car off. I normally wash and polish fortnightly and wax monthly.
The Fox Sport alloys were fitted in summer 2005 and are lightweight 16" in crystal silver which are stunning. There are a few minor scuffs but nothing too noticeable. The alloys are wrapped in Federal Sport tyres with loads of tread. These tyres are so underrated - they are excellent in the wet and dry and offer loads of grip and last for ages. The alloys and tyres cost £550.
The ICE was installed in 2005 and was professionally fitted by Bass Junkies. The sound from the system is incredible and if you like a deep bass, just sit in the seats and feel the bass from behind your head. This is fully customised to suit your needs via the Pioneer headunit. The sub-woofers can be removed by simply pulling out two wires from the amplier for boot space if you need it. The whole installment with equipment cost £650.
The roof was professionally fitted by JIMParts in June 2006 and should be good for another 10 years. The roof is black mohair with a heated rear window which is absolutely fantastic. The vinyl roofs with plastic windows normally wear out within a few years and visibility is restricted as the plastic windows tend to scratch rather quickly. The glass window is excellent and dropping down the roof takes 2 seconds rather than 10 as you don't have to unzip the window as you would do with the plastic one. I also took the opportunity of changing the rainrail which, if it breaks, lets water into the boot. This should be good for another 10 years as well. Overall, this was a big job and cost £550.
The niggling problems with all MX5/Eunos' such as sticking callipers and failing electric windows have been rectified and everything works as it should. The headlights have also been changed so you can change the bulb for £1.50 instead of the whole unit for £60. All drainholes have been cleaned and the underneath of the car is absolutely spotless and fully undersealed. The car has no rust whatsoever.
Problem Areas
With the car being 16 years old, it does have a few minor cosmetic problems which can be fixed for small money. I would do them but I don't want to fork out more money on the car, especially as I intend to sell very soon. The mechanicals, however, are absolutely superb and the engine isn't even half way through its life yet.
* The driver's leather seat has a small tear on the bolster. This is a common area of wear and tear on all older MX5's.
* The rear bumper took a little knock and it has cracked a piece of plastic where the number plate sits. This is a minor crack as you can see from the photos below. The bumper wasn't damaged but I replaced it regardless and is brand new. The plastic part will cost £45 which includes fitting cost and paint.
* The front bumper has a little dent. Only noticeable at an angle but the number plate covers this up very well - hardly noticeable as the photos show below.
* There are hardly any stonechips to the paintwork and any that are there are minor and I have never had a problem with them. They add character to the car in my opinion.
Price and Contact Details
I am after a 2002-03 Honda Civic Type R (black) and would welcome a part-exchange with around £4,500 going your way along with the Roadster if anyone is interested.
I am asking for £2,500 ovno (which is a fair price given the ICE, new roof and alloys I have put onto the car and the general condition and running).
I am also an MX5 Owners Club member and anyone over there can vouch for the me and the condition of the car.
Please call me (Dav) on 0121 500 6391 (after 6.00pm weekdays or anytime over the weekend) or alternatively email me at dav@dhesi90.fsnet.co.uk and I would be happy to let you have a testdrive or answer any questions you may have. Any mechanical test is welcome and I would recommend RAC as they do a thorough check for a good price (although you will have to fund this yourself). Car is HPI clear and has no outstanding finance on it. I am based in West Bromwich, West Midlands.
Please check out the pictures - quite a few as I got a little excited - and pick yourself an absolute bargain for the forthcoming summer.
