Potential puchase

nmr · Post by **nmr** » Fri Oct 18, 2002 3:57 pm

A lady friend ("It's red and it has a tape deck.") has in mind to
purchase an MX5 so I went and looked it over for her.

The gearstick was a bit funny looking and there was no clutch
pedal! After I had finished retching ;^) I observed a few more
things:

PERFECT condition including roof, window, battery, tonneau Manufactured 1991
Imported 1999
Brand new Dunlops all round
52,000km on the clock
Drove nicely once I worked out that the gear indicator thingies on
the funny looking gearstick were very dodgy, and even better after I
found the overdrive cancel button. (Interesting to note that you
have to use overdrive to cruise above 100kph otherwise revving
close to 5000rpm.)

Some questions for youse guise:

(a) Is it likely to be clocked? (Greatest concern is when to do
100,000 service.)

(b) Does it make sense for it to have been imported when 8 years
old?

(c) Would the original Kamakuza tyres have worn yet?

(d) What would be a likely value?

(e) Does the funny looking gearstick increase or decrease its
value?

Cheers

lou Girardin · Post by **lou Girardin** » Fri Oct 18, 2002 4:43 pm

a/ Anything is likely to be clocked. Do the usual checks, speedo. wear and
tear etc. Have the cam belt visually checked, if in doubt, replace.
b/ Yes, if it was the right price in Japan.
c/ How worn are they now, I've had tyres do 40 hard km's.
d/ Pass
e/ Use to decrease it. Now that there's more around I'm not sure, anyone?
Lou

Mathew · Post by **Mathew** » Fri Oct 18, 2002 4:55 pm

Dealers were importing early model mx5's right up until the law change so its not unusual for it to have been imported in 99. If its got the funny gearstick it must have been owned by someone who didn't like driving so the low km's (and corresponding good condition) don't sound too unbelievable.

M@

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Fri Oct 18, 2002 5:09 pm

I have a 1992 BRG V-Spec with the funny looking gearstick! I bought one with
that type because of my arthritis problems, so they do have their uses (I'd
rather have a manual but sometimes couldn't drive one). Generally I think
this will reduce the value, and a number of dealers I spoke to laughed at
the suggestion of an auto MX5, until I explained my reasons.
Think of the gearbox as a 4 speed auto, not a 3 speed with overdrive and
drive it that way. Probably cheaper from the parts bin for a 3 speed lever
with the overdrive button instead of a 4 speed lever. Mine does about
2900rpm at 100km/h, I think, in the 'overdrive' position. The gearbox locks
up (ie no torque convertor slip) in this gear, so performance is very
similar to a manual for cruising. Just pop the button if you want that extra
urge when passing etc, or use the kick down (not as much fun). They still
handle the same as a manual.

I paid $8000.00 for mine (beginning of September) with 135000km on the
clock. It's a Eunos Roadster, imported from Japan in 1996. I'm the third NZ
owner. After looking around here, it seemed a fair price. Has a good hood
with no leaks, but did have torn stitching on the drivers seat. Had the
centre panels of the (tan leather) seats replaced with black leather
inserts. Too hard to match the tan leather. The window's not the clearest,
but is OK. I'm told that scratch remover from the Novus people does a good
job on the window (from a previous owner and glass merchant), so will try
some when I get a bottle.

The timing belt was changed on mine at 120,000km, but that's all the history
I have. It has been fitted with a Genie exhaust system at some time in its
life.

Grant in sunny but very windy Blenheim.

Post by **zorruno** » Fri Oct 18, 2002 6:49 pm

warning: opinions follow - YMMV

(a) Is it likely to be clocked?

yep. who cares. don't look at odo, look at condition of vehicle. Check
timing belt later & replace if you feel it necessary, but the worst that
could happen is the car stops and you have to get it towed.
Non-interference pistons/valves+AA card+cellphone = no problems

(b) Does it make sense for it to have been imported when 8 years
old?

someone possibly liked it and hung on to it for a bit longer?

(c) Would the original Kamakuza tyres have worn yet?

probably. and you got new tyres, so no problemo. They may have been a bit
old and brownish looking so they replaced them to make it more saleable.
You could ask them to put the old ones back and reduce the price so you
could get some decent tyres

(d) What would be a likely value?

No more than 10K no less than 7K depending on condition. It would have to
be really special to demand over that, and (I'm sorry, but) Red 91's are not
uncommon.

(e) Does the funny looking gearstick increase or decrease its
value?

makes absolutely no difference, as it depends on who is buying. There is a
lot less demand, so cheaper, but there are a lot less available so price
balances again. This is especially true of earlier models. Later model
Autos can be cheaper, as they are harder to sell, as there is not as much
demand for the more expensive 92s+ (another way of looking at it is, if you
want one, they will be more expensive, if you are selling one, it will be
worth less...)

here's a tip (the URLs may wrap to next line) this will show all previous &
current MX5s for sale on the club site with 1991 in the description.
http://www.mx5club.org.nz/cgi-bin/db.cg ... pe=forsale
&category=usedmx5&description=91&view_records=1

this will show all the autos
http://www.mx5club.org.nz/cgi-bin/db.cg ... pe=forsale
&category=usedmx5&description=auto&view_records=1

cheers
h&c&z

Keith Cook · Post by **Keith Cook** » Sat Oct 19, 2002 9:33 am

I have what you presumably consider to be "indecent" Dunlop tyres and have had them for over 12 months (15K) with wear not obvious. I can still drive the windy bits in such a fashion that most followers give up after a few bends and I have never felt unsafe. Believe me I am pretty "chicken" compared to many!

nmr · Post by **nmr** » Mon Oct 21, 2002 9:01 pm

A purchase has been agreed in principle. Can anyone recommend
someone in Auckland with specialist MX5 knowledge to do an
inspection of the car with the funny gearstick for my friend tomorrow
Tuesday?

Cheers

lou Girardin · Post by **lou Girardin** » Tue Oct 22, 2002 8:18 am

Try Car Inspection Services, AA Albany. There shouldn't be much wrong, these
things are near bulletproof.
I've forgotten what year it is, if it's '89 to '91 make sure the crank pulley
is checked for tightness and that it's running true. If not, walk away.
Lou

Who is online