As a newbie to the forum I wonder if I may request some advice about purchasing a 2l, 184PS ND.
Within reason I know cars, but I don’t know the MX-5. I’m fortunate that I can purchase a ND and know I want a 2.0l 184ps manual soft top car (not RF).
Having looked extensively at low mileage cars (below 10,000 miles) I am confused by all the different model options - GT Sport, Sport Tech, Sport Nav+, 30th Anniversary , 100th Anniversary and so on. They all seem so similar (same engine, lsd, 17” alloys, leather, sat nav etc).
My key requirement (after sheer driving pleasure which I think all of the 2.0l manual ND’s provide) is value retention/minimal depreciation.
Why is that? I know I am lucky but I have ordered a car I will probably keep for the rest of my life (I’m in my 50’s) which is due to be delivered sometime in 2024. So for 12 months or so I want to own a pristine 2 seater convertible sports car that I can sell or part exchange next year with the least depreciation possible. I have never owned a MX-5 but love the purity of the front engined, rear wheel drive, lightweight Mazda. I’m just buzzing with excitement at the prospect. I once owned a beautiful speed yellow, rare rhd model Porsche 968 Clubsport which I tracked, and despite the relatively modest output compared to some exotica, would humble cars of ten times the value. Whilst I will never go on track again, and the ND will be pampered and polished for the next year, it’s probably the closest I will ever get to that 968CS for sensible money (■■■ if only I had kept the 968CS I would have made a fortune!)
So, to my question - which ND model/colour/spec is best to buy for 12 months of weekend/sun drenched amazing fun AND I am most likely to get most of, maybe even all of my money back in a year’s time. I will not do more than 3000 miles in the year.
The used car market is all over the shop at the moment and predicting what will be in demand even 12 months ahead is nigh impossible, though it does look like the market is not going to be flooded with new product anytime soon thanks to continued semi conductor shortages so values should remain firm for most cars.
If I were looking to minimise my losses and run just 3k miles I’d be looking to minimise my exposure and spend no more than 2.5k on a really good low mileage 1.8 2002-05 NBFL. I may be biased.
If one is determined one wants the reassurance that comes with a newer low mileage car any 2.0 litre after 2017 might hold it’s value well, if one can handle an orange car a 30th Anniversary looks a good bet to someone who has never spent more than 2k on any car. Good luck.
I’m inclined to agree. There’s a lot of choice in the ND world and values fluctuate. Wrong time of year to buy too.
A well sorted NA/NB may be a better bet for 12 months’ low-mileage sunny-day fun with little depreciation and quite possibly appreciation with the right vehicle.
I too am biased but having profited from the sale of my pre-regd ND when the craziness of the used market was perhaps at the peak, who knows what the situation will be in a year’s time.
And you never know, you might find your NA or NB becomes an affordable keeper. Mine is.
If you are set on the ND, a low mileage pristine 2016 Sport Recaro is what I’d go for.
I do like the orange 30th Anniversary cars - have always loved the brighter colours (if I’d ever won the lottery I’d have been sat in the Porsche dealer with the sales person at the end of their tether wondering how many more hours it would be before I decided whether my new GT3RS would be in Porsche Orange or Viper Green ).
I did wonder whether the orange might not be to everyone’s taste and hence whether that might effect depreciation. I suppose they’re special enough and rare enough that probably overrides it. Personally I think they look absolutely amazing - there’s one on autotrader at Prestige Vehicle Consultants in Saffron Walden (MX5 specialists apparently but I don’t know them), 11,800 miles, 1 owner, main dealer fsh with a Zunsport grill (why you’d change the grill I don’t know) and a cobra exhaust (which I like the sound of).
Was just worried about resale in that colour, even though I loved it, but perhaps I shouldn’t worry about that.
They don’t come with a grille, there’s an open space, the theory is it helps prevent stone/foreign object damage to the radiator, the Zunsport looks nice too.
That makes sense - I wondered if it was aftermarket grill replacement because of crash damage but I see why it’s most likely just a nice add on.
Cheers
You’ll pay top whack for any car from PVC, so don’t expect someone else to pay similar come resale time.
Crazy as the market is in these times I’ve held off buying another car for now, although my daily is worth more now than say 3 years ago. Smaller economical cars especially are premium prices for good condition etc.
Top whack from PVC but are their cars generally that good? I’ve always been comfortable paying a little bit more if your getting a little bit more, near perfect preparation can be worth it.
Think the most important Q is. What car is arriving in 24? If I try and be Sherlock. Your user name is aimed at Porsche. Lead times on Porsche and ruby stone. I’d be inclined at a gt3 or a gt3 tourer.
Well… my advice if you buy one, get it to BBR and get a nice exhaust for it… (stick with NA engine no turbo)
Honestly driving these things is the best soundtrack ever…
That would be very nice for sure - Rubystone is a Porsche reference, you’re quite right It was the pink/purple colour option for a 911 964 RS - I had a pastel yellow 911 993 C2S at the time but the chap who owned said 964 used to have it serviced at the same place I had my 993 serviced - I saw it a few times and just loved the colour. That said, I was in a minority as most people hated it.
Your guess on the Porsche is a good one - but you need to drop a grade or two - the clue is that until it arrives I want a 2 seater roadster in the MX-5…… it’s a 4.0l Boxster GTS - and there’s a chance I won’t get one as production of the petrol Boxsters is due to cease in 2024 - if it does before they give me a build slot then I’ll get my deposit back and that will be that. Hence why I want a really nice MX-5 because it may end up being a keeper anyway - and from what I understand that won’t be anything to be disappointed about. A 400hp flat six with a 7,800 rev limit will take some beating though……
The difference is that you work the box though the gear and get satisfaction driving an MX5 at sensible speeds with the bonus that you get to keep your driving licence. Its a lot harder and more rewarding to drive a slower car fast…
Totally agree - I had a 2.7 boxster back in the day when they were about 240hp, and the 968CS was about 240hp too - they were amazing to drive for that very reason, even the big 3 litre 4 pot in the 968 revved incredibly freely.
It’s definitely one of the things that really appeals about the 184 nd engine - from what I have researched the tweaks Mazda made, lightening the components etc, have not just given it a slightly higher rev limit of 7,500rpm, but made it more more free revving so it feels eager to be revved. Few things feel so great to drive as a rear wheel drive Porsche - anyone who thinks something like an Audi Quattro is the pinnacle of driving feel just doesn’t get it - the steering feel in something like the boxster is wonderful, you feel the road - and you don’t need to be going fast - and once again, the MX-5 appears to be exactly the same or better.
Rightly or wrongly I think the boxster is the best looking and just best 2 seater roadster over £50k you can buy. The Mazda is without doubt the best looking and I hope to soon find out quite simply the best 2 seater roadster under £50k that you can buy. It certainly beats the pig ugly Audi tt hands down (good car I know but they’re approaching 1.6 tonnes! Bonkers)
PS I intend to take the new car on the continent where I might get more chance to utilise that 400hp than on British roads - and the massive luggage space in the boxster will be really needed, given my wife packs like we’re emigrating even for a weekend away!
Very nearly, I think it’s Ruby Star on the gt3 and Ruby Star Neo on others you can now pick - I don’t think it’s exactly the same but it looks pretty close to my eye. I considered on the boxster but it doesn’t seem to work on a roadster
Just done another autotrader search and take your point about PVC and dealer prices but with search criteria of up to £25000, up to 15000 miles, 2l engine, manual, max age 2019 (and ignoring any other spec, colours, model or options) there are only 14 for sale - and every single one is trade! Looks like it will be a trade purchase whether I like it or not but will keep looking.
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