I’m looking to buy a Mk1 1.8 Eunos Roadster import. It’s in a good condition and it’s my ideal spec and colour which I’ve heard is quite rare (at least for an import). I’m 18 with 1 years NCB and was hoping to get insured around the £2000 mark.
I’ve tried going the route of being a named driver under my dad (he’s 50 with 15+ years NCB), but I’m still getting insanely high quotes. I’ve looked into specialist insurers as well with a limited mileage policy, but they either give me outrageous quotes or just won’t cover named drivers under 25.
Does anyone have any tips on how to get a cheaper quote? Or, if I can’t get affordable insurance right now, do you think it’s worth buying the car anyway and storing it for a bit? It’s a hard find in one like this good condition for the price they’re selling it for, so I’m tempted to hold onto it if possible.
Driving a standard low powered box nowdays will not be cheap for an 18 year old.
I remember my sons quest for a nice car at 18.
Even the low powered 1.2 Ibiza we eventually got him was appx £1700 a year and needed a black box fitting.
Wishing to drive a nice sports car with very few “driver assistance” toys on it will be expensive.
You could look at getting more driver training ( IOM advanced or ROSPA advanced ) to demonstrate your competence.
That’s not a bad idea, currently insured as a main driver on a 1L Citroen C1. Just renewed the policy for £650 which isn’t too bad going seeing as it was £1300 with a black box when I first passed last year.
Perfect thanks, I will give them a call when I get time then. I don’t need the insurance right now but it should be good for spring next year when hopefully I have the car.
As I plan to get insurance next year, I’m considering whether I should buy the car now and store it until then. My reason is that I think this model is rare in the UK and I’d ideally like to buy one in this spec/colour also I’m worried prices will go up by the time I can get insured. For reference, it’s a Mk1/NA Eunos Roadster SR Limited Edition Japanese import in Sparkle Green Metallic (1/700 made)
How rare is this car in the UK and is it a good idea to buy it now.
Not really, I’ve not come across any gearbox problems, although some clutches can rattle, especially on the overun. (Mazda original, ACT or Exedy are usually OK)
Comparing a 1.8 with a 1.6 - the smaller engine is way smoother at the top end and loves to rev. The 1.8 is much happier away from the redline when it becomes rather coarse. (Fitting MK2 engine mounts helps to smooth things out quite a bit). The 1.6 is real fun out on the twisties using all the revs, the 1.8 is more flexible low to mid range meaning less gear changes required, so is a bit easier in traffic and give and take motoring. You need to try each to see how it suits your requirements. These are of course my opinions - others might have a different view…
Thanks for the insight. I plan on daily driving it to work most of the time with the occasional fun weekend out when I get it so maybe the 1.8 is the path I should go down. I’ve looked at comparisons between the 1.6 & 1.8 and its very mixed responses. It depends on the driver needs I guess.
Don’t get too hung up on engine size, special edition etc. They are all easy and great fun to drive. I’m lucky enough to have a 1.6 and two 1.8’s - I always say the best one is the one I am driving at the time.
Buy on condition - bodywork is by far the most important consideration!!!
That’s fair enough. The one I’m looking at has been dry stored since 2014 and looks pretty mint inside and out with no rust/rot. Sailed through all its MOTs with a few non concerning advisory’s (like tires etc).
Final question, does anyone know the best time to buy an MX-5 and how long they typically stay on the market? I’ve heard that November/December is a good time to buy as prices are cheaper but I’m wondering if I should hold out until January, as I need to make space in the garage. I’m concerned that the one I’m looking at might be gone by then, so is it worth getting it sooner rather than later?
If you buy the car now you will probably get it at best price, though there is no gurantee of this. However if you do not plan on insuring it until the new year and do not have a garage to keep it in you will still need a safe place to keep it off road and register it SORN. Cars uninsured and or without MOT left on the road can attract fines and be taken away and in some circumstances crushed.
We have a drive and a garage so that shouldn’t be an issue, just wondering how long most Mx5s are on the market for because ideally I would like to buy it around January. However I’m unsure whether it would be too late then to buy the one I’m looking at (scared it will be sold by then).
I think that you’ve answered you own question really. If you don’t buy it while it’s for sale now you may well miss your opportunity to get the Roadster that you really want. How much is being asked for it?