Can someone help settle an arguement I’m watching on another classic car forum. A new member is trying to sell an MX5 Harvard 1997, 61K with some scratches and a slighly damaged interior. The member recons this is a bargain at £3000 as the harvard is rare and worth considerably more than the asking price when in tip top condition. Most folk think the price is way too high (me included but I’ve not said so), other think it’s about right.
What do you think?
PS I’m not trying to sell the car, I’ve no connection with it or the seller. I’m just curious.
£3000 sounds way too high to me. I have a pristine Jaguar XJ8 (Sept 2000) with full main dealer history, average mileage and 4 brand new tyres costing nearly £600. I was offered £1500 as a trade in for it, so I reckon an older MX5 with damage can’t be worth twice as much.
I’d say that’s too high as well. mk2s are going for that sort of price on Autotrader at the moment. Granted, a bit more for a special edition, but I can’t see anyone buying that. Still, I guess there’s nothing wrong with someone trying to get more than their car’s worth, it just probably won’t sell!
As somone who has been buying a 5 recently and seen what you get for these sums up close id say a Harvard with only minor imperfections for its age and decent mileage is worth £1800 - £2300 depending on history and what its really like up close. Half the cars out there are special editions - Mazda did enough of them.
I was finding most UK cars over 12 years old who hadnt been enthusiast maintained or well garaged having arch rust bubbles, which says £400 roughly to put right before it gets into the sills etc. So they were worth less or in many cases people will just go and see the one down the road.
Sounds a bit over the top for one in reasonable condition. However, with a “damaged” interior it’s way over. The interior of a car always costs far more than you expect to fix. The chances of getting good Harvard seats etc. from a breakers must be pretty near impossible!