Where are these cheap MX5s coming from

[Andy_W]

Mine is an Aus-del, body pretty beaten up though. I bought mine at an auction for about 5k, 1991 model (B6 NA), 270 000 km though.

You get what you pay for I guess!

[The Pupat]

Yeah but MX5s have always held their value better than say MR2s or CRXs of the same age. So it's not like they've recently become overpriced, they've always been like that.

I bought my '93 in 2002 for $17k, and at that time it was considered to be a really good deal. At the same time a CRX of the equivalent age would have been maybe $5k less. MX5s are just...popular I guess.

If anything they've dropped in value in the last year. I would expect a 92 to go for around 11-12 grand.

[Cal]

They held their value well for a very long time, but in the past 2 years I'd agree they have slipped a little. I've seen import shit boxes for $3K. These are not cars I even considered as race cars. You do indeed get what you pay for and there are some very ratty MX5's around now. I would steer clear and buy a good Aussie one and unless you get lucky, that will cost $10K. Depends on what your idea of good is too. I'm a fussy prick, because when it comes to used cars, it's a buyers market. I will always pay a premium for an excellent example because if you want it to be nice, you'll spend vastly more getting a turd there than paying a little more to begin with.

Cal.

[TonyJZX]

Also the prices dont seem to move much between 89 examples and upto around 92 examples .... there 17 years old now.

If you had an '89 w/ under 50,000km and a hardtop I'm sure people will line up to pay you $10k.

It all depends on the example.

[Shitbreak]

But what is so different between the AUS and JAP 15 year import ones?
I've seen a few import mx5's that are very tidy and besides the resale and possibly insureance, I cant see anything wrong with a jap 10year one given you buy one in decent condition with lowish k's.

[TonyJZX]

But what is so different between the AUS and JAP 15 year import ones?

That I wanted to know.

I heard the JDM ones have LSD stock, better shocks and the usual 'tyte JDM yo' stuff.

[DaiOni]

biggest difference is the jap ones are better - but the aus owners don't like hearing it :p

though seriously - the really cheap ones are always going to be shitters - where they come from is largely irrelevant

I had a bog stock 90 JDM roadster, and it had bilsteins and LSD and an extra 10kW over the oz-spec. Had the optional hardtop too - definitely a nice extra

[Starion Fil]

I just bought a 91 na6 with 115000km for $8150, it took me a long time to find it and i knew of every mx5 that was for sale in the country up to about $10000, ended up flying up to brisbane to get mine, so keep this in mind, $91 flight up and around $100 to bring it back and it meant i got the car i wanted.
There are so many dodgy mx5s about, imports and aus delivered, mind you i did not see one import that i would think of buying.
Good luck

[Caffeine]

I just bought a 91 na6 with 115000km for $8150, it took me a long time to find it and i knew of every mx5 that was for sale in the country up to about $10000, ended up flying up to brisbane to get mine, so keep this in mind, $91 flight up and around $100 to bring it back and it meant i got the car i wanted.
There are so many dodgy mx5s about, imports and aus delivered, mind you i did not see one import that i would think of buying.
Good luck

That's a good deal, seeing as my 2001 has more k's on it (140000) and is not worth $20k

[edo]

So no one has picked up the fact that they were $30k in 1989 brand new. I bought mine $28k drive away.

To still get $10k now is pretty bloody extraordinary. The motoring press at the time tried to convince us that the Capri turbo was a real alternative...judging by their values the market still doesnt believe that crap.

[SirGoat]

I didnt realise they where 30 in 1989 i was looking at the price now of 40 and thinking they where a little off, hmmm.

And a capri turbo from the same time would have resale dependant on how much petrol was in the tank.

[psi999]

So no one has picked up the fact that they were $30k in 1989 brand new. I bought mine $28k drive away.

To still get $10k now is pretty bloody extraordinary. The motoring press at the time tried to convince us that the Capri turbo was a real alternative...judging by their values the market still doesnt believe that crap.

A VN Berlina was worth about 30k in 1989, would have to be lucky to get $10 these days.

[edo]

I reckon a Berlina was around $35k & an S pack was about $30k...

[psi999]

I’m pretty sure a VN Calais was around 36k, I’ll see if I can drag out our sales broaches at home..... we bought one new (Calais that is, and yes even new it was a shitbox)

[trent from punchy]

there is no difference between jap and aussie ones appart from speedo and stuff like that..

some say more of them were fitted with optional LSDs, but thats debatable.