1989 Mazda MX5 MK1 EUNOS

This smart, early-production Mazda Eunos (an MX5 up here in the UK) was imported from Japan in 2002, and remained with the same keeper until being bought by the present owner in January 2019. He’s been delighted with the little car’s nippy performance – especially around the local North Yorkshire lanes and has driven around 1000 miles during his time with the car.

During its time in the UK, the Eunos acquired some rather useful upgrades, which included a heated glass window in the soft top, an upgraded air filter kit and a 3in stainless steel exhaust system. The latter now has a reducer, since the present owner found it ‘somewhat loud’. It was also treated to a full respray some 18 months ago.

Back in its home country, and like many a Mazda roadster, the car acquired a boot spoiler and chromed roll-over hoops. With a recent full service and new MOT, its more than ready for the Autumn roads.

This is a very smart little car, with that still relatively new coat of red paint looking as bright as the day it was put on. The finish is consistent across the whole of the car – both metal and plastic parts – and has a high-quality finish with a good gloss. There are no major scratches or blemishes (and not really any minor ones actually – the odd slightly scuffed edge).

Joins around parts – mirrors (not drooping) or filler cap are largely very tidy. The latter is one of the few chromed parts, and, like the hood stud plates, retains a good shine; no pitting. Windscreen surrounds are finished with a black coating and this is in good condition, with no signs of bubbling from underneath. Joins in the metal are clean and the roof and window seals in very decent shape.

The black hood is looking very healthy; good colour, absolutely no mould, and neat stitching. The rear glass is clear and does not pull the canvas out of shape. All looks pretty taut.

The Mazda possesses a very simple shape, but tired MX5/Eunos can seem droopy in all sorts of places. Happily, that is not the case here. The lines on this example remain very clean and tight. Bonnet and boot are an excellent fit and the headlights remain flush with the bonnet. They also raise and lower very smartly – together. The boot spoiler is firmly mounted and the doors open and close with a smart snap, leaving narrow, consistent shut lines.

Lastly, and perhaps not the most objective observation, but this is such a cute car.

The Mazda’s cockpit is very tidy; not concourse, but certainly smart enough to make you feel good about the car every time you get in it. The seats were replaced around two years back and remain in good shape – no major scuffs to the fabric, which looks pretty resilient. Plastics and vinyl around the cabin – central arm rest, door cards, dash – mostly retain a good colour, with that very slight ‘rounding’ of edges that roadsters get. The red gear knob stitching and gaiter remain a nice neat touch.

The trim has seen no real abuse from elbows (thinking about that arm rest again), rings or fingernails, though the spokes of the aftermarket Momo steering wheel do show a little wear. Also, the top of the passenger door trim is a little faded and the inner door handle on that side is a little worn.

All instruments are present and correct, with the addition of an add-on Smiths battery volt meter – as, like many an MX driver, the present owner was always conscious of the battery getting enough charge. (Battery and metre work fine). That gauge sits against the transmission wall and taller drivers might bang their knee against it.

The feature roll-over hoops retain a good shine, their mountings looking very substantial. There is a trace of surface rust here, and a couple of tiny patches in the hood frame (the top raises and folds very easily) and is complemented with a wind deflector, possibly helping to keep your hair in place! The hood cavity looks clean as do the doors and hinge areas – the latter especially so. Door seals look healthy. There maybe one or two tiny dabs of overspray, but negligible and removable. Carpets around the cockpit retain a good colour with plenty of life left in the pile.

The underside of the car very appears healthy and very much intact. The Mazda had a repair to the nearside rear sill and inner wheel arch – rust cut out and metal replaced and repainted. There is no other damage to the underside of the tub and no real corrosion, with just the odd trace of surface rust along one or two leading edges. There are no signs of oil leaks dripping onto cross members or suspension parts, with the latter looking robust and free-moving, although some are showing more surface rust. Those alloys are in nice condition and the Toyo tyres look pretty new.

The engine bay has a low-key ‘taking care of business’ vibe about it. Everything is very much present and correct, with the addition of a brace bar across the twin-cam. There are small areas of surface corrosion or oxidation on some edges or bolts, but nothing that should prohibit the use of a wrench or spanner in servicing or replacement. Steel fuel lines are in good shape and hoses retain a healthy colour. Their clips look in good shape.

The wiring is clean and tidy – with no signs of gaffer tape hiding ‘improvisations’ and the engine’s ancillaries all look healthy.

The engine bay itself is clean, as are the seams along its egdes and the bulkheads and brackets at both ends. The metal of the underside of the bonnet and its various pressings looks very tidy and the paint (that respray again) excellent. All pretty confidence-inspiring.

Recent work recommended at the latest MOT has been addressed, namely new front springs.

The Mazda doesn’t possess a lot of real history, save for mainly MOT certificates and its Japanese manuals. The invoice for the rear sill repair in 2019 is present. Like many an MX5/Eunos driver, the present owner has looked after the car himself, maintaining fluid levels and changing filters. The car did have a full garage service in October last year and has probably covered less than 500 miles since.

It’s always the opinion that there are a lot of MX5s and Eunos out there, and indeed there are, but less so the early models, and not always in as great a condition as this example. Admittedly, it isn’t the ‘purest’ example and sports many of the add-ons that have been gifted to many of its type, especially in the Far Eastern market.

Still, this is a very tidy car, which drives very well, offering all of the qualities – simplicity, reliability, great handling and driver involvement that made the model the best-selling roadster of all time. Remember too, that the first incarnations of any classic often become the most sought after, and that Mk1 MX5 values are beginning to firm up.

With all this in mind, we think this very cute, red example will work out very inexpensive in terms of smiles per hour, likely selling for around £4,000 - £7,000. Cheap eh???

Viewing is always encouraged and this particular car is situated near Kendal in Cumbria; to arrange an appointment, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to to ask any questions or make observations on the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

This vehicle is not with us at The Market’s HQ, which means we have had to rely on the owner’s description of it, in conjunction with the photographs you see here, to compile the listing.

With this in mind, we would encourage potential bidders to contact the owner themselves and arrange to view the car in person, or to arrange a dedicated video call in which they can view the car virtually and ask questions.