・Low mileage but used regularly

・Two private owners (first was pre-reg)

・Extensive preventative maintenance including full rust proofing

・1.8 litre engine and LSD

・Very much ready to be enjoyed

While the Lotus Elan was an obvious inspiration for the Mazda MX-5, aping the specification of the 1960’s roadster and improving on its reliability weren’t sufficient on their own to achieve the kind of success that the humble Japanese roadster has managed since its introduction in 1989. That required some marketing input to broaden the car’s appeal and nowhere do we see this more apparent than in the number of special editions that Mazda has promoted over the years.

The Euphonic was one such limited run special of just 2000 examples and the major selling points were a unique paint job and wheel design and an upgraded stereo from Sony. But the great thing about these specials is that you get an attractive, sweet-handling, proper driver’s car included with all of them and, in this case, also including a limited slip differential. So while the design features help it to stand out from the crowd, underneath it all the base car remains a firm favourite with a huge population of enthusiasts.

The current owner of this car wasn’t planning on buying an MX-5 but when he had spied this car in prime condition at a friend’s house, he made her promise to sell it to him when she decided to part with it. At the time it was a one lady owner, very low mileage car that had been lightly used and heavily pampered. (It actually shows two previous owners on the V5 but was a pre-registered car at the dealer.) When decision time came in 2016, he bought the car with 29,000 miles on it and still in great condition but planned to keep it long term and so set about addressing any minor cosmetic issues and preventative maintenance. 

The paintwork was taken care of by CARS in Derby and the extensive wax injection and rust proofing by Rustbuster in Lincolnshire (with yearly check ups). He also sourced another set of Euphonic wheels and had them powder coated in black. Having got it just the way he wanted, he used it as a daily driver for around three months in 2019 and since then it’s been kept as a high days and holidays car. Unfortunately, the vendor has not been able to use it for all the road trips he had planned and so he’s going to let it go to a new home.

In addition to all of the original manuals, brochures and document pack, there is a folder stuffed with receipts which cover almost everything that’s ever been done on the car. There is a memory stick with a full photographic record of the paintwork restoration and rust proofing process but as these are the only significant works on the car, the other material just relates to routine servicing. The centre console also contains proof to back up the vendor’s proud assertion that he has solely run the car on super unleaded – every petrol receipt from the period of his ownership!

The service book is stamped by main dealers up to 2008 and annual services are recorded up to 2016 and 30,000 miles which is when the current owner took over. Since then he has serviced it himself at home but it has only covered another 3,000 miles. As well as these more usual findings for a well-looked after car, there is also an ‘accident management pack.’ Very much of its time, this was intended to be kept in the glove box and includes the relevant numbers to call, a torch and a disposable camera.

The V5 is present with the correct name address in place and the MOT expires on 16 April 2022.

The usual simple but effective MX-5 interior is spiced up here with red inserts to the leather seats, white faced dials and, of course, the upgraded Sony stereo system which has uprated speakers including a pair in the wind deflector. Red stitching to the steering wheel, handbrake and gear knob also helps to add spice and the car features the original carbon fibre effect centre console making the cabin look very smart.

As you would hope for such a low mileage car, there’s little wear to speak of on the seats or carpets, the latter adorned with Euphonic-branded mats. The dash is unmarked and all of the buttons and switches function as intended, including the heated seats. The boot is clean and tidy with an unused space saver spare stored under the floor and a trickle charger included for the rear-mounted battery.

When not in use, the car is stored under a Hamilton breathable cover which will be included in the sale. This means that the Velocity Red paintwork remains in great condition, with just a couple of small stone chips on the bonnet and a tiny dent on the top of the offside rear wing the only imperfections of note.

In a nod to an original Elan colour scheme, the included hardtop is silver. This too is in good condition with only one tiny nick on the top and a fully functioning heated rear glass window. This also has its own cover for when it’s not on the car. The soft top also looks good, remains easy to put up or down and has its original tonneau cover. We can also report confidently that the drain holes are completely clear following a demonstration of the included cleaning tool.

The black finished wheels are unmarked and wear Toyo Proxes with good tread all round. The original wheels, which are now overdue for a refurb, are also included in the sale. The underside still shows the rust proofing in place and, aside from a little surface corrosion here and there, looks to be very solid.

The Euphonic was available with both 1.6 and 1.8 litre engines but this is the 143bhp 1.8 version which drives the rear wheels via a limited slip differential through a 5 speed gearbox. It starts the first time and pulls well, revving sweetly to the red line. On the road, it feels very tight with the characteristic snicky gearbox and no untoward noises from the drivetrain or suspension. In all, it’s very much ready to be enjoyed.

The MX-5 is hugely popular and deservedly so, for a variety of reasons. Whether you’re into them for the wind in the hair motoring, classic looks or appeal as a driver’s car, there’s something for everyone. But decent examples of the earlier cars are starting to get a little thin on the ground and, with corrosion still a common problem, the rust proofing on this car should be a big reassurance. 

The larger 1.8 engine and the limited slip differential will appeal to the keen driver but equally if you’re just after a reliable modern classic in great condition then this could be the car for you. With a spare set of the special edition wheels, a hard top and fully refreshed paintwork, there’s something here for all the fans of an MX-5.

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