Description
This really must be one of the best looking MX5 special editions: its a 2002 Mazda MX5 Montana 1. 8 Mk2. 5 finished in Garnet Red with beige leather seats and trim. Only 250 of these were available for the UK market in this colour scheme and this particular car is an exceptional example having covered just 47, 554 miles from new.
Before I tell you more, let me tell you about Goodwood Sportscars and why should you buy from me:
I have been buying and selling Mazda MX5s for over 20 years now. While I'm a car dealer, I consider myself to be a car enthusiast above all else. I'll only sell cars that actual interest me as an enthusiast. I live, sleep and breath quick cars and have sold literally thousands of performance cars over a thirty five year period. I have competed in various forms of motorsport including the Scottish Hillclimb Championship (in an MX5 of course). So I'm pretty good at spotting a good car and at making one work to the best of its ability. I've had many thousands of MX5s through my hands and know their strengths and weaknesses well.
Back to our car: specification includes electric windows and mirrors, Nardi wood rimmed steering wheel and gear knob, air conditioning and heated seats, twin airbags, remote central locking with alarm and immobilser, CD player with electric aerial. When new, each Montana was supplied with a colour matched hard top and this one still has this along with the correct beige wind blocker and matching beige tonneau cover.
Bodywork is the usual weak point on a Mk2/ Mk2. 5 but on this one, its in super condition with no rust. Wheel arches, wings and sills are all rust free and more importantly so are the front chassis rails. Back in 2022, it had two new complete sills fitted by a specialist coachworks so as to be expected, these are solid. Paintwork is also very good with just the odd minor stone chip or light scratch here and there but its a lovely looking car. The black mohair soft top is in very good condition and has a glass heated window. The 15" wheels were powder coated a few years ago and look good and are fitted with a matching set of Kumho tyres, all in good order.
Inside, again its very good indeed. Its very clean and tidy with no damage to carpets or dashboard. The leather seats are good other than a bit of wear to the driver's seat bolster though there are no splits or holes. Everything seems to work as it should with the exception of the air conditioning which works but just isn't as cold as it could be. More useful perhaps are the heated seats which work nicely The original stereo is fitted and this sounds good and works as it should.
Out on the road, its terrific to drive with no squeaks, no rattles and no odd noises and its all very civilised for a sports car. This uses Mazda's near-unbreakable twin cam 1. 8 VVT engine producing 143bhp and these things love to be revved and worked hard. This particular engine feels strong with great performance and its happy sitting at today's motorway speeds but is even happier belting along a winding country lane. There are no leaks and the engine holds its temperature perfectly in all conditions. The five speed gearbox, clutch and brakes are all just as they should be. I've already covered a good 250 miles in this and its just exceptionally good to drive. This would easily handle being used every day but it also feels special enough to keep for weekends and special days out.
The previous owner had the car for over 15 years but back in 2023, it had its cat converter stolen resulting in a Cat N insurance marker. A few years ago, the catalytic converters from some Mk2. 5 models rose hugely in value (we're talking £1000-£1200) which is why so many had theirs stolen. I know some people claim that a Cat marker of any sort results in a lower value but in this case, I have to disagree and this one is substantially better than 90% of Mk2s usually seen. There is no damage to its structure or bodywork and it remains a superb example. And of course it had a new exhaust system and cat converter fitted in 2023. In fact its had a fortune spent on it in recent years including new brakes all round and a new clutch last year along with a new EGR valve (£575) this year. The records show twelve services over the years and there is a substantial collection of paperwork including old MOT certificates, lots of receipts and even a collection of old tax discs. The original owner's handbook pack is with the car and includes the service book. There are two keys and it has its original space saver spare wheel and jack.
Its just been through the workshop and has been checked over using my 87-point check-list: this includes all sorts of things such as state of hood catches, battery condition, hood drain holes, door locks, underbody check, right down to ensuring the cigar lighter works. We're about to give it another service and it will be sold with 12 months MOT. Price is £5995.
Its clearly a car that has been exceptionally well looked after and thats evident by its condition and the way it drives. I've driven thousands of MX5s and this is easily one of the best to drive. The fact that it has all of its correct parts still with the car (hard top, beige tonneau cover and wind blocker, correct Nardi wheel etc) is just lovely.
This one is highly recommended. Yes the CAT N marker is annoying but honestly, you'll do well to find a nicer example. I'm based in Berwick on Tweed, near the Scottish Border and I can collect any prospective buyer from the local train station or I can arrange to have the car delivered by a trusted transport company at extra cost. I’m well known in the MX5 world and know these cars well. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions – if you are genuinely interested, you’ll have plenty and I’m happy to talk about MX5s all day. I'm also happy to give you an honest description and if there any faults or issues with the car, I much prefer to tell you up front, so you are clear about what you are buying.
