have na mx5 lost there selling appeal?

[Red Dragon]

Air bags only go off if the right contact points are hit.
Years ago my Verada was sandwiched between two semi's and was pushed up to the windscreen of the one in front taking the top off the motor and the boot pushed up to the backrest of the front seats, luckily no one was in the back.
The airbags didn't go off because the impact area was too high, the car was still a write off though.

[funmx5]

so going by some of the posts a high km na mx5 is not worth restoring ,I look at mgs with hi klm these get restored ,na with high klm should get parted out for kit cars?

[Mr Morlock]

It's fairly common for people not to restore cars that have poor resale value. A full resto can be an expensive business. MX5 are simply not at the Classic car stage but they don't have some of the problems that older classics have.

[gslender]

Very hard to say what will happen in the future, but just because something is old or rare, doesn't mean it will be high prized as a collectable. True.

So is the MX5 NA6 prized or interesting enough?

MX5 NA6s are considered (by many in the motoring field) as a special and iconic car that has been heralded as one of the best sports cars of all time - that a big claim and certainly bold statement, but in the sense that when you look for well balanced, nimble and good fun, it ranks well. As example, in the independent top 50 sports cars, it ranks very highly above many other marques... so it has the interest and following that is needed to be seen as special and unique to own/have.

Coming in at number 11 above many other awesome cars is pretty neat!
http://www.ridelust.com/the-50-best-spo ... ars-20-11/

Compared to the MGB, which isn't even in the top 50 cars of sport cars at all, it may find itself way above that in terms of historic value and a collectors desire! Note that the MGB was never considered a great car, not even a well built, or great handling car either. So if they hold value (just by being fun and old/rare) then you'd think that the MX5 NA6 will be considered really special if rare, fun and great to drive.

I have no ability to predict the future, but if the top 10 cars are anything to go by, then a well maintained NA6 in close to mint condition must be worth more than any other 25 year old car that means nothing to nobody.

[GTR4N]

IMO biggest POS car which is in high demand is the back to future DMC-12

[ManiacLachy]

I think a contributing factor to why MGs are collectable, and a target for restoration and maintain their appeal compared to the MX-5 is that MGs are no longer available for purchase new. MX-5s are. I realise that we're talking NAs here, but the fact that the MX-5 nameplate is still being used, and is still fairly true to it's original intention will effect the desirability of the older models.

Another thing, I think, is that although the NA is now 25 years old, MGs are 52 years old (I assume we're talking MG-Bs, which were released in 1962)! Wait another 25 years, and any NA that hasn't been horribly abused will be rare, collectable, desirable and a target for restoration work.

[gslender]

I think a contributing factor to why MGs are collectable, and a target for restoration and maintain their appeal compared to the MX-5 is that MGs are no longer available for purchase new. MX-5s are. I realise that we're talking NAs here, but the fact that the MX-5 nameplate is still being used, and is still fairly true to it's original intention will effect the desirability of the older models.

Another thing, I think, is that although the NA is now 25 years old, MGs are 52 years old (I assume we're talking MG-Bs, which were released in 1962)! Wait another 25 years, and any NA that hasn't been horribly abused will be rare, collectable, desirable and a target for restoration work.

Doesn't play out that way though - eg. original and collectible example 911s from 1970s can fetch almost the same price as a near new 911s.

Original, rare and recognized true classic sport cars eventually appreciate. MGB were never that desirable (or sold in crazy numbers) when they were first released. In fact, very little was good about the MGB (it actually handled pretty poorly and was fairly slow compared to other things available - and is why it doesn't get a mention in the top 50 best sport cars).

So not all sport cars, only small selection of truly rare/fun/valued and I'm kinda thinking the NA6 BRG or Malibu limited runs and very mint plain original models will retain value better than a NA6 that has been stripped of all original equipment, looks rubbish and has 300,000klms on the clock.

Right now (as I type) you can find 40 NA6 models for sale. Only 1 is a BRG and is an import (non AU released) and is asking $13,000 - the other is a 93 LTD in red/tan and is asking $8000 - if you wanted one these you have limited numbers to pick from and getting a low klms can be hard. Not impossible but it will get increasingly difficult as they get snapped up and become more sought after.

[JBT]

The MGB was absolutely desirable in its day. However, that was lost after the model ran far too long and it became irrelevant after about 1972. The rubber bumper version was pitiful.
BMC and MG were never all that clever but survived. British Leyland were inept.
It was never really cheap but anything else, other than the Sprite/Midget, was far more expensive.
Oh, and it was the biggest selling sports car of all time until the MX-5 eclipsed it.

[gslender]

The MGB was absolutely desirable in its day. However, that was lost after the model ran far too long and it became irrelevant after about 1972. The rubber bumper version was pitiful.
BMC and MG were never all that clever but survived. British Leyland were inept.
It was never really cheap but anything else, other than the Sprite/Midget, was far more expensive.
Oh, and it was the biggest selling sports car of all time until the MX-5 eclipsed it.

I've dríven a few MGBs, Fiat 124 and Alfa Spiders and I'd own the Fiat or Alfa any day over the MGB in terms of exciting driving experience. If I wanted to drive casually to get some fish and chips with my girl, then yes, the MGB is a good soft top to cruise and make out in, but a boring drive otherwise. I tend to feel the MGB was popular like the Ford Capri was popular... it was cheap, convertible and did the job at the time. Fairly avg to drive though (I know I'm sounding like a Top Gear writer, but that's how I can best describe how I see what has happened to them)... but yeah, hard to predict the future when it comes to classic cars. Who would have thought genuine Ford Falcon XY GT would be as collectible as they've now become?? Just a normal Ford right?

G

[JBT]

I've dríven a few MGBs, Fiat 124 and Alfa Spiders and I'd own the Fiat or Alfa any day over the MGB in terms of exciting driving experience.

I agree, but those cars didn't exist when the MGB was born and when they did appear on the scene they cost a bomb.

People pay a fortune for old classics. It's nostalgia and nothing to do with performance.

[cookie]

Let's hope I can keep my yellow one tidy and likeable for the next 50 years.... Or I could enjoy it as much as possible at a risk of destruction. People who buy cars currently cheap and waiting to increase in value either are young and dumb or have too much money on their hands with no need to invest into something more steady.

I was listening to two cases of young (20yos) on Monday who bought a brand new gt86 with all the extras etc in hope to get money for it in later years, and another getting a loan for a top of the line Holden with all options (almost $180k) ... Ist that crazy or what.

[Mr Morlock]

The MGB is alive and well and still a very popular classic car. Good cars can still bring $25K and some even more and guys are still restoring them properly. Only yesterday I chatted with a guy that bought a B that already had $30K spent on it and the car with his full knowledge had some rust in the chassis despite a fabulous paint job. The new owner then spent 5 mths getting all the rust out and getting it trimmed seats and carpet( Blackmans). He had the car housed at a professional workshop and was able to get them to supply parts and do welding etc. I don't know what he spent but the car looked great and the car will stay in the family. They are still are usable sweet sounding classic and tall people can drive them and plenty of room for storage.

Consider also the Austin Healey- easily pulling $60K and good cars nudge over $80K - crazy of course but there it is and they look great.

TRs stil doing well $25K up but not big Healey pricing.

Alfas drove better ( 105s and Supers etc ) but most are rusty and gone and they are not really pulling big money. MGBs are supported with parts networks.

MX5s are headed for classics and the young blokes / middle aged blokes of today will buy them again in 20 years.

I agree with JBT- but we are older blokes and see it up close with an older set of drivers -- or at least I do.

Cookie- yes some guys are just dreaming.

[Odd]

I grew up playing with sprites....

Recently considered buying an MGB.....but

Found a totally original (other than an immobiliser) open sports car, 5 speed manual,with twin overhead cam,cross-flow head, fuel injection, independent rear suspension, 4 wheel disc brakes,mag wheels ,a soft top that can be erected in less than a minute ...with 80,000k on the clock,straight body, no rust...for $12K
....so....didn't consider it for long

Even found that my wife....who gets terrible car sick on winding roads....is no problem...as long as the top's down....PERFECT!

[JBT]

In my time I've had:
a TR4 when I was 20. It ate MGBs but was far from standard.
3 MGBs (2 roadsters and 1 GT) from age 45
an NA8 from age 54 when I could finally afford one
and finally 2 NC soft tops

Loved them all at the time but will never go back.

[funmx5]

http://www.motoiq.com/MagazineArticles/ ... ation.aspx