Mazda Roadster V Special

[wagyl]

I am very reluctantly downsizing, and, I am sad to say, am offering my 1991 Eunos Roadster V Special for sale.
This was one of the early special editions, in a unique for the series British Racing Green, with Nardi wooden steering wheel/gear level/hand brake set, and leather seats (incorporating headrest speakers).

I am only the second owner, having bought it from the original owner 20 years ago. The original owner is currently negotiating with his wife about buying it back from me, but I am not holding my breath because I remember 20 years ago he was given the ultimatum "it is me or the sports car" back when they were courting. As such, this is just a preliminary notice of offer: the original owner has first right of refusal.

It has done less than 90,000 Km, and is largely original (a rare thing for this model). The softtop has been replaced with a factory-style one from Robbins (which are frankly better than Mazda parts), but that is about it for non-standard parts.

The car has been surplus to my needs for many many years, but I have been unable to sell it for fear that I would suffer psychological damage for having given up my baby each time I saw another one on the street. If you are interested in adopting this divine creature, please send me a PM and we can discuss more about the car.

Wanky promotional video from 1990, showing the lifestyle you will lead! Includes videotape stretch sound distortion!

It is a fucking fun car! Seats however do not recline, so no fun fucking.

[legion]

A friend of mine has one of those, he isn't allowed to ride his motorbike anymore because of problems with his blood vessels near his brain (we only talk in Japanese so I don't know the exact medical issue). However he loves that car as much as riding a bike and having ridden along with him in the countryside I can confirm it looks like a lot of fun to drive.

Personally I dislike driving 4 wheels, I do it, but I'm one of those "a car is a box with wheels that carries stuff and people from A to B" types.

[Kanchou]

What do you want for it? Why don't the seats recline? Does it have any shaken left?

[Russell]

I'll decline for obvious reasons...

[wagyl]

The seats don't recline because there is a firewall behind the seats, and space for the softtop to be folded into. I can't think of any two-seater with seats that recline. I fully understand Russell's decision. Abstinence is not a fun contraceptive.

It is due for shaken in August this year. I don't foresee any problems, but anybody who plans to use the car a lot should probably think about at least looking at new tyres at that time.

Legion, this is exactly the type of car which frees you from "just gets me from A to B" life without dreams.

I'm currently formulating just what I will accept for it. Solid discussions of a Yen amount will be after the previous owner has abandoned his right of first refusal. Car Sensor gives you an idea of what they are fetching sold by dealers, and naturally a private sale will be reduced price.

I just confirmed that it is 1991 model so I have edited the OP.

[Mike Oxlong]

Why don't the seats recline?

Lemme guess, your day job is not a photo analyst. Of course, you could be taking the piss, but...

[Russell]

Why don't the seats recline?

Lemme guess, your day job is not a photo analyst. Of course, you could be taking the piss, but...

He could always fuck on the rooftop...

[wagyl]

He could always fuck on the rooftop...

Good idea. If you avoid the struts, the canvas roof is soft and springy. When it wasn't parked in a garage behind a shutter, it used to be hell getting all the neighbourhood cats off the roof. The replacement softtop was after that (and unrelated to feline use).

[Russell]

... it used to be hell getting all the neighbourhood cats off the roof. The replacement softtop was after that (and unrelated to feline use).

Don't trip off our most distinguished member...

[legion]

Legion, this is exactly the type of car which frees you from "just gets me from A to B" life without dreams.

I used to love driving, then one day I was going up the motorway in the UK and I thought "I don't enjoy this anymore"

I still like motorcycles, I think it has something to do with being able to escape traffic jams relatively easily.

[Kanchou]

If it has stock seats they'll recline... a little. I just wanted to make sure they weren't fixed-back seats (I won't fit in most of these).

Is it a 1.6 or 1.8?

[wagyl]

1600cc. They only offered 1600cc for those early years. And in my opinion, the weight balance and power to weight balance is a better match.

Yes, there is a recline mechanism, but movement is limited. Seats are original. Even though the leather has been regularly nourished, 25 year old leather is 25 years old. I have been thinking about what to do about that, but any secondhand leather seats (only offered on the special editions) will also be the same age and probably have more wear than these ones. Plus there were various speaker-in-the-seat options available at that time, which leads to compatibility issues. And on that topic, as I said above it has the speakers in the headrest, but it does not have the subwoofer in the seatback, for which I am grateful. I really don't need to massage my kidneys with bass beats while I drive.

The car would be great fun on those hilly routes you have in Aizu. In fact, I know for a fact that it is.

[wagyl]

Kanchou, I sent you a PM a while ago. Just in case you don't log in unless you are writing a post, I am bumping this thread.

Anyone else who is interested and wants to beat Kanchou to negotiations, send me a PM. The previous owner has been prohibited from buying the car back by his wife.
This vehicle has been sold. I trust the new owner will love her to bits.