Mother-in-laws MX5

[dubber36]

She's had the car from new in 2000, but since being involved in an accident in their Octavia just before Christmas, it's really knocked her confidence and she doesn't feel safe in the Mazda anymore. She is looking to change it for something a bit more practicalish. Anything from a Mini to a Peugeot RCZ at the moment.

Anyway, the point of all this is what to do with the Mazda? 23,000 miles, UK car, 1.8, leather, hardtop, service history etc etc. A good days detailing genuinely would see this car looking like brand new. Nothing is worn out, as it's never been used. I would imagine she'll struggle to get more than £500 as a px, so it would be a shame for it to go into the trade.

I considered buying it for bit of fun, but we've got two kids and that will just cause arguments. I'm also mindful that I'm 45 year old and will look like a tit driving it. Besides, I never drive my Mk2, so having another car that I don't have room for would be stupid. Also, If I was to buy it and use it for a bit, it wouldn't be a 'one lady owner' anymore.

I'm not really sure what the point of this thread is as it's not an advert, or a what's it worth post, even tho' it's a really difficult one to put a price on. It's more of discussion thread, that will hopefully give me a steer as to what to do.

[Waspy]

Either track car it, if you are that way inclined, or sell it private, it will fetch more than 500 and will be an easy sale IMO

[barrym381]

a will give you 500 for it 

[Booth11]

Don't buy it yourself for all the reasons you gave.  There's a plethora of MX5s where I work and not one belonging to a bloke, all middle aged women 

Give it the full detailing works then find a private buyer.

[charlie]

Have to agree with booth good detail and flog. 

[dubber36]

The car is too good to track in my opinion. I'm so tempted to buy it, not to drive, but just to have it as it's a nice thing to own. People spend more money on watches that this car might be worth. I don't own a watch, so can kind of justify it as an indulgence.

One day I hope to have a house with enough garaging to house a small collection of 'ordinary' cars.

[Booth11]

It's not really about justifying whether you should buy it, it's your money after all so your choice.  If you do get it, apart from owning another nice car, what are you going to do with it?  Will it sit untouched in a garage, or will you get any use from it.  I can understand it if you're going to take it out for weekend spins or as suggested, use it as a fun track car, but if not, it seems a little pointless to me.

[dubber36]

it seems a little pointless to me.

Which is why I used the watch analogy. Don't think of it as a car and there is no need to justify a use for it.

[Booth11]

I get the watch analogy, I just don't agree. I also acknowledge people's desire to collect and keep cars as beautiful objects, as I might collect art or ceramics (if I could afford it) but a car isn't only a pretty object, it's (hopefully) a marriage of design and engineering and imo it's a waste to own a fun sports car such as an MX5, lock it away and never drive it.

Anyway it sounds like you made up your mind, so buy it and enjoy looking at it.

[Waspy]

Haha wow. This thread has broken me. Normally I can pick a side and argue my point until the other person dies of old age. But here I can't decide which option is better/worse.

I get the watch thing. It's just a pretty thing to own, and hell, we fill out lives with pretty sh!t that we don't use (diamond ring, u wot m8?!) all the time. But I equally think it's just not quite special enough to have that claim (but I guess that comes down the preference).

If it was me (and I had the space) I would get over the girly stereotype and just enjoy it as a Sunday car. I've driven one, and they are fun. So why not?