From the time I was 15 years old, I have been consumed with owning (and driving) Porsches.  As a secondary automobile interest, I enjoy British roadsters like the MG TD and the Triumph TR6.  Naturally, being both a Porscheophile and a proper Anglo-Saxonaphile, I looked down my rather long (and, in hindsight, ignorant) nose at all things Mazda.  In fact, until this year, I was completely dismissive of the MX-5 lumping it in with the “eyesore-esque” Datsun B210’s of my youth.
 

After taking in a 2002 MX-5 on trade and actually driving it, I was forced to admit that the Mazda MX-5 a/k/a Miata (which is a German word meaning "reward"), is one of the most underrated sports cars in the history of … well … sports cars.  By design, the driving experience is closely related to that of a late 1960’s / early 1970’s era British roadsters like the Lotus Elan / TR6 / MGB (only a whole lot better).  This similarity is not coincidental.
 

The car’s genesis can be traced to 1981 when an American journalist, Bob Hall, began working at Mazda in a product planning position.  While there, he met an old acquaintance, Kenichi Yamamoto, who had risen through the Mazda ranks to become its chairman.  The two began rehashing an old conversation and, based on a shared passion for British roadsters, the idea of the MX-5 was born.

In 1983, that idea was given the official go-ahead and two competing design teams – one in California and one in Toyko – began developing an open roadster with the following design parameters: front engine, rear wheel drive, two seats and convertible top.  The California team wound up prevailing with a clay scale model named the “Duo 101” (because it could use either a convertible hard or soft top).  Mazda then retained the services of an English company based in Worthing, England to create an operational prototype of the “Duo 101.”  This car was constructed using a fiberglass body and mechanical components sourced from a variety of Mazda automobiles.  Upon completion, the car was shipped to Santa Barbara, California for road testing.  The success of the first prototype lead Mazda to commission five more prototypes and, in 1989, to give the green light to a production car called the MX-5 (for “Mazda Experiment, Project No. 5”).

The decision was made to center both design and production for the MX-5 in Japan.  The car’s production was driven by the phrase Jinba ittai which loosely means “one body horse rider.”  This phrase guided Mazda design and production and ensured that the car would have the following characteristics: (1) Compact and light weight; (2) Driver oriented passenger compartment; (3) 50/50 weight distribution; (4) Balanced suspension; and (5) Responsive throttle.  These design characteristics have remained with the car through its numerous incarnations.

The first MX-5 was delivered to the U.S. market in May 1989 (as a 1990 model).  Press reaction made the car an instant success and the MX-5’s design characteristics have made it the best selling 2 seat roadster in automotive history.  The reason for that success is known the instant the car is driven as it delivers incredible performance (in a bargain priced package).

The most impressive aspect of the MX-5 is its utter superiority to its British predecessors.  That superiority starts with it s handling characteristics, continues with its electrical components and ability to be driven in comfort (e.g., A/C, cup holders, Bose stereo and leg room too!), and ends with a powertrain whose dependability cannot be matched by any British roadster.   Simply put, the MX-5 is the best British raodster ever built!

The car presented here is a third generation MX-5, which was produced from 2006 to 2014.  The car weighs 2,542 pounds and is powered by a 2.0 litre engine capable of producing 158 horsepower.  The car comes with a 6 speed automatic transmission which shifts smoothly and easily.  The car’s black paint is complimented nicely by black carpet and black seats.  The car has new tires, a new battery and a fresh oil change.  This car is the perfect daily or weekend driver and is dependable enough to be driven anywhere in the country. 

If you are interested in obtaining a “modern” car with legendary British roots then please call Mark Counts at 713-320-3059 today.  

Features

We are a licensed lender in the State of Texas and can assist you in obtaining financing for your automobile purchase.

If you need assistance with financing then please contract Mark counts at 713-320-3059.

Please ensure that you have obtained financing prior to bidding on one of our cars.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, our cars are sold "As Is" and without warranty.

However, some of our cars come with the full manufacturers warranty and some are eligible for extended warranties.

Please discuss the potential purchase of an extended warranty with your sales representative.

Unless stated otherwise in the vehicle's listing, shipping is the sole responsibility of the buyer.

There are many reputable transporters across the country and the Buyer is required to contract directly with one of them.

If required, we can locate a shipper for the Buyer but will not assume responsibility for the vehicle once it is consigned to a shipper.

Terms and Conditions

All vehicles we sell have clean and clear titles. 

We do NOT sell salvage vehicles or vehicles with reconditioned titles.

All vehicles are sold "AS IS" and there are no representations or warranties except those contained in the written sales contract or bill of sale.

The winning bidder must contact us within 24 hours by phone to start the transaction.

The winning bidder must respond within 2 days after the auction with a $500 deposit required via wire transfer, Visa/MC, or certified funds(cashier's check) to start the transaction.

It is understood that the vehicle is sold on an "As Is" basis. 

Buyer are free to purchase with or without an inspection.  

We strongly encourage pre-purchase inspections.  These inspections are relatively cheap and help ensure  that the Buyer is completely satisfied with their purchase.

All sales are subject to a state inspection fee of $40.75 and a Vehicle Inventory Tax based at .2271% of the purchase price. Ex. $10,000.00 X .2271% = 22.71.

Texas residents must pay applicable sales tax and a registration fee.

Out-of-state customers may pay tax and register the vehicle in their own applicable state. Upon request, we may be able to complete the buyer's home state registration.

The buyer is responsible for all shipping costs. We will arrange for shipping, if requested. Also, transportation to and from the airport and our location is buyer's responsibility.

We make every attempt to deliver our vehicles to our clients with two keys, key fobs, manuals, booklets, NAV CDs, wheel locks, tool kits, etc..., however, from time-to-time, a vehicle may be missing one or more of these items and we cannot guarantee that they will be included in the vehicle at the time of sale. Please call for the exact accessories included for the vehicle.

Our vehicles are pre-owned vehicles and they are sold in "As Is" condition. At time, some of our vehicles may still be in factory warranty or an extended warranty may be purchased. Ask for details.

For Canadian car buyers: If the title is to be released at the time of delivery (which is much mandatory to move the vehicle through customs), a wire transfer is the fastest  way to complete the sale.  If the payment is not by bank wire transfer, i.e., certified bank check or approved loan check, the title will only be released when all funds have cleared. Please keep in mind that the funds verification process can take up to 15 days. We will assist you with the documentation needed to clear Canadian customs, but knowing exactly which documents are required by your home province are the buyers responsibility. Requirements for Canada can be found at www.riv.ca under "Registration of import vehicles, Canada".

Notice to All Bidders

Please remember your eBay obligations. When you bid, you are entering into a legal and binding contract. Do not bid if you do not intend to buy this vehicle!

All bidders must have pre-approved loans or other financing.

The winning bidder must contact us within 24 hours by phone to complete the sale and to receive a purchase order via fax.

Major Credit Cards are accepted.

Please call for limits and details (credit card charges may incur a service fee).

Payments are accepted through paypal.com (Deposit only-$1,000 max.). Please call for limits.

We do not accept Escrow or E-Loan. Please call for exceptions prior to bidding.

Please remember that you have the option to call for the reserve price direct at 713-320-3059.

We appreciate your interest in this auction and look forward to seeing your bid. Good Luck and Happy Bidding!