2012 Mazda MX-5 Sport Black Limited Edition in rare Spirited Green (71/500)

Highlights

• Inspired by the MX-5 GT race car
• One of 500 ‘Sport Black’ edition cars built, and one of 100 cars brought to the UK, with only 11 in Spirited Green
• Under 25k miles
• One owner from new
• A rare and desirable sportscar
• Will come with a full fresh MOT, expires in April 2025

Overview

Mazda couldn’t have known just how successful their new two-seater sportscar was going to be when they released it way back in 1989. Even as we hurtle our way towards the mid 2020s, the car retains a loyal following for all the various generations of the model. And here we have a particularly rare and exciting edition – the Sport Black. Released in 2011, only 500 were produced as a road-going nod towards the MX5-GT which competed in the 2011 British Endurance Championship.

This limited run featured a 155hp MZR engine, a choice of three unique colours, gunmetal wheels and a black electronically folding hard-top. ‘Black Edition’ badges, and a black front grill and trim pieces all add to the car’s special sense of styling.

The car we see here benefits from having only had one owner from new, and it has been driven a little under 25,000 miles since it was first registered in 2012. As such the interior and the ‘Spirited Green’ paintwork remain very presentable. So if you’d like to get behind the wheel of a rare version of one of the world’s most popular sportscars, then this limited edition MX-5 looks like a great choice.

History and Documentation

• First registered on 17th April 2012
• One of only 500 ‘Sport Black’ edition cars produced
• The vendor is the car’s one and only owner
• The car is number 71 of the 500 built, being only one of 11 cars in the UK in Spirited Green
• Original Mazda document wallets including owner’s manual
• Original sales invoice on file
• Only 24,727 miles on the odometer
• Electronic service record printouts and invoices
• Services recorded by Mazda as follows: Apr 2013 @ 3,510 miles, May 2014 @ 7,874 miles, Apr 2015 @ 11,185 miles, Apr 2016 @ 14,230 miles, May 2017 @ 17,964 miles
• There are also invoices for more recent servicing: May 2019 @ 22,009 miles, Sep 2020 @ 23,760 miles, May 2022 @ 24,287 miles, Jun 2023 @ 24,365 miles
• Original Sport Black document
• MOT valid until 26th April 2025 with no advisories
• Two keys, both with remote locking and alarm controls

Interior

• Black leather upholstery with contrasting -coloured stitching in excellent condition
• The leather is in very good condition, thanks to the car’s low mileage
• MX-5 branded mats in the footwells
• The carpets look to be in generally good condition
• A plaque proudly states that this car is number 071/500
• Bose stereo/CD player
• Air conditioning
• Heated seats
• Multi-function leather steering wheel with cruise control and piano black accents
• The rear ‘air scarf’ wind deflector was changed by the dealer for a taller unit
• Carpeted boot to the rear with scissor jack stowed in a side compartment and tyre repair kit
• The hard-top roof raises and lowers electronically as it should do, giving you the best of both worlds with both an open top sportscar and a coupe too

Exterior

• Instantly recognisable MX-5 shape, accentuated by the ‘Spirited Green Metallic’ paint, being one of only 11 in the UK
• The body panels look to be in good condition, with no dents or damage that we could see
• The paint retains its metallic lustre, with only a few small stone chips here and there
• Sport Black badging on the front wings
• Comes complete with a Dealer fit front chin spoiler
• The vendor informs us that the 17-inch gunmetal alloy wheels have been refurbished previously
• We did find one small scuff on a rim, but this is hardly noticeable
• The tyres were produced in 2016
• Underneath, there is a little corrosion to the car commensurate with its age
• Overall, we’re sure you’ll agree that it’s a fine looking car in a very distinctive colour of Spirited Green
• The car comes complete with dealer fit parking sensors front and rear, again colour coded

Mechanical

• 1,999 cc MZR four-cylinder petrol engine
• Produces 155 hp, sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission
• Dynamic stability control
• Limited-slip differential
• Traction control system
• The vendor reports that there are no mechanical issues
• The rear suspension springs were replaced for the MOT in 2022
• A full set of four springs was purchased, so the unused front springs are included in the sale
• The seller tells us that the engine still sounds beautiful, with no faults to report
• This car benefits from a dealer fit upgraded exhaust system to really enhance the engine note

Summary

These days, this generation of MX-5 is starting to receive the kind of attention it deserves. It’s a car worthy of carrying the torch for enthusiasts of proper little sportscars. And at its heart is Mazda’s superbly designed engine, which seems to be able to go on forever without causing the kind of headaches you used to get when you bought anything even mildly ‘sporty’.

And this particular car adds another level of desirability, with its very limited production run, Spirited Green paintwork, black folding hard-top, and all the other little details you get from the ‘Sport Black’ edition. So in a world of increasing uniformity and blandness, be brave and stand out from the crowd with this fantastic little Mazda. To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section.

You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately.The seller has just relocated to North Norfolk and the car has spent all of its life in Northamptonshire.