Rear three-quarter view with autumn trees

For sale · XU6055 · Christchurch NZ

1989Eunos Roadster

First-gen NA. Pop-up headlights. The original.
NA6CE 1.6L · Original Classic Red · 181,487 km

AskingNZD $12,995open to genuine offers

One family15+ years · Timaru

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The story

Mum's car. Fifteen years. Mostly Timaru.

Owned by my 81-year-old mum for over 15 years, mostly in Timaru. Always garaged. Always serviced by a specialist Mazda/MX-5 mechanic in Timaru -- the same person has signed off its WoFs over the years.

This isn't a boy-racer's car. It hasn't been thrashed around the Aves or anywhere else. It's a quietly-used, properly-maintained South Island roadster that's been in one family for a decade and a half.

Mum's no longer driving, and reluctantly I'm selling, on behalf. The Eunos is looking for its next grateful owner.

It's not perfect — it's honest. Nothing hidden, nothing covered up. What you see is what you get. As-is, where-is.

Looking for someone who'll appreciate it for what it is, not what they can flip it for.

What makes it special

Six things worth knowing
before you scroll on.

Sought after

The original. First-gen NA, pop-up headlights.

1989 was the launch year of Mazda's iconic NA Roadster -- the very first generation. Pop-up headlights, the lightweight 1.6L B6-ZE, the cleanest expression of Mazda's 'human and horse' design philosophy. Pop-ups disappeared from every generation since. First-gen NA6CE 1.6s are increasingly sought after and getting harder to find in honest, original condition. The purist's choice.

Genuine JDM Eunos, not an MX-5

Original 'Roadster' sill plates and Eunos badging confirm this is a JDM-spec Eunos Roadster, not a locally-delivered MX-5. JDM Eunos cars typically came better-trimmed than their export siblings.

Single-family-owned for 15+ years

Owned by my 81-year-old mum for over 15 years. Always garaged, lived most of its time with mum in Timaru. Quietly used, regularly serviced, never thrashed. The kind of ownership history most NA buyers stop hoping to find.

Call the mechanic

Specialist Mazda mechanic, year after year

Same enthusiast mechanic has serviced it for years in Timaru -- and signed off WoFs along the way over the years. That's not a single inspection sign-off; it's a multi-year pattern of expert eyes on the car. You're most welcome to call the mechanic direct.

Wood interior + genuine MOMO wheel

Wood dash inserts, wood gear knob, wood handbrake, wood door inserts. Genuine MOMO wood-rim steering wheel (not a copy). Original instrument cluster, dash uncracked.

Mostly-stock B6-ZE engine bay

Original Mazda valve cover, factory airbox, OEM hoses, original heat shield. No dodgy aftermarket wiring. Original VIN/build plate present on the inner fender for authenticity verification.

Hear it run

Thirty seconds.
The whole story.

Bonnet open, two clean revs at the engine bay, then a walk to the exhaust to confirm no smoke. The most useful thirty seconds of due diligence I can hand you. No music drowning the engine -- listen.

Gallery

What you see
is what you get.

Tap any photo to enlarge. Use arrow keys or swipe to navigate.

An era piece

How Mazda first
sold this car. 1989.

The original Japanese launch promo for the Eunos Roadster. Same car, same year, same red. A reminder of why this car captured a generation.

Specifications

The numbers,
on the record.

Asking

NZD · open to offers

Odometer

km · ~5k/yr avg

One family

years owned

Engine

cc B6-ZE DOHC

Year: 1989
Make / Model: Mazda Eunos Roadster (JDM)
Chassis: NA6CE-109196
Engine: B6-ZE 1.6L DOHC, 1597cc
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Body: Convertible, soft top
Colour: Original Classic Red
Fuel: Petrol (91 RON)
Drive: Rear-wheel drive
Plate: XU6055
VIN: 7A8C11D0797109196

VIN and chassis number listed above — buyer is welcome to run their own CarJam check for independent verification. WoF and rego currently being reinstated; updated status will appear here once issued.

Honesty section

What works,
what doesn't,
no banana skins.

A 36-year-old roadster with 181k km isn't showroom condition and isn't pretending to be. Here's what I know, listed plainly.

Known good

Engine starts and runs smoothly (B6-ZE 1.6 manual)
Soft top operates correctly, no visible tears
Pop-up headlights both work
Wind deflector deploys and stows correctly
Dash plastic is uncracked (rare for the age)
All gauges read correctly
Spare wheel and original jack kit present
Multi-year WoF history signed off by specialist Mazda mechanic in Timaru
Current WoF being reinstated locally in Christchurch before sale

Honest age-related notes

Paint:imperfections and scratches you'd expect for a car of this age. Some colour mis-matching from past panel work.
Interior:Grade B — seat condition, carpet, trim all in genuinely good condition for the age.
Mechanical:sound. Nothing niggling, no cover-ups — no banana skins packed into the diff to mask noises. What you see is what you get.
Rust: none visible. Very good condition overall.

The deal

Sold as-is, where-isin Christchurch. Inspection strongly encouraged — bring your favourite NA mechanic. No warranty implied or offered. Cash, bank transfer, or confirmed cleared funds only.

Get in touch

Want to come
and see it?

Christchurch viewings by appointment. Bring an experienced NA mechanic with you — I'd rather you check it properly than buy with reservations.

Genuine enquiries only — no tyre kickers.

Call Craig · 021 845 148 Email Facebook TradeMe

Call Craig · 021 845 148