Is the Eunos Roadster the same as the Mazda MX-5?
MX-5 vs Eunos Roadster? I'm looking to buy a Mazda MX-5, and I am tempted to buy a Eunos Roadster instead. I'm just wondering before I go any further are the parts for the Eunos Roadster the same as for the MX-5 being basically a Japanese import MX-5?
John Dunphy (Tallaght)Nov 2011 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi John,
I put your question to Paul Healy, our News Editor, but also a very experienced man in the way of Japanese imports. Here's his response:
May we first commend you on your choice of choice of cars? There is little that can offer the kind of thrills the MX-5/Eunos Roadster does for the money.
In regards to your question; yes the Eunos Roadster is essentially just a Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) MX-5, but there are a few differences between the two cars. For the most part these are cosmetic or inconsequential differences such as the shape of the number plate surround or the fact that the speedometer will be in km/h instead of mph (which is actually handier). The bigger issues relate to the likes of the thinner windscreen that would require a new surround rubber should you need to replace it with one from a MX-5 and also the engine management system (ECU) differs between the cars, but failure of this system is rare so the likelihood of it being a problem is minimal.
While air conditioning was offered on both models many MX-5s do not have it whereas most Eunos Roadsters do. This means that the power steering belt that would also drive the air conditioning compressor will be different between the two cars. So too will be the radiator, as the Eunos almost certainly (the Japanese like their air conditioning) will have additional mounting points for the unit.
None of these issues present any real problem though. Such is the appeal of the MX-5/Eunos Roadster that a whole industry has sprung up to supply parts for both cars that are sometimes unavailable through official channels. Websites such as mx5parts.co.uk and mx5ireland.com are good resources.
Hope this helps!
Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Adviser@Shane_O_D