Hey

I'm looking at buying a Eunos 500 '95 model with 94,000kms. Can anyone that knows about these cars in Australia please e-mail me with some advice on running costs, parts costs and availability. Also how well do they perform.

Thanks

Dan

Oddly enough my wife has a '95 Eunos 500 (I have a '94 Eunos 800). But a year ago we only had the 500, so I drove it around quite often. It's an automatic, so my opinion will be a bit biased. But performance for the 2.0 liter V6 (why they made such a small V6 I will never understand) is ... well, just okay. It has a bit more pep than most 1.8 and 2.0 engines out there, but the engine is just too small for such a heavy car.

With all the luxury features loaded on, it makes for a rather heavy car, and trying to push it around with a 2.0 engine can be a bit of a struggle at times. It struggles a bit up hills, but handles straight line acceleration okay.

Honestly, this car is made for females. The shape has a lot of curves, and it's not too overpowering or the size too large to manuever. But for me, I had to get the 800 because it has more power and has a bit more leg room inside. To compare, just like of the Eunos 500 as luxury Mx3, or like a Lexus 300 being the luxury Camry.

As for running cost, the 2.0 V6 allows it to consume a lot less gas (or petro as they say here). But since it is a discontinued model, parts are pretty hard to find. Whenever we have to take it in for repairs, we pray to god the parts are available. Because sometimes they have to be special ordered and cost an arm and a leg. And being in the Mazda family, it does has its history of continual problems (wheel bearing, water pump, jerky tranny, cracked radiator, etc).

Overall, it's either going to be a hit or miss with this car. You'll either love or hate it, depending on how lucky you are in getting one without continual problems. Good luck!

I have a 92 Eunos 500! It goes rather well, is able to keep up to many V6's and defeat most 4 cylinders. As it is a V6 though it has slow off the mark performance. As with overtaking speed - 90 to 130Km/h she flys. Nothing has better ability at overtaking then it. Trackion is average with the car tending to slide out at the rear end due to its weight. Although only a small V6, do not buy if after fuel consumption. You get 12.5 litres per 100 km/h. SHIT!

Parts are also a problem! As it is a discontiued model, they are limited and expensive. Their is a great tendency for the climate control computer to fail also, which will cost you $400.

Though if you get one with not to many kilometers it will be a great car. As you may know it has all the standard features of a modern car. The leather seats are very annoying though, as it heats up immensly. Making it almost impossible to drive. THe performance will also be increased with new high tention cables, as the factory fitted ones are poor. It is very good on oil, and the radiator system is very effective. The car does not get hot even, after driving it hard.

Just remeber that the automatic is only a 4 speed. So, the car will drop back and rev like crazy - to get more power if your foot is to the floor. The crusie works perfictly and highway driving is a please. THe factor deck and speeker system is great for stock equipment. It does not say who makes the speakers but i was told, it was sony.

Anyway, if you like how it drives, buy it. Just watch for carparks. As the car is so low their is a great tendency for the car to get the front bumper bar cover caught on the metal posts at the end of the park. This will crack the underbody of the front bumper bar cover.

THe car also turns heads. People look at and love what they see. Especially in the wet, as it gets a beaitifil bead appeal. THe paint is great and i have 626 mag wheels on mine. which look that much better. I have heard of lowering them further, which makes them look great also. For a ten gran car, they are comfortable, great looking and responsive.

If you are choosing between a Eunos and another similar priced car buy the Eunos. Because for the price you pay, their will be nothing that compares. Pay between 5 and 10 grand. No more, as this is the mean. Just look on Drive.com