My first MX5 - cheap track car
Discussion
After selling the Elise and buying my SL500 - see here https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I had a bit of cash left for a fun car, I was torn between another Renault Sport Clio and my first MX5. In the end I went on a hunt for an MX5... My god the rust everywhere there's rust!
I finally found a nice NC with 2 owners from new, immaculate MOT history and having been rust treated from new. What's more the car came with:
BC racing coilovers
Buddy Club alloys
New calipers all round
Cobalt exhaust
Massive history file
It's a silver car, non sport but with a slipper. I believe it's the same gearbox (5speed) as I had in my Caterham 310R.
Paid around £4k and the bang for buck is incredible. I can't wait to get back on track and the it's going to Germany for a road trip in a few weeks.
What's more I can now make sure the SL gets the pampering it deserves.
When I picked it up!
Naturally then did the cleaning thing you do with any new car.... Claybar showed it hasn't been done for ages!
Came up okay!
Then took to the quiet roads for an evening blast... Car could do with some small changes to the geometry to my taste BUT it's bloody brilliant for the money.
It's also my only ULEZ friendly car!
I had a bit of cash left for a fun car, I was torn between another Renault Sport Clio and my first MX5. In the end I went on a hunt for an MX5... My god the rust everywhere there's rust!
I finally found a nice NC with 2 owners from new, immaculate MOT history and having been rust treated from new. What's more the car came with:
BC racing coilovers
Buddy Club alloys
New calipers all round
Cobalt exhaust
Massive history file
It's a silver car, non sport but with a slipper. I believe it's the same gearbox (5speed) as I had in my Caterham 310R.
Paid around £4k and the bang for buck is incredible. I can't wait to get back on track and the it's going to Germany for a road trip in a few weeks.
What's more I can now make sure the SL gets the pampering it deserves.
When I picked it up!
Naturally then did the cleaning thing you do with any new car.... Claybar showed it hasn't been done for ages!
Came up okay!
Then took to the quiet roads for an evening blast... Car could do with some small changes to the geometry to my taste BUT it's bloody brilliant for the money.
It's also my only ULEZ friendly car!
200 miles in and it's proving itself a practical little car, one bonus being it's my only ULEZ friendly vehicle so it was nice to pop and see the old man today in Greenwich and not pay £12.50 for the privilege. Also did the weekly shop in the way home....whilst the boot is miles off my E Class it still swallows everything it needs to....bodes well for the Euro trip next month
The previous owner gave me a ton of spares and bits...
Which includes 4 refurbished original wheels which could make useful spares or track wheels.
Also included was a properly fitted outdoor cover which was a nice bonus
Parking is just about doable, luckily the E class has the mega German taxi turning circle!
The previous owner gave me a ton of spares and bits...
Which includes 4 refurbished original wheels which could make useful spares or track wheels.
Also included was a properly fitted outdoor cover which was a nice bonus
Parking is just about doable, luckily the E class has the mega German taxi turning circle!
Annoying update... Been using the car for a bit of commuting as it's now cheaper for me to drive from West Malling to North Greenwich, park and get the tube than it is a return train ticket to London (ridiculous )
Anyway driving home today and some absolute twunt in a Q7 not paying attention was getting closer .no end of beeping and he just drove into me... Then shrugged and sped off! People are horrible...
Got home and luckily I've managed to get all the rubber from his wheel off and there's only a few ripples which a dent man will get out. I was just thankful I wasn't in the SL
In terms of the car itself, head to the Black Forest three weeks today, overall in super happy with it and £ for £ fun with the coilovers and few other bits it's right up there.
ChrisRF1 said:
Looks like a great example with some choice mods too. If it has an LSD I'm assuming it's a 2.0 - how do you find the power?
Also where did you find it? I'm looking for an MX5 at the moment too and as you say, a lot of them tend to be borderline scrap and I'm struggling to find a decent one on the usual ebay/autotrader/etc. sites. Wondering if I'm missing a trick with where to get a good one from an enthusiast owner!
It's not fast compared to the other things I've had obviously, but it's really good fun and still plenty fast enough to be entertained with. I think 180-200 bhp would be the sweet spot. Yes 2.0. Also where did you find it? I'm looking for an MX5 at the moment too and as you say, a lot of them tend to be borderline scrap and I'm struggling to find a decent one on the usual ebay/autotrader/etc. sites. Wondering if I'm missing a trick with where to get a good one from an enthusiast owner!
In terms of finding it, literally looking everyday across all the platforms. This one I got lucky with locally.
ChrisRF1 said:
I think I kept being put off originally because even the 2.0 is down on power even compared to hot hatches I've owned, but I completely see how it can still be plenty of fun all the same - good to hear that's the case! I've seen a company called BBR offer a range of solutions to get a bit more power, but also heard mixed thoughts on their work.
It depends what you like, it's not a point and shoot car but as a driving device it's a lot of fun. The 5 speed box is unreal, just as I loved it in my Caterham. In terms of BBR I've heard more good than bad and if I keep the car it'll probably go to them.
Ultimately the whole car cost less than what I'd spend on two sets of tyres on my 996 GT3 when tracking it.
Cambs_Stuart said:
That looks like a great find. It's a shame mazda never got to grips with rust prevention as they are so many crusty ones around.
What size wheels they they? They look like they're filling the arches better than the factory ones...
Yeah this one has had undersealing from new. I've got every bill including the original order form before the bill of sale. It's got a few knocks but it's an old £4k car. What size wheels they they? They look like they're filling the arches better than the factory ones...
They are buddyclub wheels at 17x7.5, I think the coilovers help with the stance of it though.
Had the joys of changing a bulb in the car today!
Annoyingly the pin flicked off so had to take the arch liner out to retrieve that.
So wheel off and back on again and although this is my fault as I forgot to change the torque settings I suffered the issue of the cheese nuts the previous owner had fitted.
Bolt input had snapped but it's on the thread so looks like I'll be begging the nice lads at Tyrepoint in Maidstone to sort it out.
Annoyingly the pin flicked off so had to take the arch liner out to retrieve that.
So wheel off and back on again and although this is my fault as I forgot to change the torque settings I suffered the issue of the cheese nuts the previous owner had fitted.
Bolt input had snapped but it's on the thread so looks like I'll be begging the nice lads at Tyrepoint in Maidstone to sort it out.
Bolt fixed!
Thanks to my trusty old garage who looked after since I passed my test and the lovely Roger who is a gem and helped me out no end as a kid with a Fiat Cinquecento or my first 106 Rallye.
£50 and bolt removed and all bolts replaced with steel alternatives.
Roll on the Black Forest next week.
Thanks to my trusty old garage who looked after since I passed my test and the lovely Roger who is a gem and helped me out no end as a kid with a Fiat Cinquecento or my first 106 Rallye.
£50 and bolt removed and all bolts replaced with steel alternatives.
Roll on the Black Forest next week.
Dough boy said:
I really enjoyed your Elise thread. Quite a lot about it hit the nail right on the head for me.
Interestingly, I have also purchased a silver MX-5 as a track car, al be it a fair bit older and far rustier than your one. It’s interesting to hear that you’re enjoying yours so much. I can honestly say I’ve never had as much fun in a car as I have my MX-5, despite having owned things far more powerful and prestigious. Perhaps it’s the lack of worry if something going expensively wrong!
It also looks like you’re just down the road from me, I am fairly sure I have family in your immediate area, funnily enough with an MX-5, albeit in ND form. I will keep an eye out for you!
I'm based in Kings Hill in West Malling, that sounds right?Interestingly, I have also purchased a silver MX-5 as a track car, al be it a fair bit older and far rustier than your one. It’s interesting to hear that you’re enjoying yours so much. I can honestly say I’ve never had as much fun in a car as I have my MX-5, despite having owned things far more powerful and prestigious. Perhaps it’s the lack of worry if something going expensively wrong!
It also looks like you’re just down the road from me, I am fairly sure I have family in your immediate area, funnily enough with an MX-5, albeit in ND form. I will keep an eye out for you!
Glad to hear you liked the other thread! I loved that Elise as a driving machine it is above the MX5...BUT and a big but it isn't £20k better and the little MX5 because as you put it has a lack of of worry is just good honest fun.
It's genuinely surprised me!
So...just got back from the Black Forest last night, we stayed up in Feldberg which is in the south west of the forest and one of the highest points. Having read how busy it gets around Baden Baden our plan was to find somewhere quiet... Which we succeeded with.
Eclectic mix of cars on the trip:
987 Spyder
Cayman R
Tommi Makkinen Evo
Caterham Supersport (ex race car)
B5 RS4 with a few mods - i.e. bilstein b16s RS6 C7 brakes, hybrid turbos so circa 600bhp
986 Boxster
MX5
All lined up at the Eurotunnel
I was originally planning on taking my Elise before I sold it but turns out the cheap fun car became the perfect car for the trip.
The drive over was mostly wet with my mate Tom being an absolute trooper in the Caterham but we got there safely albeit to a very wet Black Forest.
Accomodation was stunning, but of a dodgy drive to get into but otherwise perfect with loads of parking and a reasonably priced. It's called Blockhaus Chalet in Feldberg if anyone's interested.
Day 1:
Had a bit of a slow morning and then ventured out in the cars, after a damp start it really dried up. We decided upon the slowest car leading which was me...this turned out to be brilliant fun and I had one of the drives of my life up the L156 being chased down by my mate in his Cayman R.
The MX5 needs a proper setup to my liking but with the coilovers it has on and the basic brilliance of the little thing it was amazing. Coming from GT3, Elise's etc the thing that stands out from the MX5 is just how easy it is to drive. I was able to keep a fast but sensible pace which everyone was happy with. I even felt comfortable in the seats.
Day 1 overall a big success and roads proved much quieter than the Alps which was a huge positive.
Day 2:
Huge loop round the forest again wth the MX5 leading. This turned out to be one of the best driving days I've ever had and a proper bonding experience with the little silver car.
The ability to see down a road and the smoothness of the tarmac meant it was easy to enjoy the roads at a pace that was brisk but safe and sensible.
Few highlights from day 2
Cayman R Vs Spyder comparison was interesting, back to back the Spyder definitely was slightly firmer something that surprised me as I always thought they were identical. However both backed up my view that those iterations are the perfect Porsche roads cars and my favourite outside of the 996 GT3 for overall experience.
I'd never been in any of the 90/00s Evo or Subarus before but the Tommi Makkinen blew my brain, the mechanical grip and pace was insane. Proper proper thing!
Some truly stunning views!
Day 3
My old man with his Spyder and my mate with his Cayman R wanted to go to the Porsche museum so four of us went there whilst the guys in the Evo / Caterham / RS4 went on a mini eurotrip to Lichenstien.
What a pair the 987.2s are! Definitely what I'd got back to if I had £40-50k for a Porsche again.
On the museum itself I've never actually been before so was expecting big things. The building itself and the spectacle was really impressive but as a proper Porsche geek I found the museum itself a little underwhelming.
Day 4
This was the slog home, we experienced monsoon weather and then also mega sun! Overall though a relatively easy trip home.
The Eurotunnel was utter chaos though.
Conclusions:
For just under £4k I don't think I could have picked a better car for the trip, it was phenomenal. The gearbox is a beautiful thing, the handling safe but fun and the engines a punchy little thing.
In over 1200miles in 4 days it didn't miss a bit against much more serious machinery.
It definitely needs a proper setup, the previous owner I think has raised the front to get out his drive and not adjusted the rear to match and it could do with some camber on the front.
Power wise it definitely could use another 40-50bhp so a trip to BBR or equivalent probably feels about right.
I've condensed this right down but for a car that's fun and I don't have to worry about too much I think I've nailed it.
Eclectic mix of cars on the trip:
987 Spyder
Cayman R
Tommi Makkinen Evo
Caterham Supersport (ex race car)
B5 RS4 with a few mods - i.e. bilstein b16s RS6 C7 brakes, hybrid turbos so circa 600bhp
986 Boxster
MX5
All lined up at the Eurotunnel
I was originally planning on taking my Elise before I sold it but turns out the cheap fun car became the perfect car for the trip.
The drive over was mostly wet with my mate Tom being an absolute trooper in the Caterham but we got there safely albeit to a very wet Black Forest.
Accomodation was stunning, but of a dodgy drive to get into but otherwise perfect with loads of parking and a reasonably priced. It's called Blockhaus Chalet in Feldberg if anyone's interested.
Day 1:
Had a bit of a slow morning and then ventured out in the cars, after a damp start it really dried up. We decided upon the slowest car leading which was me...this turned out to be brilliant fun and I had one of the drives of my life up the L156 being chased down by my mate in his Cayman R.
The MX5 needs a proper setup to my liking but with the coilovers it has on and the basic brilliance of the little thing it was amazing. Coming from GT3, Elise's etc the thing that stands out from the MX5 is just how easy it is to drive. I was able to keep a fast but sensible pace which everyone was happy with. I even felt comfortable in the seats.
Day 1 overall a big success and roads proved much quieter than the Alps which was a huge positive.
Day 2:
Huge loop round the forest again wth the MX5 leading. This turned out to be one of the best driving days I've ever had and a proper bonding experience with the little silver car.
The ability to see down a road and the smoothness of the tarmac meant it was easy to enjoy the roads at a pace that was brisk but safe and sensible.
Few highlights from day 2
Cayman R Vs Spyder comparison was interesting, back to back the Spyder definitely was slightly firmer something that surprised me as I always thought they were identical. However both backed up my view that those iterations are the perfect Porsche roads cars and my favourite outside of the 996 GT3 for overall experience.
I'd never been in any of the 90/00s Evo or Subarus before but the Tommi Makkinen blew my brain, the mechanical grip and pace was insane. Proper proper thing!
Some truly stunning views!
Day 3
My old man with his Spyder and my mate with his Cayman R wanted to go to the Porsche museum so four of us went there whilst the guys in the Evo / Caterham / RS4 went on a mini eurotrip to Lichenstien.
What a pair the 987.2s are! Definitely what I'd got back to if I had £40-50k for a Porsche again.
On the museum itself I've never actually been before so was expecting big things. The building itself and the spectacle was really impressive but as a proper Porsche geek I found the museum itself a little underwhelming.
Day 4
This was the slog home, we experienced monsoon weather and then also mega sun! Overall though a relatively easy trip home.
The Eurotunnel was utter chaos though.
Conclusions:
For just under £4k I don't think I could have picked a better car for the trip, it was phenomenal. The gearbox is a beautiful thing, the handling safe but fun and the engines a punchy little thing.
In over 1200miles in 4 days it didn't miss a bit against much more serious machinery.
It definitely needs a proper setup, the previous owner I think has raised the front to get out his drive and not adjusted the rear to match and it could do with some camber on the front.
Power wise it definitely could use another 40-50bhp so a trip to BBR or equivalent probably feels about right.
I've condensed this right down but for a car that's fun and I don't have to worry about too much I think I've nailed it.
Kev_Mk3 said:
I keep looking at NC's but the rust on mx5's really worries me. Great reading and look forward to reading more
There's a lot of rubbish out there but there are good cars to be found. I've since found out powered hard top cars are a little better off due to where he drainage does / doesn't run. My car was undersealed from new but I still had it checked out etc. there's some small bits but nothing horrific.
Cambs_Stuart said:
That looks like a fantastic trip, and I hope the driver of the Caterham dries out one day.
There's a reason that the answer is MX5 so many times, they're great cars. From my track day experience, the owners are usually OK too.
Ha yeah baking in the sun in the Eurotunnel queue for 40mins helped him! There's a reason that the answer is MX5 so many times, they're great cars. From my track day experience, the owners are usually OK too.
Yeah my mate with the Evo also has an MX5 and it was him who put me onto it. It's an utterly brilliant little car.
TV8 said:
Great trip and your mate with the Caterham on that wet road is made of tougher stuff than me!
My son has an MX5 and it is so much fun to drive. It’s a mk2 and a bit of a squeeze for me and as you say, the gear change is brilliant.
Yeah absolute gold that gearbox. My son has an MX5 and it is so much fun to drive. It’s a mk2 and a bit of a squeeze for me and as you say, the gear change is brilliant.
I tried a mates MK2.5 with a bucket in it and that makes a world of difference so that's my next step! And a rollover hoop!
Having owned a Caterham, it's actually not that bad in the wet providing you've got the right gear on. I'd certainly say better than the Elise in terms of sketchiness
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