Which model MX-5?
Discussion
Rickyy said:
Rids64 said:
I've had a Mk2 1.8S and currently have a Mk1 1.6 (Eunos). If the car was going to be a daily then I would probably go for the more refined Mk2 but as mine is just a weekend toy I prefer the raw feel and noise of the Mk1. I would suggest there is not much difference in real world driving beteween the two engines so don't get too hung up on that.
Precisely what I want from the car. It won't be relied upon, I drive 20k a year in a van and use the OH's C1 occasionally. Not fussed on 0-60 figures, top speed. Just want something with some feedback and involvement to throw down a B-road.Was going to get another Puma, but fancied a change and RWD.
Are engines really that cheap? That is reassuring, I could probably fit one myself if it did go wrong. Are they belt driven engines?
Yes, timing belts on the MK1 and MK2 (no idea on the later cars) but non-interference engines so less of a worry.
I'd buy the best bodywork you can find, whatever model. Mechanical bits are relatively cheap and plentiful, getting bodywork done isn't unless you can DIY. LSD is nice and I prefer the 1.8 and a six speed box.
I'd buy the best bodywork you can find, whatever model. Mechanical bits are relatively cheap and plentiful, getting bodywork done isn't unless you can DIY. LSD is nice and I prefer the 1.8 and a six speed box.
Rickyy said:
Thanks.
I know it depends on how they have been looked after, but how do they generally cope high mileage, say 120k+? I'm not expecting a trouble free car buy any means, but are the engines generally strong?
I bought a 96 Mk1 in 2003 with 140k on the clock as my DD, and sold it a year later at 160k. During that time it only let me down when the clutch hose went, and even then I managed to drive home by starting on the ignition key, and revmatching clutchless gear changes. You'll spend time on little things, but the basics are very solid indeed.I know it depends on how they have been looked after, but how do they generally cope high mileage, say 120k+? I'm not expecting a trouble free car buy any means, but are the engines generally strong?
I rather like the simplicity of this. I even like the steels.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Karcher-Snow-Foa...
Looks minty.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Karcher-Snow-Foa...
Looks minty.
edo said:
I rather like the simplicity of this. I even like the steels.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Karcher-Snow-Foa...
Looks minty.
Minty fresh snow foam ?http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Karcher-Snow-Foa...
Looks minty.
I've seen that one on Ebay, close to £3k IIRC. I don't mind a bit of a fixer-upper. I like to get cars as close to perfect mechanical and visual condition as possible, when and where funds allow. But at the same time I don't want something in bits in the garage.
Some really useful and promising info coming up here. Thanks everyone.
Some really useful and promising info coming up here. Thanks everyone.
Had both - both black, both 1.8
The Mk1 was a late UK spec 1.8i with no ABS, no PAS, no leather, no LSD, 5 speed box and wind-up windows. The Mk2.5 was a 1.8iS with 6 speed box, heated leather, front strut brace, front fogs and Torsen LSD.
The Mk1 was a bit cack without the Torsen (we got the Mk1 after the Mk2.5) and generally lacking in creature comforts relatively speaking. It was windier with the roof down due to lack of the fold-up deflector the later car got.
Overall though, the Mk2/2.5 is the better car, and the Mk1 is the better MX-5.
Mk2 = easier to live with if it's your only car
Mk1 = lighter, more raw, and more fun
The Mk1 actually belonged to my dad but he left it with us when he moved to Bahrain for a couple of years. In reality it was high car but I ran and maintained it. It got punted off the road but some Volvo wielding muppet who joined a 70mph dual carriageway from the right without bothering to look and wandered straight into Lane 1 sweeping my dad off the road. The knob then rammed the MX-5 again as it spun back on to the road. This was Christmas Eve 2008 I think. The Police were involved too. Volvo man claimed he did everything by the book and my dad was a maniac trying to undertake him on the grass!!!
Don't worry about timing belts either. They're an absolute dawdle to do. They take an hour tops from start to finish, and it's an ideal car for the old "slash the old belt round it's circumference, pull half off, slide new belt on and chop the other half of the old belt" technique. Like this:
The Mk1 was a late UK spec 1.8i with no ABS, no PAS, no leather, no LSD, 5 speed box and wind-up windows. The Mk2.5 was a 1.8iS with 6 speed box, heated leather, front strut brace, front fogs and Torsen LSD.
The Mk1 was a bit cack without the Torsen (we got the Mk1 after the Mk2.5) and generally lacking in creature comforts relatively speaking. It was windier with the roof down due to lack of the fold-up deflector the later car got.
Overall though, the Mk2/2.5 is the better car, and the Mk1 is the better MX-5.
Mk2 = easier to live with if it's your only car
Mk1 = lighter, more raw, and more fun
The Mk1 actually belonged to my dad but he left it with us when he moved to Bahrain for a couple of years. In reality it was high car but I ran and maintained it. It got punted off the road but some Volvo wielding muppet who joined a 70mph dual carriageway from the right without bothering to look and wandered straight into Lane 1 sweeping my dad off the road. The knob then rammed the MX-5 again as it spun back on to the road. This was Christmas Eve 2008 I think. The Police were involved too. Volvo man claimed he did everything by the book and my dad was a maniac trying to undertake him on the grass!!!
Don't worry about timing belts either. They're an absolute dawdle to do. They take an hour tops from start to finish, and it's an ideal car for the old "slash the old belt round it's circumference, pull half off, slide new belt on and chop the other half of the old belt" technique. Like this:
Edited by jamieduff1981 on Wednesday 10th July 21:14
jamieduff1981 said:
Don't worry about timing belts either. They're an absolute dawdle to do. They take an hour tops from start to finish, and it's an ideal car for the old "slash the old belt round it's circumference, pull half off, slide new belt on and chop the other half of the old belt" technique. Like this:
I've read this a few times but a lot of people say it's best to change the water pump and tensioners at the same time while you're doing it which requires removal of the belt completely. Not sure what the views on that are here though.So can someone describe the everyday benefits of a mk2/2.5 over a mk1?
How much difference does the 6-speed 'box make and when exactly was it introduced? I seemed to do better than most people with my mk1 (obviously drove like a girl...) but the fuel economy has always struck me as slightly disappointing for a car of modest outright performance.
Oh, and can someone remind me if it's possible to get a full size suitcase in the boot of either?
How much difference does the 6-speed 'box make and when exactly was it introduced? I seemed to do better than most people with my mk1 (obviously drove like a girl...) but the fuel economy has always struck me as slightly disappointing for a car of modest outright performance.
Oh, and can someone remind me if it's possible to get a full size suitcase in the boot of either?
Beware the 6 speeds, some of them can feel bloody horrid. The 5 speed is rifle-bolt like. Lovely to use.
The factory fitted 6 speeds come with a longer final drive which makes the 1-5 ratios very similar to the 5 speed, but with an additional cruising gear. If you don't do a lot of long distance driving, the 5 speed is probably the better bet. £50 to replace instead of £350 too.
The factory fitted 6 speeds come with a longer final drive which makes the 1-5 ratios very similar to the 5 speed, but with an additional cruising gear. If you don't do a lot of long distance driving, the 5 speed is probably the better bet. £50 to replace instead of £350 too.
We've had a MK1 1.6(early UK), MK1 1.8 R-LTD Eunos, and now have a MK2 1.6 Eunos.
The R-ltd had the nicest feel to it, and the best brakes, but I just love the MK2 Eunos 1.6. It's an absolute joy, lovely revvy little motor that sounds great through a chav spec filter, and TBH feels no slower than the 1.8, jsut a little less torquey.
1.6 brakes however, are terrible.
They also lack all of the bracing that the 1.8's get. I prefer the more dated interior of the MK1 as it has a bit more character, but the MK2 is much more grown up, if a little soulless.
I'd get a 1.8MK1 TBH. Worth it for the brakes and bracing (although these can easily be added on afterwards)
As said though, but on body and hood condition. But mostly body!
The R-ltd had the nicest feel to it, and the best brakes, but I just love the MK2 Eunos 1.6. It's an absolute joy, lovely revvy little motor that sounds great through a chav spec filter, and TBH feels no slower than the 1.8, jsut a little less torquey.
1.6 brakes however, are terrible.
They also lack all of the bracing that the 1.8's get. I prefer the more dated interior of the MK1 as it has a bit more character, but the MK2 is much more grown up, if a little soulless.
I'd get a 1.8MK1 TBH. Worth it for the brakes and bracing (although these can easily be added on afterwards)
As said though, but on body and hood condition. But mostly body!
Johnnytheboy said:
And this is still on the wrong section. 
Possibly not... I put a very similar thread up in the MX-5 section a few months back and don't think it got a single response. Must have been something I said. Curious to hear the brakes are better on the mk1, I don't remember them being a highlight on mine!
Chris71 said:
Oh, and can someone remind me if it's possible to get a full size suitcase in the boot of either?
Definitely not, but a Mk1 looks great with a bootlid luggage rack. Speaking of which, I still have a luggage rack that is looking for a good home, in return for a donation to the Red Cross.I suggest sitting in one first, OP, before you decide which model/engine you want, I'm 6'5, and it was one helluva squeeze for me to fit in a MK1, I just about got in, with my head literally millimeters from the hood. I myself would personally go for the early 1.6 Eunos, if I had to choose a specific model, or MK1 if I had to choose which gen, then after carrying out foamectomy(!), I'd add the 1.8 brakes, diff, and the under chassis bracing; but as the others have mentioned, bodywork>engine always comes on top if you have a tight budget, as there are alot on rotten ones out there, in which the engine/spec doesn't really matter as any MX5 model should provide great fun.
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