Which model MX-5?

[Rickyy]

Getting ready to view some now and I've just spotted one on ebay with a PH sticker on the bumper....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1990-MK1-MX5-in-Miami-Bl...

Anyone from here?

[edo]

Rickyy said:

Getting ready to view some now and I've just spotted one on ebay with a PH sticker on the bumper....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1990-MK1-MX5-in-Miami-Bl...

Anyone from here?

You would appear to be a man who likes a project

[MoelyCrio]

Views on this one ladies?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

Going to have a look this sunny afternoon to see if I fit (6'3" with long legs)

[Tophatron]

I'm on my 4th MX5 at the moment - 2 Mk1s, a Mk3 and my current Mk2.5. I prefer the look of the Mk1 but the Mk2.5 I have currently is a much nicer car to drive and handles significantly better than either of my Mk1s.

The Mk1s without strut braces can feel a little saggy.

£1600 bought me a 2003 1.8 Sport with 50k miles. That was in winter though..

[GC8]

The NB is a greatly superior car to the NA. Silly arguments about pop up headlamps dont sway me - I take pop up headlamps off cars!

[edo]

MoelyCrio said:

Views on this one ladies?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

Going to have a look this sunny afternoon to see if I fit (6'3" with long legs)

Very tidy. Like that on the face of it.

[Rickyy]

edo said:

Rickyy said:

Getting ready to view some now and I've just spotted one on ebay with a PH sticker on the bumper....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1990-MK1-MX5-in-Miami-Bl...

Anyone from here?

You would appear to be a man who likes a project

I'm a glutton for punishment!

Going to view one local to me. 1.8 with 85k, same owner for last ten years and lots of history apparently! Just hope I fit in the bloody thing!

[Rickyy]

UPDATE:

Just paid a deposit on a 1.8 R-reg. Husband and wife owned for the last 10 years, nice couple, 85000 miles, with a stack of old MOT and invoices to warrant it, needs a bit of TLC, but drives beautifully. Only just fit in it though, headroom was fine, but I think a smaller steering wheel and foamectomy will be on the to-do list, to accommodate my stupid long legs.

Really can't wait to collect it now

[GC8]

+1 for foamectomy.

[paddy6945]

mk1 is a more "raw" car, some love it some dont.
Personally for driving pleasure i prefer the mk1

[GC8]

Really? The NB is a far better drivers car, with much improved rigidity. NAs are floppy and whilst alright for local driving, if youre ever going anywhere youll soon wish that you were in a Mk2.

[Contigo]

Mk1 is the best for sure, the mk2 onwards look hideous. Future classic for sure if you buy the right low mileage Eunos V-Spec or VR Limited model I would not waste money on one of the lesser UK models if I was in the market for such a pitiful machine.

[GC8]

The Mk1 isnt 'best'. Its inferior in every way to the Mk2. What you mean is that you prefer the appearance of the NA to that of the NB, but that has nothing to do with the cars ability.

The NB is a greatly improved NA. Appearance is subjective, but it is actually a cleaner design and much improved over the earlier car. People seem only to focus on the rising headlamps, which I can take or leave having three other cars with a similar arrangement.

[nottyash]

I too am toying with the idea of one of these. There's a mk2.5 in green with hardtop at a car dealer near saltburn for about 2200.
Originally I wanted another mk3 mr2 post 03, but when I look at what mx5 I can get I am drawn to one.
Shame the wife doesn't like green.

[elephantstone]

I must stress the rust issue on the Mk2 can bite you. I thought mine was rust free...


...It wasnt! Just spent 400getting it rust free and with a clean MOT. Should be good for a couple of years now. Mechanically they are reliable so get down on the floor and give it a proper look in front wheel archs and if you can see any rusty holes, walk away or haggle.

[paddy6945]

my mk1 1.8 is faster than my mates mk2 1.8,
mk1 has nicer gear change, more second hand parts available for it, weighs a bit less

[agxster]

Rickyy said:

UPDATE:

Just paid a deposit on a 1.8 R-reg. Husband and wife owned for the last 10 years, nice couple, 85000 miles, with a stack of old MOT and invoices to warrant it, needs a bit of TLC, but drives beautifully. Only just fit in it though, headroom was fine, but I think a smaller steering wheel and foamectomy will be on the to-do list, to accommodate my stupid long legs.

Really can't wait to collect it now

What type of seats does it have? My mk1 had adjustable headrests rather then the all in one seats as seen on the imports and sport models. I'm 6' 2" and fit ok. I then installed the all in one seats because they look nicer and found them to be a lot higher. So might be worth finding a set of seats with the seperate headrests if you don't already have them.

All in one seats:


Seats with separate headrests:

[GC8]

One piece seats from Mk2.5s (NB2) are higher. I cant sit in an NB (or NA) with NB2 seats without a foamectomy.

Ive swapped NB two piece fabric for similar leather and then for JDM NB one pieces in leather and the squab height remained unchanged.

Fit a pair of pretty Mk2.5 seats in and Id need to open the roof to straighten my neck.

[Rickyy]

Bought it home today, had to go straight out for a meal. Just got back, dropped the roof and went for a spin! I am over the moon with it! I was a bit cramped on the test drive, but didn't realise there was a steering lock behind the drivers seat, removed that and pushed the seat all the way back and I am very comfortable in it.

First proper RWD car (BMW 116i doesn't count!) and I love the way it drives. Apart from a heat shield rattle, it drives silently with no knocks.

Does need some cosmetic work, needs a new roof and paint in places, but for £900 with 10 Months MOT, 85k and a stack of history, I'm very pleased with it.

Will take some pics tomorrow.