Thinking of buying an MX-5......
Discussion
Hey folks !
I'm currently toying with the idea of buying a series 1 (?) MX-5 (on an H plate, or there abouts), and was just wondering if there was any advice you wanted to pass my way ?
From what I've heard, they're reliable, cheap(ish) to run/insure, and something of a hoot to drive !
All in all, sounds like a good thing to me !
Thanks in advance !
I'm currently toying with the idea of buying a series 1 (?) MX-5 (on an H plate, or there abouts), and was just wondering if there was any advice you wanted to pass my way ?
From what I've heard, they're reliable, cheap(ish) to run/insure, and something of a hoot to drive !
All in all, sounds like a good thing to me !
Thanks in advance !
Get yourself over to www.mx5ocforum.co.uk - there is loads of info on there
As Wigeon says check the bodywork and roof. My FiL has one and had to spend a fair bit on new sills and sorting out rust on one of the wings. Get one thats had this sorted and you should be OK. It's a fantastic little car and despite his only being a 1.6 goes round the bends like its on rails.
Great intro ro RWD sports cars before upgrading to a Liz or TVR etc.
Great intro ro RWD sports cars before upgrading to a Liz or TVR etc.
Wigeon Incognito said:
Do it!
Seriously though, rust on the sills in front of the rear wheelarches and the condition of the hood are pretty much the only major things to look out for.
They're great fun!
Seriously though, rust on the sills in front of the rear wheelarches and the condition of the hood are pretty much the only major things to look out for.
They're great fun!
I'll agree with that. They're very good fun to slide about and have a really decent level of feedback. You could spend huge amounts more on other sports cars and still not have any more fun.
This model guide is handy for identifying the dozens of special editions for the Japanese market.
Personally I'd go for a Eunos import - the later Mk1 cars for the Japanese market had Torsen LSDs and a generally better spec. The service history paperwork rarely accompanies the cars when they're exported but their robust nature means proof of service history isn't as critical as with other cars. The Japanese have strict roadworthiness criteria (shaken tests) which ensure that cars are well maintained and roadworthy.
The climate in Japan means paint fade is more of an issue than rust.
Oh, and get an insurance quote before buying - imports can be a bit more expensive to cover.
Good luck!
Personally I'd go for a Eunos import - the later Mk1 cars for the Japanese market had Torsen LSDs and a generally better spec. The service history paperwork rarely accompanies the cars when they're exported but their robust nature means proof of service history isn't as critical as with other cars. The Japanese have strict roadworthiness criteria (shaken tests) which ensure that cars are well maintained and roadworthy.
The climate in Japan means paint fade is more of an issue than rust.
Oh, and get an insurance quote before buying - imports can be a bit more expensive to cover.
Good luck!
Edited by risotto on Wednesday 14th February 08:53
Get an imported Eunos Roadster - better spec (aircon, LSD, etc) and better condition as they have spent less time in British weather. Only slightly more expensive to insure these days, and parts are identical so no worries about spares. And get a 1994+ car with a 1.8 engine as the 1.6's are a bit gutless
furtive said:
Get an imported Eunos Roadster - better spec (aircon, LSD, etc) and better condition as they have spent less time in British weather. Only slightly more expensive to insure these days, and parts are identical so no worries about spares. And get a 1994+ car with a 1.8 engine as the 1.6's are a bit gutless
Some of the 1.6's are 90bhp.
IIRC
I'm on my second one now - these cars are great fun and if you follow the advice above you won't go far wrong. Just beware of a future problem: What to replace it with...
In twelve months I've been to Ireland, the Scottish Highlands, and Suffolk from my base in Wilshire. I've made three journeys the full length of France to/from Nice, two via the Route Napolean. Last weekend after 6 weeks unattended outdoors, I reconnected the battery and made an ascent of the Col du Turini with no issues. The car gets driven full bore and usually top down, with a massive grin. Servicing costs this year £60 inc labour, have had no mechanical issues, although a new set of tyres is on the shopping list
I'm looking at a 964 but to be honest it's very difficult to justify a car another 16 year old car that costs 5 times as much to buy, 10 times as much to service and will struggle to be more reliable. Can it really give me a bigger smile than I already have? Looks like I'll just have to keep the 5 as well!
Buying one of these cars is a descision you can take knowing the heart and the head are in full agreement!
In twelve months I've been to Ireland, the Scottish Highlands, and Suffolk from my base in Wilshire. I've made three journeys the full length of France to/from Nice, two via the Route Napolean. Last weekend after 6 weeks unattended outdoors, I reconnected the battery and made an ascent of the Col du Turini with no issues. The car gets driven full bore and usually top down, with a massive grin. Servicing costs this year £60 inc labour, have had no mechanical issues, although a new set of tyres is on the shopping list
I'm looking at a 964 but to be honest it's very difficult to justify a car another 16 year old car that costs 5 times as much to buy, 10 times as much to service and will struggle to be more reliable. Can it really give me a bigger smile than I already have? Looks like I'll just have to keep the 5 as well!
Buying one of these cars is a descision you can take knowing the heart and the head are in full agreement!
sassthathoopie said:
I'm on my second one now - these cars are great fun and if you follow the advice above you won't go far wrong. Just beware of a future problem: What to replace it with...
In twelve months I've been to Ireland, the Scottish Highlands, and Suffolk from my base in Wilshire. I've made three journeys the full length of France to/from Nice, two via the Route Napolean. Last weekend after 6 weeks unattended outdoors, I reconnected the battery and made an ascent of the Col du Turini with no issues. The car gets driven full bore and usually top down, with a massive grin. Servicing costs this year £60 inc labour, have had no mechanical issues, although a new set of tyres is on the shopping list
I'm looking at a 964 but to be honest it's very difficult to justify a car another 16 year old car that costs 5 times as much to buy, 10 times as much to service and will struggle to be more reliable. Can it really give me a bigger smile than I already have? Looks like I'll just have to keep the 5 as well!
Buying one of these cars is a descision you can take knowing the heart and the head are in full agreement!
In twelve months I've been to Ireland, the Scottish Highlands, and Suffolk from my base in Wilshire. I've made three journeys the full length of France to/from Nice, two via the Route Napolean. Last weekend after 6 weeks unattended outdoors, I reconnected the battery and made an ascent of the Col du Turini with no issues. The car gets driven full bore and usually top down, with a massive grin. Servicing costs this year £60 inc labour, have had no mechanical issues, although a new set of tyres is on the shopping list
I'm looking at a 964 but to be honest it's very difficult to justify a car another 16 year old car that costs 5 times as much to buy, 10 times as much to service and will struggle to be more reliable. Can it really give me a bigger smile than I already have? Looks like I'll just have to keep the 5 as well!
Buying one of these cars is a descision you can take knowing the heart and the head are in full agreement!
This is all seriously battering my resolve to buy a sensible car instead (admittedly by sensible I was thinking of a 944)
Gavin - just seen your profile - can you recommend a way to get a mountain bike in/on an MX5? That's the main thing that's holding me back as I cant really afford a second car.
I've just brought one as I needed a cheap fun run around and it is grintastic (new word I've just invented). Do it you won't regret it.
Chris as for the bike see this. www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/products_id/679
Chris as for the bike see this. www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/products_id/679
Edited by stumpage on Wednesday 14th February 10:54
I got a bike on my 5 last week for the first time using a standard mazda boot rack.
1.Bike wheels off
2 Get spacesaver spare wheel out of the boot
3 Front wheel on parcel shelf behind seats (hood up)
4 Rear wheel in boot wedged into space where spacesaver wheel was. Throw in all your biking kit now.
5 Strap bike frame to standard MX5 bike rack - easier if you don't have a spoiler, but I managed. Getting in the boot after is tricky hence the prior loading.
6 Spacesaver behind passenger seat, in foot well, or in the garage if you're feeling lucky.
I was greeted with applause from my pick up truck, van and estate car owning mates
Alternatively look for bike racks on the forum of www.mx5oc.co.uk for a couple of excellent ones that will take two bikes. I can't seem to get in at the mo
1.Bike wheels off
2 Get spacesaver spare wheel out of the boot
3 Front wheel on parcel shelf behind seats (hood up)
4 Rear wheel in boot wedged into space where spacesaver wheel was. Throw in all your biking kit now.
5 Strap bike frame to standard MX5 bike rack - easier if you don't have a spoiler, but I managed. Getting in the boot after is tricky hence the prior loading.
6 Spacesaver behind passenger seat, in foot well, or in the garage if you're feeling lucky.
I was greeted with applause from my pick up truck, van and estate car owning mates
Alternatively look for bike racks on the forum of www.mx5oc.co.uk for a couple of excellent ones that will take two bikes. I can't seem to get in at the mo
Chris71 said:
sassthathoopie said:
I'm on my second one now - these cars are great fun and if you follow the advice above you won't go far wrong. Just beware of a future problem: What to replace it with...
In twelve months I've been to Ireland, the Scottish Highlands, and Suffolk from my base in Wilshire. I've made three journeys the full length of France to/from Nice, two via the Route Napolean. Last weekend after 6 weeks unattended outdoors, I reconnected the battery and made an ascent of the Col du Turini with no issues. The car gets driven full bore and usually top down, with a massive grin. Servicing costs this year £60 inc labour, have had no mechanical issues, although a new set of tyres is on the shopping list
I'm looking at a 964 but to be honest it's very difficult to justify a car another 16 year old car that costs 5 times as much to buy, 10 times as much to service and will struggle to be more reliable. Can it really give me a bigger smile than I already have? Looks like I'll just have to keep the 5 as well!
Buying one of these cars is a descision you can take knowing the heart and the head are in full agreement!
In twelve months I've been to Ireland, the Scottish Highlands, and Suffolk from my base in Wilshire. I've made three journeys the full length of France to/from Nice, two via the Route Napolean. Last weekend after 6 weeks unattended outdoors, I reconnected the battery and made an ascent of the Col du Turini with no issues. The car gets driven full bore and usually top down, with a massive grin. Servicing costs this year £60 inc labour, have had no mechanical issues, although a new set of tyres is on the shopping list
I'm looking at a 964 but to be honest it's very difficult to justify a car another 16 year old car that costs 5 times as much to buy, 10 times as much to service and will struggle to be more reliable. Can it really give me a bigger smile than I already have? Looks like I'll just have to keep the 5 as well!
Buying one of these cars is a descision you can take knowing the heart and the head are in full agreement!
This is all seriously battering my resolve to buy a sensible car instead (admittedly by sensible I was thinking of a 944)
Gavin - just seen your profile - can you recommend a way to get a mountain bike in/on an MX5? That's the main thing that's holding me back as I cant really afford a second car.
Chris - there is a tow bar from Moss Engineering that will allow you to fit a tow barr bike rack, or you can use a boot mounted rack, or strapped to the luggage racks that are available...
to put it in context - looking in the caterham forum on here and theres folk are asking can you carry a bike in a 7? (yes apparently - with pictures) also on Singletrackworld.com, mamy folk have demonstrated carrying a bike in an Elise, and lets face it - if you can carry one with an elise, a '5 will be no bother.
I want an Elise! said:
Hard-Drive said:
Hmmm, see my other post about why my g/friend is sadly having to get rid of hers, we may well hav a K-plate Eunos in blue going if you are interested (also midlands)
...gutted.
...gutted.
Where might this post be, matey ?
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=355669&r=4852881&hm=44495#4852881
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