How many mx5s live outside?
Discussion
Yes mine has lived outside for 11 years , if not in use, summer or winter it will be under a cover from MX5 Parts , so far there is only minor surface rust on the lower sills , a full inspection has shown no other rust problems ( apparently an issue with MK2.5 cars )
Re hardtop , yes the car is better inside for having hard top on over winter , the minor ingress of water around the seals on the windows does not happen , and condensation is reduced .obviously on the road noise is reduced and the car is more cosy
Covering the car has meant that the hood has lasted well , and only now is up for replacement due to a small split
Re hardtop , yes the car is better inside for having hard top on over winter , the minor ingress of water around the seals on the windows does not happen , and condensation is reduced .obviously on the road noise is reduced and the car is more cosy
Covering the car has meant that the hood has lasted well , and only now is up for replacement due to a small split
Edited by MX51ROD on Friday 27th June 11:38
If I was using a Mk1 as a daily drive / living outside I'd definitely fit a hardtop. Mine came with one, sold it as it is garaged and a summer car but it really turned it into a nice little coupe, heated rear glass screen, less wind noise and even seemed to give the chassis a fraction more rigidity. Although to be fair, the softtop weather proofing is very good indeed, never found an sign of leaks in heavy rain.
Mine lives outside but under a breathable cover from Amazon - cost under £30 and lasts about 18 months.
Be aware however that it can dull the paintwork and needs a small spring clip/clamp at each corner to ensure it doesn't lift off in high winds.
Also stops the bird crap attacking the paintwork.
Cheers, Pewe.
Be aware however that it can dull the paintwork and needs a small spring clip/clamp at each corner to ensure it doesn't lift off in high winds.
Also stops the bird crap attacking the paintwork.
Cheers, Pewe.
te on the road throughout winter that is killing them. All of my mx5 throughout the last few years have lived outside even through the winter of 2012 when we had a bad winter it was designed to be used all year round why would it not be up to it. The worst thing for a car is to be stood doing nothing for 6 months of the year.
Hardtops aren't essential they help but a good soft top will be more than enough.
Just drive it and have fun with it.
Hardtops aren't essential they help but a good soft top will be more than enough.
Just drive it and have fun with it.
All 3 of mine have live outside. My first and still owned one has never been garaged, only in a barn for repairs a handful of times.
Never used a cover and only had a small bit of rust on the drivers sill.
I always wanted a hardtop but never got one and glad I didn't as wouldn't of enjoyed the roof down nights or -12 topless drives!
Never used a cover and only had a small bit of rust on the drivers sill.
I always wanted a hardtop but never got one and glad I didn't as wouldn't of enjoyed the roof down nights or -12 topless drives!
Our 2.5 Sport. Owned 30months.
Lives outside, but with a hard top over the winter.
We had thought about selling the hardtop as that lives in the guest room all summer and any house visitors have less space as a result, but we bought it in the winter with the roof on and got used to having it.
Lives outside, but with a hard top over the winter.
We had thought about selling the hardtop as that lives in the guest room all summer and any house visitors have less space as a result, but we bought it in the winter with the roof on and got used to having it.
Owned my mx5 for 2 years and it stays outside all year round. I use a hardtop from late November to early March and the only problem I have had has been condensation...it appeared when soft top was up and when hard top was on. I bought a bag containing gel and this problem disappeared overnight and the interior is bone dry. It cost £6 and can be dried out in the microwave when necessary. I would recommend doing the same if condensation is a problem.Grumpsy. Can give details of item if anyone is interested.
Edited by Grumpsy on Monday 26th January 18:53
This was mine the other week epic fun in the snow people are missing out on it hiding theres away for the whole winter.
Also the heaters are so good can easily drive with the roof down which I did, also while out saw a MINI convertiable with 2 very attractive females with the roof down which waved to me which was nice.
Also the heaters are so good can easily drive with the roof down which I did, also while out saw a MINI convertiable with 2 very attractive females with the roof down which waved to me which was nice.
Re. living outside. Don't have much choice as garage is otherwise occupied! We've had a Mk2.5 for around six years and it's been fine though the hood now looks ratty and there is condensation. Just bought another bright red one with 39000 miles and a decent cloth hood which I'll proof with something if it stops raining or whatever for long enough! The new car is the same but four years younger - a vvt Sport version, with the usual rust appearing at the rear sill end, which I'll fix when the weather picks up a bit.
As I said in another post, they do corrode but are repairable with a bit of time and effort, not too bad to do yourself either. Funny how the idea of recreating a modern version of a classic British sports car also contrived to copy some of the failing as well i.e. panels which let water/condensation to do its worst and front wings which are supposed to let water drain out from the bottom rear where they overlap the front of the sill. It's worthwhile taking the wings off to clean and plaster waxoil around there - an easy job and the wings do fit well unlike some old sports cars which seem to have been thrown together. I know whereof I speak as I resurrected a TR4A some years back and it was truly dreadfully put together with not even a pretence at rust treatment, not to mention original spotwelds that were so poorly positioned that they contributed nothing to the strength of the structure!
As I said in another post, they do corrode but are repairable with a bit of time and effort, not too bad to do yourself either. Funny how the idea of recreating a modern version of a classic British sports car also contrived to copy some of the failing as well i.e. panels which let water/condensation to do its worst and front wings which are supposed to let water drain out from the bottom rear where they overlap the front of the sill. It's worthwhile taking the wings off to clean and plaster waxoil around there - an easy job and the wings do fit well unlike some old sports cars which seem to have been thrown together. I know whereof I speak as I resurrected a TR4A some years back and it was truly dreadfully put together with not even a pretence at rust treatment, not to mention original spotwelds that were so poorly positioned that they contributed nothing to the strength of the structure!
A couple of interesting points on here regarding water ingress. Surely this cannot be acceptable (even a little) from manufacture, so are we saying that a great many of MX5 hoods / seals are knackered and don't work properly?
Mine is garaged, but lived outside for a few weeks due to me needing the garage as a temporary workshop. It leaked quite badly, then I thought that the hood seals weren't great, so I bought a set of IL Motorsports ones from MX5 Parts. My old knackered ones we no softer or mis-shapen than the new ones! Grrr.
Still, I fitted them and buggered about for ages with the alignment, window height and got them pretty good! No amount of adjustment will get the window tight on the seal along its entire run. The seals have narrower points near their ends (why?!!?!??!?!?). I reckon if I parked it facing uphill, it will be water tight. Is this right? Surely not! I can't believe it would have left the factory with leaky windows. Anyone else noticed this oddity with the seal profile??
Mine is garaged, but lived outside for a few weeks due to me needing the garage as a temporary workshop. It leaked quite badly, then I thought that the hood seals weren't great, so I bought a set of IL Motorsports ones from MX5 Parts. My old knackered ones we no softer or mis-shapen than the new ones! Grrr.
Still, I fitted them and buggered about for ages with the alignment, window height and got them pretty good! No amount of adjustment will get the window tight on the seal along its entire run. The seals have narrower points near their ends (why?!!?!??!?!?). I reckon if I parked it facing uphill, it will be water tight. Is this right? Surely not! I can't believe it would have left the factory with leaky windows. Anyone else noticed this oddity with the seal profile??
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