Advice on Price Point to Dive In On
Discussion
Hi all
As alluded to on other threads I'm in the process of selling my current "fun" car, a Camaro, and looking for an MX-5; specifically a Mk 2.5 and a 1.8 Sport model if I can find a good one. But at least a 1.8.
I've read up on things to look out for and it seems that even if a car has rotting sills (as an example), its not THAT expensive a fix (ie a few hundred per wing, max) - assuming that otherwise its a fairly tidy car. Would that be an accurate assumption?
I'm just wondering whether its worth considering a lower priced car - and I've seen ads between £1.5k and £2.5k - and budgeting for work probably being required, or whether its really worth hanging on and eventually finding a decent rot free (for example) one that's already been rustproofed at perhaps £3.5k-£4k?
Any opinions welcome, please!
As alluded to on other threads I'm in the process of selling my current "fun" car, a Camaro, and looking for an MX-5; specifically a Mk 2.5 and a 1.8 Sport model if I can find a good one. But at least a 1.8.
I've read up on things to look out for and it seems that even if a car has rotting sills (as an example), its not THAT expensive a fix (ie a few hundred per wing, max) - assuming that otherwise its a fairly tidy car. Would that be an accurate assumption?
I'm just wondering whether its worth considering a lower priced car - and I've seen ads between £1.5k and £2.5k - and budgeting for work probably being required, or whether its really worth hanging on and eventually finding a decent rot free (for example) one that's already been rustproofed at perhaps £3.5k-£4k?
Any opinions welcome, please!
Edited by Flip Martian on Friday 14th November 08:24
Tricky one, thought about the same myself. FYI I have had 2 mk1's and a Mk2.
It depends how mechanically biased you are, how much you really understand the way the body is put together.
If you really did want a very nice Mk2.5, then you need to be very, very, very careful how you buy it. The 'trade' knows they rust - and it is very easy to buy a car that looks great but hides some serious problems. You need someone familiar with the car, and some level of disassembly/inspection before buying.
I'd also suggest that if you then plough a 4k split mint Mk2.5 SVT sport straight into daily duty with no extra care, it will be rotten within a year or two anyway, regardless of what it was like when you started.
However that doesn't need to be the case given the right care, right rustproofing etc.
On the contrary, and I have seriously considered this myself - buy one that you know if rotten. The caveats here are
- You really do need to know where to check.
- You need to be able to do some level of work yourself otherwise you are just going to be priced out.
- Whatever works you end up paying for, needs to be someone who is truly familiar with MX-5 and has the right skills needed, not just the bodyshop up the road who painted your wife's bumper scuff for cheap. Think more 'classic car restorers' than 'insurance jobs and dented bumpers' type place. There are some cracking companies about though, doing great jobs on these cares. Just need to research.
-It will require serious stripping down, cutting out, and proper old-fashioned metal fabrication skills. It won't be quick.
- You need to appreciate the extra costs involved - I.E. transporting non MOT'd cars, paint costs, etc etc.
I reckon I could build myself a really nice late Mk2.5, repaired, painted up etc, for about £4k, that I would 'know' is good. However it would also be months worth of work...It is tempting.
It depends how mechanically biased you are, how much you really understand the way the body is put together.
If you really did want a very nice Mk2.5, then you need to be very, very, very careful how you buy it. The 'trade' knows they rust - and it is very easy to buy a car that looks great but hides some serious problems. You need someone familiar with the car, and some level of disassembly/inspection before buying.
I'd also suggest that if you then plough a 4k split mint Mk2.5 SVT sport straight into daily duty with no extra care, it will be rotten within a year or two anyway, regardless of what it was like when you started.
However that doesn't need to be the case given the right care, right rustproofing etc.
On the contrary, and I have seriously considered this myself - buy one that you know if rotten. The caveats here are
- You really do need to know where to check.
- You need to be able to do some level of work yourself otherwise you are just going to be priced out.
- Whatever works you end up paying for, needs to be someone who is truly familiar with MX-5 and has the right skills needed, not just the bodyshop up the road who painted your wife's bumper scuff for cheap. Think more 'classic car restorers' than 'insurance jobs and dented bumpers' type place. There are some cracking companies about though, doing great jobs on these cares. Just need to research.
-It will require serious stripping down, cutting out, and proper old-fashioned metal fabrication skills. It won't be quick.
- You need to appreciate the extra costs involved - I.E. transporting non MOT'd cars, paint costs, etc etc.
I reckon I could build myself a really nice late Mk2.5, repaired, painted up etc, for about £4k, that I would 'know' is good. However it would also be months worth of work...It is tempting.
snotrag said:
Tricky one, thought about the same myself. FYI I have had 2 mk1's and a Mk2.
It depends how mechanically biased you are, how much you really understand the way the body is put together.
If you really did want a very nice Mk2.5, then you need to be very, very, very careful how you buy it. The 'trade' knows they rust - and it is very easy to buy a car that looks great but hides some serious problems. You need someone familiar with the car, and some level of disassembly/inspection before buying.
I'd also suggest that if you then plough a 4k split mint Mk2.5 SVT sport straight into daily duty with no extra care, it will be rotten within a year or two anyway, regardless of what it was like when you started.
However that doesn't need to be the case given the right care, right rustproofing etc.
On the contrary, and I have seriously considered this myself - buy one that you know if rotten. The caveats here are
- You really do need to know where to check.
- You need to be able to do some level of work yourself otherwise you are just going to be priced out.
- Whatever works you end up paying for, needs to be someone who is truly familiar with MX-5 and has the right skills needed, not just the bodyshop up the road who painted your wife's bumper scuff for cheap. Think more 'classic car restorers' than 'insurance jobs and dented bumpers' type place. There are some cracking companies about though, doing great jobs on these cares. Just need to research.
-It will require serious stripping down, cutting out, and proper old-fashioned metal fabrication skills. It won't be quick.
- You need to appreciate the extra costs involved - I.E. transporting non MOT'd cars, paint costs, etc etc.
I reckon I could build myself a really nice late Mk2.5, repaired, painted up etc, for about £4k, that I would 'know' is good. However it would also be months worth of work...It is tempting.
Thanks for humouring a noob It depends how mechanically biased you are, how much you really understand the way the body is put together.
If you really did want a very nice Mk2.5, then you need to be very, very, very careful how you buy it. The 'trade' knows they rust - and it is very easy to buy a car that looks great but hides some serious problems. You need someone familiar with the car, and some level of disassembly/inspection before buying.
I'd also suggest that if you then plough a 4k split mint Mk2.5 SVT sport straight into daily duty with no extra care, it will be rotten within a year or two anyway, regardless of what it was like when you started.
However that doesn't need to be the case given the right care, right rustproofing etc.
On the contrary, and I have seriously considered this myself - buy one that you know if rotten. The caveats here are
- You really do need to know where to check.
- You need to be able to do some level of work yourself otherwise you are just going to be priced out.
- Whatever works you end up paying for, needs to be someone who is truly familiar with MX-5 and has the right skills needed, not just the bodyshop up the road who painted your wife's bumper scuff for cheap. Think more 'classic car restorers' than 'insurance jobs and dented bumpers' type place. There are some cracking companies about though, doing great jobs on these cares. Just need to research.
-It will require serious stripping down, cutting out, and proper old-fashioned metal fabrication skills. It won't be quick.
- You need to appreciate the extra costs involved - I.E. transporting non MOT'd cars, paint costs, etc etc.
I reckon I could build myself a really nice late Mk2.5, repaired, painted up etc, for about £4k, that I would 'know' is good. However it would also be months worth of work...It is tempting.
I've had a 99 Camaro for about 7 years - and the reason I went for it was it would require a minimum of ongoing work. I'm not that handy with a spanner - its just not my skill area at all and my spare time to fiddle on cars is really limited anyway. Any stripping down, welding, mechanical work would be done by a specialist - I totally understand where you're coming from in that "it has to be a specialist and not the bodyshop down the road" and I've done some reading up.
What I'm envisaging is having a car for dry days and fun days in the main - as the Camaro has been. I have a few quid put by so getting the regular maintenance every year to keep a car tip top shouldn't be a problem (ie rustproofing or any other jobs that need doing as they arise alongside regular servicing). Its really...could I rescue a heap for £1.5-2.5k, make it a good car again for £1k more - without getting my hands dirty, I suppose, OR is that really unrealistic?
What I wouldn't want to do is buy something for 2k (say), after checking where the problems are (or having someone do it for me, more likely) then finding it costs another 2k to put it back in 1 roadworthy piece, which still may be an ongoing problem. I guess there must be a point where they are only fit for scrap?
In which case I would say try to buy the best you can in the first place, spend the extra, and just take the requisite care when purchasing.
Yes, there is a point at which it becomes financially stupid to repair.
However this 'point' is a constantly moving one, as the values fall, rise, the numbers on the road changes etc.
(Of course, the correct answer, if your looking for a fun weekend car, is a really really nice Mk1! "k would get a lovely one and your at zero depreciation, ultra low running costs etc)
Yes, there is a point at which it becomes financially stupid to repair.
However this 'point' is a constantly moving one, as the values fall, rise, the numbers on the road changes etc.
(Of course, the correct answer, if your looking for a fun weekend car, is a really really nice Mk1! "k would get a lovely one and your at zero depreciation, ultra low running costs etc)
It's a very difficult question to answer. My mate and I bought an 89 mk1 1.6 eunos last summer for 300 notes. No tax or MOT. Only needed 38 quid spending on it to get it though it's MOT! However we were very lucky!
View the car, check the sills and judge it based on what you see. As with any other car, if it's worth it to you buy it!
View the car, check the sills and judge it based on what you see. As with any other car, if it's worth it to you buy it!
Thanks both - I've seen comments from supporters of Mk1s over Mk2s and vice versa - from people who've owned both. Doesn't make it any easier! My logic was really just that Mk2.5s are newer and I figured therefore would be less likely to be "bad" (while still checking, of course!).
I know Mk1s are classics now but surely the Mk 2s will go the same way in the next 2 or 3 years. I'm not buying as an investment but low depreciation would be nice if it ever came time to sell again.
My logic was really just that Mk2.5s are newer and I figured therefore would be less likely to be "bad" (while still checking, of course!).I know Mk1s are classics now but surely the Mk 2s will go the same way in the next 2 or 3 years. I'm not buying as an investment but low depreciation would be nice if it ever came time to sell again.
Flip Martian said:
My logic was really just that Mk2.5s are newer and I figured therefore would be less likely to be "bad" (while still checking, of course!).
Right this is the crucial bit. You are wrong unfortunately. The build quality of the shell, and the resistance to rust, is much better on the Mk1. Due to design and materials.As above, friend of mine has also recently got lucky and picked up a tatty Mk1 for £300, but the shell is rock solid (annoyingly so to me!).
The Mk2 simply is more susceptible to rust.
Flip Martian said:
I know Mk1s are classics now but surely the Mk 2s will go the same way in the next 2 or 3 years.
Having owned both (unlike many who may comment!) - The Mk2 is technically better in nearly all aspects (except resistance to corrosion!). However it simply does not evoke the same sensations, and thus I beleive will never be viewed in the same light.ALL MX-5s are great cars, but some are a bit more 'special'.
snotrag said:
Right this is the crucial bit. You are wrong unfortunately. The build quality of the shell, and the resistance to rust, is much better on the Mk1. Due to design and materials.
As above, friend of mine has also recently got lucky and picked up a tatty Mk1 for £300, but the shell is rock solid (annoyingly so to me!).
The Mk2 simply is more susceptible to rust.
I had read the Mk1 and Mk 2 were both susceptible? I must have remembered wrong. Thanks for that.As above, friend of mine has also recently got lucky and picked up a tatty Mk1 for £300, but the shell is rock solid (annoyingly so to me!).
The Mk2 simply is more susceptible to rust.
snotrag said:
Having owned both (unlike many who may comment!) - The Mk2 is technically better in nearly all aspects (except resistance to corrosion!). However it simply does not evoke the same sensations, and thus I beleive will never be viewed in the same light.
ALL MX-5s are great cars, but some are a bit more 'special'.
I appreciate you taking the time and understand where you're coming from - clearly I need to have a bit of a rethink in some respects and perhaps find some examples of both to try out and keep more of an open mind. Appreciated!ALL MX-5s are great cars, but some are a bit more 'special'.
snotrag said:
Same site I have my Camaro on. Almost looks too good to be true, that one. That does look lovely. Pity its so far away from me (and I haven't sold the Camaro yet). Its even in my favourite MX colour. Certainly gives me an idea of what kind of detail to look for. Given the Mk1's classic status now, perhaps there's a stronger case for buying a Mk1 cheap than a Mk 2 (again, if its not far gone) knowing one might have to spend a grand or so on getting it fettled. As long as its not a bodge job you end up with a better car that will be more likely to hold its new value.
Clearly time to look at a few anyway!
Clearly time to look at a few anyway!
I've had both.on my 6th mk1. The mk2 definitely drives better ,faster.doesn't rattle as much.exactly the reason I keep going back to a mk1. They just feel to normal to me whereas the mk1 feel more raw and i look forward to driving it more,
Saying that I wouldn't want to drive it far, or every day. All but my newest have been pretty rough. I bought mine off of a guy on mx5nutz , who actually has a very nice red mk1 as his own car but is currently refurb an rs. Think his red one may be up for grabs in future
Saying that I wouldn't want to drive it far, or every day. All but my newest have been pretty rough. I bought mine off of a guy on mx5nutz , who actually has a very nice red mk1 as his own car but is currently refurb an rs. Think his red one may be up for grabs in future
chasdad said:
I've had both.on my 6th mk1. The mk2 definitely drives better ,faster.doesn't rattle as much.exactly the reason I keep going back to a mk1. They just feel to normal to me whereas the mk1 feel more raw and i look forward to driving it more,
Saying that I wouldn't want to drive it far, or every day. All but my newest have been pretty rough. I bought mine off of a guy on mx5nutz , who actually has a very nice red mk1 as his own car but is currently refurb an rs. Think his red one may be up for grabs in future
Interesting, thanks. Clearly I need to have a go in both I think. Saying that I wouldn't want to drive it far, or every day. All but my newest have been pretty rough. I bought mine off of a guy on mx5nutz , who actually has a very nice red mk1 as his own car but is currently refurb an rs. Think his red one may be up for grabs in future
i have a mk 1 miata. the japanese version. most say thta they are in better condition than the uk version. having owned it for seven years with no issues apart from a radiator failure in the beginning i can recommend them. i would suggest you drive the different versions and then make your mind up
Vin said:
i have a mk 1 miata. the japanese version. most say thta they are in better condition than the uk version. having owned it for seven years with no issues apart from a radiator failure in the beginning i can recommend them. i would suggest you drive the different versions and then make your mind up
That sounds pretty good for a car with such a reputation. And yep, you're right. I plan on doing just that.Vin said:
i have a mk 1 miata. the japanese version. most say thta they are in better condition than the uk version. having owned it for seven years with no issues apart from a radiator failure in the beginning i can recommend them. i would suggest you drive the different versions and then make your mind up
Wasn't the miata the American name for the mx5? I thought the Japanese ones were eunos'?nadger said:
Vin said:
i have a mk 1 miata. the japanese version. most say thta they are in better condition than the uk version. having owned it for seven years with no issues apart from a radiator failure in the beginning i can recommend them. i would suggest you drive the different versions and then make your mind up
Wasn't the miata the American name for the mx5? I thought the Japanese ones were eunos'?Mazda MX5
Mazda Miata - US
Eunos Roadster - Japan
Eunos is the make rather than the model. Technically the forum name should be fixed.
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