Girlfriend's getting a MX5

[sidaorb]

She used to own a Mk1 years ago and has just had her Peugeot 307 written off after a woman pulled across infront of her at a set of lights, claiming she didn't see her!

She is picking it up during the week, it's a 2002 1.6 Arizona. Now I know bugger all about MX5s so will be lurking on here quite a bit for the next few months, will use the search facility as best as I can but expect a few stupid questions.

Obviously the first thing being fitted is a PH smiley but she has mentioned she had a wooden wheel on her old Eunos, I'm thinking this won't be quite so easy on her new airbag equipped car.

[VladD]

I've never removed a wheel with an airbag, but I'd imagine it's a little bit tricky. As for finding a wooden wheel with an airbag, I'd try either the MX5 owners club, MX5nutz or miata.net.

[MX-5 Lazza]

IMO a non-airbag momo style wooden steering wheel wouldn't suit a Mk2 interior.

[Munter]

MX-5 Lazza said:

IMO a non-airbag momo style wooden steering wheel wouldn't suit a Mk2 interior.

I agree. Though I never really liked them in the MK1.

[Munter]

For a second I thought autolink had one. But possibly not.
http://www.autolinkmx5.com/steering-wheel-with-air...

Anyway these things clearly exist. <shudder>

[viscountdallara]

If you can get away with it !!!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261657391625?_trksid=p20...

[sidaorb]

viscountdallara said:

If you can get away with it !!!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261657391625?_trksid=p20...

Methinks she'll notice

[feef]

I've got a non-airbag wheel on my MK2.5, and while it isn't wood, I don't think it looks out of place.

[sidaorb]

Finally got to see the car over the weekend, nice little car, has a few little niggles to iron out, mainly aesthetic though I couple of things I need to pick your brains on....

1) Slight vibration when pulling away, similar to what I've experienced in RWD Fords so wondered if gearbox mounts are a common fault?

2) Very warm transmission tunnel after driving a while, the boot around the gearstick and area around the handbrake particularly noticeable.

[feef]

There's a couple of gaiters on the gearstick, under the visible boot which, if damaged, will let a surprising amount of heat into the cabin

Not a big deal to fix

[MX-5 Lazza]

Vibration will be clutch judder. Do a Google for MX5 Mk2.5 clutch judder and you will find it was a very common fault on 2001-03 cars. Only fix is a replacement clutch but you can learn to drive around it.

Heat will be gaitors. As it is a 5 speed it will probably also need new oil in the gearstick turret.

[sidaorb]

Thanks guys, I knew you would be able to point me in the right direction. Time to buy myself a new tool box, haven't had a car to tinker with for quite a few years

Don't want to 'bling' the car but lower grill, yeah or nay? That big open 'mouth' is screaming for something stone or wildlife to fly in there.

[MX-5 Lazza]

It's very rare for anything to actually damage the rad but I like a nice grille anyway. I'd always go for a mesh grille rather than one of those punched hole grilles though as they flow a lot better and MX5 cooling systems are marginal at best.