Thinking of an mx5 - hows this sound?

[ben@fareham]

Have been thinking about buying a rear wheel drive car for a while for some summer fun, originally thinking the kit car route but what with the economic climate I would rather keep as much cash in the bank as poss.

So though about an mk1 mx5 as it has a good reputation, fun to drive and cheap to run. Found a 1.8iS uk car, 1997, less than 40k, just down the road from me for about £2.5k. sound about right? Or would I be better off going for an older model for less than £2k?

Any other advice would be great too!

Thanks
Ben

[A2Z]

Check for rust on sill/rear arches. A known weak point on UK cars (and I suppose now some of the older impoerts)

[trace1967]

See if you can get a Eunos import as they are better looked after too. Should not be any rust on them.

[OnlyMX5ives]

That is a good price.

UK cars can be rustier than imports but as long as yours isn't thats fine.

There is no reason to avoid the later MK1's a few bits were cheapened in the 96 facelift (deleted chrome instrument rings, cheaper bolts in a few places etc) nothing significant and you gain the factory immobilizer.

[ben@fareham]

Thanks, that helps.

The guy said it has some blistering around the wheel arches in places but you cant really see it. So it has rust, but nothing major. Guess I could get it sorted for £100 or so.

The guy said he didnt want an import as he wanted to know the service history, which this car has, so in some respects that is more important than a bit of rust?

guess I should just go and have a look!

Thanks
ben

[OllieWinchester]

Let us know how you get on fella, I'm just downt the road from you in Winchester!

[hornetrider]

Sorting out bubbling rust on the arches is going to set you back far more than a ton if done properly.

You could spend a fraction more and pick yourself up an absolutely immaculate car. If only I knew who had one for sale.....

cough

[matt uk]

With the Mk1, I'd worry less about year and miles, and more about condition and service history

[Taffer]

ben@fareham said:

Thanks, that helps.

The guy said it has some blistering around the wheel arches in places but you cant really see it. So it has rust, but nothing major. Guess I could get it sorted for £100 or so.

The guy said he didnt want an import as he wanted to know the service history, which this car has, so in some respects that is more important than a bit of rust?

guess I should just go and have a look!

Thanks
ben

I recently picked up a Gleneagles Edition MX-5 with 110,000 miles, a (Gleneagles tartan)folder full of service history, a boot rack, new hood and replacement steering rack for £1100. It has rust starting on the arches too, but I want to try and fix it myself as a mini project. The rest of the car is in OK shape (it is a 14 year old car after all), and got a new MOT last week.

For £2.5k, I wouldn't expect any rust TBH, but have a look at the car and decide for yourself - I suppose it depends if you're willing to wait a long period of time or travel a great distance to get the 'perfect' MX-5. Good luck car-hunting!

Edited by Taffer on Wednesday 18th March 16:03

[ben@fareham]

Hornetrider, dont tempt me! she looks a beauty, and nice set up too. Bit out of my price range tho.... :-(

Originally I wanted a kit car, 7 style, for about £5k but looking to save some pennies, so figured I could have some fun with an mx5 for a lot less money. Once I start getting to £3k mark, im thinking why not just spend the extra and get what you wanted originally?!

I suppose its just like any other car, look for SH, condition etc but also pay attention to rust areas. Additional extras are nice, but the fun factor will still be there without them. This will be a second car doing less than 5k miles a year so I shouldnt loose too much on depreciation so thats a good thing I guess!

[covmutley]

dont forget then that the mx5 is a donor for the westfield.

genenral consensus seems to be that rust is what kills the value. New engines are relatively cheap compared to 2 new wings and sills. You may love the mx5 though and wish it wasnt rotting.

perhaps look at a 1k car that has some rust with a view to stripping it in a couple of years. (did i say that out loud??)

[Chris71]

ben@fareham said:

Hornetrider, dont tempt me! she looks a beauty, and nice set up too. Bit out of my price range tho.... :-(

+1 was just about to broach the subject of a part-ex and then I remembered the reason it was up for sale.

[durbster]

If there is rust it's not the ned of the world. Because MX-5s are common as muck there's a healthy spares and repairs industry, and so if you wanted the lazy option:
http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/product...

[ben@fareham]

OllieWinchester said:

Let us know how you get on fella, I'm just downt the road from you in Winchester!

Will do, fingers crossed I get something before this sunshine disappears....!

[*Russ*]

Have you bought this Ben?
Have a '95 1.8S and would be interested to see how this drives compared to mine. Am only in Gosport so if you need a second opinion let me know.

[MX-5 Lazza]

durbster said:

If there is rust it's not the ned of the world. Because MX-5s are common as muck there's a healthy spares and repairs industry, and so if you wanted the lazy option:
http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/product...

That's a long way from being the lazy option. The rear wings aren't bolted on like they are at the front. To replace them the old wing has to be cut off and the new one welded in. That's a lot of work even for a decent body shop. Of course if you have a lot of wing rust you don't have a great deal of choice...

[ben@fareham]

*Russ* said:

Have you bought this Ben?
Have a '95 1.8S and would be interested to see how this drives compared to mine. Am only in Gosport so if you need a second opinion let me know.

Sadly no, it go sold the night before I was due to have a second look at it! Think it was a good one too. I did drive it and seemed really well balanced and no body roll but it was the first I had ever been in so didnt have much to compare it against.

Back to looking I guess!

Ben

[hornetrider]

Push the boat out Ben, you know you want to

[bluetone]

hornetrider said:

Sorting out bubbling rust on the arches is going to set you back far more than a ton if done properly.

Got my rear arches/sills done for £200, Motorama (Swindon).

Good luck with the sale hr; may take a little while at that price point tbh...

[hornetrider]

Yeah, I know, I'm not giving the fker away though! I've actually been to see a few 2.5k cars - all I will say is if you're after a nice one, the most important thing you can do is buy on spec and condition.