2002 MX-5 1.8i - Joining the ranks
Discussion
I've finally been swayed by the PH masses. The constant adulation of the little Japanese roadster wore me down, and I've folded like a cheap folding thing. It was designforlife's post HERE in Reader's Cars that was the final straw. It just looks lovely, and I dived into the classifieds in a more serious way than usual.
I currently drive a 2003 Audi A3 1.8T, which I have always appreciated, but never loved ( HERE). It is now up for sale.
I looked at 2 dealer-advertised cars first. All I knew is that I wanted a Mk2.5 (2001-05) if possible, the 1.8 and if I could find it, the Sport with heated leather and an LSD. The first was all of those things, up for £1800, and rotten from front to back. So much rust. The 2nd was much better, non-sport, dark blue, but the dealer was cagey about service history, couldn't find the latest MOT cert, didn't want me to test-drive. I wimped out, like a wimp.
Back on the hunt, I upped the mileage a bit and found a light blue 1.8i for sale about 30 miles from me. Private sale, 122,000 miles, new discs and pads all round, new mohair hood with heated rear screen. Full service history, MOTd in May. So, perfect? Not quite, needed a spot welded to pass the MOT, some more surface rust and only one key with no fob. Not near enough to put me off!
Drove over on Friday, owner was a genuine enthusiast, getting rid to focus on fixing up his bright orange 1981 Ford Capri. Test-drive showed it was all well-screwed together, although I wasn't gone on the alloys. But screw it! Deal was done.
Monday evening, train from work. Bank transfer sorted. Insurance switched for basically £0 (Thanks Adrian Flux!). Tax done. The owner gave me a quick drive in the Capri, which was fun! It started raining literally as I walked up to the MX-5 to drive it home, so my first real drive was top up. Disappointing, but still let me discover that the car was great and in brilliant condition. Wind-noise aside, not a bit out of place!
I made up for the drizzle today by getting out after work in the sun and enjoying myself driving like I never have before. Just drove north out of Birmingham and cruised around Cannock, then back with a stop at Sutton Park for a quick run. That's where the pics are from.
I'm still not gone on the alloys, although they're growing on me. I'd like to get clear reflectors and side repeaters and fix the rust under the boot-lid. Then drive it for a bit while contemplating lower springs, a thorough polish and a duck-tail spoiler!
I currently drive a 2003 Audi A3 1.8T, which I have always appreciated, but never loved ( HERE). It is now up for sale.
I looked at 2 dealer-advertised cars first. All I knew is that I wanted a Mk2.5 (2001-05) if possible, the 1.8 and if I could find it, the Sport with heated leather and an LSD. The first was all of those things, up for £1800, and rotten from front to back. So much rust. The 2nd was much better, non-sport, dark blue, but the dealer was cagey about service history, couldn't find the latest MOT cert, didn't want me to test-drive. I wimped out, like a wimp.
Back on the hunt, I upped the mileage a bit and found a light blue 1.8i for sale about 30 miles from me. Private sale, 122,000 miles, new discs and pads all round, new mohair hood with heated rear screen. Full service history, MOTd in May. So, perfect? Not quite, needed a spot welded to pass the MOT, some more surface rust and only one key with no fob. Not near enough to put me off!
Drove over on Friday, owner was a genuine enthusiast, getting rid to focus on fixing up his bright orange 1981 Ford Capri. Test-drive showed it was all well-screwed together, although I wasn't gone on the alloys. But screw it! Deal was done.
Monday evening, train from work. Bank transfer sorted. Insurance switched for basically £0 (Thanks Adrian Flux!). Tax done. The owner gave me a quick drive in the Capri, which was fun! It started raining literally as I walked up to the MX-5 to drive it home, so my first real drive was top up. Disappointing, but still let me discover that the car was great and in brilliant condition. Wind-noise aside, not a bit out of place!
I made up for the drizzle today by getting out after work in the sun and enjoying myself driving like I never have before. Just drove north out of Birmingham and cruised around Cannock, then back with a stop at Sutton Park for a quick run. That's where the pics are from.
I'm still not gone on the alloys, although they're growing on me. I'd like to get clear reflectors and side repeaters and fix the rust under the boot-lid. Then drive it for a bit while contemplating lower springs, a thorough polish and a duck-tail spoiler!
So the MX-5 has a tape-deck. Basic, and it means all my CDs are useless. I do have a tape-3.5mm jack converter, but it's not the same! A quick bit of Ebaying, and the fruits of my labour have started to trickle in:
Just a start, I'll need some variety. I'm not sure Neil Young is the most blareable, top-down music!
Just a start, I'll need some variety. I'm not sure Neil Young is the most blareable, top-down music!
Hello from another MK2.5 owner!
Looks like it's in quite good condition given the miles. They're great fun cars to drive which can encourage you to be a bit of a hooligan at times
The radio is easy enough to swap. I had mine done and it was a reasonably quick job. If you want to help the car sound a little more 'sporting' a MX5 Parts back box is the way to go!
Looks like it's in quite good condition given the miles. They're great fun cars to drive which can encourage you to be a bit of a hooligan at times
The radio is easy enough to swap. I had mine done and it was a reasonably quick job. If you want to help the car sound a little more 'sporting' a MX5 Parts back box is the way to go!
Dalto123 said:
Hello from another MK2.5 owner!
Looks like it's in quite good condition given the miles. They're great fun cars to drive which can encourage you to be a bit of a hooligan at times
The radio is easy enough to swap. I had mine done and it was a reasonably quick job. If you want to help the car sound a little more 'sporting' a MX5 Parts back box is the way to go!
It's certainly not perfect, sills are a bit crusty as is the boot-lid, but nothing dangerous. It could do with a full polish and wax at some stage but it won't be soon. I'm definitely enjoying it! I'll leave the radio for the moment, although switching it for a more modern unit is on the list somewhere. The exhaust...half of me likes the idea of a bit more noise, but I think I'll leave it for the moment, maybe until a full SS swap is possible.Looks like it's in quite good condition given the miles. They're great fun cars to drive which can encourage you to be a bit of a hooligan at times
The radio is easy enough to swap. I had mine done and it was a reasonably quick job. If you want to help the car sound a little more 'sporting' a MX5 Parts back box is the way to go!
More importantly, this arrived:
Time to get scrubbing!
The hood is clean and protected, and I got it done before it rained on Saturday. The rain did show a slight leak in the seal over the driver's window. Not a bad one, but drips. Needs to be investigated further. Also a slight gearbox whine in-gear that disappears with de-clutching, apparently a classic MX5 fault, worn release bearing. So that'll have to be changed. Other than that, I just enjoyed driving round in it for the weekend. It's so different from my last car. The low seating position, closeness of the cabin, razor-sharp gear change and throttle, all make it a fun place to be!
That's lovely. I had a 2002 1.8i in Crystal Blue from new, bought for 14k from Bourne Road.
It had A/C, which did baffle me cruising pretty quickly in Germany, where it pulls the A/C if you use plenty of throttle!
I had lots of fun on Lotus on Track days, around the alps etc. Such a lovely handling balance, gear change and pre DBW throttle.
Enjoy!
It had A/C, which did baffle me cruising pretty quickly in Germany, where it pulls the A/C if you use plenty of throttle!
I had lots of fun on Lotus on Track days, around the alps etc. Such a lovely handling balance, gear change and pre DBW throttle.
Enjoy!
4star, the purple one from your thread is gorgeous with the gold wheels. Very nice.
Abarber, thanks. Mine has no A/C, which makes no difference to me at the moment, but we'll see how that changes in Autumn!
MX-5 may be the answer to every question on PH, but I found out yesterday it's not the answer to every question in real life. Not much use helping a friend move house!
Abarber, thanks. Mine has no A/C, which makes no difference to me at the moment, but we'll see how that changes in Autumn!
MX-5 may be the answer to every question on PH, but I found out yesterday it's not the answer to every question in real life. Not much use helping a friend move house!
This was meant to be a car for the summer, but I ended up keeping it far beyond that. I can see why people love these little things, it is by far the most "Alive" feeling car I have owned. Driving with the top down on a crisp January morning is not a feeling to forget.
But, it is time to move on. My lifestyle (blegh) of cycling, climbing and kayaking isn't compatible, and I felt bad leaving it at home for weekends to get a lift with friends to somewhere with roads I want to drive. Then I gave it a good bash off a wall. Oops! So she has gone.
Next up, all going well, a Fiat Panda 100hp!
But, it is time to move on. My lifestyle (blegh) of cycling, climbing and kayaking isn't compatible, and I felt bad leaving it at home for weekends to get a lift with friends to somewhere with roads I want to drive. Then I gave it a good bash off a wall. Oops! So she has gone.
Next up, all going well, a Fiat Panda 100hp!
Edited by Paraicj on Saturday 5th March 14:16
Paraicj said:
This was meant to be a car for the summer, but I ended up keeping it far beyond that. I can see why people love these little things, it is by far the most "Alive" feeling car I have owned. Driving with the top down on a crisp January morning is not a feeling to forget.
But, it is time to move on. My lifestyle (blegh) of cycling, climbing and kayaking just isn't compatible, and I felt bad leaving it at home for weekends to get a lift with friends to somewhere with roads I want to drive. So she has gone!
Next up, all going well, a Fiat Panda 100hp!
I'm the other way around, want to buy an MX5 soon going from a Panda 100HP. Both cars are ridiculous amounts of fun though! But, it is time to move on. My lifestyle (blegh) of cycling, climbing and kayaking just isn't compatible, and I felt bad leaving it at home for weekends to get a lift with friends to somewhere with roads I want to drive. So she has gone!
Next up, all going well, a Fiat Panda 100hp!
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