MX5 with low-moderate aspirations

[Animala]

After two and half years of running the thirsty 350Z freight train I decided I needed something a bit less costly to run but still fun. It will be missed greatly. So I wanted something Japanese.....& rear wheel drive. So yeah an MX5, obviously.

Picked it up on Saturday & already got a list of things planned out. This is my first experience with an MX5 & I've literally only driven about 95 miles in it but I can already see what people mean about how well balanced they are. I've still go to lower it (one of the things on my list to take care of) so looking forward to see how it goes after that.

First thing planned is to get the radio upgraded, that'll be happening next weekend. Then after that, the other things will depend on how happy the tech at my work is to do other stuff to it. He used to work on Mazdas/worked for Mazda or something so need to talk with him a bit more.

Anyway, here it is, nothing really special now but still in great condition. Also have a hardtop for it but that's tucked away nice & safe until it starts getting a bit colder.





This is the only non standard thing I've changed so far. Had it on my last car & sort of fits & still get signals so whatever really, loses the RC aerial look.


And lastly, this is my Co-pilot.


I'll update every time I make a modification.

Edited by Animala on Monday 3rd August 11:24

[Codswallop]

These 3rd gen MX5s have really grown on me in the past few years, however lowering improves the looks massively. Look forward to seeing your when it's sitting right

[Animala]

It's the rears on these that I really like. Do like the front headlights a lot though. Also retrofitting front fog lamps is on my to do list, really completes the look of the front bumper IMO & doesn't cost that much to do.

[Animala]

Just took care of small thing I learned from the MX5 forums.

This is the drivers POV (obviously).


& one thing that can be changed that is quite easy to do that makes a big difference is this:


TAH-DAH!!!


RX8 wiper stalk uses the exact same electrics, so fitting it is easy as anything, but the main difference is you can adjust the intermittent wipe.


Like I said a small mod but does make a big difference.

I'll have a more interesting update on Saturday when the radio gets replaced.

[Animala]

Got the radio sorted out yesterday. A much more substantial modification. It's a Pioneer something or other & does exactly what I need.

Before shots:





& after:



Home page:



USB page, which is what it's gong to be on 90% of time:



Installing a customer background was really easy & a nice added feature also.

John Kleis in Reading providing the service fitting. Thanks to them.

[John Boy 616]

Good taste in music!

Car looks good.

[Robert Elise]

you have suv ride height of the early NCs, but you already know that.
i'm sure you know of WIM, and i recommend them. their £300 fix is great value and works very well unless you want proper coilovers fitted at 3 times the cost.
Your car will be transformed. Anybody on here who drives an early NC (06 -09) needs to be aware they are not what an mx5 should be. in fact they're horrible...

[Animala]

Robert Elise said:

you have suv ride height of the early NCs, but you already know that.
i'm sure you know of WIM, and i recommend them. their £300 fix is great value and works very well unless you want proper coilovers fitted at 3 times the cost.
Your car will be transformed. Anybody on here who drives an early NC (06 -09) needs to be aware they are not what an mx5 should be. in fact they're horrible...

I'm going to be getting a set of Eibach 30mm springs & have them fitted at work. With parts & fitting it shouldn't cost me more than about £180. Plus the tech that'll be doing it used to work for Mazda recently & we've got a pretty good alignment system so no worries. I just want it to sit lower, don't need anything too fancy & it seems nearly everyone on MX5 forums recommends those springs.

He'll also be retrofitting front foglamps for me but this, & the springs, won't be till October. Next stop is to Oxford Performance to get a few bits wrapped & then the list just goes on & on.

[5potTurbo]

John Boy 616 said:

Good taste in music!

Car looks good.

^^^ This.

Very nice car, low mileage too!
HU upgrade's a good move, and your taste of music too, sir.

[ethomas]

Animala said:

I'm Commander Shepherd, and this is my favourite MX5 on Pistonheads.

[Animala]

ethomas said:

Animala said:

I'm Commander Shepherd, and this is my favourite MX5 on Pistonheads.

[Animala]

Another small update today. Removed both the rear side badges & what makes me even more happy about this, is that it's another thing I did all by myself. You'd think I was getting confident/competent at doing stuff like this.

So here's the before shots:







& here's the after:







I decided to leave the centre badge because I never actually intended to take it off in the first place. Here's also all the kit that I used to make it happen. Was quite easy, probably only took about 45 minutes in total & it's the first time I've ever done it.



Next up is a visit to Oxford Performance to get the wing mirrors & bonnet wrapped. But that won't be till early September.

[mmcd87]

Looks great. Fit some clear rear indicator bulbs! Here's mine http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

You'll improve the handling massively by just getting a proper alignment done. Check the droplinks are in good order as well.

[daddy cool]

Whereabouts in Berkshire? We have a monthly meet in Bracknell - next one is this thursday:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Mostly Mk1s and 2s, but we have at least one Mk3 thats just joined our fold.

[Animala]

mmcd87 said:

Looks great. Fit some clear rear indicator bulbs! Here's mine http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

You'll improve the handling massively by just getting a proper alignment done. Check the droplinks are in good order as well.

Okay colour me stupid because first of all yeah, I totally agree, those bulbs do make a nice small touch & small touches really help complete looks. But they would flash clear as well right? & I'm 90% sure indicators need to flash orange to pass MOTs/avoid getting pulled over etc......

Yeah once I get the car lowered I'll be taking it to a geo specialist instead of getting it done where I work. Discussed that with the tech that's gonna lower it for me.

daddy cool said:

Whereabouts in Berkshire? We have a monthly meet in Bracknell - next one is this thursday:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Mostly Mk1s and 2s, but we have at least one Mk3 thats just joined our fold.

I live in Finchampstead so probably about 2 miles away? I think I may have seen a couple of things about the Bracknell meet on the MX5 forum. Groups called Nuts or something?

Just realised you put up a link! I'll look into it, I was kind of hoping to start going to meets after I've dressed/tuned mine up a bit more.

Edited by Animala on Wednesday 19th August 13:01

[daddy cool]

Animala said:

I live in Finchampstead so probably about 2 miles away? I think I may have seen a couple of things about the Bracknell meet on the MX5 forum. Groups called Nuts or something?
Just realised you put up a link! I'll look into it, I was kind of hoping to start going to meets after I've dressed/tuned mine up a bit more.

Yeah, thats just round the corner. Lazza (on here) lives there too - supercharged red Mk2, in case youve seen him tootling about.
NutZ is the unofficial MX5 club, and primarily who the Bracknell meet was created for, by Planet Claire (real name helen), though OC members are equally welcome - in fact, anyone is welcome, even if you dont have an mx5!
Dont worry about yours being standard(ish), its not a competition. Our members range from totally stock, to some crazy JDM-tastic driftmobiles.

[geraintthomas]

Some fantastic changes here looks lovely!

[Animala]

daddy cool said:

Yeah, thats just round the corner. Lazza (on here) lives there too - supercharged red Mk2, in case youve seen him tootling about.
NutZ is the unofficial MX5 club, and primarily who the Bracknell meet was created for, by Planet Claire (real name helen), though OC members are equally welcome - in fact, anyone is welcome, even if you dont have an mx5!
Dont worry about yours being standard(ish), its not a competition. Our members range from totally stock, to some crazy JDM-tastic driftmobiles.

Nah I haven't, would of thought I'd notice a supercharged MK2 knocking around, I see MX5s driving/parked everywhere around where I live (that's just the way with them I suppose) but never a red MK2, especially one that screams with a supercharger. Have to keep my eyes peeled.

That does sound pretty good though, what do you lot usually get up to once there?

[daddy cool]

Animala said:

That does sound pretty good though, what do you lot usually get up to once there?

Well, lets just say, you should bring your own lube.

And a cushion for the drive home.

[Animala]

daddy cool said:

Animala said:

That does sound pretty good though, what do you lot usually get up to once there?

Well, lets just say, you should bring your own lube.

And a cushion for the drive home.

Sold.