The £1000 MX5

[Wayne1989]

Hi all,

My current MK7 Fiesta is due to go back in October and I've always fancied an MX5. Would prefer a MK1 for pop up headlight goodness but open to any model if theres a good reason I should buy it over a MK1.

Now heres the question, does a £1000 good condition MX5 still exist or should I expect to be paying more? I'm not looking for immaculate but not a rot box would be preferable. Also are there any differences in drivers seat space between the models? I'm 6"6 but have drive a friends MK1 and fit with reasonable comfort.

Not sure if buying later in year is in my favour with the cold starting to set in but any advice would be greatly appreciated

[battered]

Mk1 will be very hard to find unless you'll accept high miles, tired paint, worn hood and trim, and sills that have been repaired before or are rotten. The newest is 20 yrs old. Any timewarp speciala will be much more money. Mk2 is easier. You need to know how to avoid a rotten one, but they exist at 1k. Mine was less, it's far from perfect but it went through the test without welding. It may need sills next year. The days of serviceable Mk1s at 1k have gone, choose very carefully and you van get a working mk2 that will serve you a year or two without massive expense.

[Wayne1989]

Thanks for the response Budget isn't set in stone but MK2 sounds the way to go. I hear rotten subframes are a major issue?

[battered]

Not subframes but front chassis rails. Look it up. Sills rot but it's an easy fix. Panels are cheap. Chassis rails may be engine out. Easy but laborious.

[drgoatboy]

Its possible for £1000 but you will have to compromise somewhere. You might find one that looks great but needs new sills, or not be rotten but is cosmetically tired, or bodywork is good but engine has issue, etc etc.
I just sold my Eunos for £725 and it it didn't have any rot, it was a bit scabby underneath and the paint work was a mess but it drove well and polished up OK it just needed some cosmetic TLC.

[ThrillhouseR55]

Going through this at the moment. There's a few sprung up under £1,000. Looking for a cheap run around, not a car that will last me many years.

I have been using the MOT checker website which is a godsend, but would the rotting sills you guys mention, come up as an advisory on there?

[battered]

ThrillhouseR55 said:

I have been using the MOT checker website which is a godsend, but would the rotting sills you guys mention, come up as an advisory on there?

Oh yes! Sills don't rot out overnight, if the tester is doing his job he will point out a bit of corrosion to sills the year before they fail. Usually, all things being equal, wind blowing the right way, etc. Of course he may not, so learn to inspect them yourself and read the MX5 buyers guides here and elsewhere.

[binnerboy]

good guide to chassis rail on mk2

http://totalmx5repair.weebly.com/mk2-front-chassis...

plus Mark is a good guy if you are in the area

[kuro]

I've been looking at getting a cheap mk1 to polish up over winter and sell on in the spring and maybe make a few quid. All the ones I've seen at around £1k and just above are a bit ropey, either welded or showing signs of rust. I am currently looking at early mgfs. Which is better is a matter of opinion but you can pick up a much cleaner car for similar money.

[Tje]

I picked up a mk1 last weekend for £1000. It had 7 months MOT on it and 120k. I've been looking for a while. Decent Ines seems to be closer to the £2000 mark from what I was able to see.

Mine needs a new clutch, major service and leaky shock replacing. Will need some welding for its MOT in 2018.

Going to do most of it myself apart from the welding and clutch.

Only reason I went for it was the rust it had is minimal. Recently had all new brakes and wheels/tyres all round, along with a brand new roof, so I know all of that is pretty good. Interior is in good shape. Drivers seat has had a repair done but want to put some of the teardrop seats in.

They seem nice and easy to work on.

Have a look at mx5 buy & sell group on bookface. Seen some nice ones on there.

[tonymor]

My son bought a 1997 mk1 a year ago and enjoys it for summer use . It's required work /money but that's to be expected . Simple is good though as less gizmos to go wrong the better . I drive a zed 4 and proven the classic appeal of the mx5 gets the waves and thumbs up more than the zed4 .