Opinions on these two used MX5s?

Opinions on these two used MX5s?

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KTF

Original Poster:

9,788 posts

149 months

Friday 25th July 2014
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I have been been keeping one eye on MX5 for sale locally with an eye to spend up to £8k. So far these two are on the list to visit at the weekend:

Mazda MX-5 1.8i [Option Pack]
2006, 42,000 miles, 1.8L, £5990



Or for £1500 more there is one that is 3.5 years younger. Its a facelift model but with higher mileage.

Mazda MX-5 I SE 1.8
2010, 54,584 miles, 1.8L, £7495



Would you go for the older one or pay a bit more and get the younger facelift model?

I only do 3-4k a year mainly to/from work so of the two I am leaning towards the younger version as the milage will balance out over time.

Both have full Mazda service history, etc. but is there any cambelt interval to worry about or is the 1.8 a camchain - thinking that 60k might be big fill time - and anything in general that I should be aware of to check for?

From the pictures they look OK but which one of the two would be your preference?

MG CHRIS

9,077 posts

166 months

Friday 25th July 2014
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Drive each one and see which you prefer. Mx5 do rust the mk3 not as bad as the mk1 or mk2/2.5 but they will have some rust mainly on suspension so get one with the less rust.

Apart from that just general condition if each car not to clued up with the mk3 not a huge fan of them more a mk1 man myself.

SeeFive

8,280 posts

232 months

Friday 25th July 2014
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At just a few thousand miles a year, it would have to be the facelift model for me providing the history is bang on. The mileage now combined with your low miles per year will help you hold its price a bit over a few years. Still a little bit of wiggle room in the asking price too IMO, maybe the cost of a years warrantee to the dealer if you are concerned some stuff may arise early.

Just watch the trim levels, some of them are really spartan, no aircon, no fog lamps, no special wheels etc. sure, some like the light weight basic car, but I ended up spending a little bit more to get my daughter an 11,000 mile anniversary model which has a decent spec on it and included a 5 star warrantee - well it did after I had haggled fairly seriously with the dealer smile

After 6 months, she still loves the car, and it is as sound as can be.

dragonheart

770 posts

181 months

Friday 25th July 2014
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Both would probably be nice cars but i would advise you to try the 2.0L before you settle on the 1.8. Side by side the 2.0 is head and shoulders in front.

ian_c_uk

1,234 posts

202 months

Saturday 26th July 2014
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I can't plug my own advert, but 7,500 will get you a 2.0, sport (6 speed box, LSD, bilstein shocks, heated leather seats etc), roadster coupe (with folding hard top).

Email via profile if you'd like more details.

Make sure you check under the bootlid edge, by number plate lights, for rust. Check vin sticker on front wings, doors etc. to ensure original panels.

Not sure on 1.8, but 2.0 is chain driven. As long as oil is checked regularly, they are reported to be pretty bombproof (according to those that race them in supercup).

If not recently done, get alignment carried out, the original tolerances that Mazda use are pretty wide!



Edited by ian_c_uk on Saturday 26th July 20:12

KTF

Original Poster:

9,788 posts

149 months

Sunday 27th July 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for the advice.

Having looked at both I preferred the facelift version. Both drove fine but neither had cruise (I knew this in advance) and already having this on my existing car (despite the low mileage that I do) I decided I would prefer one with it.

The hard top version and/or slightly younger ones again slightly outside of my price range seem to have it as standard so I am happy to wait for the time being until one with it comes up. The prices might ease a bit once the sunny weather comes to an end as well.

Ian_c_uk: I am on the south coast and your profile says you are in the North West. Is your car the one in Greater Manchester in the classifieds?

ian_c_uk

1,234 posts

202 months

Sunday 27th July 2014
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That's the one, no cruise unfortunately.

Good luck in your search, they are great fun.

KTF

Original Poster:

9,788 posts

149 months

Sunday 27th July 2014
quotequote all
Thanks. It may be daft but am used to having cruise so its a must have a the moment.

Good luck with the sale. Looks great in the pictures.