A bargain or an MX-5 shaped money pit?
Discussion
I was having a conversation with my new boss about her Mercedes SLK and the conversation moved onto car history. She told me about her previous supercharged mk1 MX-5 and the mk2 she replaced it with, casually mentioning that it was still sat on her drive and she was looking to sell it. At this point I should have moved the conversation on as I am 90% of the way through a Land Rover series 2 rebuild, I have just sold a moped that I bought for no reason and I am trying to sell my van.
However she then mentioned that the first person to put £200 in her hand and turned up with a trailer could have it! That was it, I knew that I had just over £200 at home after selling the moped and a bit of a shed clear out. I had admired the MX-5 since my friend owned one about 10 years ago, I was hankering after another rear wheel drive car after talking about my old 200sx and this MX-5 was a bit special, but more on that when I get it home!
I just need to get hold of a trailer now! Plus I haven't actually told my wife yet, at all, that conversation could go well!
However she then mentioned that the first person to put £200 in her hand and turned up with a trailer could have it! That was it, I knew that I had just over £200 at home after selling the moped and a bit of a shed clear out. I had admired the MX-5 since my friend owned one about 10 years ago, I was hankering after another rear wheel drive car after talking about my old 200sx and this MX-5 was a bit special, but more on that when I get it home!
I just need to get hold of a trailer now! Plus I haven't actually told my wife yet, at all, that conversation could go well!
I don't know how experienced you are with Mark 2 Mx5's, but I understand that ( beyond the usual sill and rear arch rust issues) the big issue is with the front chassis legs rotting out underneath the engine bay tray supports a la : ~
But hey, for £200, you could part it out and get double that quite easily.
Wish my boss was quite so generous!!
Good Luck!!
But hey, for £200, you could part it out and get double that quite easily.
Wish my boss was quite so generous!!
Good Luck!!
Should you find the front chassis rails rusted out...
http://www.themx5restorer.co.uk/pages/parts-for-sa...
How is your welding?...
http://www.themx5restorer.co.uk/pages/parts-for-sa...
How is your welding?...
This one isnt supercharged, this is fitted with a turbo and front mounted intercooler, coilovers and the most complete service history I have ever seen! There is recepts for wiper blades and decals! The turbo kit was all bought individually from all over the world.
It has been sat on her drive for 2-3 years and her and her husband are fed up of it and just wanted it gone, I thought she was joking when she said £200!
I havent seen the car in the flesh yet but I am pretty confident even if i parted it out I could at the very least get my money back! I am waiting for her to email me over the pictures today so I will put them up when I get them
It has been sat on her drive for 2-3 years and her and her husband are fed up of it and just wanted it gone, I thought she was joking when she said £200!
I havent seen the car in the flesh yet but I am pretty confident even if i parted it out I could at the very least get my money back! I am waiting for her to email me over the pictures today so I will put them up when I get them
Cfnteabag said:
I just need to get hold of a trailer now!
I had to move my GT (1800 kg car) a good 80 miles to another company whilst it was off the road with engine rebuild and after getting nowhere trying to find/hire a trailer i went onto that anyvan.com website, posted up the job and had some good quotes come in, and ended up paying almost half of what the trailer would have costed, for a guy with a recovery truck to collect the car and drop it back off (all insured etc), so it might be worth looking into that 
Christ, you spend months checking Ebay, Gumtree, Cheap cars in West Yorkshire,preloved, Facebook pages, etc etc looking for a half decent (ie not too rusty) MX5 for a sensible amount of £££ to be able to renovate and sell on (never for a profit, just like keeping them on the road) and then your boss goes and gives you that!
there would be trails of dust where that car is I'd have it away so fast!!
There's near enough £200 in body kit and wheels alone if it comes to it!
there would be trails of dust where that car is I'd have it away so fast!!
There's near enough £200 in body kit and wheels alone if it comes to it!
Edited by Mattlan on Wednesday 4th March 14:35
That is exactly why I am facing the wrath of my wife to get it! Even if I get it home and the front rails are shot there has got to be close to a £1000 just in spares.
Found out today its also got a mohair roof that was fitted about 7 months before being parked up and she is going to chuck in a load of parts she has lying around!
Found out today its also got a mohair roof that was fitted about 7 months before being parked up and she is going to chuck in a load of parts she has lying around!
That does seem a very genuine car from a genuine seller.
I do wsh the OP well. If it runs with that spec a bit of welding is really not too bad at all. Go for it OP I do wsh you well. Excellent buy I would suggest. On the not entrely happy wife front I recommend caution and finding a way to ameliorate her concerns. Experience has taught me over many years and relationships that a quiet lifeat home is definitely worth the effort. Good luck with the car!
I do wsh the OP well. If it runs with that spec a bit of welding is really not too bad at all. Go for it OP I do wsh you well. Excellent buy I would suggest. On the not entrely happy wife front I recommend caution and finding a way to ameliorate her concerns. Experience has taught me over many years and relationships that a quiet lifeat home is definitely worth the effort. Good luck with the car!
Cfnteabag said:
She is coming round to the idea to be honest, she told me she is going to nick it when she goes back to work!
A double win then. New (to you) and exciting car and happy wife. Over the years I have upset too many women. Something I gave up some time ago. Unhappy women make seriously bad partners. Best not to risk upsetting them seriously. Enjoy the car that looks like the best buy I have seen this year.Excellent purchase. With history and a turbo and all the other bits? Superb bargain must be worth five times that figure? Well done indeed.
I think I will be consulting you when I am looking for another MX5! Slight downside of some ten Sports cars to sell first. Hence my experience with unhappy women!
Fortune favours the brave! I will hopefully have the chance to pick up a 135k Mk 2 1.8 that has been sitting on a friend's drive for the last 18 months unused. It doesn't have a turbo, but I plan to fix that. Once I've managed to modify it so that someone 6'4" can fit!
I'll be following this thread with great interest.
I'll be following this thread with great interest.
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