MX5 MK1 - have a feeling it's not worth saving?

[Birdster]

Hi All,

I purchased this car last summer and the rust is starting to come through. I spoke to the MX5 dealer late last year and they just injected antirust chemicals into the rear sills. Spoke to a more highly recommended chap who said he'd need to see the car, but was looking for new inner and outer sills and was happy with the price guessed at. Now the rust is appearing under the front wings and the underbody appears to be showing signs.

I know I'll get nowhere with the dealer, legal action was suggested by a friend but I can't see that winning on a 20+ year old car.

I'm at the point where I'm not sure what to do with the car. Keep it going until it fails an MOT, or is it worth restoring?








Taken using endoscope camera through the holes by the seatbelt towers. Loads more pictures, but trying to not upload too many,

[Birdster]

Thanks. I was expecting less positive news. I love the car. I took it for a drive after taking delivery of my Golf R and loved the feel of the drive. It is a proper drivers car and the weather was mild, but sunny and two hours just disappeared. I was just a bit miffed at what I'd seen coming through this weekend and was a bit concerned, but if you guys think it's not that bad I'll go with the group. All in with tyres and a few other bits it owes me £2000 already and want to keep it, but perhaps I just though it was worse than it is.

It looks like the outer sill was just repaired to cover up the inner sill. Am I better off waiting for it come through rather than having it cut open to repair it?

I also undid the front wheel arch liner and pulled it back to have a look. Cleared out the debris seen in the below pictures. I'm guessing spray something onto that rusted bit on the inner seal, you can see the front wing has some corrosion inside too. I was going to remove the wing, but one of the bolts at the bottom sheared off so stopped right there before I made it worse.

[Birdster]

Paddy I know it wasn't a snide comment. It's appreciated.

Thank you for the replies. I had noticed the prices going up too. I guess I know that I'm looking at £1500 of welding and then a respray if I want it perfect. I'm thinking enjoy summer and then take it in.

A fresh import I was looking at is £5500, which if it is as good as it looks is what mine will set me back in total, but not be original.

http://www.themx5restorer.co.uk/inventory/1992-mk1...

[Birdster]

Thanks The Crack Fox. Looks a lovely car you have now.

Just been reading about your new book. Good luck, sounds great.

[Birdster]

I've been cleaning the arches out and removing the debris. I'll use it until the outer sills need doing and will take it in for the inner and outer sills and ask them to check the rest of the chassis/floor pan as it's covered with sealant. At the MOT last August he did have have a poke with the testing tool and didn't mention rust and a few taps didn't go through anywhere.

I'm looking forward to a summers drive tomorrow. ....Okay maybe it's not summer yet, but it's warming up.