MX-5 buying guide?
Discussion
Hi guys, I've read through a few topics using the search function but couldn't seem to find a de facto thread.
I'm currently driving around in a very safe but ultimately boring Saab GM900. My previous cars have been nippy little french hatchbacks, I wanted something reliable so I bought the Saab, but I miss the buzz I got driving my old 205.
So the MX-5 has caught my eye, also because nearly everyone on PH goes on about them all day!
It would be in the next 6-9 months, I can't afford to change the car immediately (unless someone wants to swap for the Saab
), so I'm looking for some advice so I can take my time looking for a good one and make my mind up about whether its actually the car I want.
It seems it would be cheaper to run too, same power, less weight when compared to my Saab.
The car would be a MK 1, budget of £1500 - £2000 max and I'm looking for a 1.8, not fussy about colour although black or BRG is my preferred choice and I'd steer away from turquoise!
For insurance purposes it would have to be a UK spec, although I haven't had a quote on an import yet. From what I've read the imports are better specced but the likes of A/C doesn't bother me if its a convertible. I believe imported 1.8's also came with LSDs as standard, is this correct?
Few questions...
- How can you tell if the car is genuinely a UK model?
- Is an LSD recommended, which spec UK models came with one?
- What are the brakes like? Discs all round? ABS?
- Will they disintegrate and kill you in an accident?
- Where exactly are the dreaded drain holes that can get blocked up and cause rust?
- What are they like for the DIY mechanic doing routine servicing and more involved stuff such as cambelt change?
- Cost of Mazda parts?
- Known mechanical/electrical weaknesses? (if any!)
- What are they like as a daily driver, esp in winter!?
I know they are generally reliable mechanically, this is part of the attraction, also my brother used to run the old shape 323 with pop up lights, I assume they would have the same engine and he sold it with well over 250k miles on it and it was still going strong!
The main attraction is of course I want to inject some fun back into driving! And of course the novelty of having pop up lights is pretty inviting!
Sorry for all the questions.
Regards
Gareth
I'm currently driving around in a very safe but ultimately boring Saab GM900. My previous cars have been nippy little french hatchbacks, I wanted something reliable so I bought the Saab, but I miss the buzz I got driving my old 205.
So the MX-5 has caught my eye, also because nearly everyone on PH goes on about them all day!
It would be in the next 6-9 months, I can't afford to change the car immediately (unless someone wants to swap for the Saab
), so I'm looking for some advice so I can take my time looking for a good one and make my mind up about whether its actually the car I want.It seems it would be cheaper to run too, same power, less weight when compared to my Saab.
The car would be a MK 1, budget of £1500 - £2000 max and I'm looking for a 1.8, not fussy about colour although black or BRG is my preferred choice and I'd steer away from turquoise!
For insurance purposes it would have to be a UK spec, although I haven't had a quote on an import yet. From what I've read the imports are better specced but the likes of A/C doesn't bother me if its a convertible. I believe imported 1.8's also came with LSDs as standard, is this correct?
Few questions...
- How can you tell if the car is genuinely a UK model?
- Is an LSD recommended, which spec UK models came with one?
- What are the brakes like? Discs all round? ABS?
- Will they disintegrate and kill you in an accident?
- Where exactly are the dreaded drain holes that can get blocked up and cause rust?
- What are they like for the DIY mechanic doing routine servicing and more involved stuff such as cambelt change?
- Cost of Mazda parts?
- Known mechanical/electrical weaknesses? (if any!)
- What are they like as a daily driver, esp in winter!?
I know they are generally reliable mechanically, this is part of the attraction, also my brother used to run the old shape 323 with pop up lights, I assume they would have the same engine and he sold it with well over 250k miles on it and it was still going strong!
The main attraction is of course I want to inject some fun back into driving! And of course the novelty of having pop up lights is pretty inviting!
Sorry for all the questions.
Regards
Gareth
Cheers, I was aware of the Eunos being an import, just wondering if dodgy sellers could cover it up easily and say it was a UK spec, but it seems this isn't easy to do.
Is Eunos the Jap version and Miata the American?
Having looked through old threads, the imports seem like good buys, so long you keep your wits about you, thats if I can get a reasonable insurance quote, which hopefully I can as I'll be 25 by then.
Is Eunos the Jap version and Miata the American?
Having looked through old threads, the imports seem like good buys, so long you keep your wits about you, thats if I can get a reasonable insurance quote, which hopefully I can as I'll be 25 by then.
Cheers guys, I'll definately get some quotes from some more specialist insurers to see how much more an import would be.
I certainly won't let my heart rule my heart, I've been burnt before and learnt my lesson with my 205!
Was ABS an option? Or did it become standard with later models?
I certainly won't let my heart rule my heart, I've been burnt before and learnt my lesson with my 205!
Was ABS an option? Or did it become standard with later models?
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