Discussion
Hi all
After a few years of off roading as a hobby, I decided to part with my much loved Defender 90. Here it is:
However, all good things must come to an end and the spare time to off road has vanished. So, to compliment the E61 5 series daily hack, I decided I wanted an MX5. Now, I wanted a scruffy one, as I've had a long-held dream to build one of these:
I don't currently have time to build the zero, so I'm going to run the MX5 for a year or two until I can spare the time to put the kit car together. It also gives me chance to get to know the state of the mechanicals.
Anyway, on to the main event, the MX5 I have picked up for a measly £500 is a '98 1.8iS and believe it or not it has little rust to speak of!! It's also very sound mechanically, I drove it back from reading to Leicester.
So, some pictures:
It even came complete with a PH sticker
So, whats the catch? A mechanically sound and unrusty MKII for £500? Well, some of you may recognise it from the original thread by another PH'er, talking about how to sell the car as it is. Thats because, this dent has seen it categorised as a CAT C write off:
Anyway, it's booked in for the MOT next week and assuming it passes I won't cancel the appointment I have held for the VIC test at the end of April. I will update this thread as and when it does/ doesn't pass said tests.
Short term plans are to enjoy some summer roof down fun and use it for some track training, time to learn to drive RWD since I have gone from never owning one to owning 2.
After a few years of off roading as a hobby, I decided to part with my much loved Defender 90. Here it is:
However, all good things must come to an end and the spare time to off road has vanished. So, to compliment the E61 5 series daily hack, I decided I wanted an MX5. Now, I wanted a scruffy one, as I've had a long-held dream to build one of these:
I don't currently have time to build the zero, so I'm going to run the MX5 for a year or two until I can spare the time to put the kit car together. It also gives me chance to get to know the state of the mechanicals.
Anyway, on to the main event, the MX5 I have picked up for a measly £500 is a '98 1.8iS and believe it or not it has little rust to speak of!! It's also very sound mechanically, I drove it back from reading to Leicester.
So, some pictures:
It even came complete with a PH sticker
So, whats the catch? A mechanically sound and unrusty MKII for £500? Well, some of you may recognise it from the original thread by another PH'er, talking about how to sell the car as it is. Thats because, this dent has seen it categorised as a CAT C write off:
Anyway, it's booked in for the MOT next week and assuming it passes I won't cancel the appointment I have held for the VIC test at the end of April. I will update this thread as and when it does/ doesn't pass said tests.
Short term plans are to enjoy some summer roof down fun and use it for some track training, time to learn to drive RWD since I have gone from never owning one to owning 2.
Codswallop said:
Looks like you found the ideal MX5 for a kit car doner. LSD, Bilsteins, (presumably) good mechanicals, and all for a great price due to some bodywork damage
This pretty much sums up why I bought it. Although the suspension comes with the kit car, the LSD was a big attraction. Bit of an update. I decided, although I've never touched bodywork in my life, to have a crack at copying to YouTube video's and had a go at pulling and filling the dent! Remember, this will one day have it's body shell destroyed, so what better place to practice??!!
So, a little bit of this:-
Helps me to get handy with this:-
Then, out came the stuff for the job:-
So, for those ace detailers, or even if you even slightly care about a half decent job, do NOT click the spoiler!
For all others, who really want a laugh, behold my fantastic finished product:-
I think the term is "epic fail".
So, a little bit of this:-
Helps me to get handy with this:-
Then, out came the stuff for the job:-
So, for those ace detailers, or even if you even slightly care about a half decent job, do NOT click the spoiler!
For all others, who really want a laugh, behold my fantastic finished product:-
I think the term is "epic fail".
gretsch drummer said:
Byyyyy 'ek. Smooth as a babies bum that filler work.
Albeit a baby with horrible acne and skin burns.
Albeit a baby with horrible acne and skin burns.
It will do to get rid if the sharp bits for the mot. I might have another go after I've got a sanding set up for the grinder and see if I can't make a better fist of it!!
ts and giggles. 
chongwong said:
He might mean this, http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
but I'm not certain that canyon on the side of your car can be counted as a small dent:-P
Ah I see. It's one of those 'bit of t cut' jokes. but I'm not certain that canyon on the side of your car can be counted as a small dent:-P
Ha. I was wondering on the way back, should I even bother fixing it. Since I was sat on the inside and couldn't see it.
Then, I caught its reflection in another car and remembered all the laughs on here. I went straight to halfords and bought more filler!
I feel I owe it to the old girl to give it one shot. And anyway it's practise for me. Whatever condition it ends up in next time, it stays that way!!
Then, I caught its reflection in another car and remembered all the laughs on here. I went straight to halfords and bought more filler!
I feel I owe it to the old girl to give it one shot. And anyway it's practise for me. Whatever condition it ends up in next time, it stays that way!!
Right, as promised, some photo's of the latest attempt.
I must stress, I decided I owed the old girl ONE more attempt, whatever condition I found it in after today and that was that.
So, I set to work with the new sanding setup of my grinder, sanded back the old stuff and started a fresh. I went mad with he filler this time (I ran out in the end) and attempted to shape it to the flow of the wing. This is NOT easy for the un-initiated. However, the results are much BETTER. Take note I said BETTER, not GOOD!! Seriously, don't click the spoiler if you are one of the previous people who took offense to my first attempt!
You'll notice that it's time to get the alloys shod with the new rubber and crack on with using the car. It's been way too long to be honest, this weekends weather has had me yearning to get out and use the car.
Come on then, time for the laughs again.
I must stress, I decided I owed the old girl ONE more attempt, whatever condition I found it in after today and that was that.
So, I set to work with the new sanding setup of my grinder, sanded back the old stuff and started a fresh. I went mad with he filler this time (I ran out in the end) and attempted to shape it to the flow of the wing. This is NOT easy for the un-initiated. However, the results are much BETTER. Take note I said BETTER, not GOOD!! Seriously, don't click the spoiler if you are one of the previous people who took offense to my first attempt!
You'll notice that it's time to get the alloys shod with the new rubber and crack on with using the car. It's been way too long to be honest, this weekends weather has had me yearning to get out and use the car.
Come on then, time for the laughs again.
Bit of a thread update. Here the old girl is (shot from her best side ) after a bit of an early morning b road blast.
This is now the fully road-going version, I've had the wheels refurbed, 4 x new Uniroyal Rainsports fitted and a hunter alignment done.
This work has entirely transformed the car! Such a tight, smooth drive when throwing it round the twisties and that gear change
. The tyres almost grip a little too much, so hooliganism is not really happening. I'm also just learning the car, so not provoking the back end too much.
ETA: I also have to say a massive thanks to David, the PH'er who sold me the car! So happy to be running an MX5 again
) after a bit of an early morning b road blast.This is now the fully road-going version, I've had the wheels refurbed, 4 x new Uniroyal Rainsports fitted and a hunter alignment done.
This work has entirely transformed the car! Such a tight, smooth drive when throwing it round the twisties and that gear change
. The tyres almost grip a little too much, so hooliganism is not really happening. I'm also just learning the car, so not provoking the back end too much. ETA: I also have to say a massive thanks to David, the PH'er who sold me the car! So happy to be running an MX5 again
Edited by eltax91 on Saturday 1st June 11:11
wilbo83 said:
eltax91 said:
ETA: I also have to say a massive thanks to David, the PH'er who sold me the car! So happy to be running an MX5 again
Only just seen this update mate. Glad to see you got it all sorted and are enjoying the car, I missed it so much, I bought myself another one! This time I went for an earlier mk1 versionEdited by eltax91 on Saturday 1st June 11:11
The little Mazda has come in handy as a spare car too and I even chopped up a fence panel and shoehorned it into the boot with the pax seat stuffed to the roofline with cardboard for a tip run.
dreaddan said:
Did you go to Manchester today? I think I spotted you on the a556
The repair doest look 1/2 as bad when moving
The repair doest look 1/2 as bad when moving
why yes I did! I'm working at an event at media city today. THe '5 has been pressed into service as my other 5 (series) is out of action. A world of difference on the motorway. Not exactly a comfy ride. Going to have to find some twisties on the way back!
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