RE: Shed Of The Week: Mazda MX-5

RE: Shed Of The Week: Mazda MX-5

Friday 5th August 2016

Shed Of The Week: Mazda MX-5

Grab a sub-£1K MX-5 MK1 while you still can!



Shed strongly believes in the principle of recycling. He gave Mrs Shed a washer and dryer the other day. Thanks to his principled stand on waste, it cost him nothing. The washer was left over from an A35 rebuild and he found the clothes peg on the lawn.

History does not record Mrs Shed's verbal response. Suffice it to say that Shed is now spending one evening per week at the local launderette. He's bravely seeing this as a silver lining to the dark cloud of his matrimonial situation.

Hello happy chappy!
Hello happy chappy!
PHers of a similar salvaging bent to Shed may be interested in this UK spec MX-5. It comes with a decent registration number and a long history of enthusiastic conservation.

More importantly perhaps it's a rolling opportunity to preserve a slice of Japanese motoring heritage and have fun on the roads at the same time. Well, not at exactly the same time, but you know what we mean.

With real, fully paid-up loonies now attempting to run the asylum, it's tough to know what the future holds. One thing you can say with absolute certainty however is that the supply of early MX-5s is only going one way. The days of sound Mk 1s under £1,000 are definitely numbered.

As we know, PH padrone Dan owns a Mk1, and he's hanging on to it. Not just because he loves driving it but also because he's from Yorkshire and is expecting to make a slow but sure killing on his (considerable) investment as rival cars die off.

The ad for this one is good. It contains a plausible reason for selling and plenty of specific and reassuring information about work already carried out.

Rust doesn't look too bad just yet...
Rust doesn't look too bad just yet...
Most PHers will need no lecturing on the good and bad points of this seminal sportster. For a quick walkthrough on the commonest issues you could do a lot worse than to read the ad.

Then, for more detailed info, check yourself into PH's very own and very excellent dedicated Mazda MX5/Eunos/Miata thread - 334 pages of insider gold and contact deets for recommended service providers - and have a gange at Munter's superb buying guide, here.

As a quick glance at the wheelarches and underbonnet area will reveal, there are opportunities for further refurbishment. The vendor assures us that these jobs won't be taxing. It's a great little project for anyone who likes tinkering, safe in the knowledge that there'll always be a fix available.

Get it before Dan does, as the only refurbishment tool he'd be using on it would be a 14 pound sledgehammer.

Here's the ad.

Selling on behalf of a good friend is a great example of the Mazda MX5 MK1, UK spec. I purchased the car from a lady at work in 2010, and sold to my friend in 2013. He is now selling due to the purchase of a house and a need for more space for DIY activities (E34 Touring has already replaced it).

The car was registered in Jersey in 1993, before coming to England in 1996. In the mid 2000s it had a series of upgrades which are still present today, including adjustable shock absorbers, upgraded exhaust and the original wheels painted anthracite (receipts all present). I have had three MK1 MX5s, this was my last, and this was by far and away the best to drive. Being a early 1.6 it had the more powerful 114bhp engine compared to the later ones, and coupled with the lighter flywheel I found it much more fun than the two 1.8s which both felt tired. It sounds great, handles like a go-kart and you will be having loads of fun without breaking the speed limit whilst still doing 30mpg!

Apart from being a great little sports car it is also seriously reliable. The lady I bought it from at work also bought it from someone at work in 2006. She subsequently used it as her daily for 4 years, and whilst the commute was short, there were no issues. Same for me, 3 years, 8,000 miles with no issues, and same for the latest owner. Preventative maintenance and a good welder have helped, but this is good to go with no major concerns mechanically. The car has had regular oil changes throughout its life, with the last 3,700 miles ago and receipts to prove this. It comes with long MoT also, valid until June 22nd 2017.

For its age the paperwork that comes with the car is impressive. There are many receipts dating back to the 90s, original service book is present which is either fully stamped or nearly fully stamped. Many other receipts for various work over the last 23 years are also present.

Over the last 3 years the owner has carried out plenty of preventative maintenance.

Details below:

- New clutch slave and master cylinders and clutch fluid refreshed
- New Panasonic battery fitted in boot. This was not cheap (£140) but Panasonic made the original battery and they are far superior to the cheaper options out there
- Replacement rear light unit
- New brake lines (front to rear and cross axle)
- Welding/re-spraying on both rear wheel arches to fix rust holes
- £500 worth of welding to sills (nearside and offside) to replace rusted areas in September 2013. This was not a quick patch-up job, the guy spent 2 days rebuilding the internal structure of the sills. It was not cheap but will last much longer than a patch-up.
- New drivers side door speaker

As with all MK1 MX-5s there are quirks. Whilst the car is structurally sounds, as proved by no structural advisories on the MoT, and many £100s spent in the last few years to make it solid, there is surface rust around the rear arches and a couple of other places on the bodywork. This is cosmetic. Whilst talking about cosmetic condition, the windscreen has a couple of stone chips, and there are the scratch and dent in keeping with its age and mileage. The main one is a dent in the passenger door, which occurred when I had it, but never bothered me or the latest owner. Other issues include the electric windows which don't work. The driver's window falls opens slightly when driving so needs pulling up after every journey or so.

Also including in the sale are:

- Tonneau cover
- Waterproofing spray for hood
- Space saver spare tyre

This is a great little car that is mechanically and structurally sound, ready to be used for what is left of the summer. It isn't perfect and a little rough around the edges, but it is an honest example that will not let you down. I suspect it will sell quickly, the owner wants to sell quickly due to space constraints and I am hoping it will make SOTW!

Any questions contact me on 07789 774266, and I will pass you onto Paul, the owner, if you are seriously interested.

Thanks

Matt

 

 

 

 


 

Author
Discussion

grumpy52

Original Poster:

5,565 posts

165 months

Friday 5th August 2016
quotequote all
Yawn.

mikeyr

3,118 posts

192 months

Friday 5th August 2016
quotequote all
Miss mine still and sold it 5 years ago. frown Guess to make it mint again (what it deserves) will cost a few bob but guess could just run it through summer and sell later in the year again for same price?

Cable

239 posts

182 months

Friday 5th August 2016
quotequote all
Ooh, this was my daily drive, back in 2006 biggrin

mikeyr

3,118 posts

192 months

Friday 5th August 2016
quotequote all
This actual car?

Also, whilst Grumpy's name seems apt I do agree that SOTW does rely on a few staple cars.

Cable

239 posts

182 months

Friday 5th August 2016
quotequote all
Yep, I did the exhaust, air filter, suspension, and the stick on number plate. I thought I had changed the anti roll bars too...

Itsallicanafford

2,759 posts

158 months

Friday 5th August 2016
quotequote all
Snap!



Had my one for 5 years 25,000 miles and it was a great, great little car...i only got rid of it about 6 months ago as i couldn't quite face the next round of payments to sort out the rust.

Mechanically bomb proof, i cannot think of a single mechanical item that failed while i had the car... i would often do a 400 mile day it in which included 100 miles on track flat out, it just soaked it up. I think i completed 20 track days in it over the 5 years, tyres/ brakes would last for ages. Amazing car around the bends with a little light work on the suspension.

But...its all about the rust. If this is a rusty one then think of the £1000 as just a small down payment as unless you can weld its going to get expensive. If you don't know what you are looking at get it on the ramps and inspected professionally.


I repeat, its all about the RUST!!!


PS...RUUUUUUSSSSSTTTT!!!!

YellowCar

131 posts

121 months

Friday 5th August 2016
quotequote all
If I had the garage space I'd be very tempted. Always fancied the mk1 and remember what a revelation it was when it was launched.

Trouble is I'd probably run it as a shed and not 'invest' in the upkeep, which would be a shame.

Hope it finds an enthusiastic owner to keep it going.

kellyt

158 posts

118 months

Friday 5th August 2016
quotequote all
Please sir, I'm allergic to rust!

Not for me.

mikeyr

3,118 posts

192 months

Friday 5th August 2016
quotequote all
Cable said:
Yep, I did the exhaust, air filter, suspension, and the stick on number plate. I thought I had changed the anti roll bars too...
Damn, you must be tempted to buy it back?!?

MX51ROD

2,731 posts

146 months

Friday 5th August 2016
quotequote all
grumpy52 said:
Yawn.
Typical of someone who is not interested in a particular car , but still has to post a silly comment .
If you are not interested in MX5s why did you even bother to read the thread .


Your comment sums up your comment

PS just looked at your garage ,pipe and slippers


Edited by MX51ROD on Friday 5th August 10:07

princeperch

7,911 posts

246 months

Friday 5th August 2016
quotequote all
Good mark ones are becoming scarce. I've got a N plate mk 1. Its got 52k on the clock .

I toy with the idea of selling it every now and again, but its parked up safely on a sorn and started and moved every week so I think I'll leave it be for now.

I'd be giving this example a goof look over for rust , including the understand side, and make sure the drain holes aren't blocked either, as that would be a bad sign.

Cable

239 posts

182 months

Friday 5th August 2016
quotequote all
mikeyr said:
Damn, you must be tempted to buy it back?!?
Haha, yeah, very tempting

This was it when it had some Rota wheels



It was a good little car, I didn't have any problems with it.

VladD

7,853 posts

264 months

Friday 5th August 2016
quotequote all
I nearly sold my Mk1 when I bought my Boxster, but couldn't bring myself to sell it and I'm glad I didn't. I've been enjoying using it as a daily for a while as the Boxster is off the road. My new garage is being built and will be finished in the next few weeks, so when I get the Boxster back the Eunos will get some long overdue TLC.

battered

4,088 posts

146 months

Friday 5th August 2016
quotequote all
Looks OK, an honest enough 20-odd yr old sports car. The availability of stuff like this must depress the values of older classics. Who'd want an MGB, Spitfire or similar to drive when you can have this for £1000? Not me. My Mk2 is out of a similar mould, I intend to run it as a shed and do odd bits of tidying up like sill repairs if necessary, but if it hands in a big bill then I certainly won't attempt to save it. I suspect that sooner or later it will hand in rotten front chassis rails, which may spell the end.

grumpy52

Original Poster:

5,565 posts

165 months

Friday 5th August 2016
quotequote all
MX51ROD said:
grumpy52 said:
Yawn.
Typical of someone who is not interested in a particular car , but still has to post a silly comment .
If you are not interested in MX5s why did you even bother to read the thread .


Your comment sums up your comment

PS just looked at your garage ,pipe and slippers


Edited by MX51ROD on Friday 5th August 10:07
[/quote
Each to their own .
My posted garage is only a very small percentage of the cars that I have owned .The yawn was a reflection on the lack of imagination on this weeks shed .
I look for something that was expensive when new (mx5 was never expensive)
Unusual or qwerky the MX5 is none of these .
Also the hidden Q cars overlooked or forgotten.

Krikkit

26,500 posts

180 months

Friday 5th August 2016
quotequote all
battered said:
Looks OK, an honest enough 20-odd yr old sports car. The availability of stuff like this must depress the values of older classics. Who'd want an MGB, Spitfire or similar to drive when you can have this for £1000?
If you just want simple top-down motoring, no-one.

An MGB is very similar in principle, but worlds away when you drive both together. The B oozes character that the MX5 lacks imo.

otolith

55,899 posts

203 months

Friday 5th August 2016
quotequote all
Krikkit said:
The B oozes character that the MX5 lacks imo.
Is "character" a euphemism for "oil"?

Blackpuddin

16,409 posts

204 months

Friday 5th August 2016
quotequote all
grumpy52 said:
MX51ROD said:
grumpy52 said:
Yawn.
Typical of someone who is not interested in a particular car , but still has to post a silly comment .
If you are not interested in MX5s why did you even bother to read the thread .


Your comment sums up your comment

PS just looked at your garage ,pipe and slippers


Edited by MX51ROD on Friday 5th August 10:07
[/quote
Each to their own .
My posted garage is only a very small percentage of the cars that I have owned .The yawn was a reflection on the lack of imagination on this weeks shed .
I look for something that was expensive when new (mx5 was never expensive)
Unusual or qwerky the MX5 is none of these .
Also the hidden Q cars overlooked or forgotten.
Damn those hidden Q-car owners for not putting their cars up for sale on PH Classifieds!
Also, damn me for not being able to de-box this blooming post!


Edited by Blackpuddin on Friday 5th August 10:39

battered

4,088 posts

146 months

Friday 5th August 2016
quotequote all
Krikkit said:
battered said:
Looks OK, an honest enough 20-odd yr old sports car. The availability of stuff like this must depress the values of older classics. Who'd want an MGB, Spitfire or similar to drive when you can have this for £1000?
If you just want simple top-down motoring, no-one.

An MGB is very similar in principle, but worlds away when you drive both together. The B oozes character that the MX5 lacks imo.
I've been in a B, they never lit my fire. I owned a Spit back in the early 90s, when it was a 20 yr old car. What a PITA, it was great as an occasional runabout but once I started using it daily I spent more time mending it than driving it.

NDNDNDND

2,000 posts

182 months

Friday 5th August 2016
quotequote all
Krikkit said:
An MGB is very similar in principle, but worlds away when you drive both together. The B oozes character that the MX5 lacks imo.
I suspect the difference is that an MGB is great for the fun of driving it, whereas an MX-5 is great for the fun of driving.