Which MX5?

[Speedy300]

I've done a couple of track days this year in a friends car which have been great fun so thinking about getting a car for the job - MX5.

If I've got up to £1200 to spend on a MX5 but which version (engine size, age, spec, mods) would be best?

Any help appreciated.

Ps. It would be a third car, so cheaper the better.

[Herman Toothrot]

1.8 as has bigger brakes. Then just find the most performance modified one you can,one with a full or half cage in an ideal world.

[CountZero23]

I'd go for a 1.8 mk1, bit more power and prefer the looks over the later models.

Spend a bit more and get one which has already been properly kitted out, will save a fair bit. Fitting a decent roll cage isn't cheap.

[Robert Elise]

1.6 has a big track fan base because it's lighter and revs freely. That said, now that MK1s are so old you may as well get the 1.8, a lovely engine too.
No need for a roll cage on track days.
Best mod is suspension. Learn to carry speed and hunt down more powerful machinery. Talent over BHP will stand you well when you upgrade.
a later imported Eunos is a good bet - less rust

[Herman Toothrot]

Robert Elise said:

1.6 has a big track fan base because it's lighter and revs freely. That said, now that MK1s are so old you may as well get the 1.8, a lovely engine too.
No need for a roll cage on track days.
Best mod is suspension. Learn to carry speed and hunt down more powerful machinery. Talent over BHP will stand you well when you upgrade.
a later imported Eunos is a good bet - less rust

Half cage make the car far stiffer, the early cars feel very tired and floppy. Night and day difference driving them back to back cage vs no cage.

[Hideaway]

Robert Elise said:

1.6 has a big track fan base because it's lighter and revs freely. That said, now that MK1s are so old you may as well get the 1.8, a lovely engine too.
No need for a roll cage on track days.
Best mod is suspension. Learn to carry speed and hunt down more powerful machinery. Talent over BHP will stand you well when you upgrade.
a later imported Eunos is a good bet - less rust

I wouldn't agree that the engines are lovely! Fun yes, but feel lifeless and dull.

Roll cage or at least half could save your life although I have done one without.

Gaz are used in the Mazda series are not that expensive for suspension

[Robert Elise]

Herman Toothrot said:

Half cage make the car far stiffer, the early cars feel very tired and floppy. Night and day difference driving them back to back cage vs no cage.

Good point.
i'm looking for a dedicated MX5 myself. One possibility is to talk with Autolink - they know MX5s, racing and import a lot of Eunos. After finding an already prepped one that's a good place to look.

[Speedy300]

Thanks for the replies.

How much would a half decent prepped mx5 cost?

I would probably prefer a slightly new model ie mk 2.

[Hideaway]

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

[sbird]

As someone who drives a Mk3, owns a dedicated Mk2 track car and used to drive a Mk1, I would say: get a poverty spec Mk1 1.8.

I don't agree that suspension is the best first mod. Get a rollbar, bucket seat and harnesses. The Mk1 needs stiffening up, and the bar will help. The bucket/harnesses will keep you in position and help you feel the car's movements. Good suspension improves the handling, but I've seen plenty of cars go around a track on OEM suspension.

[Hideaway]

sbird said:

As someone who drives a Mk3, owns a dedicated Mk2 track car and used to drive a Mk1, I would say: get a poverty spec Mk1 1.8.

I don't agree that suspension is the best first mod. Get a rollbar, bucket seat and harnesses. The Mk1 needs stiffening up, and the bar will help. The bucket/harnesses will keep you in position and help you feel the car's movements. Good suspension improves the handling, but I've seen plenty of cars go around a track on OEM suspension.

I would agree with this. They are very fun on normal suspension and the mods you have mentioned.

[Speedy300]

Think I will need to do some further research, I would be prepared to pay a little more for a prepped track car but cheap (ish) running costs and something reliable are the top priorities.

[upsidedownmark]

I've got a import mk1 1.6 (115bhp).. it's nice on track, though not great in a straight line, not really lifeless. I think the uk/80hp one would be a bit naff. Mk2's need checking for front chassis leg rot.. though rot is a general mx5 issue. I'd be more inclined to buy the best shell you find, so long as it's a 115/1.6 or a 1.8

When people say a 'half cage' do you mean just a rollbar? Looking at something for mine, and a full job just isn't viable 'cos I'm not wearing a helmet to go to sainsburys! I'd think the most flex would happen between the doors.. wasn't expecting to stiffen it, but having seen the recent vid of the 106 rolling in the gravel at McLeans, I'm inclined to get something. Personally I think if you keep it on modest tyres, and just enjoy that it moves around, you'll be fine. Stick a lot of rubber and stiffer suspension in it, you'll just transfer the wobble to the shell.

As for running costs: 50quid/tyre, 300 quid for a second hand engine.. that's cheaper than 1 tyre for my old boxster.

Edited by upsidedownmark on Thursday 26th December 23:47

[Hideaway]

upsidedownmark said:

I've got a import mk1 1.6 (115bhp).. it's nice on track, though not great in a straight line, not really lifeless. I think the uk/80hp one would be a bit naff. Mk2's need checking for front chassis leg rot.. though rot is a general mx5 issue. I'd be more inclined to buy the best shell you find, so long as it's a 115/1.6 or a 1.8

When people say a 'half cage' do you mean just a rollbar? Looking at something for mine, and a full job just isn't viable 'cos I'm not wearing a helmet to go to sainsburys! I'd think the most flex would happen between the doors.. wasn't expecting to stiffen it, but having seen the recent vid of the 106 rolling in the gravel at McLeans, I'm inclined to get something. Personally I think if you keep it on modest tyres, and just enjoy that it moves around, you'll be fine. Stick a lot of rubber and stiffer suspension in it, you'll just transfer the wobble to the shell.

As for running costs: 50quid/tyre, 300 quid for a second hand engine.. that's cheaper than 1 tyre for my old boxster.

Edited by upsidedownmark on Thursday 26th December 23:47

This I think
http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/lane-right-hand-diagonal...

[Speedy300]

I understand rust in the arches and seals appear to be a major issue with these cars, which concerns me.

Silly question but how do you know if a potential car has this issue?

I was initially looking at a clio but after been passed by several mx5's at track days this year, being rwd as well as a two seater I'm now biased towards the Mazda. It's only the rust issue that puts me off.

I'm leaning towards the mk 2 1.8 146bhp model at present.

[Herman Toothrot]

Speedy300 said:

I understand rust in the arches and seals appear to be a major issue with these cars, which concerns me.

Silly question but how do you know if a potential car has this issue?

I was initially looking at a clio but after been passed by several mx5's at track days this year, being rwd as well as a two seater I'm now biased towards the Mazda. It's only the rust issue that puts me off.

I'm leaning towards the mk 2 1.8 146bhp model at present.

I think that's a good choice fixed headlights are lighter, essentially the same car underneath as the mk1 newer, slightly more power and bracing. When stripped will be as light as a mk1 with added bracing.

[iguana]

On the mk1s the 1.6 is a far sweeter engine, the 1.8 does have a tad more grunt but doesn't have the far more character zing of the 1600.

Ideal spec inho is 1.6 with the 1.8 torsen dif- (tho if you stay na that's not so important) a 62 charger, decent mgt decent suspension- -ve like gaz or the 2nd gen stuff from p5, I had the 1st gen stuff & didn't rate it, harddog half cage & a cracking motor.

I've had 3 mx5 mk1s all fi, an sc 1.6 an sc 1.8 both 45 jrsc hargers, a turbo 1.8 which had v good grunt & the sc 1.6 was the most fun, tho not the fastest.

[upsidedownmark]

Just be aware that mk2 chassis legs need inspecting, google will help, but my understanding is it's rather more structural than the regular arch/sill issues, and down to them being double skinned. As for wheelarches / sills, you can probably google the info; it's reasonably easy to get access to look inside I think. If they're bubbling on the outside, they're rusted inside. Think it's a bit of a matter of time - don't pay too much for the car and don't worry about it would be my advice.

I'd recommend mx5nutz as a good source of info.