How bad will a £1k mx-5 be?

[phil_cardiff]

Sold my 5 in the summer to pay for my wedding/honeymoon. I've been driving a snotter since and am missing the 5's handling.

The wedding etc is all paid for now and I have about £1k at the moment burning a hole and have been looking at 5s in this price range. They're all going to be ruined aren't they?!

[MX-5 Lazza]

A few years back we bought our track car (Mk1 Eunos 1.6 94). Other than needing a damn good wash/polish/clean inside & out and a good servicing there was nothing wrong with it. In fact it's still going strong now despite 6 of us trying our best to burst it on track. It's had to have one sill welded but otherwise it's a good deal at that price.

[Rollcage]

Don't be silly.

You'll get a decent one for less than a bag, easily.

I guess it depends on how realistic your expectations are.

[phil_cardiff]

My expectations are - no rust, no leaks from the roof. The engine, transmission, brakes and electrics all work.

I'd expect moon mileage and panels as rippled as the side of an intercity locamotive.

Edited by phil_cardiff on Tuesday 22 November 16:01

[Munter]

I would expect either rust or a leaky roof or something to need doing. I would expect you can get one with good mechanicals, but something cosmetic would be required.

[The Tea Boy]

well i brought my first mx mk1 nearly 3yrs ago and paid £800, no rust, no leaks and abso-f-ing-lutley brilliant mechanically, litrally needed nothing

shame i sold it to my neighbour who wrote it off within 2 weeks
all that was wrong with it was a bit of lacquer peel.

there out there you just have to find them.

Matt

[St. Anger]

Mines was £700 - Has a leaky roof, £250 worth of rust 80,000 miles on the clock and only one electric window. Other than that, however it's perfect! £1K should see you more than happily, I'd say.

[matlee]

I picked up a 1994 mx5 2 months ago for £990. This came with a fully adjustable coilovers, hard dog roll bar, immaculate roof, lightweight alloys, some fancy exhaust. The interior was a bit tatty but drove lovely. So my answer would be....not bad, not bad at all. Saying that though the first thing i did when i got it was strip the whole thing ready for my kit car build.

[markc123]

I have seen taxed and tested stock 1.6 cars for £800. And they were in quite good nick.

MX5's are rather cheap at the moment.

[LukeSi]

A UK model will have more potential to be a dog, at that price range you will get a decent Eunos.

[phil_cardiff]

I'll have to keep my eyes peeled. At this stage in my life I should probably be looking at estate cars but I really fancy a 5.

My theory is that if I buy one for around £1k, the most I can lose is £800 if I have to scrap it in a few months. Man maths at their best.

[LukeSi]

phil_cardiff said:

I'll have to keep my eyes peeled. At this stage in my life I should probably be looking at estate cars but I really fancy a 5.

My theory is that if I buy one for around £1k, the most I can lose is £800 if I have to scrap it in a few months. Man maths at their best.

Remember, use spreadsheets. They can be twisted to make everything look cheaper.

[JamesHayward]

You can find some very cheap Roadsters / MX-5's if you look around. For example I found my rust free example for £400 with a years MOT & 2 month Tax. I appreciate that's a bit of a bargain but you can find one on the cheap with relative ease.

[The Tea Boy]

phil, http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=8...
sounds pretty good.

matt

[phil_cardiff]

Nice one Matt, does look very interesting. I'd proabably prefer one without so many modifications but that's just being awkward.

[The Tea Boy]

phil_cardiff said:

Nice one Matt, does look very interesting. I'd proabably prefer one without so many modifications but that's just being awkward.

Take them off anf sell them = cheaper car!

[aka_kerrly]

The Tea Boy said:

phil_cardiff said:

Nice one Matt, does look very interesting. I'd proabably prefer one without so many modifications but that's just being awkward.

Take them off anf sell them = cheaper car!

THIS!

My brother recently purchased a modified car for £500 with 1 years mot, so far by selling the leather seats & LED lights he has recouped £370, you cant get much cheaper motoring these days.

[Jezz172]

I sold my MK I 1.8 Is about 6 months ago for £800 via eBay
Had a brand new roof and was mechanically perfect.
The MOT had expired and I'd just got my company car so didn't have space for it.

The guy emailed me the next week to say it passed with no advisories.
Don't discount cars with no MOT - just take someone who know's MX5's with you and you can get a bargin

[Don Phil]

I just bought one for less than £500 to turn into a race car. Roof has seen better days, interior is fine, there is no rust, but has no tax or mot and has been stood for nearly a year, but i think with a good service/clearing out of leaves from everywhere, i should be good to start stripping it out and get racing without too many problems. Time will tell...

[wildoliver]

£750 here.

UK spec 1.8 black with new black hood. Rusty wings.

Black cloth interior with worn drivers seat.

106K

Few minor missing bits (ashtray, cig lighter, hood cover, wheel brace, handbook manual)

Refurbed wheels but tatty tyres.

Mechanically solid.

Oh and I love it! Best £750 I've spent for ages! Keeping my MGC off the road is worth more than £750 with all the salt out there.