Came home with an MX5
Discussion
Hi all, I ended up coming home with an Eunos Roadster yesterday, much to my delight and the annoyance of the OH.
Now it's in a bit of a ropey condition cosmetically but seems pretty solid and mechanically sound so took a punt. Hopefully just needs a lot of TLC and cleaning, with a few bits replacing/touching up.
I was also thinking to myself, if I keep looking and don't buy one soon then I'll miss the summer altogether. So admittedly was probably a bit braver than usual.
Not taken any proper pics yet as it's not stopped raining. There's a few things I want to change, so would appreciate some advice if possible. It looks like a VR Ltd(?) but isn't, previous owner had it resprayed. Here's the dealer's pic:
First of all the soft top needs replacing as it's got a few holes and is really dirty, although doesn't look that old. Am wondering what hood to replace it with, do I save myself some money (budget vinyl) or go for Mohair. It'll be under a cover anyway when parked in the rain.
Couple of Q's...
1. The soft top - Got a few choices on this. It's either a mohair with plastic window or vinyl with glass. Also black or stone colour. Any recommendations?
2. Will also be changing those wheels to more original ones. Anyone got any suggestions on what wheels and where to buy from? Looked at ebay and gumtree. Had a go at some on Ebay, but lost the auction.
3. I'd like someone that knows their MX5's to give it a bit of a look underneath at some point soon. I'm South of Manchester, are there any specialists Manchester/Cheshire way on that anyone knows?
Hopefully when it's stopped raining I'll get some more pics and update this thread properly.
Cheers.
Now it's in a bit of a ropey condition cosmetically but seems pretty solid and mechanically sound so took a punt. Hopefully just needs a lot of TLC and cleaning, with a few bits replacing/touching up.
I was also thinking to myself, if I keep looking and don't buy one soon then I'll miss the summer altogether. So admittedly was probably a bit braver than usual.
Not taken any proper pics yet as it's not stopped raining. There's a few things I want to change, so would appreciate some advice if possible. It looks like a VR Ltd(?) but isn't, previous owner had it resprayed. Here's the dealer's pic:
First of all the soft top needs replacing as it's got a few holes and is really dirty, although doesn't look that old. Am wondering what hood to replace it with, do I save myself some money (budget vinyl) or go for Mohair. It'll be under a cover anyway when parked in the rain.
Couple of Q's...
1. The soft top - Got a few choices on this. It's either a mohair with plastic window or vinyl with glass. Also black or stone colour. Any recommendations?
2. Will also be changing those wheels to more original ones. Anyone got any suggestions on what wheels and where to buy from? Looked at ebay and gumtree. Had a go at some on Ebay, but lost the auction.
3. I'd like someone that knows their MX5's to give it a bit of a look underneath at some point soon. I'm South of Manchester, are there any specialists Manchester/Cheshire way on that anyone knows?
Hopefully when it's stopped raining I'll get some more pics and update this thread properly.
Cheers.
Car looks nice. I can only recommend you go see Ray at Jack Smith's Trimmers in Swansea. Had my roof done there (car is same colour as yours, had mine done in black mohair/stayfast with a glass window) and the workmanship is superb ~£280. There are reasons why people drive across the country to go see him!
Can offer my opinion on 1 and 2!
Although I have heard of the trimmers in Swansea being very good, I would be more inclined to get a Mk2/2.5 roof and fit that. They fit perfectly and have glass rear windows that you dont unzip, the mechanism folds it flat as you put it down. Can be had for £150-200 if not less.
As for wheels, I have found that they are sensitive to changes in offset and wheel weight more than size. Iv had both 14/15", definately rides better on 14" but more tyre choices are available in 15". Also, half the fun in the mx5 is having a little play, so try not to go wider than max. 7" wide, as it simply has too much grip and not enough power!
So keep them light and small I say! My personal choice in 15" would be the Enkei RP01's that came on some editions, keeps the same offset and nice and light!
There's a set on ebay atm: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/a-set-of-mx5-enkei-alloy...
(Ihave nothing to do with the seller/items whatsoever)
Enjoy it!
Although I have heard of the trimmers in Swansea being very good, I would be more inclined to get a Mk2/2.5 roof and fit that. They fit perfectly and have glass rear windows that you dont unzip, the mechanism folds it flat as you put it down. Can be had for £150-200 if not less.
As for wheels, I have found that they are sensitive to changes in offset and wheel weight more than size. Iv had both 14/15", definately rides better on 14" but more tyre choices are available in 15". Also, half the fun in the mx5 is having a little play, so try not to go wider than max. 7" wide, as it simply has too much grip and not enough power!
So keep them light and small I say! My personal choice in 15" would be the Enkei RP01's that came on some editions, keeps the same offset and nice and light!
There's a set on ebay atm: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/a-set-of-mx5-enkei-alloy...
(Ihave nothing to do with the seller/items whatsoever)
Enjoy it!
APanda said:
3. I'd like someone that knows their MX5's to give it a bit of a look underneath at some point soon. I'm South of Manchester, are there any specialists Manchester/Cheshire way on that anyone knows?
Congleton any good?http://www.paulsheardautos.com/
Knows MX5s like the back of his championship winning race gloves apparently.
Edit: And there is Rodders in sheffield if you want to head east a bit.
http://www.mx5-racing.co.uk/
Edited by Munter on Friday 10th May 11:39
Cheers for the responses so far.
It's a bit of a mission to get to Swansea from here but if it's a lower price and recommended then I might consider it. I've had a look around and they get a really good write up from everyone.
Re the wheels. They are the exact one's I'm watching on Ebay. Can anyone give me an idea roughly how much they're worth and what you'd be willing to pay?
And finally, Congleton isn't that far away, not too bad a drive to get there either.
It's a bit of a mission to get to Swansea from here but if it's a lower price and recommended then I might consider it. I've had a look around and they get a really good write up from everyone.
Re the wheels. They are the exact one's I'm watching on Ebay. Can anyone give me an idea roughly how much they're worth and what you'd be willing to pay?
And finally, Congleton isn't that far away, not too bad a drive to get there either.
well done on your aquisision, take the Mrs on a track day and you'll be wrestling the keys from her every time. Be carefull on what you spend as you will soon exceed the value of the car.
i bought my Eunos back in dec for a grand, de-cat, stainless exhaust, K&N, hood catch and baseball cap......oh, and cup holders.....nearly £500 worth!! Add to that a set of T1r's ordered today and im nearly up to what i paid for the car. still worth every penny though and keeping me out of the Jags, thus saving a huge amount on unleaded!!
D
i bought my Eunos back in dec for a grand, de-cat, stainless exhaust, K&N, hood catch and baseball cap......oh, and cup holders.....nearly £500 worth!! Add to that a set of T1r's ordered today and im nearly up to what i paid for the car. still worth every penny though and keeping me out of the Jags, thus saving a huge amount on unleaded!!
D
HaylingJag said:
well done on your aquisision, take the Mrs on a track day and you'll be wrestling the keys from her every time. Be carefull on what you spend as you will soon exceed the value of the car.
i bought my Eunos back in dec for a grand, de-cat, stainless exhaust, K&N, hood catch and baseball cap......oh, and cup holders.....nearly £500 worth!! Add to that a set of T1r's ordered today and im nearly up to what i paid for the car. still worth every penny though and keeping me out of the Jags, thus saving a huge amount on unleaded!!
D
I can see that happening quite easily. Luckily cleaning doesn't cost anything, but needs a few days worth. It appears the last owner had never cleaned it as I suspected. Soft top is going to be the biggest cost but should make a world of difference.i bought my Eunos back in dec for a grand, de-cat, stainless exhaust, K&N, hood catch and baseball cap......oh, and cup holders.....nearly £500 worth!! Add to that a set of T1r's ordered today and im nearly up to what i paid for the car. still worth every penny though and keeping me out of the Jags, thus saving a huge amount on unleaded!!
D
I've also found a few rattles and loud noises from underneath that need diagnosing. Hopefully it's nothing too serious, my wallet won't take it!
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