Thinking of buying a MK1 MX5 - any advice?
Discussion
Hi guys,
First a bit of background - im a 19 year old currently driving a BMW 1-series company car, which is costing me about 350 quid a month (to put that into perspective i only earn about 1k per month). I've had it since September and give it back next February. It is also on a restriced mileage scheme which is rather annoying. I have 2 choices to make - either renew the lease car and get a MINI convertible (only 300 a month), which i dont really fancy, or buy a mk1 mx-5.
I am seriously thinking about buying a mk1 1.6 and modifying it (suspension, brakes, wheels, bucket seats, roll bar, maybe some light performance mods) and maybe doing a few track days a year etc. I can insure one for near enough £1000 a year, which is not too bad.
My concern is how suitable the mx-5 will be for my needs. I cover around 20k miles a year, so am a bit worried about reliability - should i be? I dont need much space so thats not too much of an issue. Not too worried about safety or fuel economy.
So what do you think? Have any of you done anything similar? Do most of you use your '5s every day?
Oh yes another important note - to buy the car i have a budget of around £2k - in your experiences is this enough to get me a good, reliable mx5 with mileage below 80k? Also, what should i avoid when looking for a car?
Any input appreciated.
Mike
First a bit of background - im a 19 year old currently driving a BMW 1-series company car, which is costing me about 350 quid a month (to put that into perspective i only earn about 1k per month). I've had it since September and give it back next February. It is also on a restriced mileage scheme which is rather annoying. I have 2 choices to make - either renew the lease car and get a MINI convertible (only 300 a month), which i dont really fancy, or buy a mk1 mx-5.
I am seriously thinking about buying a mk1 1.6 and modifying it (suspension, brakes, wheels, bucket seats, roll bar, maybe some light performance mods) and maybe doing a few track days a year etc. I can insure one for near enough £1000 a year, which is not too bad.
My concern is how suitable the mx-5 will be for my needs. I cover around 20k miles a year, so am a bit worried about reliability - should i be? I dont need much space so thats not too much of an issue. Not too worried about safety or fuel economy.
So what do you think? Have any of you done anything similar? Do most of you use your '5s every day?
Oh yes another important note - to buy the car i have a budget of around £2k - in your experiences is this enough to get me a good, reliable mx5 with mileage below 80k? Also, what should i avoid when looking for a car?
Any input appreciated.
Mike
Edited by MiniMadMike on Saturday 31st October 12:39
As said, dont worry about reliability, they are extremely reliable cars.
How much of your mileage will be covered on motorways? The reason I ask is because they make awful motorway cars; they are noisy, lack torque (as standard), and are thirsty and not the most comfortable of things. Adding a supercharger or turbo will give it more torque on the motorway, which is useful, but it'll still be noisy, thirsty and relatively uncomfortable
Once you get it on a twisty road, all will be forgiven.
£2k should get you a lovely example.
+1 on the hard top. I've not got one, but I dont use it for going to work in.
How much of your mileage will be covered on motorways? The reason I ask is because they make awful motorway cars; they are noisy, lack torque (as standard), and are thirsty and not the most comfortable of things. Adding a supercharger or turbo will give it more torque on the motorway, which is useful, but it'll still be noisy, thirsty and relatively uncomfortable
Once you get it on a twisty road, all will be forgiven.
£2k should get you a lovely example.
+1 on the hard top. I've not got one, but I dont use it for going to work in.
-1 on the hard top. I've had 5s for 11 years and have never felt the need for one. As long as it's in good nick the soft top works well and the heater is strong enough to cook your feet.
I also wouldn't worry about the mileage. I know of a few cars with 150+k miles that are still as sweet as a new car.
I also wouldn't worry about the mileage. I know of a few cars with 150+k miles that are still as sweet as a new car.
Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Saturday 31st October 14:02
pbirkett said:
How much of your mileage will be covered on motorways? The reason I ask is because they make awful motorway cars; they are noisy, lack torque (as standard), and are thirsty and not the most comfortable of things.
I can't say I feel the same about them being awful motorway cars. I was actually quite impressed with how comfortable they are, given what they were designed for, and I don't find the noise to be that intrusive. Each to their own I guess. I'd say go for it.
MiniMadMike said:
I'm so tempted! With a few modifications do you think a 1.6 would be acceptable for a few trackdays and so on?
How easy is a supercharger conversion on one of these?
If you are thinking about trackdays and superchargers, then go for the 1.8, purely for the reason that you will get bigger brakes as standard, which won't need upgrading for moderate track work. If you get a 1.6 then the first thing you will need to do is get the 1.8 brakes fitted anyway, especially if you are looking to increase power, and price wise the 1.6 and 1.8 cars are broadly similar to buy.How easy is a supercharger conversion on one of these?
pbirkett said:
As said, dont worry about reliability, they are extremely reliable cars.
How much of your mileage will be covered on motorways? The reason I ask is because they make awful motorway cars; they are noisy, lack torque (as standard), and are thirsty and not the most comfortable of things. Adding a supercharger or turbo will give it more torque on the motorway, which is useful, but it'll still be noisy, thirsty and relatively uncomfortable
Once you get it on a twisty road, all will be forgiven.
£2k should get you a lovely example.
+1 on the hard top. I've not got one, but I dont use it for going to work in.
+1, they're awful long distance cars due to noise, thirst etc. It's why I keep mine for weekends and drive the Honda to work, long distances (if I'm not going for a hoon, to car meets etc) However I don't find the power a problem on the motorway - Mainly because the engine is revving so high so you're almost in the right rev range, it's quite punchy for what it is How much of your mileage will be covered on motorways? The reason I ask is because they make awful motorway cars; they are noisy, lack torque (as standard), and are thirsty and not the most comfortable of things. Adding a supercharger or turbo will give it more torque on the motorway, which is useful, but it'll still be noisy, thirsty and relatively uncomfortable
Once you get it on a twisty road, all will be forgiven.
£2k should get you a lovely example.
+1 on the hard top. I've not got one, but I dont use it for going to work in.
I've used mine as my only car for 12 months now.
Ive done about 16k miles - the most I've ever done in a year - lots on the motorway aswell.
It will 'do it' no problem. you will get to your destination.
And as above - it punches quite well through.8 leptons as your right into the power.
However - I dont know how different a standard one is, but mine with low suspension, induction and exhaust is
- Noisy
- Not particulalrly economical over 70mph
- Noisy
- Has awful rear vision with the roof up, especially in the wet
- Jiggly
- Tiring
- probably not very safe as people dont see you, and your head is at HGV wheelnut height
At 20k miles a year on the motorway - thats gonna be a bit much.
you will become very familiar with the petrol stations of Britian too - not purely becasue of economy (i actually think its quite reasonable) but just the range you get from only having 35 litres ish before you start getting towards the bottom notch on the gauge and thinking about your next stop.
Ive done about 16k miles - the most I've ever done in a year - lots on the motorway aswell.
It will 'do it' no problem. you will get to your destination.
And as above - it punches quite well through.8 leptons as your right into the power.
However - I dont know how different a standard one is, but mine with low suspension, induction and exhaust is
- Noisy
- Not particulalrly economical over 70mph
- Noisy
- Has awful rear vision with the roof up, especially in the wet
- Jiggly
- Tiring
- probably not very safe as people dont see you, and your head is at HGV wheelnut height
At 20k miles a year on the motorway - thats gonna be a bit much.
you will become very familiar with the petrol stations of Britian too - not purely becasue of economy (i actually think its quite reasonable) but just the range you get from only having 35 litres ish before you start getting towards the bottom notch on the gauge and thinking about your next stop.
I only use mine as a toy so not doing much motorway action but can see how it would wear you down.
If you decide to, I would say go for a 1.8 Eunos (as long as insurance doesn't sting you). I got mine this January for exactly your budget- it's only done 62k and being an import it wasn't exposed to salt/snow etc until later in life.
If you decide to, I would say go for a 1.8 Eunos (as long as insurance doesn't sting you). I got mine this January for exactly your budget- it's only done 62k and being an import it wasn't exposed to salt/snow etc until later in life.
hornetrider said:
Much as I love 'em I don't think I could recommend a Mk1 for 20k miles a year, lots on the motorway.
+1 I had one for 4 years and barely covered 20k in that period. A hardtop would quieten things down, but your mileage would mean the 5 would get on your nerves after a while. That said you're young so you'll probably be able to see through these things.
hornetrider said:
Much as I love 'em I don't think I could recommend a Mk1 for 20k miles a year, lots on the motorway.
Pah! Wusses. I did 30k in mine one year. Commuting between Newbury and High Wycombe.I enjoyed the drive. Particularly when I could have the top down. Financially 3 services in a year, and 30 mpg almost killed me though.....
Just bought my Mk1. It's a 1.6 with a Greddy turbo kit. I drove it home 616 miles in one hit! It wasn't too bad.I've just worked out the Fuel economy and it did 20.4 MPG. That is mainly down to the extremely safe map. I'll be adjusting that as soon as I get the new injectors in. Should find a few more ponies and MPG's. As said above the range is quite poor due to the Tiny tank. I didn't find it to be too tiring during that trip and if you can put up with the general miniscule nature of the car you'll not have more fun in many other things. I say go for it. You'll love it.
Mike - go for an early 1.6 - not the puny 1.6 in the "revised" Mk1's when the 1.8's came out - 116bhp as opposed to 90bhp in the revised one
Go for it - you can always sell if in the summer if you decide you don't like it - the joy of 2nd hand motoring, you don't get tied into a car if it turns out its not for you.
Mini Convertible? urgh!
Go for it - you can always sell if in the summer if you decide you don't like it - the joy of 2nd hand motoring, you don't get tied into a car if it turns out its not for you.
Mini Convertible? urgh!
MiniMadMike said:
to buy the car i have a budget of around £2k - in your experiences is this enough to get me a good, reliable mx5 with mileage below 80k?
Just to add.Yes, that is plenty.
However - I really wouldnt take much of an interest in what it says on the Odometer.
Especially as your gonna do a lot of miles in it anyway.
Buy on condition of the car at time of sale.
Mine was £1650 almost exactly this timne last year, in quite a good spec, with a hardtop, relatively well cared for and VGC.
They are reliable, but check for bottom crank pulley wobble.Worst case scenario if that is bad, is a new engine at some point!
And register over here, too..
http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php
Nice bunch of peeps there, too.
And register over here, too..
http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php
Nice bunch of peeps there, too.
Edited by Digby on Monday 2nd November 18:46
Spending 30% of your salary on a car? Sod that... what do you have left for booze and hookers? 
£2k's more than enough for good'un. Similar to snotrag above: mine was £1625, no history but very clearly looked after, no rust, brand new hood with a glass rear window. It's done an awful lot of motorway miles, two trackdays, very few gentle miles at all and I love it to bits.
£2k's more than enough for good'un. Similar to snotrag above: mine was £1625, no history but very clearly looked after, no rust, brand new hood with a glass rear window. It's done an awful lot of motorway miles, two trackdays, very few gentle miles at all and I love it to bits.
MiniMadMike said:
I'm so tempted! With a few modifications do you think a 1.6 would be acceptable for a few trackdays and so on?
How easy is a supercharger conversion on one of these?
Even a bog standard 1.6 is great fun on track, though certain mods can improve an already good thing. Mine has 15" wheels, rollbar and lower chassis braces - next on the list for me would be buckets as the standard seats aren't that supportive.How easy is a supercharger conversion on one of these?
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