Thinking of buying - £3k budget - any advice?
Discussion
Hi all
First post - have been lurking for a bit but thought I should dive in. Looks like a great community here.
I'm thinking of getting my hands on an MX5 in the near future, and have been looking on Autotrader, PH Classifieds etc etc. My budget is £3k, max (ideally closer to £2.5).
I've semi settled on getting a mk2.5, because they're quite recent so there should be less scope for stuff to go horribly wrong, at least for a wee while. My understanding is also that the mk2.5 improves fairly significantly on the mk2, not to mention it looks a tad nicer
. Is there any truth in this (apart from the aesthetic thing)? Is the 2.5 worth the (potential) extra investment? ...or is it worth getting a more minted older MX5?
Unfortunately I've not found many 2.5s within budget (although they do exist - this one for example: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011... so I don't know if I'm being realistic or not.
I'm looking for one that won't give me any grief - I just fancy a reliable machine that's fun to drive and doesn't need any significant work done (I'm not into mods etc).
Any advice/suggestions for a (soon to be) MX5 convert much welcome
First post - have been lurking for a bit but thought I should dive in. Looks like a great community here.
I'm thinking of getting my hands on an MX5 in the near future, and have been looking on Autotrader, PH Classifieds etc etc. My budget is £3k, max (ideally closer to £2.5).
I've semi settled on getting a mk2.5, because they're quite recent so there should be less scope for stuff to go horribly wrong, at least for a wee while. My understanding is also that the mk2.5 improves fairly significantly on the mk2, not to mention it looks a tad nicer
. Is there any truth in this (apart from the aesthetic thing)? Is the 2.5 worth the (potential) extra investment? ...or is it worth getting a more minted older MX5?Unfortunately I've not found many 2.5s within budget (although they do exist - this one for example: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011... so I don't know if I'm being realistic or not.
I'm looking for one that won't give me any grief - I just fancy a reliable machine that's fun to drive and doesn't need any significant work done (I'm not into mods etc).
Any advice/suggestions for a (soon to be) MX5 convert much welcome
Edited by bobcheeseman on Sunday 3rd April 21:24
For £2.5k you can get a rough Mk2.5, a good to reasonable Mk2 depending on age or an excellent Mk1. If you want it to be reliable then you are best off spending the money on a Mk1. Don't worry about mileage, it's not a problem with these cars, buy on condition, particularly bodywork. For that money don't touch anything that has any sign of rust or bubbling on the sills or rear wheel arches.
Despite the banter that goes on I'd say that no Mk is better than another.
Mk1 - best handling feel, best feedback, most delicate handling.
Mk2 - more grip, softer suspension but better body control. More comfortable. Slightly faster.
Mk2.5 - a bit more grip and a touch softer again with a touch more body control. More modern looks. More comfortable again. Slightly faster again.
Basically, the more modern you go the more accomplished it gets and the older you go the more raw and intimate it feels. Which you'd prefer is down to personal preference.
Mk1 - best handling feel, best feedback, most delicate handling.
Mk2 - more grip, softer suspension but better body control. More comfortable. Slightly faster.
Mk2.5 - a bit more grip and a touch softer again with a touch more body control. More modern looks. More comfortable again. Slightly faster again.
Basically, the more modern you go the more accomplished it gets and the older you go the more raw and intimate it feels. Which you'd prefer is down to personal preference.
Yes, I have to say that I didn't find a great deal of difference between the NB's and the NBB's when I was testing them. In the end, I narrowed my search to looking for good NB's. NBB's are still commanding higher prices due to age (some ridiculous numbers like £5000!) whereas NB's have settled down and you can concentrate on paying for condition, not age. MY NB is 13 years old, but it was the best of a number that I looked at.
I found when looking at NB's I was finding more in a reasonable condition than I was with NA's (which really are getting on now). There were plenty of NBB's in good nick too but with an inflated price tag too match. Driving wise, the NBB felt the softest of the lot and most pliant of the lotand probably the one I'd least enjoy pressing on in. Still great cars though.
I found when looking at NB's I was finding more in a reasonable condition than I was with NA's (which really are getting on now). There were plenty of NBB's in good nick too but with an inflated price tag too match. Driving wise, the NBB felt the softest of the lot and most pliant of the lotand probably the one I'd least enjoy pressing on in. Still great cars though.
Drive them all back to back. That's what I did, before I decided which model I wanted to go for. You can listen to other people's opinions all day long on which they prefer, but it's down to you, and which you would like best, based loosely on the advice given above.
Although I own a mk1, I would feel pretty ripped off if I spent £2.5k on one! Unless it was in perfect condition and didn't need anything spending on it for at least a year (new tyres and brakes etc) and had tasteful mods done, you can pick up decent examples for £1k-1.5k which only needs a few hundred quid spending on them (hopefully
)
Although I own a mk1, I would feel pretty ripped off if I spent £2.5k on one! Unless it was in perfect condition and didn't need anything spending on it for at least a year (new tyres and brakes etc) and had tasteful mods done, you can pick up decent examples for £1k-1.5k which only needs a few hundred quid spending on them (hopefully
)Hi all, sorry for slow response, am mad busy just now.
Without having driven one, it seems that the mk2 might be the best balance between age and budget (I think I agree with Baryonyx's reasoning). I reckon the NA might be a little too basic for me (it'll be my only car, albeit one that I don't use daily).
Riknos - would love to drive them back to back, but how?!
ApexJimi - got your mail, thanks, will respond.
Any thoughts on this one: http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/mazd... - sounds like it's been fairly revamped (new engine, timing belt, brakes, brake pipes and pads, tires, hood...) which is good)
Without having driven one, it seems that the mk2 might be the best balance between age and budget (I think I agree with Baryonyx's reasoning). I reckon the NA might be a little too basic for me (it'll be my only car, albeit one that I don't use daily).
Riknos - would love to drive them back to back, but how?!
ApexJimi - got your mail, thanks, will respond.
Any thoughts on this one: http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/mazd... - sounds like it's been fairly revamped (new engine, timing belt, brakes, brake pipes and pads, tires, hood...) which is good)
bobcheeseman said:
Any thoughts on this one: http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/mazd... - sounds like it's been fairly revamped (new engine, timing belt, brakes, brake pipes and pads, tires, hood...) which is good)
I may be out of touch, but wow that looks cheap.The main thing to buy on is condition - you need to go and see a few. There will be some absolute shockers out there, but eventually you'll find a mint one, you just need to invest the time.
Along with all the usual mechanical stuff the main thing you need to look out for is RUST mainly to the sills, arches and bootlid. These things rot from the inside out, and if there is bubbling to the arches or sill then it's likely to be far worse once you start digging deeper.
JQ said:
I may be out of touch, but wow that looks cheap.
The main thing to buy on is condition - you need to go and see a few. There will be some absolute shockers out there, but eventually you'll find a mint one, you just need to invest the time.
Along with all the usual mechanical stuff the main thing you need to look out for is RUST mainly to the sills, arches and bootlid. These things rot from the inside out, and if there is bubbling to the arches or sill then it's likely to be far worse once you start digging deeper.
That was my thought too. Just had an email response from the owner, sounds like a good guy (might be a member here.. who knows). Sounds like it's been well looked after and has the normal signs of wear-and-tear. The main thing to buy on is condition - you need to go and see a few. There will be some absolute shockers out there, but eventually you'll find a mint one, you just need to invest the time.
Along with all the usual mechanical stuff the main thing you need to look out for is RUST mainly to the sills, arches and bootlid. These things rot from the inside out, and if there is bubbling to the arches or sill then it's likely to be far worse once you start digging deeper.
He says the engine was replaced with a low mileage one because of a broken connecting rod which cracked the cyclinder(!). He had the wheel arches repaired 2 years ago following rust, same with the bootlid which had some rust.
the engine was replaced by the previous owner with a low mileage engine as it had a broken conrod that cracked the cylinder. The wheel arches were rusting but I had these repaired at a local garage just under 2 years ago and they are still in good condition today(I'll include a picture of them all).
Also: "The interior is in good condition except for 2 burn/melt marks on the passenger seat(see attached pictures). This was like that when I got the car 4 years ago and I had planned to get it sorted but never did. If my memory serves me rightly the previous owner said it was vandalism when he left the car parked with the hood down.
All in all its a pretty solid car that passed its MOT on Monday with no advisories. Mot'd until 21st April 2012."
What do you reckon? I've got the pic of the seat - would probably want to replace it tbh, cos it's quite a big gash.
That said, a little bit of rust won't do the car in, and if you're looking for a cheaper model it's something you've got to live with. I recall someone saying that part of the appeal of an MX5 is that they're so cheap they're almost throwaway. Buy one for next to nothing, run it for a couple of years until and scrap it if you're so inclined. I do keep on top of maintaining mine, but you can see where an MX5 would be great as a throwaway car.
bobcheeseman said:
That was my thought too. Just had an email response from the owner, sounds like a good guy (might be a member here.. who knows). Sounds like it's been well looked after and has the normal signs of wear-and-tear.
He says the engine was replaced with a low mileage one because of a broken connecting rod which cracked the cyclinder(!). He had the wheel arches repaired 2 years ago following rust, same with the bootlid which had some rust.
the engine was replaced by the previous owner with a low mileage engine as it had a broken conrod that cracked the cylinder. The wheel arches were rusting but I had these repaired at a local garage just under 2 years ago and they are still in good condition today(I'll include a picture of them all).
Also: "The interior is in good condition except for 2 burn/melt marks on the passenger seat(see attached pictures). This was like that when I got the car 4 years ago and I had planned to get it sorted but never did. If my memory serves me rightly the previous owner said it was vandalism when he left the car parked with the hood down.
All in all its a pretty solid car that passed its MOT on Monday with no advisories. Mot'd until 21st April 2012."
What do you reckon? I've got the pic of the seat - would probably want to replace it tbh, cos it's quite a big gash.
Bob, sounds like it's possibly worth a look.He says the engine was replaced with a low mileage one because of a broken connecting rod which cracked the cyclinder(!). He had the wheel arches repaired 2 years ago following rust, same with the bootlid which had some rust.
the engine was replaced by the previous owner with a low mileage engine as it had a broken conrod that cracked the cylinder. The wheel arches were rusting but I had these repaired at a local garage just under 2 years ago and they are still in good condition today(I'll include a picture of them all).
Also: "The interior is in good condition except for 2 burn/melt marks on the passenger seat(see attached pictures). This was like that when I got the car 4 years ago and I had planned to get it sorted but never did. If my memory serves me rightly the previous owner said it was vandalism when he left the car parked with the hood down.
All in all its a pretty solid car that passed its MOT on Monday with no advisories. Mot'd until 21st April 2012."
What do you reckon? I've got the pic of the seat - would probably want to replace it tbh, cos it's quite a big gash.
I guess it depends on what you're looking for really. Do you want one that's mint or do you just want a cheap, half decent car that you're not gonna be too precious about?
Don't buy the first one you see because there's a BIG difference from one to another, in terms of condition and how they drive. MX5's are plentiful, so in my opinion you can afford to be choosy.
bobcheeseman said:
Riknos - would love to drive them back to back, but how?!
Ok, maybe not literally back to back, but find several dealers / private sellers not too far from yourself and get them all test driven in the same day.. I almost bought an NB until I test drove an NA, purely because it was down the road with me, and then I stopped looking at NB's altogether as the difference was pretty big. I think I test drove 6 in total before buying, as there is so much difference between a shoddy one and a decent one, not just the price, that you've gotta be pretty fussy as there's plenty out there.Riknos said:
Ok, maybe not literally back to back, but find several dealers / private sellers not too far from yourself and get them all test driven in the same day.. I almost bought an NB until I test drove an NA, purely because it was down the road with me, and then I stopped looking at NB's altogether as the difference was pretty big.
Must have been driving some cars at the different end of the spectrum as the biggest difference I've found between the NB and the NA is the looks!* 
- when driving excellent examples of either
Baryonyx said:
Riknos said:
Ok, maybe not literally back to back, but find several dealers / private sellers not too far from yourself and get them all test driven in the same day.. I almost bought an NB until I test drove an NA, purely because it was down the road with me, and then I stopped looking at NB's altogether as the difference was pretty big.
Must have been driving some cars at the different end of the spectrum as the biggest difference I've found between the NB and the NA is the looks!* - when driving excellent examples of either
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