HELP & ADVICE - 2003 MAZDA MX-5 1.8i Nevada

[Genty]

Fellow piston heads,

I need a little bit of help - I have decided to take the plunge and get an MX-5 MK2.5 in preparation for the lovely british summer we are going to have (apologies, I may have jinxed us now).
I am after something around about 2002/2003/2004 and my budget is 3.5k as a max. I am open to any colours apart from silver and red (owned too many silver cars and I don't like red).

I have found the following car: http://users.autoexposure.co.uk/vehicle.cfm?Accoun...

I have spoken to the garage and it has 60k on the clock. Few questions:

a) Does it seem like an OK price? (presume I will get at least a few hundred off it)
b) Are they the right alloys for the car? They seem different to most other mx-5's
c) The seats look a strange colour - are those standard?
d) Does the stereo come with a cd player? If not, are they easier enough to change?
e) and finally, i promise, are there any other things I should look out for when buying? Common faults etc?

Thanks in advance guys!

[Planet Claire]

Yes, seems a standard Nevada - see details here http://www.mx5-3rdgenerationlimited.com/nevada.htm

Stereos are easy enough to change. Look for rust on the sills and rear wheel arches.

Price is about right I'd say, perhaps top end.

[Genty]

Thanks for yor advice. Do they normally come with leather seats or fabric?

Also, if I have to sell around late august time, do you think I will lose much money on it?

[LukeBird]

Leather seats were optional on that model, if it had leather they're grey coloured as well (and heated).
I doubt you'd lose much money if you did sell again, but you'd probably do better to buy something less 'toppy' price wise if you want to sell again soon.

[Genty]

Cheers lukw. I have only driven the 2.0 litre mk3 version. How would you say this woÙld compare?

[LukeBird]

Genty said:

Cheers lukw. I have only driven the 2.0 litre mk3 version. How would you say this woÙld compare?

Pretty similar really, I find my dad's Mk3.5 2.0 a bit punchier at high speed, but broadly speaking there isn't much between them.

[Aizle]

OP YHM

[GC8]

Having seen a 2005 recently with sill corrosion bad enough to fail its MOT, Id suggest looking with great care at the rear of the sills.

Really, the only way to look at NB/NB2s is to assume that they have sill corrosion, which they all do - the only question is to what degree?

[gd49]

I've got the same model, except with heated leathers. Bit depressing how far the value has fallen since when I bought mine, guess that's how the car market is!

Only thing I'd add is to check the service history to see if its had its cambelt changed. It should have been done on age though not on mileage I think, if it hasn't been done it should be done at the next service.

[MX-5 Lazza]

GC8 said:

Really, the only way to look at NB/NB2s is to assume that they have sill corrosion, which they all do - the only question is to what degree?

That's like saying all NA will have a blocked and/or cracked radiator as most seem to suffer from that sooner or later so it's just a matter of how bad it is now and how soon it will overheat or crack and dump coolant everywhere.
Mine (2001 Mk2.5) is completely solid without a spot of rust to be found anywhere. There are plenty of gems out there if you bother to look for them.