Find me a 5

[dazco]

I am in the north west for a couple of days (Preston) having driven my Vito down to sell it. The missus and I have decided we do not want to get the train back and want an MX5 to drive back which she will then learn to drive in.
I don't really know what I am looking for, but the more power the better, and do not have the time down here to research what's what.

Help me find a good 'un between £1 to 2K

A bit more if it's a bargain.

[MX-5 Lazza]

In that price range, just go for the best condition car you can find and don't worry about power at all. Avoid the 95-98 UK 1.6 as that is a low power version but otherwise condition, particularly sills and rear arches is the most important thing. There is very little performance difference between 1.6 and 1.8.

You might get a Mk2 in that price range too - I'd only be looking at a 1.8 Mk2 though the 1.6 is fairly decent. The same thing applies though - condition is the most important thing.

[dazco]

MX-5 Lazza said:

In that price range, just go for the best condition car you can find and don't worry about power at all. Avoid the 95-98 UK 1.6 as that is a low power version but otherwise condition, particularly sills and rear arches is the most important thing. There is very little performance difference between 1.6 and 1.8.

You might get a Mk2 in that price range too - I'd only be looking at a 1.8 Mk2 though the 1.6 is fairly decent. The same thing applies though - condition is the most important thing.

Cheers for that. What is the difference between MkI and MkII? And are imports to be avoided?

[Typhoons]

Mk1 had pop up lights and Mk2 had fixed lights with a more modern dashboard. Imports should be sought out, they come with more toys as standard ( things like a/c weren't even options on UK cars) and less rust having spent less winters on salted roads.

[MX-5 Lazza]

AC was a UK option but at £1500 was very rarely fitted.
Many imports have been here 15 years or more so might be no better than a UK car. Again, just buy on condition. Don't particularly seek out JDM or ignore UK.

[dazco]

I got myself one, a mkII 1.8 sport.

In red, not my favourite colour but the condition is good.

[MX-5 Lazza]

dazco said:

I got myself one, a mkII 1.8 sport.

In red, not my favourite colour but the condition is good.

Is that a Mk2 1.8 Sport or a Mk2.5 1.8 Sport? There is a difference. What year is is?
Pictures?

[dazco]

MX-5 Lazza said:

Is that a Mk2 1.8 Sport or a Mk2.5 1.8 Sport? There is a difference. What year is is?
Pictures?

No idea my friend.

The year is 1998 and there are loads of pics on ebay if you put in item number 130781804369

I have driven her up to Glasgow today, I hit the twisties tomorrow, but tell me are the brakes normally quite hard to press? The car can stop in a hurry but it seems to take a lot of muscle to do it.

[gd49]

dazco said:

No idea my friend.

The year is 1998 and there are loads of pics on ebay if you put in item number 130781804369

I have driven her up to Glasgow today, I hit the twisties tomorrow, but tell me are the brakes normally quite hard to press? The car can stop in a hurry but it seems to take a lot of muscle to do it.

That's a Mk2 you've got, from the description and the pictures I think its not a Sport but the 1.8S which was the standard model rather than one of the special editions. Should still be a great car! Looks quite rust free from the pictures, though they've avoided photographing the critical areas.

I've got a Mk2.5, but I don't find the brakes in mine hard to press - difficult to be sure as I haven't driven anything else for a while. Certainly the brakes take more force than my previous car, a Megane, but if your having to put a lot of effort into the brake pedal I don't think that's normal.

[snotrag]

If someone used to driving most normal modern cars jumps into an mx5,there's a good chance they will find the brakes need some much harder shove than their used to.

[dazco]

gd49 said:

I think its not a Sport but the 1.8S which was the standard model .

Bugger!! So were they all called 'S'?

[snotrag]

dazco said:

gd49 said:

I think its not a Sport but the 1.8S which was the standard model .

Bugger!! So were they all called 'S'?

Not quite. There was a base model, then the 'iS' (which is yours, exact dead ringer for mine) is the next one up.

3 Spoke Nardi Steering wheel, Electric windows, Electric Mirrors, 15" wheels, maybe some other bits and bobs over a standard one. Bizarrely I just ofund my old one for sale on ebay!

[snotrag]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

But he has Red.

We all know Red is the fastest colour. Job Jobbed.

Mine was red.

It is, in fact, so undisputably the best colour, I painted my garage door to match.

Yes, thats a Mazda SU red Garage door. :geek:


House and Garden - June 2012 by simonholehan, on Flickr

[MX-5 Lazza]

There was also a Mk2 1.8 Sport but that was a special edition with leather seats, fog lights, boot spoiler etc.

[dazco]

I think the car needs some new front tyres, any recommendations and who has the best price?

[MX-5 Lazza]

What's on there are the moment (all 4) and what condition are the rears in?

[dazco]

MX-5 Lazza said:

What's on there are the moment (all 4) and what condition are the rears in?

Just got back, I shall have a look tomorrow.

The fronts are yokohamas and the rears have loads of treads.

These seem quite a bargain, am I missing something?

http://www.camskill.co.uk/m53b0s99p1667/Toyo_Tyres...

[supraboy]

Just got 4 of them for my mk1, feel a bit understeery but is probably due to set up. Other then that very happy with them!

[cyprinis]

Yours is a 1.8is, same model as mine. LSD as standard. I'm on my second, a red one also!

[Evangelion]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

... We all know Red is the fastest colour ...

Well it fades the fastest anyway.