Q for MX5 expert
Discussion
I drove a friend's MX5 recently and loved it.
Its for sale and I'm interested in buying it, but trying to compare it to others to determine a fair price.
Its a Mk2 (V-reg) and a 1.8, but I don't know exactly which model it is and there are a couple of minor differences between it and most that I have seen for sale:
- it has Aircon
- it has a Nardi wooden wheel and wooden gearknob
- leather seats were not heated - I see some are
- it has a 7500rpm redline - most others have 7000rpm redline
- the owner says it has a LSD
I wondered if its an import, but it has normal-sized UK plates front and rear.
In particular, the engine is wonderful; tractable low down and very revvy. I believe its standard - no turbo or supercharger. Did they sell two engines with different rev-limits? Anything I need to be aware of in terms of maintenance?
Thanks in advance for thoughts/advice.
Its for sale and I'm interested in buying it, but trying to compare it to others to determine a fair price.
Its a Mk2 (V-reg) and a 1.8, but I don't know exactly which model it is and there are a couple of minor differences between it and most that I have seen for sale:
- it has Aircon
- it has a Nardi wooden wheel and wooden gearknob
- leather seats were not heated - I see some are
- it has a 7500rpm redline - most others have 7000rpm redline
- the owner says it has a LSD
I wondered if its an import, but it has normal-sized UK plates front and rear.
In particular, the engine is wonderful; tractable low down and very revvy. I believe its standard - no turbo or supercharger. Did they sell two engines with different rev-limits? Anything I need to be aware of in terms of maintenance?
Thanks in advance for thoughts/advice.
It sounds like it could be a VS-Limited. Does it have tan leather? There will be a sticker inside the drivers door that says what it is.
If it has aircon and LSD then it probably is a JDM import. Is the odometer in kilometers?
The rev counter might have the red at 7500 but it will probably have it's limiter at 7250 - same as all 1.8 MX5s.
The number plate recess on the back is the same on UK & JDM cars on Mk2 onwards. It would have had UK plates fitted on import.
I can't help much with the price though the most important thing isn't how it runs, it's rust, particularly in the rear of the sills and rear arches.
If it has aircon and LSD then it probably is a JDM import. Is the odometer in kilometers?
The rev counter might have the red at 7500 but it will probably have it's limiter at 7250 - same as all 1.8 MX5s.
The number plate recess on the back is the same on UK & JDM cars on Mk2 onwards. It would have had UK plates fitted on import.
I can't help much with the price though the most important thing isn't how it runs, it's rust, particularly in the rear of the sills and rear arches.
Sounds like it could be a nice one. I too found my Mk2 engine a chunk niocer than the Mk1 1.8 - the VICs has a small but noticeable effect, and it felt more refined.
However - and I cant highlight this enough - check for rust.
The sills, and rear arches, obviously - but these ARE fixable. on a Mk2 the scary bit is the front chassis legs - particularly around the mounting points of the front subframe and the ARB mounting brackets.
Seriously, loads of Mk2s have a serious problem here and the owners often dont even know about it.
However - and I cant highlight this enough - check for rust.
The sills, and rear arches, obviously - but these ARE fixable. on a Mk2 the scary bit is the front chassis legs - particularly around the mounting points of the front subframe and the ARB mounting brackets.
Seriously, loads of Mk2s have a serious problem here and the owners often dont even know about it.
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