What should I buy?
Author
Discussion

BrettMRC

Original Poster:

5,526 posts

183 months

Tuesday 16th April 2013
quotequote all
I have a budget of around £1500 to spend on a car, looks like I can get any number of Mk1 or Mk2 cars for that sort of cash. I've driven a Mk2 California, and was quite impressed, is the 1.8 noticeably quicker?

IIRC the 1.8's have better brakes?

Opinions please smile

Lazygraduate

1,790 posts

184 months

Tuesday 16th April 2013
quotequote all
Probably best for that budget to concentrate on finding one that is in as good condition as possible underneath, and not really worrying about what's under the bonnet

Both cars are quite adequate in a straight line, 1.8 is of course quicker but not by a massive margin. Plus, speed isn't really what they're about as you'll see when you test one with the roof down! Good luck.

Vince70

1,944 posts

217 months

Tuesday 16th April 2013
quotequote all
Porsche 924, the MX5 is so yesterday

BrettMRC

Original Poster:

5,526 posts

183 months

Tuesday 16th April 2013
quotequote all
Been there and done that with the 924 wink

Condition is my prime concern, but was curious to see if there was much real world difference between the running gear on the different engine sizes.

skinny

5,269 posts

258 months

Tuesday 16th April 2013
quotequote all
i'm pretty sure on the mk2, the 1.6 and 1.8 have the same brakes etc. it's only different on the mk1

NiceCupOfTea

25,536 posts

274 months

Tuesday 16th April 2013
quotequote all
1.6 is happier to rev, 1.8 a bit quicker. On mk.1s they have stronger driveshafts so if you are planning to modify it might be a consideration.

Mk.1 is raw, mk.2 maybe better suited to a daily. Imports have better spec levels but may be more expensive to insure.

Buy on condition first, mk.2s even worse for rust than mk.1s unfortunately.

BrettMRC

Original Poster:

5,526 posts

183 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
quotequote all
All worth knowing, thank you.

Are the rear callipers the same crap design as the Rx7s? (Ie seize as soon as you turn your back)

NiceCupOfTea

25,536 posts

274 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
quotequote all
They do seize, yes.

MX-5 Lazza

7,954 posts

242 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
quotequote all
There are a number of common problems with them (seizing brakes is one of them) but they are simple cars to work on so if you do your own maintenance then it's not really a problem.
As has already been said, buy on condition. Bodywork is more important than mechanical condition. It's cheaper to swap an engine than it is to have the sills welded.

BrettMRC

Original Poster:

5,526 posts

183 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
quotequote all
I'm a dozy git - just spotted the guide in the stickies!

mazdajason

1,113 posts

195 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
quotequote all
BrettMRC said:
I'm a dozy git - just spotted the guide in the stickies!
Aye you are a dozy git. You needing one of these so you can drop a Rotory in it?

BrettMRC

Original Poster:

5,526 posts

183 months

Wednesday 17th April 2013
quotequote all
Lol! I may have some previous for that wink

Mainly it's to replace my LS400 as a daily - fancy a complete change and this seems like a good opposite @_