So I'm on the hunt for an MX5

[militantmandy]

Went to look at one today. Very cheap. I wonder why?

Car itself was ok, but seller was....a bit dodge. No tax although still in use. Probably one to avoid!

If anyone knows of a car for sale please let me know.

Prefer 1.8 but not a deal breaker
Age not an issue
Colour not an issue
Must be manual
A bit tatty is fine within reason
Import/uk not an issue
1500 limit
some tax/test would be nice

Tried the usual spots:

autotrader
PH
Goodwood Sports Cars (nice but pricey)
Ebay
Scottish MX5 forum.

If anyone knows of anywhere else to look that I've missed....

Thanks!

[IanOE]

There are usually quite a few for sale on the mx5nutz web site.

Good luck finding the right car.

[militantmandy]

IanOE said:

There are usually quite a few for sale on the mx5nutz web site.

Good luck finding the right car.

Will check it out. Thanks!

[TheJimi]

'Mandy - you have email.

However, it wasn't until I read your OP again that I realised it's not any use to you

[SCIMMY]

Hi mandy
just sent an email

[anonymous-user]

Where in the UK are you?

[militantmandy]

Nyph, thanks for your help but subject to cash handover I've got myself a car. PH strikes again!

Thanks for all the help guys!

[TheJimi]

Nice one mandy, did you find a good 'un?

[militantmandy]

TheJimi said:

Nice one mandy, did you find a good 'un?

I think so! Seller seems an honest chap. Will deliver a full report on Sunday after I pick it up. Seriously looking forward to it!

[militantmandy]

Well, picked the car up last night. VERY pleased indeed. The car looked better the second time I saw it than it did in my brain. Needs a good polish though.

First impressions..it's low, stiff, raw, loud and absolutely brilliant! Extreme caution is required over speed bumps. Had my first oversteer experience within about 2 hours of picking it up. I think we're going to get along well. I'll get some pictures up in a day or two.

Question for you MX5 veterans. The car is red and has faded somewhat, especially on the front bumper. Any suggestions about what polish/technique to bring it back. Bear in mind that I have never polished a car in my life!

A big thanks to PH and in particular the owner of the car. I hope you don't miss it too much!

[dome]

militantmandy said:

A big thanks to PH and in particular the owner of the car. I hope you don't miss it too much!

That would be me! Glad you're happy. The wee car looked lovely as you drove away, I know it's going to a good home. Would have liked to enjoy it for a bit longer but iI'll have a new toy to play with soon anyway.

Brian

[militantmandy]

Well, did about 100 miles in it today. It's amazing! Hilariously good fun and such an antidote to the boring, isolated stuff I drive at work all the time. Exactly what I was after. There's a few noises to trace and a slight bob in brake pedal which could be a slightly warped disc or something. Nothing too major and I have a tame mechanic to take it to.

Thanks Brian! Good luck with the Jag!



Does anyone have any advice on how to restore the paintwork a bit? As you can see it's faded somewhat. I am a polishing noob.....

[RT Phil]

The front bumper looks to be a different colour, I still use T-cut and good old elbow grease,

[militantmandy]

I think it looks different because it's plastic rather than metal and the paint in that area is much less reflective making it appear darker.

[RT Phil]

Nope, mine is the same colour red and the bumper matches the rest of the car

[militantmandy]

RT Phil said:

Nope, mine is the same colour red and the bumper matches the rest of the car

Fair enough. Looks right in the flesh. How many types of red did the make them in?

[RT Phil]

I'm not sure, but yours is the same colour as mine, I think it's called sometimes red

[MX-5 Lazza]

The primer will be different so there will be a slight difference but pictures always make it look a lot worse than it is. Looks like a decent, honest car to me.

[militantmandy]

MX-5 Lazza said:

The primer will be different so there will be a slight difference but pictures always make it look a lot worse than it is. Looks like a decent, honest car to me.

It's not perfect by any stretch but it doesn't owe me much at the moment and I reckon it was good value at the price I paid. It's a lot of fun anyway and it gives me the opportunity to do some tinkering at a fairly low cost.