Mx5?

[Wattsym12]

I'm looking at buying an mx5 for track days mk2 probably, seen a lot of stuff about them rusting just wondering if this is true

[Typhoons]

Yes they do rust, a little more so than Jap cars from the 90s because its a convertible and the there is an internal drain for the roof that can get blocked and water can overflow into the sills. There are drain holes in the sills to cover this eventuality but they can get blocked too. The other point specific to MK2 is the front chassis rails ( which are double skinned and hence trap water in the MK2) which are hard to spot without removing the under tray first.
Anyway if you a going for a track car, best get a MK1instead - much less rust, lighter, more fun to drive, the MX5 race series all use Mk1 or Mk3's. They are less refined as a daily driver than a MK2 but that's no issue if its a track car.

[Wattsym12]

Thank you for your post we have between 2000-2500 to spend would you say get a good one fir 2500 or buy maybe a 1500 one and uprate brakes and tyres ?

[Wattsym12]

Thank you for your post we have between 2000-2500 to spend would you say get a good one fir 2500 or buy maybe a 1500 one and uprate brakes and tyres ?

[Munter]

Buy one with work done.

At that price some forced induction might already be fitted... e.g.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

Throw away the st lights and fit some nice looking ones. And a proper roll bar/cage preferably.

[Typhoons]

Get a good one for £1000, strip it out and get back £2-300 selling off the part you dont need. Thats what I did with mine....






Brakes are fine if its a 1.8, just get some decent pads that will stand up to track work. If its a 1.6 like mine you can fit 1.8 discs and pads by getting a used set of carriers for around £50. Spend the remainder on tires, suspension and Geo and driver training.

Edited by Typhoons on Monday 7th October 11:00

[Wattsym12]

And the higher mileage isn't a problem ? I've seen these are reliable cars but I saw that one was on 130000 miles with a supercharger is it still as reliable we're planning on driving to and from track aswell

[Wattsym12]

Also any good websites I'm looking on piston heads eBay and auto trader just wondering if any others ?

[Typhoons]

I would get a regular normally aspirated car if you are starting out, and use the rest of you budget on the things I mentioned and you will be faster around a track and more importantly having more fun than if you blew your budget on that car. But yes engines are very reliable.

Edited by Typhoons on Monday 7th October 12:14

[Typhoons]

Keep an eye on the Forums, MX5Nutz especially, and you are more like to get a good one without wasted journeys looking at rust buckets.

[Wattsym12]

Cheers for all the advice