Advice on the MX-5

[CaptainSlow]

Specifically, as a jap import will this have the lower power engine and are those bonnet vents standard?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1524925.htm

[MX-5 Lazza]

The low power cars were Euro market only. It's probably a 1.8 anyway.
It looks like a very nice car in very good clean condition. The bonnet vents are not standard and are horrible imo. It wouldn't put me off buying it (though I would be on the lookout for a replacement bonnet).

[Howard-]

I'd be looking out for replacement wheels, too. It looks ridiculous.

[Dan_1981]

At least its in the best colour

[Risotto]

No, as above, the low powered variants were never sold in Japan. It's registered as a 1.8, been in the UK since mid-'98.

Don't worry about the bonnet - if the vents are a really half-arsed job, there probably won't even be any holes cut in the bonnet. Just pull them off and pop them in the bin (along with those dreadful wing mirrors!)

The wheels look like the ones on my old Elise, so could actually net you a reasonable amount on eBay if they really are Elise wheels. The description says they're 16" which, if true, means it's got four Elise front wheels fitted (Elise rears in that design are 17" and much wider than the fronts too). Even so, you could still sell them - I'm sure there must be a couple of people looking for a pair of front wheels.

Or you could keep them on the 5 - they're actually reasonably light wheels - see the Rimstock 8 spokes here for more info. My only concern would be that they're perhaps a little narrow to be used as rears.

Edited by Risotto on Friday 26th February 10:50

[Evangelion]

I don't think the vents look that bad, at least the colour matches the car so they're not too obtrusive.

Agree about the wheels, they don't suit it at all. If you buy the car, sell the wheels complete with tyres then you can have a complete free choice as to what wheel and tyre sizes you choose to replace them (and looking at what tyre places charge to transfer tyres from one wheel to another, it's not worth doing unless the tyres are nearly new).

I'd go for a set of Rota RB's and Toyos. Sit down before you ask the price though.

[CaptainSlow]

thoughts on this one?....

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1561998.htm

[MonkeyBusiness]

CaptainSlow said:

thoughts on this one?....

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1561998.htm

Very nice.

[Chris71]

Personally I'd go for an imported 1.8 - it's not just the engine you get other toys too; air con is standard, a Torsen LSD is (I think) standard and uprated suspension, additional chassis bracing, lighter flywheels and nicer interiors were all relatively common additions in the domestic market.

[CaptainSlow]

ohwell it's sold anyway.

This caught the eye...looks little high on the suspension?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

[Dan_1981]

I think thats a standard ride height on (later) domestic ones.

[Gizmo!]

Dan_1981 said:

I think thats a standard ride height on (later) domestic ones.

Yep. Mine's a P reg and rides similarly "comfortably".

[CaptainSlow]

ok great, any comments on the car?

[Evangelion]

Bit 4x4-ish that - and I thought mine was high!

Apart from that though it looks a nice car and the seller seems genuine, I notice he's even included his phone number. Wonder what the reserve price is?

[CaptainSlow]

yeah looks ok, am struggling to get this on a second/car limited mileage policy though as it is too new.

[CaptainSlow]

Well with the sun out I'm looking again

Seen this, thoughts?


http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/MAZD...

Edited by CaptainSlow on Sunday 18th April 20:53

[Howard-]

Looks tidy enough from the pics, but it'd need to be for that price I reckon. Also, I doubt it actually has ABS and electric mirrors. Other than that, looks good

Edited by Howard- on Sunday 18th April 22:05

[bluetone]

CaptainSlow said:

Well with the sun out I'm looking again

Seen this, thoughts?


http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/MAZD...

Thoughts; nasty interior and no mention of mileage = must be of lunar proportions..

[CaptainSlow]

Not sure what is wrong with the interior but I had also suspected the mileage but am told its 112k over the phone.

Also seen this one..

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/uvl/popup.jsp?cur...

[bluetone]

CaptainSlow said:

Not sure what is wrong with the interior but I had also suspected the mileage but am told its 112k over the phone.

Also seen this one..

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/uvl/popup.jsp?cur...

The grey seat material doesn't do it for me, the drivers seat looks stained and the steering wheel is horrible.

IMHO!

The white one looks nice though