Ok so MX-5s, PH starting to convince me.
Discussion
Ok so after all the praise heaped upon the mx-5 on here it's starting to rub off on me. I'm going to test drive a few this weekend, I can't afford 2 cars so it would have to be a daily driver. Probably 3k to play with, is it suitable as a daily driver 17miles each way?Mainly meandering A roads so would get some fun out of it handling wise.
For 3k what should I be looking for? Any advice welcome, also what's a soft top like to live with in winter?
For 3k what should I be looking for? Any advice welcome, also what's a soft top like to live with in winter?
Edited by Somnophore on Tuesday 13th April 22:03
Depends on the route but yes it's very easy to live with even in town.
Soft top is no bother even in winter. Personally I would just wear a hat and leave the hood down unless it was raining.
You won't get a better all rounder for 3K.
But you know all this. Why are you still asking and not driving one you big Jessie?
You want an immaculate 1.8 mk1. Early 1.6 mk1s are also worth a punt but only for half your budget. A ropey 1.8 mk2 is still worth a go as they're solid engines even if abused. Only point I would mention is make sure the hood is in good nick, the shutlines are good, a HPI check is a must as a lot of them get binned come winter.
Soft top is no bother even in winter. Personally I would just wear a hat and leave the hood down unless it was raining.
You won't get a better all rounder for 3K.
But you know all this. Why are you still asking and not driving one you big Jessie?
You want an immaculate 1.8 mk1. Early 1.6 mk1s are also worth a punt but only for half your budget. A ropey 1.8 mk2 is still worth a go as they're solid engines even if abused. Only point I would mention is make sure the hood is in good nick, the shutlines are good, a HPI check is a must as a lot of them get binned come winter.
Edited by G_T on Tuesday 13th April 22:07
As with any car - buy the one you feel happiest with and is the best possible you can get for your money.
(I should also say don't buy the first one you test drive but as myself and my other half didn't listen to each other and have done that with the current cars, you do what you want...)
I was an MX5 sceptic until I sold my Celica in order to buy one - test drove several - and ended up with an Alfa :S
If you can get a Mk2 1.8 iS do so, but the cheapest I could find in good nick was £4.5k - which was an utter bargain and with 1 lady owner on reflection I should have bought it - it was the first I test drove......
(I should also say don't buy the first one you test drive but as myself and my other half didn't listen to each other and have done that with the current cars, you do what you want...)
I was an MX5 sceptic until I sold my Celica in order to buy one - test drove several - and ended up with an Alfa :S
If you can get a Mk2 1.8 iS do so, but the cheapest I could find in good nick was £4.5k - which was an utter bargain and with 1 lady owner on reflection I should have bought it - it was the first I test drove......
So what are the difference MK1/2 when did they change? What are the BHP outputs of Mk1/2 engines?
I am just having my petrolhead soul sucked out by driving the mk4 golf ever day, it's so wallowy and crap and handling, and the only fun I get is the occasional overtake which is just using lots of fuel and not being much fun.
I am actually surprised I don't see more mx-5s being driven hard considering a lot of PH'ers have them
I am just having my petrolhead soul sucked out by driving the mk4 golf ever day, it's so wallowy and crap and handling, and the only fun I get is the occasional overtake which is just using lots of fuel and not being much fun.
I am actually surprised I don't see more mx-5s being driven hard considering a lot of PH'ers have them
I lived with one as a daily car for years. Used to commute far further than 17 miles.
You'll get about 30 mpg. Not great for a modern 1.8. But it's not a modern 1.8.
£3k should see you in a nice late MK1.
Check for rusty sills and arches on older cars. See if you can find out if the clutch slave cylinder has been replaced, and new/recon rear calipers which can bind.
They are one of the most reliable cars on the road so really you are just looking for standard "car" issues.
Also my preference would be an import over a UK car. On average they are in better condition and have more nice stuff.
Check out the MX5 area on here
You'll get about 30 mpg. Not great for a modern 1.8. But it's not a modern 1.8.
£3k should see you in a nice late MK1.
Check for rusty sills and arches on older cars. See if you can find out if the clutch slave cylinder has been replaced, and new/recon rear calipers which can bind.
They are one of the most reliable cars on the road so really you are just looking for standard "car" issues.
Also my preference would be an import over a UK car. On average they are in better condition and have more nice stuff.
Check out the MX5 area on here
Edited by Munter on Tuesday 13th April 22:13
Well, I can comment on living with a soft-top throughout winter. This is the first time I've ever owned one and of course we've just had the worst winter for years.
The Boxster was completely snowed under (frequently) and I did worry a bit about the roof especially (no hardtop). I needn't have bothered though, it just shrugged it off and soldiered on. I can't detect any ill-effects at all.
I've had a car-port built for it now, just after the last of the worst of it (typical timing), but basically, modern convertibles can handle anything the British weather can throw at them.
I've been genuinely impressed!
The Boxster was completely snowed under (frequently) and I did worry a bit about the roof especially (no hardtop). I needn't have bothered though, it just shrugged it off and soldiered on. I can't detect any ill-effects at all.
I've had a car-port built for it now, just after the last of the worst of it (typical timing), but basically, modern convertibles can handle anything the British weather can throw at them.
I've been genuinely impressed!
I have a late mk1 1.8 with a mohair hood and heated glass rear screen. It's warm, quiet and watertight with the roof up but the lack of PAS in mine is a pain. It's great fun to drive, reliable, fairly comfy etc and I'd definitely recommend one to anyone.
One note of caution though, I've put 15" alloys with 195/50 15 Kumho KU31 tyres on mine and I think they've spoiled it slightly - too much grip in the dry so even pulling out of a junction it's hard to unstick the rear end. I might even go back to stock 14" wheels with some more basic tyres soon to see what kind of difference it makes. Otherwise it's great though
One note of caution though, I've put 15" alloys with 195/50 15 Kumho KU31 tyres on mine and I think they've spoiled it slightly - too much grip in the dry so even pulling out of a junction it's hard to unstick the rear end. I might even go back to stock 14" wheels with some more basic tyres soon to see what kind of difference it makes. Otherwise it's great though
Somnophore said:
How easy are they to drive, I've only ever driver FWD cars so will I find it a big change, am I likely to bin it off on a roundabout?
Only if you're being particularly daft.It is a 1.8 after all. It's the speed you can go around the roundabout that matters!
Edited by killsta on Tuesday 13th April 22:31
Somnophore said:
How easy are they to drive, I've only ever driver FWD cars so will I find it a big change, am I likely to bin it off on a roundabout?
It's hardly a TVR Cerbera so you'll be fine, just drive sensibly and learn how the car behaves when you slightly overstep the limit in the wet and you'll be fine. I bet most MX5 owners don't even know it's RWD!
SmoothRB said:
The MX5 is still ghey despie the enthusiasm of a small (and very vocal) pro-MX5 cadre on Pistoheads. 
It's opinions like that, that keep them in bargain territory - hence my Dad picking up a tidy P plate 1.8 up for a smidge under £2k the other day Edited by useyourdellusion on Tuesday 13th April 22:54
I was convinced by all the hype that I would love an MX5 until I test drove a mk2 6 speed, it was slow, dull and the engine was so rough that it vibrated through the steering wheel, I was very disappointed and so was the wife.
My old Fiat barchetta was far more fun with a vastly superior engine.
My old Fiat barchetta was far more fun with a vastly superior engine.
Edited by Pooh on Tuesday 13th April 22:55
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