How much to budget for?
Discussion
I'm looking at selling my partner's Ford Ka (which she's currently learning to drive in) and replacing it with a NA (or NB, if the price is right) MX-5, as it'd be nice for summer and I expect it's still relatively easy to learn to drive in - and perhaps better for her in the long run, being RWD.
How much am I likely to need to budget to get a decent example?
Not too fussed about whether it's an import or not, I've got an import Celica at the moment so I'm used to the pros and cons of owning import models
I really like the pop-up headlights on the Mk1, are there any major differences between the NA and NB other than the lights? Anything to watch out for?
Running costs are presumably low, given the popularity of the car?
How much am I likely to need to budget to get a decent example?
Not too fussed about whether it's an import or not, I've got an import Celica at the moment so I'm used to the pros and cons of owning import models
I really like the pop-up headlights on the Mk1, are there any major differences between the NA and NB other than the lights? Anything to watch out for?
Running costs are presumably low, given the popularity of the car?
Cheap to run.
Broadly speaking £2k will get a nice tidy NA and £3k a nice tidy NB.
NB is a more refined car than the NA, although loses some character IMHO.
NB replaced the hydraulic tappets with ones that need adjusting - so you don't get the HLA rattle that Mk.1s are known for.
Imports will generally be better specced and less rusty, but pricier to insure, and the Bilstein suspension on many imported NAs is too hard for UK roads IMHO. Very few imported NBs around.
Look for rust (esp sills) and excessively rattly tappets (should be quiet after 30 secs). Loads to choose from so be picky
I would have an NB as a daily driver over an NA even though I prefer the NA's looks.
Broadly speaking £2k will get a nice tidy NA and £3k a nice tidy NB.
NB is a more refined car than the NA, although loses some character IMHO.
NB replaced the hydraulic tappets with ones that need adjusting - so you don't get the HLA rattle that Mk.1s are known for.
Imports will generally be better specced and less rusty, but pricier to insure, and the Bilstein suspension on many imported NAs is too hard for UK roads IMHO. Very few imported NBs around.
Look for rust (esp sills) and excessively rattly tappets (should be quiet after 30 secs). Loads to choose from so be picky
I would have an NB as a daily driver over an NA even though I prefer the NA's looks.
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