MX5 - Man Maths
Discussion
The inevitible time has come, that will for any PHer, to look into getting an MX5.
However, I need to wangle a bit of man maths as unfortunately I'm not a powerfully built, goatee sporting, company director who uses £50's to light the hob.
The situation is that we need 2 cars; one for SWMBO to ferry the two mini-me's around and one for me to get back and forth to work.
Currently have a decent, paid for family saloon which is already succesfully fulfilling the role of "family hack". I used this car for the commute as it's the most econimical.
SWMBO then has the same car for her daily, albeit a 1.6 petrol (opposed to 1.9tdi). However, this is a bag of s
t and will not in 1 billion light years pass it's next MOT. So it will be off to be magically transformed into a washing machine.
So, my plan was to cube SWMBO's car once it fails the MOT. Demote the "family hack" to her to use as her daily. Then, amd this is the good part, get an MX5 for my commute and weekend hoons/track days etc. (SWMBO also likes a good hoon so when we haven't got the kids, we can go for a spin
)
I'm only looking at a sheddy £500 jobby, MK1 probably for that price. My main worry is that my commute is about 30 miles (round trip) and in my VAG 1.9tdi, I can average about 40mpg. However, with the price of DERV compared to petrol, I'm thinking the drop in MPG will be flattened out by the cheaper fuel. (This is my man maths at work).
Anyway, can anyone make any other blurb up to justify getting one?
Muchos thanks!
Mike
However, I need to wangle a bit of man maths as unfortunately I'm not a powerfully built, goatee sporting, company director who uses £50's to light the hob.
The situation is that we need 2 cars; one for SWMBO to ferry the two mini-me's around and one for me to get back and forth to work.
Currently have a decent, paid for family saloon which is already succesfully fulfilling the role of "family hack". I used this car for the commute as it's the most econimical.
SWMBO then has the same car for her daily, albeit a 1.6 petrol (opposed to 1.9tdi). However, this is a bag of s
t and will not in 1 billion light years pass it's next MOT. So it will be off to be magically transformed into a washing machine. So, my plan was to cube SWMBO's car once it fails the MOT. Demote the "family hack" to her to use as her daily. Then, amd this is the good part, get an MX5 for my commute and weekend hoons/track days etc. (SWMBO also likes a good hoon so when we haven't got the kids, we can go for a spin
)I'm only looking at a sheddy £500 jobby, MK1 probably for that price. My main worry is that my commute is about 30 miles (round trip) and in my VAG 1.9tdi, I can average about 40mpg. However, with the price of DERV compared to petrol, I'm thinking the drop in MPG will be flattened out by the cheaper fuel. (This is my man maths at work).
Anyway, can anyone make any other blurb up to justify getting one?
Muchos thanks!
Mike
My only advice would be to up the budget if possible or make sure you get one with no rust and one that has lots of receipts. I did pretty much the same as you and went for a very cheap MX5. I don't think it's going to pass it's next MOT without spending some money on it. Probably not much less than the car is worth in all honesty. Not entirely sure what to do with it, bin it or keep it going like it deserves. I did check over it when I was buying it, but obviously not as carefully as I could have.
In regards to running costs, I don't tend to work mine out. But depending on how much you can fool the missus you could explain that you're filling up more as it has a much smaller tank.
In regards to running costs, I don't tend to work mine out. But depending on how much you can fool the missus you could explain that you're filling up more as it has a much smaller tank.
Go for it, we used this logic to change from the wifes X-Type Diesel Estate to a Mini Cooper S, reckoning was the Jag was only getting high 30's (as she does mainly short journeys into town) and the Mini should match that.
In reality the Mini can match that, but driven properly it gets low 30's. Still don't think it costs her out worth shouting about different though in fuel.
Can you really get a MX-5 for £500 that isn't basically scrap?
In reality the Mini can match that, but driven properly it gets low 30's. Still don't think it costs her out worth shouting about different though in fuel.
Can you really get a MX-5 for £500 that isn't basically scrap?
Mikeyplum said:
I'm only looking at a sheddy £500 jobby, MK1 probably for that price. My main worry is that my commute is about 30 miles (round trip) and in my VAG 1.9tdi, I can average about 40mpg. However, with the price of DERV compared to petrol, I'm thinking the drop in MPG will be flattened out by the cheaper fuel. (This is my man maths at work).
Anyway, can anyone make any other blurb up to justify getting one?
Muchos thanks!
Mike
That's not man maths, that's being a lazy fAnyway, can anyone make any other blurb up to justify getting one?
Muchos thanks!
Mike
k and not even using numbers. lol 
That said 30 miles a day isn't much tbh.
Although I would personally budget on 26-28mpg from an MX-5. So it will cost more, although 40mpg from a 1.9Tdi VAG sounds fairly low.
Either way using some rough figures, 40mpg now on diesel is £25/week? 26-28mpg on petrol will be more like £35-38/week.
Edited by 300bhp/ton on Monday 28th January 10:27
500 quid will get you into an absolute shed with rusty sills.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
PM me if interested.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
PM me if interested.
deltashad said:
MX5, rusty heaps? who would have thought, with that Japanese reliability, I thought it was only Mercedes and Lancia that perforated.
I think the difference is that MX5s didn't get a reputation for rust until decades after they were made, rather than within a couple of years.Mine hasn't needed any rust fixing yet, and its 21 years old, gets driven all year and left outside.
300bhp/ton said:
That's not man maths, that's being a lazy fk and not even using numbers. lol
That said 30 miles a day isn't much tbh.
Although I would personally budget on 26-28mpg from an MX-5. So it will cost more, although 40mpg from a 1.9Tdi VAG sounds fairly low.
Either way using some rough figures, 40mpg now on diesel is £25/week? 26-28mpg on petrol will be more like £35-38/week.
Indeed, it is lazy. For precision (per week):k and not even using numbers. lol That said 30 miles a day isn't much tbh.
Although I would personally budget on 26-28mpg from an MX-5. So it will cost more, although 40mpg from a 1.9Tdi VAG sounds fairly low.
Either way using some rough figures, 40mpg now on diesel is £25/week? 26-28mpg on petrol will be more like £35-38/week.
Edited by 300bhp/ton on Monday 28th January 10:27
175 miles/week @ £1.30/l avg 30mpg = £34.47
175 miles/week @ £1.40/l avg 40mpg = £27.84
Difference = £6.63/week
= £344.76/year increase.
However, SWMBO's journeys will also be more economical as her car was only averaging about 20mpg (coz it's f
ked). So, she does about 50 miles per week on average:
50 miles/week @ £1.30/l avg 20mpg = £11.82
50 miles/week @ £1.40/l avg 40mog = £7.16
Difference = -£4.66/week
= -£242.32/ year
Increase of MX5 - decrease of daily hack =
£344.76
-£242.32
$102.44/year overall increase
There :P
It is possible to get an MX 5 for £500 that isn't rusting to pieces, but it will be an Eunos and more expensive to insure. You will have to look hard though and buy it now before the better weather is likely!
As an example, here's mine, a £460 Cat C write off that took an MOT and VIC check to get back on the road.
Good UK model NAs seem to start at about £1200, with the best under £2000. Watch out for cars with excessively lowered suspension as they will ride and handle really badly. Just over £100 spent on a 4 wheel alignment is well worth the money as it will transform the feel of a car. Normal used car advice applies, buy the best you can afford and don't worry about missing one car, there are lots around.
As an example, here's mine, a £460 Cat C write off that took an MOT and VIC check to get back on the road.
Good UK model NAs seem to start at about £1200, with the best under £2000. Watch out for cars with excessively lowered suspension as they will ride and handle really badly. Just over £100 spent on a 4 wheel alignment is well worth the money as it will transform the feel of a car. Normal used car advice applies, buy the best you can afford and don't worry about missing one car, there are lots around.
Looking on eBay there seems to be a lot that go around the £500 mark. Ok, they're a bit tatty, but I'm not expecting much more for the money. Plus, it gives me a little project to work on too.
What should I look out for regarding the roofs? Common splitting points, leakage points etc?
Cheers
Mike
What should I look out for regarding the roofs? Common splitting points, leakage points etc?
Cheers
Mike
The Crack Fox said:
Liokault said:
£500 will be rusty and a pain at MOT time year after year.
Look at lots and get the least rusty one you can find. Mileage and service history are relatively unimportant.
But for £500, who cares ? All cars rust eventually, why spend £3000 or more for essentially the same car ? It won't be any more fun. Look at lots and get the least rusty one you can find. Mileage and service history are relatively unimportant.
Mine is a rust bucket, I just use a backstreet place to weld up the ugly bits at MOT time, dead cheap to do. They are inherently reliable cars, the mechanics and trim are simple and tough and pocket-money cheap to fix if they do go wrong, mine has cost peanuts in the 8 years I've had it. Without counting probably much less than £500 overall and that includes a clutch, brakes and plenty of welding. The last MOT was a straight pass so (crosses fingers) I think all the rusty stuff is now fixed. MX-5 bangernomics, it's the future, trust me.
And - I bloody love it.
Don't buy a rusty one, it will just cost more in £ time and heart ache in the long run.
Saying that, unless you are really carefull, they will all rust in the sills sooner or later.
Captain Muppet said:
Mikeyplum said:
What should I look out for regarding the roofs? Common splitting points, leakage points etc?
Gaffer tape is available in the correct size for all common splitting/leakage points. Locate leaks using rain and apply tape to that area when sunny.
job jobbed!OP, you are in the same position as I was in a mere month ago.
The OH and my 1 year old had just moved out of our pad that was within walking distance of work for me, back in with my parents about 15 miles away so we could save for a deposit. We (I) had an ATR which I had bought to combine the duties of my previous duo of fairly modified (and unreliable) Civic trackday/sprint/autotest car and our shed of a Mondeo TDDI. The thinking on that one was that A: it cost no more to insure, B: It was perfectly sedate for her to drive for work and C: would make touring car noises when I drove it. I really liked it, and was damned if I was going to have to trade it in for two rubbish cars.
So, lets count the problems. Young child, two weeks before christmas, already own a relatively high performance saloon and moving back in with parents to 'save money'. That's a lot of issues to dodge when justifying an MX5.
I had a budget of £1000 (Christmas bonus) to buy and insure a car. While I got the obvious suggestions of utter turds like 106 diesels from my dad, I was finding that my £1000, minus the insurance, left me with about £350 to buy a 'normal' car, which seemed like an awful waste of money for something that would probably make me want to die a little bit every time I looked at, and seriously contemplate crashing it every time I drove it.
No, the balance had to be that the insurance HAD to be less than the car, and it HAD to be interesting. That's where the MX5 comes in, as I checked and found I filled the criteria for a classic policy, i.e. over 25, own and insurance another car for regular use. Quoted £300, leaving me with £700 for the car. Perfect.
"But why are you buying a sportscar?!" was inevitable. Well, let's justify it.
1."I already have a family car, I need it to go to work, on my own". There's already one more seat than is required, why do I need another three?
2. "I haven't wasted £700 on insurance and £300 on a car that will likely suffer some kind of uneconomical-to-repair failure in the next 12 months". Potentially losing £1000 in 12 months doesn't sound wise. Instead, I have wasted £300 on a piece of paper, and have invested £700 in a car that will more than likely still be worth that much in 12 months time. Thus, £700 better off over a year.
2.5. "Buying a convertible in winter is always cheaper, it'll be worth more in the summer". Well, that's true. By how much remains to be seen. I mooted £300 more. Thus, overall, buying an MX5 would be £1000 cheaper than buying a 106 diesel.
3. "I like trackdays/sprinting/autotesting". My missus won't let me abuse the ATR, so an MX5 can take the punishment instead.
4. "It's light, and light means good on fuel". OK, this is a lie, but it's not one I will get caught on. It does only drink NUL though, as opposed to the SUL preferred by the ATR.
5. "I invested and lost one Christmas bonus, and spent last years on your engagement ring". Basically, fk you, I'm doing what I should have done in the first place with my money.
What I didn't mention is that my £700 car actually cost £1350. It was a UK spec, hardtopped 1.8 with a Torsen, freshly repaired sills, tax and test though. Stuff I would have upgraded/done at a later date anyway.
So, a small amount of man maths, some twisting of the truth and some blatent lies, and you too can justify a slightly stupid car purchase like mine!
The OH and my 1 year old had just moved out of our pad that was within walking distance of work for me, back in with my parents about 15 miles away so we could save for a deposit. We (I) had an ATR which I had bought to combine the duties of my previous duo of fairly modified (and unreliable) Civic trackday/sprint/autotest car and our shed of a Mondeo TDDI. The thinking on that one was that A: it cost no more to insure, B: It was perfectly sedate for her to drive for work and C: would make touring car noises when I drove it. I really liked it, and was damned if I was going to have to trade it in for two rubbish cars.
So, lets count the problems. Young child, two weeks before christmas, already own a relatively high performance saloon and moving back in with parents to 'save money'. That's a lot of issues to dodge when justifying an MX5.
I had a budget of £1000 (Christmas bonus) to buy and insure a car. While I got the obvious suggestions of utter turds like 106 diesels from my dad, I was finding that my £1000, minus the insurance, left me with about £350 to buy a 'normal' car, which seemed like an awful waste of money for something that would probably make me want to die a little bit every time I looked at, and seriously contemplate crashing it every time I drove it.
No, the balance had to be that the insurance HAD to be less than the car, and it HAD to be interesting. That's where the MX5 comes in, as I checked and found I filled the criteria for a classic policy, i.e. over 25, own and insurance another car for regular use. Quoted £300, leaving me with £700 for the car. Perfect.
"But why are you buying a sportscar?!" was inevitable. Well, let's justify it.
1."I already have a family car, I need it to go to work, on my own". There's already one more seat than is required, why do I need another three?
2. "I haven't wasted £700 on insurance and £300 on a car that will likely suffer some kind of uneconomical-to-repair failure in the next 12 months". Potentially losing £1000 in 12 months doesn't sound wise. Instead, I have wasted £300 on a piece of paper, and have invested £700 in a car that will more than likely still be worth that much in 12 months time. Thus, £700 better off over a year.
2.5. "Buying a convertible in winter is always cheaper, it'll be worth more in the summer". Well, that's true. By how much remains to be seen. I mooted £300 more. Thus, overall, buying an MX5 would be £1000 cheaper than buying a 106 diesel.
3. "I like trackdays/sprinting/autotesting". My missus won't let me abuse the ATR, so an MX5 can take the punishment instead.
4. "It's light, and light means good on fuel". OK, this is a lie, but it's not one I will get caught on. It does only drink NUL though, as opposed to the SUL preferred by the ATR.
5. "I invested and lost one Christmas bonus, and spent last years on your engagement ring". Basically, f
k you, I'm doing what I should have done in the first place with my money. What I didn't mention is that my £700 car actually cost £1350. It was a UK spec, hardtopped 1.8 with a Torsen, freshly repaired sills, tax and test though. Stuff I would have upgraded/done at a later date anyway.
So, a small amount of man maths, some twisting of the truth and some blatent lies, and you too can justify a slightly stupid car purchase like mine!
Edited by Kozy on Monday 28th January 13:33
Kozy said:
OP, you are in the same position as I was in a mere month ago.
The OH and my 1 year old had just moved out of our pad that was within walking distance of work for me, back in with my parents about 15 miles away so we could save for a deposit. We (I) had an ATR which I had bought to combine the duties of my previous duo of fairly modified (and unreliable) Civic trackday/sprint/autotest car and our shed of a Mondeo TDDI. The thinking on that one was that A: it cost no more to insure, B: It was perfectly sedate for her to drive for work and C: would make touring car noises when I drove it. I really liked it, and was damned if I was going to have to trade it in for two rubbish cars.
So, lets count the problems. Young child, two weeks before christmas, already own a relatively high performance saloon and moving back in with parents to 'save money'. That's a lot of issues to dodge when justifying an MX5.
I had a budget of £1000 (Christmas bonus) to buy and insure a car. While I got the obvious suggestions of utter turds like 106 diesels from my dad, I was finding that my £1000, minus the insurance, left me with about £350 to buy a 'normal' car, which seemed like an awful waste of money for something that would probably make me want to die a little bit every time I looked at, and seriously contemplate crashing it every time I drove it.
No, the balance had to be that the insurance HAD to be less than the car, and it HAD to be interesting. That's where the MX5 comes in, as I checked and found I filled the criteria for a classic policy, i.e. over 25, own and insurance another car for regular use. Quoted £300, leaving me with £700 for the car. Perfect.
"But why are you buying a sportscar?!" was inevitable. Well, let's justify it.
1."I already have a family car, I need it to go to work, on my own". There's already one more seat than is required, why do I need another three?
2. "I haven't wasted £700 on insurance and £300 on a car that will likely suffer some kind of uneconomical-to-repair failure in the next 12 months". Potentially losing £1000 in 12 months doesn't sound wise. Instead, I have wasted £300 on a piece of paper, and have invested £700 in a car that will more than likely still be worth that much in 12 months time. Thus, £700 better off over a year.
3. "I like trackdays/sprinting/autotesting". My missus won't let me abuse the ATR, so an MX5 can take the punishment instead.
4. "It's light, and light means good on fuel". OK, this is a lie, but it's not one I will get caught on.
5. "I invested and lost one Christmas bonus, and spent last years on your engagement ring". Basically, fk you, I'm doing what I should have done in the first place with my money.
What I didn't mention is that my £700 car actually cost £1350. It was a UK spec, hardtopped 1.8 with a Torsen, freshly repaired sills, tax and test though. Stuff I would have upgraded/done at a later date anyway.
So, a small amount of man maths, some twisting of the truth and some blatent lies, and you too can justify a slightly stupid car purchase like mine!
Cheers Kozy, a true testiment to man maths! The OH and my 1 year old had just moved out of our pad that was within walking distance of work for me, back in with my parents about 15 miles away so we could save for a deposit. We (I) had an ATR which I had bought to combine the duties of my previous duo of fairly modified (and unreliable) Civic trackday/sprint/autotest car and our shed of a Mondeo TDDI. The thinking on that one was that A: it cost no more to insure, B: It was perfectly sedate for her to drive for work and C: would make touring car noises when I drove it. I really liked it, and was damned if I was going to have to trade it in for two rubbish cars.
So, lets count the problems. Young child, two weeks before christmas, already own a relatively high performance saloon and moving back in with parents to 'save money'. That's a lot of issues to dodge when justifying an MX5.
I had a budget of £1000 (Christmas bonus) to buy and insure a car. While I got the obvious suggestions of utter turds like 106 diesels from my dad, I was finding that my £1000, minus the insurance, left me with about £350 to buy a 'normal' car, which seemed like an awful waste of money for something that would probably make me want to die a little bit every time I looked at, and seriously contemplate crashing it every time I drove it.
No, the balance had to be that the insurance HAD to be less than the car, and it HAD to be interesting. That's where the MX5 comes in, as I checked and found I filled the criteria for a classic policy, i.e. over 25, own and insurance another car for regular use. Quoted £300, leaving me with £700 for the car. Perfect.
"But why are you buying a sportscar?!" was inevitable. Well, let's justify it.
1."I already have a family car, I need it to go to work, on my own". There's already one more seat than is required, why do I need another three?
2. "I haven't wasted £700 on insurance and £300 on a car that will likely suffer some kind of uneconomical-to-repair failure in the next 12 months". Potentially losing £1000 in 12 months doesn't sound wise. Instead, I have wasted £300 on a piece of paper, and have invested £700 in a car that will more than likely still be worth that much in 12 months time. Thus, £700 better off over a year.
3. "I like trackdays/sprinting/autotesting". My missus won't let me abuse the ATR, so an MX5 can take the punishment instead.
4. "It's light, and light means good on fuel". OK, this is a lie, but it's not one I will get caught on.
5. "I invested and lost one Christmas bonus, and spent last years on your engagement ring". Basically, f
k you, I'm doing what I should have done in the first place with my money. What I didn't mention is that my £700 car actually cost £1350. It was a UK spec, hardtopped 1.8 with a Torsen, freshly repaired sills, tax and test though. Stuff I would have upgraded/done at a later date anyway.
So, a small amount of man maths, some twisting of the truth and some blatent lies, and you too can justify a slightly stupid car purchase like mine!
Edited by Kozy on Monday 28th January 13:23
I like the classic car policy, but I'm only a sapling at the ripe old age of 22. Are there any polcies available for my age?
I wish I had the extra cash hidden away behind the cistern of the bogs down the pub to by a
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