Mazda MX5 for £5k
Discussion
Morning All.
I'm thinking of buying a Mazda MX5 to use on daily basis. I have a maximum budget of £5k (would prefer to pay less). I love the look of the mk1 but appreciate they may not be suitable for use all year because of salty roads in winter.
I have been looking at mk3s but I think they don't look as good.
Are mk2s any good?
What are running costs like? Which is the best engine? What are parts prices like?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks
Philip
I'm thinking of buying a Mazda MX5 to use on daily basis. I have a maximum budget of £5k (would prefer to pay less). I love the look of the mk1 but appreciate they may not be suitable for use all year because of salty roads in winter.
I have been looking at mk3s but I think they don't look as good.
Are mk2s any good?
What are running costs like? Which is the best engine? What are parts prices like?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks
Philip
Get the one you want, a Mk.1 - the rot points are well known and easily preventable if you know they're good before you start. Even if it does start to rot, the foibles are both well-known and cheap enough to repair these days.
£3-4k will get you a very nice one indeed, with a few quid in backup for tittivation.
£3-4k will get you a very nice one indeed, with a few quid in backup for tittivation.
I believe the MK1 versions, although older, rot much less than the MK2. It's whichever you prefer though really. Rot and rust is the main worry with these. So, get one that has been treated for it properly and correctly and there's really not much else to worry about. The cambelts need doing but i believe they are non-interference. So, if they go, the engine should remain unharmed. I'm not sure if that's model specific though.
You've also got the choice between the 1.6l and 1.8l engines in both. I'd personally go for 1.8 for the extra poke but neither are massively powerful. Then again, that's not what these cars are about. Your budget will get you a decent example but i'd be expecting to pay between 3k-4k realistically for a decent one. Be prepared to look at a few and any signs of surface rust, i'd walk away. It's usually too late by then.
Here's a decent MK2 i've been looking at recently:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
It's one of them where you really need to go and view the decent ones and make sure that they stack up to their adverts.
Good luck on your hunt.
You've also got the choice between the 1.6l and 1.8l engines in both. I'd personally go for 1.8 for the extra poke but neither are massively powerful. Then again, that's not what these cars are about. Your budget will get you a decent example but i'd be expecting to pay between 3k-4k realistically for a decent one. Be prepared to look at a few and any signs of surface rust, i'd walk away. It's usually too late by then.
Here's a decent MK2 i've been looking at recently:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
It's one of them where you really need to go and view the decent ones and make sure that they stack up to their adverts.
Good luck on your hunt.
I was in a similar position, but with a budget of £1k for a 'fun' car. Found a mk1 1.6 on on ebay for £620, now a few years later it is a dedicated trackday car with a turbo on it and I hate to think how much I've spent overall. Probably in excess of the £5k here!
1.8 will feel slightly quicker and has higher BHP but 1.6 is keener at higher RPM and feels better when you're making progress (to me). Mk1 for the win, if you have £5k to spend the world is your oyster. Mk2s rot in the same places as Mk1s however the front chassis legs are also susceptible which is often difficult to spot during a cursory inspection.
At £5k you could probably find a fresh JDM import, most 1.8s will have the Torsen diff which make them much more sought after. For future values if you can find an RS-Limited with the 6 speed, Torsen diff, fancy seats and oem BBS allloys then you're onto a winner. But they're like hen's teeth.
Equally you could spend £2 / 2.5k on a relatively strong Mk1 which has had the rot repaired and a few choice mods and provided you maintain it correctly you wouldn't stand to lose too much during ownership. Oil change is £40 tops at eurocarparts if you're handy with the spanners, cambelt kit can be had for under £100 so cheap to run and they can take a lot of punishment.
For a daily I'd spend £3k max and keep the other £2k either for modifications or a slush fund in case the rot sets in. Obscene amounts of information over on MX5Nutz too that will answer every single question you could ever think of.
Go for it!
1.8 will feel slightly quicker and has higher BHP but 1.6 is keener at higher RPM and feels better when you're making progress (to me). Mk1 for the win, if you have £5k to spend the world is your oyster. Mk2s rot in the same places as Mk1s however the front chassis legs are also susceptible which is often difficult to spot during a cursory inspection.
At £5k you could probably find a fresh JDM import, most 1.8s will have the Torsen diff which make them much more sought after. For future values if you can find an RS-Limited with the 6 speed, Torsen diff, fancy seats and oem BBS allloys then you're onto a winner. But they're like hen's teeth.
Equally you could spend £2 / 2.5k on a relatively strong Mk1 which has had the rot repaired and a few choice mods and provided you maintain it correctly you wouldn't stand to lose too much during ownership. Oil change is £40 tops at eurocarparts if you're handy with the spanners, cambelt kit can be had for under £100 so cheap to run and they can take a lot of punishment.
For a daily I'd spend £3k max and keep the other £2k either for modifications or a slush fund in case the rot sets in. Obscene amounts of information over on MX5Nutz too that will answer every single question you could ever think of.
Go for it!
Having owned MK1, MK2, Mk3 (not Mk2.5) I would say:
MK1 - I had a Eunos (Jap import) S-Special. No real rust issues as the car had only been in the UK for a couple of years (they don't salt roads in Japan apparently. Great car. Dirt cheap to run, loads of fun to drive, not very quick, pop up headlights are a blast (especially with wink mod). Loads you can do to these and unlikely to lose much in value.
MK2 - 1.8S - Definitely had a bit more poke and the benefit of LSD. Inside it was a step up from the MK1 in terms of refinement and I preferred the layout to the facelift 2.5.
MK3 - 2.0l sport - quickest of the three that I have owned and probably the best as a daily drive, but less engaging and lost a bit of the raw fun.
If it were me I would go for another 1.8s as a daily - just make sure you check sills and rear arches. Get it waxoyled (properly), take it along to Tony Bones for a wheel alignment and just add fuel. (then start reading about all the FI mods and dream of 200bhp in a one tonne RWD car with 50:50 weight distribution.
For a weekend toy a sub-£grand MK1 cannot be beaten
MK1 - I had a Eunos (Jap import) S-Special. No real rust issues as the car had only been in the UK for a couple of years (they don't salt roads in Japan apparently. Great car. Dirt cheap to run, loads of fun to drive, not very quick, pop up headlights are a blast (especially with wink mod). Loads you can do to these and unlikely to lose much in value.
MK2 - 1.8S - Definitely had a bit more poke and the benefit of LSD. Inside it was a step up from the MK1 in terms of refinement and I preferred the layout to the facelift 2.5.
MK3 - 2.0l sport - quickest of the three that I have owned and probably the best as a daily drive, but less engaging and lost a bit of the raw fun.
If it were me I would go for another 1.8s as a daily - just make sure you check sills and rear arches. Get it waxoyled (properly), take it along to Tony Bones for a wheel alignment and just add fuel. (then start reading about all the FI mods and dream of 200bhp in a one tonne RWD car with 50:50 weight distribution.
For a weekend toy a sub-£grand MK1 cannot be beaten
Edited by NickdeBug on Thursday 6th July 13:23
I'd say your best bet would be to buy the cleanest sub 2k example you can, then get it professionally rust repaired and proofed yourself, there are tons of examples in that price range mk1/2/2.5, all have their merits, personally I like the 2.5 as it seems to be the most advanced iteration of the original formula before the mk3 came along and things got lardy.
I've owned a mk1 1.8 and currently have a mk2.5 1.8 Sport as a weekend toy (although it used to be my daily).
The mk1s are very raw in feel - I wouldn't daily drive one now because of the rust worries and general refinement levels. The mk2.5 is a nicer prospect as a daily, especially if you get a Sport with the limited slip diff, heated leather and 6 speed box.
£5k will get you the best of the best but you don't need to spend that much unless you go for a mk3. Mine's going to be sold soon as I'm looking for a change after so many years with an MX5 (I've always had at least one since I was 18 - I'm 23 now) so give me a shout if you'd like more details.
Edit - to answer your questions:
1. Expect around 30mpg overall.
2. Some prefer the 1.6 because it revs more freely, I prefer the 1.8 because it's got a useful amount of extra power and torque.
3. Parts are laughably cheap, even for genuine Mazda. Check out MX5Parts and Autolink for prices - a full service kit (including 5L of Mobil 1 10W/40 and 4 NGK spark plugs) cost me under £50.
The mk1s are very raw in feel - I wouldn't daily drive one now because of the rust worries and general refinement levels. The mk2.5 is a nicer prospect as a daily, especially if you get a Sport with the limited slip diff, heated leather and 6 speed box.
£5k will get you the best of the best but you don't need to spend that much unless you go for a mk3. Mine's going to be sold soon as I'm looking for a change after so many years with an MX5 (I've always had at least one since I was 18 - I'm 23 now) so give me a shout if you'd like more details.
Edit - to answer your questions:
1. Expect around 30mpg overall.
2. Some prefer the 1.6 because it revs more freely, I prefer the 1.8 because it's got a useful amount of extra power and torque.
3. Parts are laughably cheap, even for genuine Mazda. Check out MX5Parts and Autolink for prices - a full service kit (including 5L of Mobil 1 10W/40 and 4 NGK spark plugs) cost me under £50.
Edited by TheVole on Thursday 6th July 15:02
TheVole said:
I've owned a mk1 1.8 and currently have a mk2.5 1.8 Sport as a weekend toy (although it used to be my daily).
The mk1s are very raw in feel - I wouldn't daily drive one now because of the rust worries and general refinement levels. The mk2.5 is a nicer prospect as a daily, especially if you get a Sport with the limited slip diff, heated leather and 6 speed box.
£5k will get you the best of the best but you don't need to spend that much unless you go for a mk3. Mine's going to be sold soon as I'm looking for a change after so many years with an MX5 (I've always had at least one since I was 18 - I'm 23 now) so give me a shout if you'd like more details.
Edit - to answer your questions:
1. Expect around 30mpg overall.
2. Some prefer the 1.6 because it revs more freely, I prefer the 1.8 because it's got a useful amount of extra power and torque.
3. Parts are laughably cheap, even for genuine Mazda. Check out MX5Parts and Autolink for prices - a full service kit (including 5L of Mobil 1 10W/40 and 4 NGK spark plugs) cost me under £50.
Hi Vole,The mk1s are very raw in feel - I wouldn't daily drive one now because of the rust worries and general refinement levels. The mk2.5 is a nicer prospect as a daily, especially if you get a Sport with the limited slip diff, heated leather and 6 speed box.
£5k will get you the best of the best but you don't need to spend that much unless you go for a mk3. Mine's going to be sold soon as I'm looking for a change after so many years with an MX5 (I've always had at least one since I was 18 - I'm 23 now) so give me a shout if you'd like more details.
Edit - to answer your questions:
1. Expect around 30mpg overall.
2. Some prefer the 1.6 because it revs more freely, I prefer the 1.8 because it's got a useful amount of extra power and torque.
3. Parts are laughably cheap, even for genuine Mazda. Check out MX5Parts and Autolink for prices - a full service kit (including 5L of Mobil 1 10W/40 and 4 NGK spark plugs) cost me under £50.
Edited by TheVole on Thursday 6th July 15:02
Any more info/pics? Might be interested.
rust - get the one you want then protect it. NB have worst reputation as they rust inside out. NA fixes aren't expensive if needed.
Many early Eunos will be a good call as they will have been salt-free in Japan and then undersealed on import by enthusiastic owners.
You don't give yr mileage per day. Best fun is an NA 1.6 by a long shot.
For distance & comfort the NC is still a good shout if suspension fixed.
these little cars really benefit from a suspension refresh. I would buy a tidy car at around 2k and then invest in rustproofing, (good) coilovers and a little bracing. Either keep original wheels or ensure nothing heavy is fitted.
Many early Eunos will be a good call as they will have been salt-free in Japan and then undersealed on import by enthusiastic owners.
You don't give yr mileage per day. Best fun is an NA 1.6 by a long shot.
For distance & comfort the NC is still a good shout if suspension fixed.
these little cars really benefit from a suspension refresh. I would buy a tidy car at around 2k and then invest in rustproofing, (good) coilovers and a little bracing. Either keep original wheels or ensure nothing heavy is fitted.
Interesting thread, I'm planning on a MX5 maybe as a first step to a Caterham. Would be a weekend toy/occasional track day, plus maybe some commuting when it's worth it.
Done a fair bit of research and for 5k I would be looking at the Mk3 (personal preference), not ruling out the 2/2.5 but rust looks scary so for me would have to be a car already taken care of (replacement rails/whatever). Never been fussed by the looks of the Mk1, would prefer some more options, I can save the extra "drivers experience" for the Caterham (which I can't yet afford without finance).
Also have to bear in mind SWMBO would probably be a named driver so a bit more refinement wouldn't hurt.
I'll probably end up buying a new one!
Done a fair bit of research and for 5k I would be looking at the Mk3 (personal preference), not ruling out the 2/2.5 but rust looks scary so for me would have to be a car already taken care of (replacement rails/whatever). Never been fussed by the looks of the Mk1, would prefer some more options, I can save the extra "drivers experience" for the Caterham (which I can't yet afford without finance).
Also have to bear in mind SWMBO would probably be a named driver so a bit more refinement wouldn't hurt.
I'll probably end up buying a new one!
The MK3's are getting cheaper now. You can get examples sub-3k. Although, they're probably not the best at that price.
However, don't think that, just because they're newer, that you will avoid rust. It's not the case. They do suffer and make sure to check it over. I think it's more surface rust as apposed to the terminal inside-out stuff. I'm just making you aware if avoiding rot is the reason for going for the MK3.
However, don't think that, just because they're newer, that you will avoid rust. It's not the case. They do suffer and make sure to check it over. I think it's more surface rust as apposed to the terminal inside-out stuff. I'm just making you aware if avoiding rot is the reason for going for the MK3.
5k will get you a lot of mk1-2.5 with some left over for rot repairs, they're insanely well put together mechanically and mine survived a drive to Germany and a stop over with friends for 6 weeks and lots of Autobahn time with not a minor bit of difference to it. It's still under 80k miles and with a grand into sorting the rot out it will be a near perfect car. Then you have the option of the mk3 which have a lot less worry of rot but look like a boat, just looks-wise i'm sure they still handle well.
Edit: Pay more attention to post above regarding mk3's
Edit: Pay more attention to post above regarding mk3's
Luke. said:
TheVole said:
I've owned a mk1 1.8 and currently have a mk2.5 1.8 Sport as a weekend toy (although it used to be my daily).
The mk1s are very raw in feel - I wouldn't daily drive one now because of the rust worries and general refinement levels. The mk2.5 is a nicer prospect as a daily, especially if you get a Sport with the limited slip diff, heated leather and 6 speed box.
£5k will get you the best of the best but you don't need to spend that much unless you go for a mk3. Mine's going to be sold soon as I'm looking for a change after so many years with an MX5 (I've always had at least one since I was 18 - I'm 23 now) so give me a shout if you'd like more details.
Edit - to answer your questions:
1. Expect around 30mpg overall.
2. Some prefer the 1.6 because it revs more freely, I prefer the 1.8 because it's got a useful amount of extra power and torque.
3. Parts are laughably cheap, even for genuine Mazda. Check out MX5Parts and Autolink for prices - a full service kit (including 5L of Mobil 1 10W/40 and 4 NGK spark plugs) cost me under £50.
Hi Vole,The mk1s are very raw in feel - I wouldn't daily drive one now because of the rust worries and general refinement levels. The mk2.5 is a nicer prospect as a daily, especially if you get a Sport with the limited slip diff, heated leather and 6 speed box.
£5k will get you the best of the best but you don't need to spend that much unless you go for a mk3. Mine's going to be sold soon as I'm looking for a change after so many years with an MX5 (I've always had at least one since I was 18 - I'm 23 now) so give me a shout if you'd like more details.
Edit - to answer your questions:
1. Expect around 30mpg overall.
2. Some prefer the 1.6 because it revs more freely, I prefer the 1.8 because it's got a useful amount of extra power and torque.
3. Parts are laughably cheap, even for genuine Mazda. Check out MX5Parts and Autolink for prices - a full service kit (including 5L of Mobil 1 10W/40 and 4 NGK spark plugs) cost me under £50.
Edited by TheVole on Thursday 6th July 15:02
Any more info/pics? Might be interested.
Gerald has been much-loved. I keep changing my mind about selling - the money that I'd put into a replacement could also be put into stopping the (thankfully minimal after some repairs a few years ago) surface rust, some coilovers and a supercharger...
Before making any change of car I make a habit of reading the owners club forums as they are a fund of information.
Also search old road tests.
This action once saved me from buying a V6 car when the 2 litre 4 was just as powerful & more economical.
On another occasion I was able to avoid a certain bodywork/interior combination that was impacting badly on residual values.
Also search old road tests.
This action once saved me from buying a V6 car when the 2 litre 4 was just as powerful & more economical.
On another occasion I was able to avoid a certain bodywork/interior combination that was impacting badly on residual values.
Afternoon all.
At much thought. I decided not to go for the Mazda mx5 mk3 as I wasn't too taken with its looks. I have decided to go for the mk1.
I wanted a Japanese import and I have asked a company which specialises in importing mx5s to find me a freshly imported Mx5, such as a V special etc.
Will keep you posted.
Philip
At much thought. I decided not to go for the Mazda mx5 mk3 as I wasn't too taken with its looks. I have decided to go for the mk1.
I wanted a Japanese import and I have asked a company which specialises in importing mx5s to find me a freshly imported Mx5, such as a V special etc.
Will keep you posted.
Philip
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