Another "Should I keep or should I sell?" thread
Discussion
I bought a mk 2.5 mx5 sv-t almost a year ago as an intro to fun/rwd driving, and it's been awesome, lots of fun, super reliable and surprisingly keeps up with faster metal being driven properly in the twisty bits.
My problem is, I bought it with almost 70 k miles on it and wanted to take it to the track 3-4 times a year but haven't had time yet this year, but it means upgrading suspension + roll bar at the very least. And then I start doing some man maths and think about adding some 15 inch wheels and some track rubber, which in total would end up costing 2.5 k €.
But is it the right way of doing things? Wouldn't I just be better off by buying a vx220/Elise and using that instead instead of modding my current car / use it and not get my money back when time comes to sell it?
One week I'll wake up thinking "keep the mx5, its fun so just upgrade it and sod the money "and the next its " Maybe just get something that's better and won't lose you that much money in the end if you want to sell? "
PS. Always wanted an Elise / vx220 since I was a kid!
My problem is, I bought it with almost 70 k miles on it and wanted to take it to the track 3-4 times a year but haven't had time yet this year, but it means upgrading suspension + roll bar at the very least. And then I start doing some man maths and think about adding some 15 inch wheels and some track rubber, which in total would end up costing 2.5 k €.
But is it the right way of doing things? Wouldn't I just be better off by buying a vx220/Elise and using that instead instead of modding my current car / use it and not get my money back when time comes to sell it?
One week I'll wake up thinking "keep the mx5, its fun so just upgrade it and sod the money "and the next its " Maybe just get something that's better and won't lose you that much money in the end if you want to sell? "
PS. Always wanted an Elise / vx220 since I was a kid!
Honest answer is that if you sold the MX and bought an EliVX, it's probably need some attention to get it how you want it.
The MX might need some money throwing at it too, but there is great satisfaction in making a mod and enjoying the improvement. Especially on track.
I'm not you but, if I were, I'd make the mods to the MX and enjoy that first. You can always sell it later and swap out for an upgrade.
The MX might need some money throwing at it too, but there is great satisfaction in making a mod and enjoying the improvement. Especially on track.
I'm not you but, if I were, I'd make the mods to the MX and enjoy that first. You can always sell it later and swap out for an upgrade.
I was going to write a long winded reply here but a quick summary instead. If you can afford it without it causing financial discomfort, buy an Elise/VX and get it out your system. They 100% live up to the hype and are genuinely special cars. If that option is a stretch to the point where owning one might make life difficult, keep the MX-5, do what you want to do to it and revel in the fact that you're driving a truly superb car with almost no vices. Dilemmas are good when either outcome is a great one.
Right, still don't know what to think really.
Financially it wouldn't be a strain, I just need to sell the mx5 and add a couple of grand and a Vx is within reach- starting at around 9-10 grand at under 60k miles and from what I see in the classifieds, shouldn't need anything done to it.
At least I know that if I keep it and modify the mx5 it's still a great car. How much money do you reckon we don't get back from the mods we make to the cars? Handling mods only, for example?
And even though I've read countless threads about this, is a vx220 really that much of a step up from an mx5? At the end of the day they have the same power (146 mx5 to 147 vx220) and have similar weights..
Definitely a first world problem. Argh!
Financially it wouldn't be a strain, I just need to sell the mx5 and add a couple of grand and a Vx is within reach- starting at around 9-10 grand at under 60k miles and from what I see in the classifieds, shouldn't need anything done to it.
At least I know that if I keep it and modify the mx5 it's still a great car. How much money do you reckon we don't get back from the mods we make to the cars? Handling mods only, for example?
And even though I've read countless threads about this, is a vx220 really that much of a step up from an mx5? At the end of the day they have the same power (146 mx5 to 147 vx220) and have similar weights..
Definitely a first world problem. Argh!
Weekendrebuild said:
I wouldn’t by an N/A vx personally the turbos a good car I thought the n/a was crap . I would stick the money In the mx5 if I were you and you know it’s a good car as a base to begin with.
I've had both the 2.2 and the turbo Vx220, the turbo is something special (hence current prices) the NA less so, although can be improved.Vx220 not something Id want as my main car or to use all the time, just when it suits as it can be a pain to use as a normal car. If you want to use your MX5 on track you dont have to spend any money other than a roll bar/hoop and see how you get on.
Right, so I've decided to put the mx5 up for sale - It's a lovely thing but having just spent 1.2 k on rust repairs and having potentially found rust elsewhere, I don't want to spend money on that instead of more driving time / mods to make it more enjoyable, and yes I think I'd rather simply get something that's a better starting point! Question now is whether I should simply get a vx220, use it / enjoy it and eventually supercharge it if I ever feel the need, or pony up and get an s2 elise (like the sound and the resale values are appealing - boring I know but I have to nonetheless take that into consideration).
I live in the city so I don't use my car as a daily, but even then I don't really mind the noise / lack of creature conforts, I can always get something more barge like in the near future to take on bigger trips if ever needed.
So, would I be happy with a vx or will I always think I've missed out and should've bought an Elise?
And does anyone know what kind of values they'll reach come December?
I live in the city so I don't use my car as a daily, but even then I don't really mind the noise / lack of creature conforts, I can always get something more barge like in the near future to take on bigger trips if ever needed.
So, would I be happy with a vx or will I always think I've missed out and should've bought an Elise?
And does anyone know what kind of values they'll reach come December?
Loafers92 said:
Right, still don't know what to think really.
Financially it wouldn't be a strain, I just need to sell the mx5 and add a couple of grand and a Vx is within reach- starting at around 9-10 grand at under 60k miles and from what I see in the classifieds, shouldn't need anything done to it.
Sell the MX-5 and add a couple of grand to get a VX at 9 grand? Financially it wouldn't be a strain, I just need to sell the mx5 and add a couple of grand and a Vx is within reach- starting at around 9-10 grand at under 60k miles and from what I see in the classifieds, shouldn't need anything done to it.
That's some serious man maths right there, I own a MK2.5 MX-5 myself and they are worth at very best 2k, probably less at this time of year.
I'd personally say do some track days in the MX-5 first because if and when you bin it on track there's a lot less lost than in a VX or Elise.
I've done 4-5 track days in mine this year and plan to do the same next year before probably breaking it and moving on to something better.
Loafers92 said:
Right, still don't know what to think really.
Financially it wouldn't be a strain, I just need to sell the mx5 and add a couple of grand and a Vx is within reach- starting at around 9-10 grand at under 60k miles and from what I see in the classifieds, shouldn't need anything done to it.
At least I know that if I keep it and modify the mx5 it's still a great car. How much money do you reckon we don't get back from the mods we make to the cars? Handling mods only, for example?
And even though I've read countless threads about this, is a vx220 really that much of a step up from an mx5? At the end of the day they have the same power (146 mx5 to 147 vx220) and have similar weights..
Definitely a first world problem. Argh!
So, would I be happy with a vx or will I always think I've missed out and should've bought an Elise?
Not similar weight at all, Vx na a min 200kg lighter. Financially it wouldn't be a strain, I just need to sell the mx5 and add a couple of grand and a Vx is within reach- starting at around 9-10 grand at under 60k miles and from what I see in the classifieds, shouldn't need anything done to it.
At least I know that if I keep it and modify the mx5 it's still a great car. How much money do you reckon we don't get back from the mods we make to the cars? Handling mods only, for example?
And even though I've read countless threads about this, is a vx220 really that much of a step up from an mx5? At the end of the day they have the same power (146 mx5 to 147 vx220) and have similar weights..
Definitely a first world problem. Argh!
So, would I be happy with a vx or will I always think I've missed out and should've bought an Elise?
I had both at the same time, you just can't compare them, both a 2 seat convertibles but it's they feel 20 yrs apart in handling, which really they actually.
OK neither of mine were stock, mx5 with far more power turbo & about the best handling road set up suspension wise I've ever had, p5 coils, frame rails, light wheels, rollbar, sticky rubber, but on a twisty b road the vx had the higher corner speeds, it was on nitrons (Street series, utterly excellent) but stock otherwise even crap road tyres.
Ref money back from mods nothing really, often better to remove & sell separately, occasionally folks get lucky, but my mx for example has prob had £8k total with prev owners & me to date on a £1k car, prob get £3k ish resale.
Folks do chuck huge money at them tho, the jag v6 ones are big money to get done, even DIY isn't peanuts, I transported a £35k invested one yesterday, full resto Inc acid dip, but still it's a lot of dosh on an mx5
I don't see what an elise offers over a Vx, a stock na is a bit gutless & really needs a power injection sc or mods as na. OK stock its not a very charismatic engine, intake & exhaust helps tho, a k series elise is a rad more character, still bit slow tho, charged or a fruity engine ones yes, but such a big price disparity.
I actually viewed a Vx yesterday as I'm thinking of another, 70k miles, hpi clear £6k an elise is a long way from that, are many overpriced ones on ebay etc that just don't sell, over optimistic owners prices.
Vx or an elise does have its down sides, I'd not want to daily it in winter, a tiny dink is big money to fix, heater is terrible, getting in & out esp hood up for a tall fella is ridiculous, hood up & down is a faff vs mx5 5 seconds jobbie, better than elise tho!
I’ve had Mx5 original light car (950kg) and an Elise 111S (156 bhp and 800 kgs) but not a VX.
I can say the mx5 was fun. The Elise a completely different league. Don’t dwell on 5.1 0-60 rather the handling, the raw connection. No power assisted steering, no abs, no brake servo.
I read recently, in EVO I think, that driving an Elise will spoil all cars after that as they will be a dilution.
They are also very hard to live with daily, comical to get in and out. Also expensive to buy, but aluminium chassis and plastic body combined with simple suspension means they hold their value very well. Mx5 rust.
I can say the mx5 was fun. The Elise a completely different league. Don’t dwell on 5.1 0-60 rather the handling, the raw connection. No power assisted steering, no abs, no brake servo.
I read recently, in EVO I think, that driving an Elise will spoil all cars after that as they will be a dilution.
They are also very hard to live with daily, comical to get in and out. Also expensive to buy, but aluminium chassis and plastic body combined with simple suspension means they hold their value very well. Mx5 rust.
Loafers92 said:
but it means upgrading suspension + roll bar at the very least
Do a track day with it as is. My MK1 was stock and did multiple track days. A few mods would have made it faster but I had a load of fun with it as standard - and the body roll and predictability of the handling made it a lot of safe fun on wet track days. Most fun I've had on track was in a 1.0 Skoda Citigo with 60bhp which I almost rolled at Castle Combe. I'd say use the money you have to get some days booked.
Im in Europe where this model of mx5 is worth around 8-9k, so the price difference between that and a vx is minimal.
Have thought about doing a trackday with it as is (have some roddinsons pads ready to install) but it’s been off the road thanks to rust repairs during the last 3 months, so no chance as of yet.
And I don’t really care about straight line speed etc, more about sensations, adjustability and overall fun (as well as reliability!)
I’ve driven an s1 elise a couple of times, but haven’t been able to drive a vx yet, I need to find someone with one and give it a shot to see what it’s like. It’s true that it doesn’t sound fantastic but I’m hoping some mods could take care of that.
Interesting that that modded mx5 as mentioned above is, although good fun, still not as fast as a vx! Glad to have that perspective.
Car isn’t a daily so I don’t mind having it as an only car for a while- the goal is to have something reliable + won’t lose much money + track capable + fun! So vx seems like the way to go. I’d love an Elise tbh but they are so expensive that I can’t ignore the vx really.
Have thought about doing a trackday with it as is (have some roddinsons pads ready to install) but it’s been off the road thanks to rust repairs during the last 3 months, so no chance as of yet.
And I don’t really care about straight line speed etc, more about sensations, adjustability and overall fun (as well as reliability!)
I’ve driven an s1 elise a couple of times, but haven’t been able to drive a vx yet, I need to find someone with one and give it a shot to see what it’s like. It’s true that it doesn’t sound fantastic but I’m hoping some mods could take care of that.
Interesting that that modded mx5 as mentioned above is, although good fun, still not as fast as a vx! Glad to have that perspective.
Car isn’t a daily so I don’t mind having it as an only car for a while- the goal is to have something reliable + won’t lose much money + track capable + fun! So vx seems like the way to go. I’d love an Elise tbh but they are so expensive that I can’t ignore the vx really.
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