1993 Mazda MX-5 1.6
Discussion
For the last couple of years I've been driving a mk1 Focus while at uni. It was fine - did the job of taking me around the country and handled fairly well. But it was bland, so I've been desperate for something new.
So, after finishing uni I decided to sell it and spend some time looking for its replacement. It sold quicker than I thought (through Gumtree... no paying for advertising!), so I had cash in my pocket and time to traipse around local used car dealers. I wasn't sure what I was after, but had to deal with being a picky sod and a small budget. I looked at several MG ZS 180s, and quite fancied an MR2.
On Tuesday I visited a local garage to look at a Seat Toledo V5. It wasn't great - wouldn't start, smelt funny, had obviously been abused. Then I noticed an MX-5 hiding in the corner, looking a bit unloved.
I'd considered MX-5s before but they'd all had rusty sills at my budget. This was older than I'd have liked, and done higher miles than I'd have liked (160k), but it had obviously been looked after. It came with a huge history folder full of receipts - everything from the tax disc holder to new seats, alloys, and £1150 worth of welding/paint last year. It was in really good condition and I negotiated a price I was happy with, especially for the condition. It's a UK car with two owners from new.
Living in Shropshire near the Welsh border I've been making the most of the sun by going out playing in it. I picked it up on Tuesday evening, and a few hours later was driving along the Horseshoe Pass with a mate grinning from ear to ear. Yesterday I did Wales properly - across to Bala, towards the sea, then down to the Elan valley. Today I planned to give it a rest, but someone sent me a tweet asking for recommendations of roads near the Horseshoe Pass. An hour later I was there showing him around.
Unfortunately the drive today was cut short as the temperature kept rising. I limped it home and have taken the thermostat out and, touch wood, it appears to be working well without it. I put the thermostat into some boiling water and it only opened slightly, so that appears to be the cause. I'll order a new one and manage without for now.
Tomorrow I'll be heading to Wales again. This time with some mates to do the Evo Triangle and roads around that area. Then, as long as the temperature behaves itself tomorrow, I'll be taking it for a weekend in North Yorkshire to see a friend. At this rate the high mileage will soon be very high.
Anyway, here are some pics. I genuinely don't think I could have got anything much more fun for the money. It cost £50 more than I sold my Focus for, and when I told the insurance they gave me a refund as apparently it's lower risk. What's the catch? I expect I'll find out when this heatwave ends, but for now it's brilliant.
What next? Well, for now I think I'll keep driving and enjoying it. I'm not particularly into modifying - it's great fun as it is without chucking money at it. I might invest in a track day and I'd like to make it to a PH event, although I'm further away from most of the Sunday Services now I've moved back home from uni.
So, after finishing uni I decided to sell it and spend some time looking for its replacement. It sold quicker than I thought (through Gumtree... no paying for advertising!), so I had cash in my pocket and time to traipse around local used car dealers. I wasn't sure what I was after, but had to deal with being a picky sod and a small budget. I looked at several MG ZS 180s, and quite fancied an MR2.
On Tuesday I visited a local garage to look at a Seat Toledo V5. It wasn't great - wouldn't start, smelt funny, had obviously been abused. Then I noticed an MX-5 hiding in the corner, looking a bit unloved.
I'd considered MX-5s before but they'd all had rusty sills at my budget. This was older than I'd have liked, and done higher miles than I'd have liked (160k), but it had obviously been looked after. It came with a huge history folder full of receipts - everything from the tax disc holder to new seats, alloys, and £1150 worth of welding/paint last year. It was in really good condition and I negotiated a price I was happy with, especially for the condition. It's a UK car with two owners from new.
Living in Shropshire near the Welsh border I've been making the most of the sun by going out playing in it. I picked it up on Tuesday evening, and a few hours later was driving along the Horseshoe Pass with a mate grinning from ear to ear. Yesterday I did Wales properly - across to Bala, towards the sea, then down to the Elan valley. Today I planned to give it a rest, but someone sent me a tweet asking for recommendations of roads near the Horseshoe Pass. An hour later I was there showing him around.
Unfortunately the drive today was cut short as the temperature kept rising. I limped it home and have taken the thermostat out and, touch wood, it appears to be working well without it. I put the thermostat into some boiling water and it only opened slightly, so that appears to be the cause. I'll order a new one and manage without for now.
Tomorrow I'll be heading to Wales again. This time with some mates to do the Evo Triangle and roads around that area. Then, as long as the temperature behaves itself tomorrow, I'll be taking it for a weekend in North Yorkshire to see a friend. At this rate the high mileage will soon be very high.
Anyway, here are some pics. I genuinely don't think I could have got anything much more fun for the money. It cost £50 more than I sold my Focus for, and when I told the insurance they gave me a refund as apparently it's lower risk. What's the catch? I expect I'll find out when this heatwave ends, but for now it's brilliant.
What next? Well, for now I think I'll keep driving and enjoying it. I'm not particularly into modifying - it's great fun as it is without chucking money at it. I might invest in a track day and I'd like to make it to a PH event, although I'm further away from most of the Sunday Services now I've moved back home from uni.
Your car looks great and looks like you are enjoying it. Must be great to have a small convertible in this weather. My little brother has the 1.6 one and it has to be one of the most unforgettable drives of my life when we went over near Fort William then towards Glen Nevis quite a few times. The car just handled so well and had just enough power.
This is his car. Scan right down to the bottom to see it as it is now.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=128...
This is his car. Scan right down to the bottom to see it as it is now.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=128...
The bad news is, the temperature is still rising occasionally.
But the good news is, it's behaved itself enough to have a drive up to North Yorkshire, and I think I've worked out what's causing it. I set off just before 6am on Saturday and had a brilliant cross-country blast up to York to pick up a friend, followed by a day on the moors.
Reading various forums I've realised that it doesn't have an engine undertray fitted, when it should, and not having one can affect the way the cooling system works. I suspect this is what's causing my temperature issues as I'm pretty sure everything in the cooling system is doing its job - I've flushed it, changed the thermostat and the radiator appears to be in good condition, so if this isn't it I don't know what to try next. Now I just need to find a local scrapyard with a mk1 MX5 in stock.
I've ordered a stainless steel cup holder to replace the ash tray - I don't smoke but I seriously missed having somewhere to put drinks over the weekend.
Mileage so far (since picking it up on Tuesday night): 1100. It would have been more if I hadn't had to ditch two attempts at the EVO Triangle due to the temperature issues!
But the good news is, it's behaved itself enough to have a drive up to North Yorkshire, and I think I've worked out what's causing it. I set off just before 6am on Saturday and had a brilliant cross-country blast up to York to pick up a friend, followed by a day on the moors.
Reading various forums I've realised that it doesn't have an engine undertray fitted, when it should, and not having one can affect the way the cooling system works. I suspect this is what's causing my temperature issues as I'm pretty sure everything in the cooling system is doing its job - I've flushed it, changed the thermostat and the radiator appears to be in good condition, so if this isn't it I don't know what to try next. Now I just need to find a local scrapyard with a mk1 MX5 in stock.
I've ordered a stainless steel cup holder to replace the ash tray - I don't smoke but I seriously missed having somewhere to put drinks over the weekend.
Mileage so far (since picking it up on Tuesday night): 1100. It would have been more if I hadn't had to ditch two attempts at the EVO Triangle due to the temperature issues!
Been doing a few mods on it - nothing major, but little things to make it a bit more bearable for long journeys.
I've fitted my own radio and replaced the cheap looking ash tray with a stainless steel cup holder. Looks much smarter IMO but doesn't have a lot of room for big cups of coffee. Also pulled the cover off the steering wheel - not sure if it'll stay off but looks quite cool without it I think.
And finally, fitted a PH sticker. I also put a small one on the front window but I made the mistake of ordering a black one, so you can hardly see it. Doh!
I've fitted my own radio and replaced the cheap looking ash tray with a stainless steel cup holder. Looks much smarter IMO but doesn't have a lot of room for big cups of coffee. Also pulled the cover off the steering wheel - not sure if it'll stay off but looks quite cool without it I think.
And finally, fitted a PH sticker. I also put a small one on the front window but I made the mistake of ordering a black one, so you can hardly see it. Doh!
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