Mx5 1.8 Sport. Had to see what all the fuss was about.
Discussion
I wasn't even looking for a car...but while searching for a friend who wants something to tow a horsebox...this appeared on autotrader.
Called the seller and arranged to view. Then set about doing research on the problems that these suffer from. Then I started bricking myself. I learnt that these NB versions rot, to the extent that if the chassis rails are dust along with the sills it effectively writes off the car. Before I even viewed the car I was getting nervous, but it was only 4 miles away and I was adamant that I would walk away if there were any such problems.
So...the sellers garage opened and...wow...the car was stunning. All original paint and not a mark on it...however...I told myself to calm down and then began my check for rust...
Chassis rails...utterly perfect and as new.
Boot floor and battery tray...utterly perfect and as new.
Sills...excellent and no outside rust or jack mounting mistakes.
Wheel arches...a few tiny bubble specs on the inner lip at the rear, but nothing to be concerned about.
The seller purchased it 8 years ago and it has been kept garaged in that time and has only covered 3000 dry miles in his ownership. He has waxoyled the underside, but as a preventive thing, as opposed to hiding anything.
At this point I was getting a little excited as to find one of these in such good condition and so well looked after is rare. The mileage is only 52k, 3 owners and has mostly Mazda servicing/inspections.
I had to have it. An offer was made yesterday and now it is sat on my driveway. Chuffed to bits.
They really are brilliant to drive, will expand more on this once I've driven it properly..this is the sport model so LSD, VVt engine and this was optioned with bilstein shocks when new.
Thanks for reading!
Called the seller and arranged to view. Then set about doing research on the problems that these suffer from. Then I started bricking myself. I learnt that these NB versions rot, to the extent that if the chassis rails are dust along with the sills it effectively writes off the car. Before I even viewed the car I was getting nervous, but it was only 4 miles away and I was adamant that I would walk away if there were any such problems.
So...the sellers garage opened and...wow...the car was stunning. All original paint and not a mark on it...however...I told myself to calm down and then began my check for rust...
Chassis rails...utterly perfect and as new.
Boot floor and battery tray...utterly perfect and as new.
Sills...excellent and no outside rust or jack mounting mistakes.
Wheel arches...a few tiny bubble specs on the inner lip at the rear, but nothing to be concerned about.
The seller purchased it 8 years ago and it has been kept garaged in that time and has only covered 3000 dry miles in his ownership. He has waxoyled the underside, but as a preventive thing, as opposed to hiding anything.
At this point I was getting a little excited as to find one of these in such good condition and so well looked after is rare. The mileage is only 52k, 3 owners and has mostly Mazda servicing/inspections.
I had to have it. An offer was made yesterday and now it is sat on my driveway. Chuffed to bits.
They really are brilliant to drive, will expand more on this once I've driven it properly..this is the sport model so LSD, VVt engine and this was optioned with bilstein shocks when new.
Thanks for reading!
Edited by MattsCar on Friday 20th August 22:07
It certainly looks better than my Euphonic currently does.
The MOT just expired on mine so I'm going to get it indoors and start cutting it up. I the floor where it meets the sill return on the passenger side was made from that aluminium mesh crap from Halfords and Isopon. I ground and flapwheeled all that off and welded it up properly a year ago. The driver's side is probably the same...
I have two rear wings to fit, two rear inner wings to fabricate and two front wings to change. One of the doors has an awkward crease near the bottom whilst the other has rust on the forward edge of the door skin forming. Also the inside of the boot lid is rusting. Chassis rails are fine though... We're trying to decide what colour to paint it, since it's silver and we don't like it.
How do you find the 6 speed? I've had both and found them pretty similar overall.
I hope you enjoy it. It's a simple, honest sports car without any pretentions of grandeur, and small enough to enjoy on real roads without worrying about whether you're too wide for whatever's about to appear coming the other way round a corner to share the road width with you. It's all about what you can do with the car rather than the car making a mediocre driver feel better than they really are.
The MOT just expired on mine so I'm going to get it indoors and start cutting it up. I the floor where it meets the sill return on the passenger side was made from that aluminium mesh crap from Halfords and Isopon. I ground and flapwheeled all that off and welded it up properly a year ago. The driver's side is probably the same...
I have two rear wings to fit, two rear inner wings to fabricate and two front wings to change. One of the doors has an awkward crease near the bottom whilst the other has rust on the forward edge of the door skin forming. Also the inside of the boot lid is rusting. Chassis rails are fine though... We're trying to decide what colour to paint it, since it's silver and we don't like it.
How do you find the 6 speed? I've had both and found them pretty similar overall.
I hope you enjoy it. It's a simple, honest sports car without any pretentions of grandeur, and small enough to enjoy on real roads without worrying about whether you're too wide for whatever's about to appear coming the other way round a corner to share the road width with you. It's all about what you can do with the car rather than the car making a mediocre driver feel better than they really are.
Jamie... Hope all goes to plan and you can give the car a new lease of life. With regards the gearbox, I can't compare to the 5 speed as I have never driven one, but it feels very nice, slick and short throw.
I have literally only driven it 10 miles since buying it. First impressions are good. I am not driving it in the rain so it is is parked up under a cover until I make room to get it in the garage.
Bit strange when you buy a car, get all excited, but can't drive it. Monday to wednesday is good weather so looking forward to a few drives.
I am powerfully built 😂..so the interior did come as a bit of a shock, close the door and it rests against my arm. Also I am tempted to remove the sunvisor on the driver side as it steals a bit of vision.
Stuart, I got lucky. However cars like this are more common than you think. A fair few people buy them as retirement gifts etc and dote on them. However, they sold in reasonable numbers so most have been daily drivers and I am guessing this is what kills them once they are exposed to salty roads. If buying, bide your time and wait for the right one, the price difference between a garaged, well looked after example and a poor one needing ALOT of work is small...in the current market.
I have literally only driven it 10 miles since buying it. First impressions are good. I am not driving it in the rain so it is is parked up under a cover until I make room to get it in the garage.
Bit strange when you buy a car, get all excited, but can't drive it. Monday to wednesday is good weather so looking forward to a few drives.
I am powerfully built 😂..so the interior did come as a bit of a shock, close the door and it rests against my arm. Also I am tempted to remove the sunvisor on the driver side as it steals a bit of vision.
Stuart, I got lucky. However cars like this are more common than you think. A fair few people buy them as retirement gifts etc and dote on them. However, they sold in reasonable numbers so most have been daily drivers and I am guessing this is what kills them once they are exposed to salty roads. If buying, bide your time and wait for the right one, the price difference between a garaged, well looked after example and a poor one needing ALOT of work is small...in the current market.
Still haven't driven it as there is rain coming 
Anyway, a few more pictures for anyone interested...
Paintwork is very good and all original, some tiny swirls to be expected, so maybe get the machine polisher out next summer.
Nice and clean engine bay
Few interior shots
Loving the general overall cleanliness of the car, lots of little things make me smile and show how well looked after it is.
Current fleet of "second cars", which has gotten a little out of hand.
Plan is to tidy up the garage in the next few months and fit the 106 and the MX5 in it. They are both small and I reckon I can fashion something with MDF so that I can store things safely around them, maybe a little partition where the mower can go and a few other bits and pieces.
Anyway, a few more pictures for anyone interested...
Paintwork is very good and all original, some tiny swirls to be expected, so maybe get the machine polisher out next summer.
Nice and clean engine bay
Few interior shots
Loving the general overall cleanliness of the car, lots of little things make me smile and show how well looked after it is.
Current fleet of "second cars", which has gotten a little out of hand.
Plan is to tidy up the garage in the next few months and fit the 106 and the MX5 in it. They are both small and I reckon I can fashion something with MDF so that I can store things safely around them, maybe a little partition where the mower can go and a few other bits and pieces.
Maximus Decimus Meridius said:
... Reads OP's description of car, wonders if it's too good to be true, wanders off to check online MOT history ... Nope, that's a good one, MOT history is exemplary.
Excellent buy Matt ! That looks super clean. All original too, you say ? You've found a unicorn. Enjoy it
Yep the MOT is rather good! All original paint and no welding/ repairs.Excellent buy Matt ! That looks super clean. All original too, you say ? You've found a unicorn. Enjoy it
Before I viewed, I was looking at what other examples were like in terms of MOT history, around the same price. Most made for VERY worrying reading despite being sold as mint etc. Also helped give me a few hints as to things to check.
Good news that it's been Waxoyl treated too.
If you want to go over anything (you mentioned a rear arch) try Lanoguard.
It's much less messy than Waxoyl (I recently treated one of my cars with it and it was super easy to apply with good results).
As you know, rust is the issue with these cars and prevention is better thsn cure.
Lovely thing, Matt. Congrats again.
If you want to go over anything (you mentioned a rear arch) try Lanoguard.
It's much less messy than Waxoyl (I recently treated one of my cars with it and it was super easy to apply with good results).
As you know, rust is the issue with these cars and prevention is better thsn cure.
Lovely thing, Matt. Congrats again.
Maximus Decimus Meridius said:
Good news that it's been Waxoyl treated too.
If you want to go over anything (you mentioned a rear arch) try Lanoguard.
It's much less messy than Waxoyl (I recently treated one of my cars with it and it was super easy to apply with good results).
As you know, rust is the issue with these cars and prevention is better thsn cure.
Lovely thing, Matt. Congrats again.
and thanks again.If you want to go over anything (you mentioned a rear arch) try Lanoguard.
It's much less messy than Waxoyl (I recently treated one of my cars with it and it was super easy to apply with good results).
As you know, rust is the issue with these cars and prevention is better thsn cure.
Lovely thing, Matt. Congrats again.
Car won't see the rain, think that is the best method of prevention lol!
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