1999 MX5 - Smiles per Miles
Discussion
I had the opportunity in March 2023 to acquire a one lady owned 1999 MX5 with just 38,000 miles and a file full of history. I went to have a look and other than an inoperative drivers window and a scuff on the front bumper it was in amazing condition for its age. I still retained it deep red colour having been garaged and only being used sparingly during its life. The MOT history was amazing with no fails in its previous 21 tests.
After viewing I really couldn't find an answer why I shouldn't buy it, even though I already had too many cars! Since purchase it has taken me on my trip on the NC500, where I couldn't think of a better car to do it in. It's now just passed 50,000 miles and will take us on holiday to Cornwall next month. The plan is also to do a Euro trip to Lake Como next year. Its ben totally faultless, and started straight up last week and standing over the winter. Future plans include replacing the roof, which is the original kne so has done well to last 27 years i suppose.
The price for all these smiles per miles? £900. Yep, £900, the cost of a few monthly payments on a new boring electric laden 2 tonne characterless SUV.
Here's a few pics, I know it's not fancy but I just love it.
After viewing I really couldn't find an answer why I shouldn't buy it, even though I already had too many cars! Since purchase it has taken me on my trip on the NC500, where I couldn't think of a better car to do it in. It's now just passed 50,000 miles and will take us on holiday to Cornwall next month. The plan is also to do a Euro trip to Lake Como next year. Its ben totally faultless, and started straight up last week and standing over the winter. Future plans include replacing the roof, which is the original kne so has done well to last 27 years i suppose.
The price for all these smiles per miles? £900. Yep, £900, the cost of a few monthly payments on a new boring electric laden 2 tonne characterless SUV.
Here's a few pics, I know it's not fancy but I just love it.
See if you can get hold of the Black 3 Spoke Nardi wheel used on this '1.8iS' versions of those early NB's (and the RX7!), I'm sure you'll get one dirt cheap from a breaker.
Much, much nicer to look at and hold, will be a lovely upgrade.
Great buy for £900!
ETA couldnt help looking, eighty quid, bosh, much nicer! Bit of leather feed and it will come up lovely: https://ebay.us/m/zDdpSa
Much, much nicer to look at and hold, will be a lovely upgrade.
Great buy for £900!
ETA couldnt help looking, eighty quid, bosh, much nicer! Bit of leather feed and it will come up lovely: https://ebay.us/m/zDdpSa
Enjoy! I’ve had over 100 vehicles over quite a short period of time and I don’t think I’ve ever had as much fun as I have in my NBFL. They’re fantastically enjoyable little cars and yours looks super clean.
I paid quite a bit less than you and thought I’d got a bargain. But £900 go that is borderline criminal i think! Enjoy!
My one is here - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I paid quite a bit less than you and thought I’d got a bargain. But £900 go that is borderline criminal i think! Enjoy!
My one is here - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
What a bargain. I've mentioned on another RC thread that my daughter is after a MX5 as her first car and although she wants a Mk1 with pop up headlights (as do I really) I think we need to be sensible and include these Mk2's as well as there's a lot more of them available. Will follow your thread with interest 
Having had the NA & NB I have to say I much rather driving the NB, despite wanting another NA and thinking they’re the much nicer looking cars I do prefer the drive of my NB. It’s very strange to say because they share a huge amount of parts and it shouldn’t make that much of a difference. So do consider the NB. They’re fantastic cars and equally enjoyable as the NA, if not a bit more driver friendly as a daily. I’ve driven my NB into work the last 3 days, never would have done that with the NA.
OGDB said:
Having had the NA & NB I have to say I much rather driving the NB, despite wanting another NA and thinking they re the much nicer looking cars I do prefer the drive of my NB. It s very strange to say because they share a huge amount of parts and it shouldn t make that much of a difference. So do consider the NB. They re fantastic cars and equally enjoyable as the NA, if not a bit more driver friendly as a daily. I ve driven my NB into work the last 3 days, never would have done that with the NA.
Hope you don't mind me asking but why not? I used a brace of NA albeit more than ten years ago now as daily drivers in all conditions, mostly roof down!! I've owned multiples of both.
The NB is a heavy facelift of the NA, thats all. There is a far, far bigger gulf between a 'nice, well specced and maintained example (NA or NB), and a 'grotty, baggy, leaky one' (NA or NB) than there is between the two variants.
Buy the one you like the look of best and is least rusty.
(The correct answer is a 93-95 JDM car, with a torsen diff and the extra bracing, S Special or similar, with the bigger brakes, on 15" wheels, no ABS, the later 146hp VVT engine dropped in, a later mohair hood fitted, and a bolted in proper roll bar). :winking:
The NB is a heavy facelift of the NA, thats all. There is a far, far bigger gulf between a 'nice, well specced and maintained example (NA or NB), and a 'grotty, baggy, leaky one' (NA or NB) than there is between the two variants.
Buy the one you like the look of best and is least rusty.
(The correct answer is a 93-95 JDM car, with a torsen diff and the extra bracing, S Special or similar, with the bigger brakes, on 15" wheels, no ABS, the later 146hp VVT engine dropped in, a later mohair hood fitted, and a bolted in proper roll bar). :winking:
snotrag said:
(The correct answer is a 93-95 JDM car, with a torsen diff and the extra bracing, S Special or similar, with the bigger brakes, on 15" wheels, no ABS, the later 146hp VVT engine dropped in, a later mohair hood fitted, supercharged and a bolted in proper roll bar). :winking:
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