Checking for rust ?

[drgoatboy]

Tts rust too. The mother in law had one and the underside was exceedingly scabby.

If you do look at a mk1 mx5 if you look forward into the rear wheel arch take a couple of screws off the lower edge of the arch liner. Behind there you will find a rubber bung. Prise this out and peer in to get a feeling for the state of the inner sills. A carefully placed iPhone picture with flash on is maybe easier to look at than trying to stick your head in there.

[tonymor]

I bought a mk1 two years ago with minimal rust and have had new rear wing section put in and resprayed . Mostly the car is not modified and is insured as a classic. Well cleaned underneath and thoroughly wax oiled so im happy that rust is under control. Must remember these cars are 27 or more years old so some aspects you have to expect and budget for I m o

[Accelebrate]

designforlife said:

with the mk3 what you gain structurally you lose the engine and gearbox reliability...from what i recall anyway, i sold out of mx5 ownership a couple years ago now, the latter mk3s may have got better

I have a cheap early mk3 with high mileage. I'm three European road trips and four full-day track days including 20 laps of the ring in without any gearbox or engine issues. The only real problem has been a couple of sticky brake calipers (£70ish for a refurbed replacement).

[wuckfitracing]

2008 Mk3 about 30k miles, garaged over winter, never seen salt and this is the only rust I can find. It looks like the heat from the exhaust on both sides has taken the paint off.