My wife wants...
Discussion
PD, you'll get a very nice MX-5 for that price range. I'd personally try to get a Mk2 (with some more money), but that's my personal preference. Also ensures (almost) that you get a UK car, not having to check each advert for 'UK Car' to be mentioned. Obviously dependant on your wifes age, but imports cost more to insure aswell, so the saving you make might not be worth it anyway, if you're planning on running it for a few years.
Btw, I had a Mk2 1.6, and it was more than enough power (put it this way - I have a VXR like you now, and want my old MX5 back!)
Btw, I had a Mk2 1.6, and it was more than enough power (put it this way - I have a VXR like you now, and want my old MX5 back!)
All she wants is a low cost, fun, open top. A reliable 1.6 is ideal, performance doesn't really come into it, she struggles to drive mine properly - although she does it well, extracting the best out of the car only comes with experience.
For her a 1.6 or 1.8 is ample. The main factor which she will learn (hopefully not the hard way) is rear wheel drive performance...
For her a 1.6 or 1.8 is ample. The main factor which she will learn (hopefully not the hard way) is rear wheel drive performance...
performance requirements will depend largely on what she drives at the moment and how she drives it.
i have had my mk1 1.6 for about 6 months now but properly using the full range of the engine in the first 3 gears still sends a bit of adrenaline pumping through my veins. thats probably partly because my previous car was a Ka so the performance increase is rather noticeable, and partly because the mx5 is so involving and pure that it is a lot of fun even at not too ridiculous speeds.
i have had my mk1 1.6 for about 6 months now but properly using the full range of the engine in the first 3 gears still sends a bit of adrenaline pumping through my veins. thats probably partly because my previous car was a Ka so the performance increase is rather noticeable, and partly because the mx5 is so involving and pure that it is a lot of fun even at not too ridiculous speeds.
OK, I have a Mk.1 1.8 Eunos and used to have 2000 Rover 25 - just a point about the Rover, running it into the ground would take years, the late 90s/early 2000s Rovers were pretty well put together, and the diesel was bulletproof, so providing there's no abuse it would be a good few years before it starts failing MOTs IMHO!
A Mk.1 MX-5 will be a lot less refined, but my money would go on a good spec late Mk.1 (Mk.2s at even the top end of your budget will be a bit ropey IMHO) - look for one on a P or an R, the S-Specs or V-Specs are often a nice spec, but watch out for the Bilsteins on the S-Spec, it's quite a harsh ride.
Things to check for: rattly top end (irritating rather than bad, an oil change may cure it but not always), rust in the sills (not the end of the world but a good bargaining chip), and check the hood is OK (again, not pricey but worth looking for).
As a guide, I got a '94 1.8 Roadster S-Spec with 50k miles for not much over 2k and that was 6 months ago.
A Mk.1 MX-5 will be a lot less refined, but my money would go on a good spec late Mk.1 (Mk.2s at even the top end of your budget will be a bit ropey IMHO) - look for one on a P or an R, the S-Specs or V-Specs are often a nice spec, but watch out for the Bilsteins on the S-Spec, it's quite a harsh ride.
Things to check for: rattly top end (irritating rather than bad, an oil change may cure it but not always), rust in the sills (not the end of the world but a good bargaining chip), and check the hood is OK (again, not pricey but worth looking for).
As a guide, I got a '94 1.8 Roadster S-Spec with 50k miles for not much over 2k and that was 6 months ago.
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