Buying Advice on a £5k budget
Discussion
ok, so i've got £5k to spend on a sporty soft top, and the MX-5 seems to be the winner with Mrs Eltax. She prefers it to the MR2.
So, i'm looking for a 1.8 engine (won't compromise on that) but what general things should i look for that may have gone wrong/ been done/ need doing? I know if i get one with FSH then it's likely to last forever, and i'm not scared of a spanner.
I guess i'm looking at a MK2 for that money? 1998-2000 seems to be about what i would get into. Would i get into a MK2.5 for the money, or is it worth sticking with the MK2 to get the better examples?
Do the extra toys like Air Con and Leather make all the difference? The car will be a weekend fun car with once a week commute when two cars are required!
Finally, i spotted one ad with "Tonneo Cover" written in the blurb, not seen that before, is that not the stanard roof? I assumed it just came in standard rag top, with the option of a hard top.
So, i'm looking for a 1.8 engine (won't compromise on that) but what general things should i look for that may have gone wrong/ been done/ need doing? I know if i get one with FSH then it's likely to last forever, and i'm not scared of a spanner.
I guess i'm looking at a MK2 for that money? 1998-2000 seems to be about what i would get into. Would i get into a MK2.5 for the money, or is it worth sticking with the MK2 to get the better examples?
Do the extra toys like Air Con and Leather make all the difference? The car will be a weekend fun car with once a week commute when two cars are required!
Finally, i spotted one ad with "Tonneo Cover" written in the blurb, not seen that before, is that not the stanard roof? I assumed it just came in standard rag top, with the option of a hard top.
Edited by eltax91 on Thursday 11th October 15:38
The tonneau cover is just a cover to put over the soft top when it's down, you can pick them up on ebay or the Owners Club cheap enough if the car you buy doesn't have one, although most people don't tend to use them as they are a bit of a faff to put on.
For 5k you will be able to buy a decent Mk2, and as you say a 1999-2000 model, depending on condition etc. Just check for rusty sills, especially near the rear wheel arch.
Many of the special edition cars have leather seats so look around, personally I prefer them although if you are planning on doing any track days you might find that they don't offer much in the way of grip.
For 5k you will be able to buy a decent Mk2, and as you say a 1999-2000 model, depending on condition etc. Just check for rusty sills, especially near the rear wheel arch.
Many of the special edition cars have leather seats so look around, personally I prefer them although if you are planning on doing any track days you might find that they don't offer much in the way of grip.
I'd say aircon is definately something to look out for. Top down is great but once sunburnt you'll be roof up and want to be cool. I live without it but wish I had it.
If it's a MK2 UK car your looking at you want it to be the S. That comes with the torsen LSD. When theres snow around you'll like that, also for doughnuts....[cough].
If it's a MK2 UK car your looking at you want it to be the S. That comes with the torsen LSD. When theres snow around you'll like that, also for doughnuts....[cough].
Munter said:
I'd say aircon is definately something to look out for. Top down is great but once sunburnt you'll be roof up and want to be cool. I live without it but wish I had it.
If it's a MK2 UK car your looking at you want it to be the S. That comes with the torsen LSD. When theres snow around you'll like that, also for doughnuts....[cough].
Is it only the S that comes with this? The car i'm thinking of going to look at is a 1999 T Reg, 70k on the clock. It's a special edition (6 speed box), what will that come with as standard?If it's a MK2 UK car your looking at you want it to be the S. That comes with the torsen LSD. When theres snow around you'll like that, also for doughnuts....[cough].
Also, if i don't have aircon, is it major hassle to retro-fit it?
eltax91 said:
Munter said:
I'd say aircon is definately something to look out for. Top down is great but once sunburnt you'll be roof up and want to be cool. I live without it but wish I had it.
If it's a MK2 UK car your looking at you want it to be the S. That comes with the torsen LSD. When theres snow around you'll like that, also for doughnuts....[cough].
Is it only the S that comes with this? The car i'm thinking of going to look at is a 1999 T Reg, 70k on the clock. It's a special edition (6 speed box), what will that come with as standard?If it's a MK2 UK car your looking at you want it to be the S. That comes with the torsen LSD. When theres snow around you'll like that, also for doughnuts....[cough].
Also, if i don't have aircon, is it major hassle to retro-fit it?
www.mx5oc.co.uk
www.mx5ocforums.co.uk
Munter said:
eltax91 said:
Munter said:
I'd say aircon is definately something to look out for. Top down is great but once sunburnt you'll be roof up and want to be cool. I live without it but wish I had it.
If it's a MK2 UK car your looking at you want it to be the S. That comes with the torsen LSD. When theres snow around you'll like that, also for doughnuts....[cough].
Is it only the S that comes with this? The car i'm thinking of going to look at is a 1999 T Reg, 70k on the clock. It's a special edition (6 speed box), what will that come with as standard?If it's a MK2 UK car your looking at you want it to be the S. That comes with the torsen LSD. When theres snow around you'll like that, also for doughnuts....[cough].
Also, if i don't have aircon, is it major hassle to retro-fit it?
www.mx5oc.co.uk
www.mx5ocforums.co.uk
I just have one more wuestion, when should the cambelt have been changed on these engines?
ETA: Just found out from the link you sent that the interval is 60k. So should have had one 10k ish ago. Is there a time-based cambelt component, as this one has done less than average miles, so would have gotten to 60k at about 6 years old...
Edited by eltax91 on Friday 12th October 10:24
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