Throw back, little winter project: Mk1 Mazda MX-5.
Discussion
Just bought this little 1998 Mk1 Mx5 for a project.
Forgot how sorted these things are to drive. Not powerful of course, but i doubt there is a snickier gearbox out there.
Mechanically it is great, 14 services, and a recent cam belt. Hood is ok, but the screen is milky. Tyres need changing. Paintwork is worst element, enough panels have marks that I'll probably just paint the whole car to make it right. Drivers eat is ripped, so will need a re-trim.
Unusually no rust on the sills.
Only done 45,500 miles.
Forgot how sorted these things are to drive. Not powerful of course, but i doubt there is a snickier gearbox out there.
Mechanically it is great, 14 services, and a recent cam belt. Hood is ok, but the screen is milky. Tyres need changing. Paintwork is worst element, enough panels have marks that I'll probably just paint the whole car to make it right. Drivers eat is ripped, so will need a re-trim.
Unusually no rust on the sills.
Only done 45,500 miles.
Henners said:
JeremyH5 said:
Henners said:
Very nice.
Pull that middle cover off the steering wheel - what sits underneath should be a bit nicer to look at!
eta: try some brasso on the rear screen, might help.
Not recommended. That is an air bag.Pull that middle cover off the steering wheel - what sits underneath should be a bit nicer to look at!
eta: try some brasso on the rear screen, might help.
Mine was a plastic cover...
You can get a zip-in rear screen much cheaper than the plastic, IIRC, which is solid acrylic or even glass in some cases. Can't for the life of me remember the manufacturer though.
On the other hand, if you forget to unzip the now solid piece when putting the roof down, it'll crack and you'll need to buy another one...... Sigh..........
Planning a full respray but also want to sell it arguably for a profit? The two aren't compatible. Spraying the whole car will be to make it nice - for you - you'll never see that money back on one of these ...
On the other hand, if you forget to unzip the now solid piece when putting the roof down, it'll crack and you'll need to buy another one...... Sigh..........
Planning a full respray but also want to sell it arguably for a profit? The two aren't compatible. Spraying the whole car will be to make it nice - for you - you'll never see that money back on one of these ...
Mega said:
You can get a zip-in rear screen much cheaper than the plastic, IIRC, which is solid acrylic or even glass in some cases. Can't for the life of me remember the manufacturer though.
On the other hand, if you forget to unzip the now solid piece when putting the roof down, it'll crack and you'll need to buy another one...... Sigh..........
Planning a full respray but also want to sell it arguably for a profit? The two aren't compatible. Spraying the whole car will be to make it nice - for you - you'll never see that money back on one of these ...
Will be tight, but depends how much (or little) I paid for it On the other hand, if you forget to unzip the now solid piece when putting the roof down, it'll crack and you'll need to buy another one...... Sigh..........
Planning a full respray but also want to sell it arguably for a profit? The two aren't compatible. Spraying the whole car will be to make it nice - for you - you'll never see that money back on one of these ...
Was looking at zip in windows, but the hood isnt the original, so not sure if this is possible. Need to check the supplying roof place, I think I have the paperwork for it.
Nice car...but that steering wheel....!
I have seen some MX5s with a really nice Nardi ? wheel.
Its just my opinion, but I would change that as soon as possible ! When I first saw the photo of your interior I thought it was an import Eunos !
Re the rear screen, I had an original Lotus Elan DHC, and that screen was kept in decent shape with Brasso, but yours seems to be a different issue if it is a milky colour...probably needs a new one which I am sure you know.
You may know that the MX5 was based on the Elan...same interior layout on the Mk1s, with the 4 dials, centre tunnel and gearshift...and of course the pop up headlights. But Mazda wisely did not copy the infamous Lotus vacuum system that was linked by various tubes to the inlet manifold. Any sort of leak resulted in droopy lights, or no lights at all ! It was said that the faster you went the lower the headlights dropped !
The MX5 was the car that lotus should have built.
Enjoying the thread so keep us updated with plenty of pictures.
I have seen some MX5s with a really nice Nardi ? wheel.
Its just my opinion, but I would change that as soon as possible ! When I first saw the photo of your interior I thought it was an import Eunos !
Re the rear screen, I had an original Lotus Elan DHC, and that screen was kept in decent shape with Brasso, but yours seems to be a different issue if it is a milky colour...probably needs a new one which I am sure you know.
You may know that the MX5 was based on the Elan...same interior layout on the Mk1s, with the 4 dials, centre tunnel and gearshift...and of course the pop up headlights. But Mazda wisely did not copy the infamous Lotus vacuum system that was linked by various tubes to the inlet manifold. Any sort of leak resulted in droopy lights, or no lights at all ! It was said that the faster you went the lower the headlights dropped !
The MX5 was the car that lotus should have built.
Enjoying the thread so keep us updated with plenty of pictures.
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