MX5 Daily and the track car
Discussion
Hi guys, I wasn't planning on doing, but I thought I'd share my latest cars with the PH fraternity....pics are half way down the page if you don't like reading waffle 
Basically, I sold my last car after relocating to London under the idea that I wouldn't be needing a car with work being a 15 minute walk away. However, after 9 months there now, its become clear that 1) I do actually need a car for getting around and 2) I hate, hate hate public transport and paying Richard Branson 60 odd quid everytime I wanted to go see the missus up north was wearing a bit thin!
So, after looking for ages for a car, I wasn't much further on! Then, through work, I ended up at Millbrook behind the wheel of a MK3 MX5. Having never driven one before, it soon became clear why they're so popular! So after looking for a while and coming across a few that were either miles away or a bit iffy, I came across one that was local(ish), within budget(ish) and with solid rear arches and sills...
After a quick viewing, I was sold. I put a deposit on it and collected it at the start of the month!
Since then I've added just over 1,500 miles to it and loved every minute of it...apart from the regular trips to the petrol station, but at least the Shell Drivers card is being used again!
Here's some snaps:
I can't take any credit for the way it looks, the previous owner has uprated quite a bit and had spent just over a grand on the car at the start of the year. Fitted was an IL Motorsport dual exit exhaust, K&N 57i filter, Pagid discs with Yellowstuff pads, Enkei wheels and Yoko 048R tyres and a few other bits like the cambelt, servicing etc!
Plans wise, coilovers, polybushes and geo, maybe a bit of bracing are on the top of the list. Other than that, maybe a change of wheels (eventually) as they aren't really to my liking. Same goes for the clear reflectors, they'll be shortly going back to standard and one or two other bits...desperately want a lip and maybe a ducktail bootlid!
This was supposed to be a sensible car that I wasn't going to piss about with too much. Hmm...Can't see that lasting long at all!
The reason for wanting a sensible car that wasn't going to be messed with is because of this...
Car number 2. Obviously as the plate and pictures would suggest, it is a MG ZR160 that has been track prepped. Again, I can't take any credit for the way this looks or moves. It is the 2010 Championship winning car from the MGCC Championship and was put together by a far more knowledgeable man than myself.
The plan was to enter the MGOC Championship this season and undergo a very steep learning curve. But due to my relocation to London and various other commitments the car has been sat under a cover in a lock up since March. However, as the pictures would again suggest, I finally managed to get it out on track this weekend.
I went to a 'novice trackday' at Snetterton as in all fairness, it was my first time on track and the first time I've ever sat in the car, so it made sense. Without coming over all billy bullsh*t, the car took me massively by surprise and blew everything away in the twisties - including a Gallardo and a R8 V10 Spyder. Just a shame that the vast majority paid attention to the section of the briefing that asked you to move over on the straights for less powerful but faster cars...but what can you do??
We had people all day asking about the engine spec, and when telling them it was essentially a bog standard 1.8 K series, no-one actually believed it
Needless to say, I need to get my license sorted and out racing, I've been fully bitten now! That being said, I'm not rushing it. I need to learn a bit more race craft, as was evident in the couple of incidents I had, the more severe of the two was letting my confidence exceed grip/ ability which resulted in hurtling toward the barrier at 50mph backwards across grass. Luckily it was kept out of the wall but I took that as a sign and called it a day, it was the last session after all!
I'd rather get these incidents out of the way now on a relatively empty track rather than in the midst of 40+ other cars of similar pace.
Cheers for looking, any comments or suggestions are more than welcome!
John
Basically, I sold my last car after relocating to London under the idea that I wouldn't be needing a car with work being a 15 minute walk away. However, after 9 months there now, its become clear that 1) I do actually need a car for getting around and 2) I hate, hate hate public transport and paying Richard Branson 60 odd quid everytime I wanted to go see the missus up north was wearing a bit thin!
So, after looking for ages for a car, I wasn't much further on! Then, through work, I ended up at Millbrook behind the wheel of a MK3 MX5. Having never driven one before, it soon became clear why they're so popular! So after looking for a while and coming across a few that were either miles away or a bit iffy, I came across one that was local(ish), within budget(ish) and with solid rear arches and sills...
After a quick viewing, I was sold. I put a deposit on it and collected it at the start of the month!
Since then I've added just over 1,500 miles to it and loved every minute of it...apart from the regular trips to the petrol station, but at least the Shell Drivers card is being used again!
Here's some snaps:
I can't take any credit for the way it looks, the previous owner has uprated quite a bit and had spent just over a grand on the car at the start of the year. Fitted was an IL Motorsport dual exit exhaust, K&N 57i filter, Pagid discs with Yellowstuff pads, Enkei wheels and Yoko 048R tyres and a few other bits like the cambelt, servicing etc!
Plans wise, coilovers, polybushes and geo, maybe a bit of bracing are on the top of the list. Other than that, maybe a change of wheels (eventually) as they aren't really to my liking. Same goes for the clear reflectors, they'll be shortly going back to standard and one or two other bits...desperately want a lip and maybe a ducktail bootlid!
This was supposed to be a sensible car that I wasn't going to piss about with too much. Hmm...Can't see that lasting long at all!
The reason for wanting a sensible car that wasn't going to be messed with is because of this...
Car number 2. Obviously as the plate and pictures would suggest, it is a MG ZR160 that has been track prepped. Again, I can't take any credit for the way this looks or moves. It is the 2010 Championship winning car from the MGCC Championship and was put together by a far more knowledgeable man than myself.
The plan was to enter the MGOC Championship this season and undergo a very steep learning curve. But due to my relocation to London and various other commitments the car has been sat under a cover in a lock up since March. However, as the pictures would again suggest, I finally managed to get it out on track this weekend.
I went to a 'novice trackday' at Snetterton as in all fairness, it was my first time on track and the first time I've ever sat in the car, so it made sense. Without coming over all billy bullsh*t, the car took me massively by surprise and blew everything away in the twisties - including a Gallardo and a R8 V10 Spyder. Just a shame that the vast majority paid attention to the section of the briefing that asked you to move over on the straights for less powerful but faster cars...but what can you do??
We had people all day asking about the engine spec, and when telling them it was essentially a bog standard 1.8 K series, no-one actually believed it
Needless to say, I need to get my license sorted and out racing, I've been fully bitten now! That being said, I'm not rushing it. I need to learn a bit more race craft, as was evident in the couple of incidents I had, the more severe of the two was letting my confidence exceed grip/ ability which resulted in hurtling toward the barrier at 50mph backwards across grass. Luckily it was kept out of the wall but I took that as a sign and called it a day, it was the last session after all!
I'd rather get these incidents out of the way now on a relatively empty track rather than in the midst of 40+ other cars of similar pace.
Cheers for looking, any comments or suggestions are more than welcome!
John
Looks great on the outside aswell.Cheers guys. Contrary to what I said up there ^^ I'm still undecided on the MX at the minute, I love the drive to bits, but its just not that practical...add to this, the unfathomable impact on my insurance turning 25 in October has and I’m in a bit of a quandary.
I’m undecided on whether to keep this through to the end of summer and then p/x against something more powerful or just stay with for a year and do it then when it’s coming back round to summer...
The allure of a P1 is getting too much though, really really want one at the minute. We shall see, the MG will keep me more than distracted in the mean time however!
I’m undecided on whether to keep this through to the end of summer and then p/x against something more powerful or just stay with for a year and do it then when it’s coming back round to summer...
The allure of a P1 is getting too much though, really really want one at the minute. We shall see, the MG will keep me more than distracted in the mean time however!
designforlife said:
Lovely, I drive a mk2.5 but find myself hankering after the looks (and available modifying bits) of the mk1 sometimes. Looks like a neat little example 
Not to mention the handling of the mk1 
OP - Nice car, but change the bootlid for one without that luggage rack! It's hideous!
Also, stop driving around with the roof down but the windows up!! you don't get the full convertible experience otherwise..
Thought I'd finally get round to updating this...
The MX underwent extensive cutting, sawing and elephant-on-bonnet sitting and now looks like this:
Leepu would be proud
No, in all seriousness - as the astute amongst you may have realised, the MX was part-ex'd with a rather lovely 147 GTA. I loved the way the MX drove in twisties and I tried so hard to click with it, but I just couldn't love it. Given the circumstances I subjected it to, it rarely put a smile on my face and commuting became a chore more than a love. I'd have another in a heartbeat - if I were fortunate enough to have it as a second car.
Anywhoo, onward and upward as they say. The Alfa:
Put bluntly, I bloody love it. Its every superlative you can think of, I haven't loved a car this much since my VR6 Highline. It's cost me nearly £300 in parts so far and I've just baggsied the last of the Unicorse/Wizard exhausts for the 147 off of the Alfaowner forum - which looks further set to deplete the bank account…and see the average MPG nose dive. Do I care? Not in the slightest!
Couple of ropey pictures of it from the weekend:
Hard to believe it was washed just 30 mins before those pics...
I do have some plans to tidy the car up, especially under the bonnet; repaint the rockers and tidy up the wiring. Then I intend on adding coilovers and ARB's for improved twistiness and a smidge of lowering - my inner chav is hard to shake - and then after that, simply enjoy it for what it is, an absolute beauty
Edit to add...Riknos, I know that boot lid was bloody hideous It was on the list of things to change, I promise!
The MX underwent extensive cutting, sawing and elephant-on-bonnet sitting and now looks like this:
Leepu would be proud
No, in all seriousness - as the astute amongst you may have realised, the MX was part-ex'd with a rather lovely 147 GTA. I loved the way the MX drove in twisties and I tried so hard to click with it, but I just couldn't love it. Given the circumstances I subjected it to, it rarely put a smile on my face and commuting became a chore more than a love. I'd have another in a heartbeat - if I were fortunate enough to have it as a second car.
Anywhoo, onward and upward as they say. The Alfa:
Put bluntly, I bloody love it. Its every superlative you can think of, I haven't loved a car this much since my VR6 Highline. It's cost me nearly £300 in parts so far and I've just baggsied the last of the Unicorse/Wizard exhausts for the 147 off of the Alfaowner forum - which looks further set to deplete the bank account…and see the average MPG nose dive. Do I care? Not in the slightest!
Couple of ropey pictures of it from the weekend:
Hard to believe it was washed just 30 mins before those pics...
I do have some plans to tidy the car up, especially under the bonnet; repaint the rockers and tidy up the wiring. Then I intend on adding coilovers and ARB's for improved twistiness and a smidge of lowering - my inner chav is hard to shake - and then after that, simply enjoy it for what it is, an absolute beauty
Edit to add...Riknos, I know that boot lid was bloody hideous
It was on the list of things to change, I promise!
Not normally a fan of MGs, but I like the track hack. Never underestimate the pace of a properly put together ex-race car! My mate had ex championship winning car once that felt so much better than his previous same track prepped road car (that was seamed welded too).
Like the MX5 too!
Like the MX5 too!
Thanks chaps!
In other news, the GTA has been undersealed and had the new 'Wizard/ Unicorse style' exhaust fitted...sweet jesus it sounds good. Will try upload a video clip later - will go explore a few tunnels tonight I think!
wilbo83 said:
Out of interest, how much was a tidy mx5 like that worth?
I paid £2,400 for the MX back in July, then got £2,300 for it when I part ex'd it against the Alfa. £100 for a summer of brilliant motoring seemed a fair price to me!In other news, the GTA has been undersealed and had the new 'Wizard/ Unicorse style' exhaust fitted...sweet jesus it sounds good. Will try upload a video clip later - will go explore a few tunnels tonight I think!
Hi Johno, as the previous owner of the GTA and now owner of the MX5 I would really like to hear the new exhaust as that is something i was going to do to it! I love the mx5 and have even found some grey leather seats for it that have really tidied it up inside. I really like the boot rack too I reckon maybe lowering at some point
I am glad that the GTA is being treated lavishly!!
WIll
I am glad that the GTA is being treated lavishly!!
WIll
willttqs said:
Hi Johno, as the previous owner of the GTA and now owner of the MX5 I would really like to hear the new exhaust as that is something i was going to do to it! I love the mx5 and have even found some grey leather seats for it that have really tidied it up inside. I really like the boot rack too I reckon maybe lowering at some point
I am glad that the GTA is being treated lavishly!!
WIll
Hi Will, good to hear that the MX is doing well as well! The boot rack is a definitely a marmite item!I am glad that the GTA is being treated lavishly!!
WIll
I've uploaded a quick vid of the video on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLr-atFxqQI
^^ Not sure how to, or if its even possible to embed the video, but there we go! I haven't really done it justice, it sounds far better in person
Apart from a reoccurring fault code issue, the car has been flawless. Over the Christmas break, planning on refurbing the rocker covers in crackle black and tidying up the wiring loom as one or two of the wrappings are starting to become undone.
Will keep this updated as the car gets tidied up!
Quick snap of it now it looks remotely clean;
John
Edited by JohnoVR6 on Sunday 13th November 18:14
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