£1500 to spend...mx5?

[luckyg]

The Mrs really wants an mx5.she's got about £1500 to spend.what do the mx5 fans suggest would be the best model for that kind of money. Eunos or UK? 1.6 or 1.8? Power isn't top of her priority.
Any major known faults etc to look out for when buying?
Cheers for any help in advance

[OlberJ]

Eunos that's not been in the country too long or has been undersealed properly etc.

Just buy the best one that pops up for the budget.

[8vFTW]

As said I would imagine a Eunos would have less rust. That said, for that money you could get a 1.6 or 1.8, although some of the MX5s listed on PH at least seem to be a little over priced!

It's certainly going to be a Mk1 for that money, but at least it has pop up headlights

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2930623.htm

That looks like one of the more reasonably priced ones. Sure, aftermarket suspension but at the age they are at and considering the amount of b road bashing it's probably had in it's life time, a fairly recent suspension setup is probably a good thing.

[Night Runner]

I have a mk1 1.8. It cost me £600 (I was cunning!).

It's a fun drive, you'll get nothing better for the money.

Watchout for rust.

[Jayho]

I seen this today on gumtree

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/mx5-...

If you're close to the area couldnt harm in going for a nosey? I'm very tempted myself, but I just cant justify running two cars. And require at least 4 seats.

[luckyg]

Thanks for help so far.any more input from others?

[Baryonyx]

I had a great time with mk2 1.6. The key thing to look for is rust, rust, rust. I spent ages looking at various examples and whilst finding cars in sound mechanical condition was easy, rust was the main problem. It seemed the mk1's were worst hit but it was very hit and miss. You could look at a 2004 registered mk2 abd see some pretty bad rust or you could look at an R reg mk2 abd see none on twice the miles! They really are cars that need to be viewed and scrutinised. Your budget should get you a good runner, even if it won't buy you into the top end of the used market.