Discussion
If you had an absolute maximum of, say, £1,500 to spend on an MX5, what would you go for as a fun road car? Is it realistic to get something for not much more than a grand which won't turn into a money pit?
Some random questions: Is it worth focusing on an import to get various toys like uprated suspension and an LSD? Am I right in thinking the 1.6s are all vsicous LSDs which may have unlocked by now anyway? Any significant 'birthdays' to watch out for? At what point do the UK 1.6s become the low power versions?
Is there anyone in the Herts or North London area who'd care to show me around theirs to refresh my memory on things to look for? Have owned one in the past, but it's a while ago.
Basically, really miss having a fun car in my life and wondering if I could justify temporarily converting my savings into an MX5...
ETA Another couple of questions - what can't be economically fixed on a car of that value (i.e. is rust a terminal thing or can it usually be repaired at a sensible cost)? And can anyone recommend a good insurer for a daily driven MX5.
Some random questions: Is it worth focusing on an import to get various toys like uprated suspension and an LSD? Am I right in thinking the 1.6s are all vsicous LSDs which may have unlocked by now anyway? Any significant 'birthdays' to watch out for? At what point do the UK 1.6s become the low power versions?
Is there anyone in the Herts or North London area who'd care to show me around theirs to refresh my memory on things to look for? Have owned one in the past, but it's a while ago.
Basically, really miss having a fun car in my life and wondering if I could justify temporarily converting my savings into an MX5...
ETA Another couple of questions - what can't be economically fixed on a car of that value (i.e. is rust a terminal thing or can it usually be repaired at a sensible cost)? And can anyone recommend a good insurer for a daily driven MX5.
Edited by Chris71 on Monday 1st August 11:30
LukeBird said:
At the cheaper end of the market, I would definitely buy on condition rather than spec/engine size. Broadly speaking there isn't much difference in performance between the two models and I would sooner have a rust-free, tidy car, rather than a rusty heap with all of the toys.
Exactly.If you happen to get a LSD, or electric windows or coilovers then take it as a bonus.
Focus on checking the basics - sills, hood, leaks, arches, cambelt etc.
94 was when they launched the 1.8 and dropped the 1.6 down to a lower bhp.
I'd say its absolutely possible. A nice early mk1 with 110k on the clock went for £870 on ebay yesterday.
The only real "money pit" fix is getting rust sorted, for both arches/sills you could be looking at around 6-700 for a pro job.
Aside from that parts are very cheap and its a DIY friendly car.
I need to replace the gearbox on my mk2.5 at some stage, a second hand box only costs about £100!
There's not much that can't be fixed, even second hand engines aren't much.
Rust is basically ther main factor. Aside from that its mostly the obvious things to watch for when buying.
Just fyi mine hasn't got an LSD but it can still be coaxed sideways without too much effort, and thats on brand new toyos.
The only real "money pit" fix is getting rust sorted, for both arches/sills you could be looking at around 6-700 for a pro job.
Aside from that parts are very cheap and its a DIY friendly car.
I need to replace the gearbox on my mk2.5 at some stage, a second hand box only costs about £100!
There's not much that can't be fixed, even second hand engines aren't much.
Rust is basically ther main factor. Aside from that its mostly the obvious things to watch for when buying.
Just fyi mine hasn't got an LSD but it can still be coaxed sideways without too much effort, and thats on brand new toyos.
Edited by designforlife on Monday 1st August 12:18
rust on the sills next to the rear arches is the killer, this is an MOT fail as its near the seatbelt mounting points. They tend to rust from the inside out as this is where the hood drainage tubes can become blocked and lead to standing water in the sill.
Mines a mk2.5 but the principle is the same, i can show you the sills at the N london meet
One of mine is recently repaired and the other needs doing in a year or two,so its a good comparison.
Bit of rust on wheel arches is common on mk1s,but dont think this is an MOT fail.
If you can find one thats had the sills done in the last couple of years you'll be well away. Its getting to the point on mk1s now that any unrepaired cars the rust is pretty obvious,and seeing as its an MOT requirement theres 2 types, those that haven't been done and those that need it!
Theres bags of mods that can be done to the mk1s, and for a bit of extra poke you can advance the timing, not bad for a freebie
Mines a mk2.5 but the principle is the same, i can show you the sills at the N london meet
One of mine is recently repaired and the other needs doing in a year or two,so its a good comparison.Bit of rust on wheel arches is common on mk1s,but dont think this is an MOT fail.
If you can find one thats had the sills done in the last couple of years you'll be well away. Its getting to the point on mk1s now that any unrepaired cars the rust is pretty obvious,and seeing as its an MOT requirement theres 2 types, those that haven't been done and those that need it!
Theres bags of mods that can be done to the mk1s, and for a bit of extra poke you can advance the timing, not bad for a freebie
Edited by designforlife on Monday 1st August 13:14
Chris71 said:
Thanks. So at what point does rust go from a cosmetic concern to an MOT fail? Is it realistic to find a completely rust free one for that sort of price or do I need to brace myself for a few non-structural spots?
£1550 I got a completely rust free one with some nice toys on it, you just gotta look hard enough designforlife said:
rust on the sills next to the rear arches is the killer, this is an MOT fail as its near the seatbelt mounting points. They tend to rust from the inside out as this is where the hood drainage tubes can become blocked and lead to standing water in the sill.
Mines a mk2.5 but the principle is the same, i can show you the sills at the N london meet One of mine is recently repaired and the other needs doing in a year or two,so its a good comparison.
Bit of rust on wheel arches is common on mk1s,but dont think this is an MOT fail.
If you can find one thats had the sills done in the last couple of years you'll be well away. Its getting to the point on mk1s now that any unrepaired cars the rust is pretty obvious,and seeing as its an MOT requirement theres 2 types, those that haven't been done and those that need it!
Theres bags of mods that can be done to the mk1s, and for a bit of extra poke you can advance the timing, not bad for a freebie
Excellent post! So, in a nut shell, sills aren't a problem, but arches can be?Mines a mk2.5 but the principle is the same, i can show you the sills at the N london meet
One of mine is recently repaired and the other needs doing in a year or two,so its a good comparison.Bit of rust on wheel arches is common on mk1s,but dont think this is an MOT fail.
If you can find one thats had the sills done in the last couple of years you'll be well away. Its getting to the point on mk1s now that any unrepaired cars the rust is pretty obvious,and seeing as its an MOT requirement theres 2 types, those that haven't been done and those that need it!
Theres bags of mods that can be done to the mk1s, and for a bit of extra poke you can advance the timing, not bad for a freebie
OP have you read this?
http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/425.aspx
Bit of a bible if your looking to buy one.
http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/425.aspx
Bit of a bible if your looking to buy one.
denniswise9 said:
OP have you read this?
http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/425.aspx
Bit of a bible if your looking to buy one.
Now bookmarked, thanks. Technically if I do pick one up it'll be second time round, but it's a good few years since I sold my old one and I went in with a much higher budget last time.http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/425.aspx
Bit of a bible if your looking to buy one.
I was looking at an mx5 today as i was walking home with my wife. The owner saw us looking and said it was for sale.
It's an import , auto with power steering on a j plate. I asked if the sills were ok he said they were. The owner is a vicar. Asking price £900. If it had been manual I might have had a punt. If anyone is interested I can put you in touch
The car is located in Berkhamsted , herts
It's an import , auto with power steering on a j plate. I asked if the sills were ok he said they were. The owner is a vicar. Asking price £900. If it had been manual I might have had a punt. If anyone is interested I can put you in touch
The car is located in Berkhamsted , herts
This was my plan exactly, a fun second car on a budget - a word of warning, I know it can happen to any car but budget for unforeseen mechanicals!
I was stupid enough to blow most of my budget on what I thought was a really good example (sills done, decent spec, very clean and tidy, new hood, hardtop, good history) and since march have had knackered clutch slave cylinder, seized front caliper and cooling system problems which led me to change thermostat, radiator, hoses, water pump and now it still has a problem which is looking like head gasket. On the plus side it sailed an MOT with no advisories, which is why I'm happy spending money on it to get it up to standard.
I was stupid enough to blow most of my budget on what I thought was a really good example (sills done, decent spec, very clean and tidy, new hood, hardtop, good history) and since march have had knackered clutch slave cylinder, seized front caliper and cooling system problems which led me to change thermostat, radiator, hoses, water pump and now it still has a problem which is looking like head gasket. On the plus side it sailed an MOT with no advisories, which is why I'm happy spending money on it to get it up to standard.
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