My brief MX5 history.....
Discussion
As of January 1st 2011 I have never owned or really felt the need to own an MX5.
Cue a drunken Saturday night and me and three friends decided we needed a Mk1 MX5 for summer.
My budget was 1000 pound, and the search begun. One by one the others found a reason to pull out but I thought you only live once! Already have 3 cars so an utterly useless purchase.
Come mid February I had had enough looking when I stumbled across a totally standard and original MK1 1.8 MX5 in budget with long MOT in Swindon.
Anyway I drove down to see it and all seemed ok. It was -2 when I was there and pitch black so couldnt see much but it drove nicely enough. I left a deposit and collected it a week later.
On the way home roof down, 2 deg C and raining I was having a hoot. The Runway tyres meant I was sideways at any opportunity which was scary but fun!
When the sun came out I realised it might not have been as good as I first thought. Was faded, bit more rust than I had hope and a slightly tatty roof. For the price it was still ok, and mechanically solid. Had done 111,000 with FSH.
I kept the car for 4mths and did 1500 miles having some great days out. The roof was always down, and the car driven hard. It averaged 29mpg.
In my ownership the radio packed in and the roof developed a large rip around the rear screen but on it soldered.
Truth be told it never drove quite as I had expected. Granted it was fun, but cheap tyres, probably slightly worn suspension meant it was very wollowly, and on the motorway (not the MX5 forte I know) it was frankly scary).
Pics below:
Mid June a friend at work came over telling me about their new Alfa Romeo company car and telling me their MX5 was off to webuyanycar.com. My ears pricked up, she chucked me the keys and I took it for a spin. I bought it!
For four hundred pounds less than the red one I now owned a 1993 Mk1 1.6, with straight through exhaust, uprated air filter, fully adjustable suspension, the obligatory Momo and a few other toys. White paint, new sills and newish roof topped it off and I was smitten.
The red MX5 was sold for just 100 less than I paid for it (pretty much road tax it had used) off to soldier around London and a summer in North of France.
But now I had a proper MX5 and I love it to death! I have some much newer, "nicer" cars but jump in this every time this time of year. Roof down its great.
Plans of selling in September are now axed and visions of driving sideways in the snow are whetting my appetite along with a European jaunt next year.
I'm in love with it, and for what I paid I could not ask for anything more! Will keep you all posted on how it runs.
(More pics to come).
Cue a drunken Saturday night and me and three friends decided we needed a Mk1 MX5 for summer.
My budget was 1000 pound, and the search begun. One by one the others found a reason to pull out but I thought you only live once! Already have 3 cars so an utterly useless purchase.
Come mid February I had had enough looking when I stumbled across a totally standard and original MK1 1.8 MX5 in budget with long MOT in Swindon.
Anyway I drove down to see it and all seemed ok. It was -2 when I was there and pitch black so couldnt see much but it drove nicely enough. I left a deposit and collected it a week later.
On the way home roof down, 2 deg C and raining I was having a hoot. The Runway tyres meant I was sideways at any opportunity which was scary but fun!
When the sun came out I realised it might not have been as good as I first thought. Was faded, bit more rust than I had hope and a slightly tatty roof. For the price it was still ok, and mechanically solid. Had done 111,000 with FSH.
I kept the car for 4mths and did 1500 miles having some great days out. The roof was always down, and the car driven hard. It averaged 29mpg.
In my ownership the radio packed in and the roof developed a large rip around the rear screen but on it soldered.
Truth be told it never drove quite as I had expected. Granted it was fun, but cheap tyres, probably slightly worn suspension meant it was very wollowly, and on the motorway (not the MX5 forte I know) it was frankly scary).
Pics below:
Mid June a friend at work came over telling me about their new Alfa Romeo company car and telling me their MX5 was off to webuyanycar.com. My ears pricked up, she chucked me the keys and I took it for a spin. I bought it!
For four hundred pounds less than the red one I now owned a 1993 Mk1 1.6, with straight through exhaust, uprated air filter, fully adjustable suspension, the obligatory Momo and a few other toys. White paint, new sills and newish roof topped it off and I was smitten.
The red MX5 was sold for just 100 less than I paid for it (pretty much road tax it had used) off to soldier around London and a summer in North of France.
But now I had a proper MX5 and I love it to death! I have some much newer, "nicer" cars but jump in this every time this time of year. Roof down its great.
Plans of selling in September are now axed and visions of driving sideways in the snow are whetting my appetite along with a European jaunt next year.
I'm in love with it, and for what I paid I could not ask for anything more! Will keep you all posted on how it runs.
(More pics to come).
aproctor1 said:
Chris71 said:
How does the 1.6 compare to the 1.8?
The 1.6 is a bit revvier but the 1.8 has a bit more torque, (and better brakes and stronger clutch and diff).Not much in it, but i prefer the latter.
Gassing Station | Mazda MX5/Roadster/Miata | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff