Discussion
Hey all ive been reading about but im still not sure, im contemplating an early example of either a 1.6 or 1.8 with a budget of about 2k to buy to build into a bit of a weekend/occasional track toy - what would everyone go with? Ive been told the 1.6 as its more revvy but im really not sure as i would like the extra power.... all help more than welcome!
Cheers!
Cheers!
yep looking for one totally standard - wont be until after ive sold the TT unless someone wanted to do a p/x deal which is unlikely considering the price difference ! Seen some good looking examples! Would you be put off at all with imports? Ideally looking for UK model but if the price was right ive been considering it?
cheers
Andy
cheers
Andy
madmover said:
yep looking for one totally standard - wont be until after ive sold the TT unless someone wanted to do a p/x deal which is unlikely considering the price difference ! Seen some good looking examples! Would you be put off at all with imports? Ideally looking for UK model but if the price was right ive been considering it?
cheers
Andy
Got your knickers in a twist there buddy, PUT OFF by imports? They are preferable! I think it's the English media and sites such as Parkers.co.uk that make people think an Import is a bad thing, it is not the case..cheers
Andy
Riknos said:
Got your knickers in a twist there buddy, PUT OFF by imports? They are preferable! I think it's the English media and sites such as Parkers.co.uk that make people think an Import is a bad thing, it is not the case..
I'd stick to the imports more rust free high spec cars out there.Dift said:
1.8 or 1.6... One without rust should be more important 
Id look for a pre modified one... They do pop up around 2k quite often.
This. Get one with stainless steel exhaust, rollbar (not show bar) as well as new hood, sills etc and you won't go far wrong.Id look for a pre modified one... They do pop up around 2k quite often.
Batty's one looks super c-l-e-a-n....
Have been out in it and it's fab. Sounds great, too!Eviltad said:
JFReturns said:
rollbar (not show bar)
Is there a quick way of spotting the difference? Would we be looking for an FIA approved bar or simply something that looks robust?I know its a MK2 but i'm quite fancying THIS as meets the rollbar, lsd and sills requirement nicely.
That MK2 looks fantastic. However, I would stick to your budget and get a good MK1
madmover said:
Thanks for the all the advice guys, been having a look to try and find a totally stock one which has been owned by an old man for sunday drives.....anybody know of any? lol
When I was searching PH and autotrader they all kinda looked like old man's cars.AND I've also slightly hijacked this thread with my 5'er search and my budget is minimal but I could prob stretch for a really good one.
I'd guess that at a £3k price point I really should be thinking forced induction mk1 maybe.
Eviltad said:
THIS looks OK I think. Relatively un modified and recently imported so not rusty. Within the budget too.
I'm annoyed at the wheel balances being on outside of the BBS's and the ominous tread depth gauge in the drivers footwell personally.
Thanks matey, i too am annoyed for the same reasons and the roof having a little rip on it, still seems a good find but I personally would rather spend a little more if needed and try to find something a little better suited for me!I'm annoyed at the wheel balances being on outside of the BBS's and the ominous tread depth gauge in the drivers footwell personally.
madmover said:
Thanks matey, i too am annoyed for the same reasons and the roof having a little rip on it, still seems a good find but I personally would rather spend a little more if needed and try to find something a little better suited for me!
madmover said:
Thanks matey, i too am annoyed for the same reasons and the roof having a little rip on it, still seems a good find but I personally would rather spend a little more if needed and try to find something a little better suited for me!
What does "better suited" mean though matey? A year + ago, that car would have probably been two grand or more and could still compare to ones which are.The bottom has fallen out of the market, so don't make the mistake of thinking cheap always = bad.This years £800/£900 was last years £1500 +I have asked several people at track days whether there was any difference with the 1.6 and 1.8 on a track, the answer has always been a resounding "no".I picked up a lowly 1.6 90 bhp car recently (see the snotter thread) to use as a second MX5 and even that isn't massively different to my higher power Eunos.It's had sill work and will need it again later on, but it has covered 80ish k genuine miles, is on an N plate and cost me £650.It drives superbly!
Also, don't think they need a fortune spent on them to be fun and do well at a track.At the weekend for example, I saw VVT engined Mk1 one on TB's being thrown about, swiftly followed by a battered up £300 machine! Even the guys in the proper MX race series can only do minimal mods to the car (brake pads, air filter, leads etc) and those guys are all complete nutters
My advice would be to put up with the odd roof split (they can be had for £100 2nd hand on a frame) forget about the wheels (you will probably change them) and just focus on general wear and tear and rust.If you simply must spend more, buy one with some trick bits which may make it even nicer to use at a track.Also make sure the bottom pulley runs straight and true and doesn't wobble about.
Digby said:
What does "better suited" mean though matey? A year + ago, that car would have probably been two grand or more and could still compare to ones which are.The bottom has fallen out of the market, so don't make the mistake of thinking cheap always = bad.This years £800/£900 was last years £1500 +
I have asked several people at track days whether there was any difference with the 1.6 and 1.8 on a track, the answer has always been a resounding "no".I picked up a lowly 1.6 90 bhp car recently (see the snotter thread) to use as a second MX5 and even that isn't massively different to my higher power Eunos.It's had sill work and will need it again later on, but it has covered 80ish k genuine miles, is on an N plate and cost me £650.It drives superbly!
Also, don't think they need a fortune spent on them to be fun and do well at a track.At the weekend for example, I saw VVT engined Mk1 one on TB's being thrown about, swiftly followed by a battered up £300 machine! Even the guys in the proper MX race series can only do minimal mods to the car (brake pads, air filter, leads etc) and those guys are all complete nutters
My advice would be to put up with the odd roof split (they can be had for £100 2nd hand on a frame) forget about the wheels (you will probably change them) and just focus on general wear and tear and rust.If you simply must spend more, buy one with some trick bits which may make it even nicer to use at a track.Also make sure the bottom pulley runs straight and true and doesn't wobble about.
thanks for all the advice mate, i dont mind spending the money i just dont want to have to do any work to put things right if possible want to try and find one with all the essentials done as i have limited time available at the moment didnt realize you could pick up a roof for as little as that - ill have to do some more research and have a look around!!! I have asked several people at track days whether there was any difference with the 1.6 and 1.8 on a track, the answer has always been a resounding "no".I picked up a lowly 1.6 90 bhp car recently (see the snotter thread) to use as a second MX5 and even that isn't massively different to my higher power Eunos.It's had sill work and will need it again later on, but it has covered 80ish k genuine miles, is on an N plate and cost me £650.It drives superbly!
Also, don't think they need a fortune spent on them to be fun and do well at a track.At the weekend for example, I saw VVT engined Mk1 one on TB's being thrown about, swiftly followed by a battered up £300 machine! Even the guys in the proper MX race series can only do minimal mods to the car (brake pads, air filter, leads etc) and those guys are all complete nutters
My advice would be to put up with the odd roof split (they can be had for £100 2nd hand on a frame) forget about the wheels (you will probably change them) and just focus on general wear and tear and rust.If you simply must spend more, buy one with some trick bits which may make it even nicer to use at a track.Also make sure the bottom pulley runs straight and true and doesn't wobble about.
Thanks once again!!
Spoken to the insurance comapny this morning now im back in the UK and they have said that it needs to be a UK spec for them to quote me reasonably under £6000 so im searching for a UK spec Mx5 which rules out 3/4 of autotrader! so if anybody knows of any id be very greatful if they would send me links!
Cheers!
Andy
Cheers!
Andy
madmover said:
Spoken to the insurance comapny this morning now im back in the UK and they have said that it needs to be a UK spec for them to quote me reasonably under £6000 so im searching for a UK spec Mx5 which rules out 3/4 of autotrader! so if anybody knows of any id be very greatful if they would send me links!
Cheers!
Andy
I think it's a case of speaking to the correct insurance company. I've got an import and insured it for under 300 quid fully comp for me and the wife on a limited mileage policy. Not sure if I'm allowed to post who was good though?!Cheers!
Andy
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