I can't stop thinking about....

[Jag-D]

MX5's

I know they're somewhat of a Pistonheads cliche and seen as some kind of girls car or hairdressers scissor box, but I actually miss mine and can't stop thinking about getting another in a couple of years.

That's the thing though: A couple of years

So much going on at the moment that I can't afford to buy and run another car (although we should have an XJ Cherokee for the winter, but that was a freebie) but the first thing I think about when the missus says "When we've both qualified, you can buy a project car upto a grand" the first thing I think about is MX5's then a quick flash of inspiration in the guise of an IROC, then it's back to MX5's

I get the feeling I'm a bit wrong, you know?

Although I am now thinking about other engine transplants for a series 1 MX5...

Part of me is thinking MX6 lump, then I keep thinking about SR20 motors

I'm off to seek help

[bicycleshorts]

You can buy, insure and tax a mk1 for less than a grand. Are you sure you couldn't save that up in less than 2 years?

[TameRacingDriver]

They do kind of get under your skin.

One of the worst things I did was sell my Mk1 RS-Limited. I still see it sometimes, and talk to the owner. It still looks great, and it still drives great. I spent a good chunk of money restoring it, and then I got rid (silly boy), thinking that I was bored with it.

A few cars later, and I did actually go back to one, this time, a rusty, knackered UK Mk1. I ended up hating it. It needed even more money spent on it than the 1st.

Now, I am with another car that got under my skin (RS Clio), but I still think of MX5s. If I could have a Mk2 RS-Limited 6-speed in white, I think I really would!!

[bicycleshorts]

TameRacingDriver said:

If I could have a Mk2 RS-Limited 6-speed in white, I think I really would!!

They are rapid, my Dad struggled to keep up with one in his supercharged mk1 with gaz coilovers.

[Captain Muppet]

Forget engine swaps, they cost a huge amount of time and grief compared to slapping a turbo on the engine you have.

I finished my £500 turbo install on my £1500 MX5 in a weekend. It was in the same workshop as my 4.6l V8 RX7, which took so long that the floor had rusted away before the engine installation was finished.

I can't stop thinking about R32 Skylines, 635CSis, 944s, Excels, Exiges, becoming Wolverine, zombiepocalipse and chips.

[Chris71]

TameRacingDriver said:

One of the worst things I did was sell my Mk1 RS-Limited.

Same here. I had an RS-Ltd and it's one of those cars I really wish I'd persevered with. I didn't really appreciate the MX5 for what it was at the time, but I'd love to go back and a mk2 RS would seem like a fitting choice.

Personally, however, I wouldn't go for an engine transplant. To me part of what makes the MX5 a great all rounder is the fact the standard(ish) car is so well supported mechanically. If you want anything, from a new set of spark plugs to a full race engine, it's easy to find and it probably won't cost a huge amount of money.

I'd be inclined to stick with the standard route of tinkering with an unmodified car for a while and then slapping some form of forced induction on if you get bored.

Once you start dramatically modifying the car with major engine transplants and the like it loses a lot of that convenience.

That said... if you do want an affordable, fun, Japanese project car, what about sticking a V6 in the back of an MR2?

[Jag-D]

Captain Muppet said:

becoming Wolverine, zombiepocalipse and chips.

Hello? Are we related?

Chris71 said:

Same here. I had an RS-Ltd and it's one of those cars I really wish I'd persevered with. I didn't really appreciate the MX5 for what it was at the time, but I'd love to go back and a mk2 RS would seem like a fitting choice.

Personally, however, I wouldn't go for an engine transplant. To me part of what makes the MX5 a great all rounder is the fact the standard(ish) car is so well supported mechanically. If you want anything, from a new set of spark plugs to a full race engine, it's easy to find and it probably won't cost a huge amount of money.

I'd be inclined to stick with the standard route of tinkering with an unmodified car for a while and then slapping some form of forced induction on if you get bored.

Once you start dramatically modifying the car with major engine transplants and the like it loses a lot of that convenience.

That said... if you do want an affordable, fun, Japanese project car, what about sticking a V6 in the back of an MR2?

I thought about the MR2, but I'm not as much of a fan as I am with the MX5.

Although I must admit, the full power 1.6 was a cracking engine and the balance of the thing was fantastic.

I think if I did go back down that route, I would be thinking forced induction, coilovers, caged with some decent brakes.

God they're too addictive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TameRacingDriver]

bicycleshorts said:

TameRacingDriver said:

If I could have a Mk2 RS-Limited 6-speed in white, I think I really would!!

They are rapid, my Dad struggled to keep up with one in his supercharged mk1 with gaz coilovers.

You're not wrong there. On one of the last runs out I had in my old rustbucket UK spec 1.8, I was following one of these. Frankly, it pulled my pants down on the bends and on the straights. Very impressive little cars.

[Grandad]

TameRacingDriver said:

I spent a good chunk of money restoring it.......

Did it need much attention to the sills and arches?

[TameRacingDriver]

Grandad said:

Did it need much attention to the sills and arches?

No it was fine there, but it did have a load of other stuff that needed doing!

[Eighteeteewhy]

I'll just put this here, not sure if it helps.

[anonymous-user]

You know what, Even if you have it for a few months it is worth a shot. I have had about 30 cars in my 12 years driving and made a list of ones I want to drive so do it.

[tomsugden]

TameRacingDriver said:

If I could have a Mk2 RS-Limited 6-speed in white, I think I really would!!

Like the one second from bottom?

http://www.chichestermx5.co.uk/#/used-cars/4538731...

[Marf]

Seriously considering buying one too as a project, to supercharge most likely.

Would have to be an RS/V-Special/S-Special or similar model with bilsteins, LSD and AC.

[LukeBird]

bicycleshorts said:

TameRacingDriver said:

If I could have a Mk2 RS-Limited 6-speed in white, I think I really would!!

They are rapid, my Dad struggled to keep up with one in his supercharged mk1 with gaz coilovers.

Slightly off topic, but they're not that different to other Mk2s are they?

I think I've realised my Mk2.5 is a keeper ( I'm sure we all say that about all cars!), I can't find anything else that offers the driving experience, with everyday practicality. I think I'm likely to go for a second car rather than get rid.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Marf said:

Seriously considering buying one too as a project, to supercharge most likely.

Would have to be an RS/V-Special/S-Special or similar model with bilsteins, LSD and AC.

Having just sold an S-Spec with Bilsteins I would say they are well overrated. Ride is much to hard for anything other than perfect tarmac.

I don't find them fantastically interesting cars and I like something that stands out a bit more on the road, but they really are a fabulous drive.

I think I may well get another at some stage. Mk.1 1.6 with forced induction around 190-200bhp, mariner blue or red with white wheels, hard dog bar, fast road fun and maybe pop my track cherry.

[bicycleshorts]

LukeBird said:

Slightly off topic, but they're not that different to other Mk2s are they?

I think I've realised my Mk2.5 is a keeper ( I'm sure we all say that about all cars!), I can't find anything else that offers the driving experience, with everyday practicality. I think I'm likely to go for a second car rather than get rid.

I don't know enough about mk2s to answer this properly, but I've been told the 6 speed box is excellent for keeping the car in the rev range all the time. The mk2 1.8 also has VVT so 20+ more bhp than the mk1. I'd estimate the supercharger adds another 30-40bhp but the map wasn't great at the time and it's since had a reduction pulley fitted.

The 4.3:1 diff in later mk1s is fantastic, acceleration is so much better than the earlier ones. Unfortunately it means bleeding ear drums on motorways and only 115mph top speed for autobahn runs.

NiceCupOfTea said:

Having just sold an S-Spec with Bilsteins I would say they are well overrated. Ride is much to hard for anything other than perfect tarmac.

Have you got any side on pics? Both mine and my Dad's were very low, and the bilsteins on mine were shocking. But on the above later s-spec 2, the ride was higher and the bilsteins were pretty good.

S-specs are "supposed" to be 10mm lower, but mine was at least 30mm... I wonder how many came from Japan still with the standard springs.

Edited by bicycleshorts on Sunday 24th June 23:05

[NiceCupOfTea]

Side view:

[bicycleshorts]

NiceCupOfTea said:

Side view:

Unfortunately I don't have a side on angle of his car, but look at the rear arch gap (you could get your palm in vertically):



My mate's 1.6 s-spec was the same height as ours, I wonder if they raised the later ones to work better with the Bilsteins?

Anyways, I agree they are over-rated. We both had KYB AGX's and they were good, but my Dad fitted some Gaz and they're fantastic. His car now just squats and gets on with it, no skipping, crashing or jumping over bumps.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Maybe. Mine was a 94L S-Spec1. Definitely had the yellow Bilstein shocks, can't remember how the springs looked and can't look to check any more