It's a "what MX5" thread....
Discussion
And I'm not joking, either! 
My Shogun died whilst we were driving through Brittany. We've done around 50,000 miles in it in the last 4.5 years, so I can't really complain, given I only paid £3k for it, but even with the excellent intervention of Adrian Flux's breakdown people, it was a real ball ache.
Add to this the staggering fuel economy I was getting out of the diseasel MPVs we had as hire cars (a Scenic which was loathsome and a Touran which was actually quite nice, although that may just have been in comparison), and I'm thinking of getting an S-Max through out company car scheme.
To make the whole thing viable, I'd need to be doing pretty much all my miles in the S Max to benefit from the much, much better fuel economy, and my ZTT V8 doesn't really make much sense purely as an occasional hooning toy, so - something which I didn't think I'd ever say - I think I'll probably be selling that too.
This is where the point of this thread comes in. I really can't contemplate life with only an S Max, so am looking at spending £2-3k as an absolute maximum on something purely for fun with no need to worry about practicality.
Fuel economy doesn't matter, as I doubt I'll do more than a couple of thousand miles a year in it, but decent reliability and low maintenance costs would be good. Something easy for DIY maintenance would be better.
Both for enjoyment of driving and for easier maintenance, I want a minimum of electronics involved. Two seats and a soft top appeals.
From all of this, I think, despite the huge PH cliché of it, that an MX5 is probably exactly what I'm looking for, but I don't know much more than that. What generation has the best reputation for fun? Which engine size? Also, is there anything else I should be looking at instead?
My Shogun died whilst we were driving through Brittany. We've done around 50,000 miles in it in the last 4.5 years, so I can't really complain, given I only paid £3k for it, but even with the excellent intervention of Adrian Flux's breakdown people, it was a real ball ache.
Add to this the staggering fuel economy I was getting out of the diseasel MPVs we had as hire cars (a Scenic which was loathsome and a Touran which was actually quite nice, although that may just have been in comparison), and I'm thinking of getting an S-Max through out company car scheme.
To make the whole thing viable, I'd need to be doing pretty much all my miles in the S Max to benefit from the much, much better fuel economy, and my ZTT V8 doesn't really make much sense purely as an occasional hooning toy, so - something which I didn't think I'd ever say - I think I'll probably be selling that too.
This is where the point of this thread comes in. I really can't contemplate life with only an S Max, so am looking at spending £2-3k as an absolute maximum on something purely for fun with no need to worry about practicality.
Fuel economy doesn't matter, as I doubt I'll do more than a couple of thousand miles a year in it, but decent reliability and low maintenance costs would be good. Something easy for DIY maintenance would be better.
Both for enjoyment of driving and for easier maintenance, I want a minimum of electronics involved. Two seats and a soft top appeals.
From all of this, I think, despite the huge PH cliché of it, that an MX5 is probably exactly what I'm looking for, but I don't know much more than that. What generation has the best reputation for fun? Which engine size? Also, is there anything else I should be looking at instead?
With MX-5s, a lot comes down to individual preference. Your budget should get you a very good condition Mk1, a good Mk2 or a reasonable Mk2.5.
The general consensus is that the Mk1 is more raw, Mk2s and 2.5s are a bit more refined. Mk2 onwards has a nicer interior if that's important. There's plenty around, so probably easiest to test drive a couple and see what you prefer.
Electronics wise Mk2 onwards has ABS, but none have TC or stability control. Almost all editions have PAS, which is usually rated as a good thing.
Engine wise avoid 94-98 1.6s, they were detuned to make the 1.8 more attractive. Otherwise some prefer the additional power of the 1.8, others prefer the 1.6 as it revs a bit more freely, again really down to individual preference. With each edition engines got a little more power but chassis got a bit heavier so not really noticeable.
Some editions have an LSD, mine hasn't and can't say it makes a big difference to my driving but others rate them, especially for track use. There are models with firmer bilstein suspension, again try and test drive both versions to decide what you prefer.
Not too sure about alternatives, when I was buying an MX-5 seemed to fit everything within my budget, guess MR2s might be one option to consider?
The general consensus is that the Mk1 is more raw, Mk2s and 2.5s are a bit more refined. Mk2 onwards has a nicer interior if that's important. There's plenty around, so probably easiest to test drive a couple and see what you prefer.
Electronics wise Mk2 onwards has ABS, but none have TC or stability control. Almost all editions have PAS, which is usually rated as a good thing.
Engine wise avoid 94-98 1.6s, they were detuned to make the 1.8 more attractive. Otherwise some prefer the additional power of the 1.8, others prefer the 1.6 as it revs a bit more freely, again really down to individual preference. With each edition engines got a little more power but chassis got a bit heavier so not really noticeable.
Some editions have an LSD, mine hasn't and can't say it makes a big difference to my driving but others rate them, especially for track use. There are models with firmer bilstein suspension, again try and test drive both versions to decide what you prefer.
Not too sure about alternatives, when I was buying an MX-5 seemed to fit everything within my budget, guess MR2s might be one option to consider?
Ive got a Mk1 Eunos V Special 1600. Its providing a huge amount of fun every night on the lanes, nice destress from work, and this evening, popped from Portsmouth to Staines (132 mile round trip) and it performed faultlessly, with me and my mate, both 18st cruising nice at 65-70. Averaged 35mpg too, which Im happy with! Not too juicy, loves to be revved, so go for it!
Doesnt matter what you buy really as long as you get one with no rust, or as little rust as possible.
If you can see rust on the arches and sills, dont listen to sellers saying it can be flattened back and sprayed, it will be rotten inside. You probably wont find one with no rust so I would budget 750 max for a proper repair if nessesary and any left over can be used on the car
Watch out for front chassis rail rust on mk2 and 2.5s also.
If you can see rust on the arches and sills, dont listen to sellers saying it can be flattened back and sprayed, it will be rotten inside. You probably wont find one with no rust so I would budget 750 max for a proper repair if nessesary and any left over can be used on the car
Watch out for front chassis rail rust on mk2 and 2.5s also.
Don't forget to check the bootlid for rust too.
Don't assume Mk2's will be better for rust, they're not, you're probably more likely to find a rust free Mk1.
These cars are generally bombproof, therefore buy on condition not mileage. It seems that low mileage examples often have more problems than those with 150,000 on the clock.
Don't assume Mk2's will be better for rust, they're not, you're probably more likely to find a rust free Mk1.
These cars are generally bombproof, therefore buy on condition not mileage. It seems that low mileage examples often have more problems than those with 150,000 on the clock.
TBH, if you're after a toy, then just go buy the first reasonably-priced Mk1 or Mk2 you find. Have a play, compare it to other people's cars, then sell it and get a faster/shinier/lighter/non-red one.
£1500 should get you something reasonable. Keep the rest for when you decide that your toy needs coilovers, buckets, rollbar and track tyres.
£1500 should get you something reasonable. Keep the rest for when you decide that your toy needs coilovers, buckets, rollbar and track tyres.
sbird said:
Have a play, compare it to other people's cars, then sell it and get a faster/shinier/lighter/non-red one.
Why non-red????Look at my profile for the colour of my current car, and bear in mind that I have a pathological loathing for cars in silver or grey! I'll be looking for the brightest colour I can find for a toy!
Well, it looks like I'm going to have to wait around 10 weeks before I can put my plan into action, as that's the current lead time on new S-Maxes, and I can't leave myself plus wife and three kids with an MX-5 as my only car!
Looking on the bright side, I'm assuming that's the best possible time of year to buy one from a price perspective?
Looking on the bright side, I'm assuming that's the best possible time of year to buy one from a price perspective?
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