Hello from Betty
Discussion
The MX5 comes in lots of different flavours. The early ones (89-94) were 16 only. From then on, you have a choice of 1.6 or 1.8, the 1.8 being slightly more powerful. There's not much in it though. After that, you have to choose between UK and import. Imports are sometimes overlooked due to fears of higher insurance, but this is nonsense. Most insurers don't care now, so go to one that doesn't. They are essentially the same, altough some detail changes such as the rear panel are there (I prefer the import square number plate). Imports often come better spec'd such as PAS and elec windows and air con.
As for where to buy, there are many for sale here on Pistonheads, but also check the MX5 owners' club web site and mx5nutz. Buying private can be risky of course, but I would prefer to buy from an enthusiast who knows and looks after his / her car, than from a dealer who won't know the car particularly. There are exceptions of course...
As you're looking for an automatic, it will limit your choice somewhat, but I bet there's lots of nice ones about. Don't worry too much about higher mileages, as long as it's been looked after.
Above all, buy on condition above all else. They're not known for corrosion resistance, so if you can find one that hasn't had sills repaired, all the better!
There's some great buyers' guides on the web, full of useful info.
As for where to buy, there are many for sale here on Pistonheads, but also check the MX5 owners' club web site and mx5nutz. Buying private can be risky of course, but I would prefer to buy from an enthusiast who knows and looks after his / her car, than from a dealer who won't know the car particularly. There are exceptions of course...
As you're looking for an automatic, it will limit your choice somewhat, but I bet there's lots of nice ones about. Don't worry too much about higher mileages, as long as it's been looked after.
Above all, buy on condition above all else. They're not known for corrosion resistance, so if you can find one that hasn't had sills repaired, all the better!
There's some great buyers' guides on the web, full of useful info.
CaptiV8ted said:
The MX5 comes in lots of different flavours. The early ones (89-94) were 16 only. From then on, you have a choice of 1.6 or 1.8, the 1.8 being slightly more powerful. There's not much in it though. After that, you have to choose between UK and import. Imports are sometimes overlooked due to fears of higher insurance, but this is nonsense. Most insurers don't care now, so go to one that doesn't. They are essentially the same, altough some detail changes such as the rear panel are there (I prefer the import square number plate). Imports often come better spec'd such as PAS and elec windows and air con.
As for where to buy, there are many for sale here on Pistonheads, but also check the MX5 owners' club web site and mx5nutz. Buying private can be risky of course, but I would prefer to buy from an enthusiast who knows and looks after his / her car, than from a dealer who won't know the car particularly. There are exceptions of course...
As you're looking for an automatic, it will limit your choice somewhat, but I bet there's lots of nice ones about. Don't worry too much about higher mileages, as long as it's been looked after.
Above all, buy on condition above all else. They're not known for corrosion resistance, so if you can find one that hasn't had sills repaired, all the better!
There's some great buyers' guides on the web, full of useful info.
As for where to buy, there are many for sale here on Pistonheads, but also check the MX5 owners' club web site and mx5nutz. Buying private can be risky of course, but I would prefer to buy from an enthusiast who knows and looks after his / her car, than from a dealer who won't know the car particularly. There are exceptions of course...
As you're looking for an automatic, it will limit your choice somewhat, but I bet there's lots of nice ones about. Don't worry too much about higher mileages, as long as it's been looked after.
Above all, buy on condition above all else. They're not known for corrosion resistance, so if you can find one that hasn't had sills repaired, all the better!
There's some great buyers' guides on the web, full of useful info.
Hi,
Thank you for the great information. I will take my time, have a good look around. Looking for an import as they seem to suffer less rust issues as so many people have commented on this.
Regards
Betty
CaptiV8ted said:
Imports often come better spec'd such as PAS and elec windows and air con.
That's only partly true. The UK Mk1 1.6 up to the release of the 1.8 all had PAS, ABS & EW. The only thing that most didn't have was AC and I don't think any had LSD. On JDM cars most of these things were options. The Japanese market being what it is, the vast majority had pretty much all the option boxes ticked but not always and there are some poverty spec JDM cars around. Later Mk1s, after the launch of the 1.8 and the relaunch of the 1.6 is a different story.
Go for the later model 2lt with hard top great fun car 56 plate onwards. Air con,leather etc all the mods, but as already said condition is king. Try to find one from a well looked after enthusiast...( hope I spelt that right! )
Had my 58 plate for a year now and have had so much fun driving it.
Had my 58 plate for a year now and have had so much fun driving it.
madasafrog666 said:
Go for the later model 2lt with hard top great fun car 56 plate onwards. Air con,leather etc all the mods, but as already said condition is king. Try to find one from a well looked after enthusiast...( hope I spelt that right! )
Had my 58 plate for a year now and have had so much fun driving it.
Bit of a difference in price though...Had my 58 plate for a year now and have had so much fun driving it.
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