Cheap MX5, what could possibly go wrong?
Discussion
Well, I was bored so thought I'd trawl Gumtree for a bargain. Eventually found this. It's a 1996 MX5 1.8is. I looked and then looked again and I can't find any rust on either the chassis rails or the sills. Sills have been patched previously but are still solid, I'll get it all waxoyled up at some point.
It was sold as a non runner as the alternator had seized after it standing for a while-I had a look one night and said I'd come back in daylight for a proper poke around. Went back the next day with an alternator belt and once I'd confirmed it was solid underneath told the owners wife I was happy and would she mind if I had a fettle while I waited for the owner to come back from work to do the deal? She was fine with that so by the time the owner arrived home the alternator was freed off and turning, a new belt was on and it was ready to go
Got a lift back the next day and drove it home
It's had an oil change recently and seems to have been well looked after-the previous owner had a Mk2 Mx5 and an RX8 so liked his Mazdas. Tappets were noisy at first but this has cleared up now its been driven.
The ad mentioned a "raspy" exhaust which may need replacing for the MOT-turns out this is an aftermarket stainless cat back system by the looks of it! Sounds pretty good, maybe a bit loud but suits the car.
The hood is knackered, got one lined up off a Mk2 with the glass rear window and I've stuck a set of 15" alloys on it to give me a better tyre choice-the original 14" wheels had budget tyres and different tyre sizes front to rear. The alternator seems to be behaving itself but will keep an eye on it.
Plan is drive, fettle and enjoy. May even break out the polish tomorrow!
Here's pics after a quick wash, not the worst looking thing for the money. New rear number plate is on order...
It was sold as a non runner as the alternator had seized after it standing for a while-I had a look one night and said I'd come back in daylight for a proper poke around. Went back the next day with an alternator belt and once I'd confirmed it was solid underneath told the owners wife I was happy and would she mind if I had a fettle while I waited for the owner to come back from work to do the deal? She was fine with that so by the time the owner arrived home the alternator was freed off and turning, a new belt was on and it was ready to go
Got a lift back the next day and drove it home
It's had an oil change recently and seems to have been well looked after-the previous owner had a Mk2 Mx5 and an RX8 so liked his Mazdas. Tappets were noisy at first but this has cleared up now its been driven.
The ad mentioned a "raspy" exhaust which may need replacing for the MOT-turns out this is an aftermarket stainless cat back system by the looks of it! Sounds pretty good, maybe a bit loud but suits the car.
The hood is knackered, got one lined up off a Mk2 with the glass rear window and I've stuck a set of 15" alloys on it to give me a better tyre choice-the original 14" wheels had budget tyres and different tyre sizes front to rear. The alternator seems to be behaving itself but will keep an eye on it.
Plan is drive, fettle and enjoy. May even break out the polish tomorrow!
Here's pics after a quick wash, not the worst looking thing for the money. New rear number plate is on order...
Well, I learned a few things today, and in the process I have a new hood with a glass rear window, a rear brace that goes behing the seats and some other bits and bobs. Oh and a set of bilstein shocks with apex springs. All of the above for £220:-)
What did I learn?
You can remove MX5 springs and dampers without taking the wheels off(no locking key for the wheels on the scrapper)
It's a pain in the ass removing springs and dampers with the wheels still on.
Captive nuts aren't always captive
Soft tops are relatively easy to remove, although I suspect a lot harder to fit...
Scrappys are great(I already knew this to be fair)
What did I learn?
You can remove MX5 springs and dampers without taking the wheels off(no locking key for the wheels on the scrapper)
It's a pain in the ass removing springs and dampers with the wheels still on.
Captive nuts aren't always captive
Soft tops are relatively easy to remove, although I suspect a lot harder to fit...
Scrappys are great(I already knew this to be fair)
Looks great. Just picked up a Eunos V-Spec myself though not had time to do anything with it yet - ordering bits today for full service.
Just thought I've not checked if mine has locking wheel nuts on and if there is a key. Probably should check this.
If not then i'll have to break out the hammer
Edit: Checked while on lunch - looks like I do have locking wheel nuts and after some rummaging found the key
Just thought I've not checked if mine has locking wheel nuts on and if there is a key. Probably should check this.
If not then i'll have to break out the hammer
Edit: Checked while on lunch - looks like I do have locking wheel nuts and after some rummaging found the key
Edited by cornet on Tuesday 26th February 14:16
cornet said:
Looks great. Just picked up a Eunos V-Spec myself though not had time to do anything with it yet - ordering bits today for full service.
Just thought I've not checked if mine has locking wheel nuts on and if there is a key. Probably should check this.
If not then i'll have to break out the hammer
Edit: Checked while on lunch - looks like I do have locking wheel nuts and after some rummaging found the key
Always a relief, it was interesting in the scrappy getting the suspension off with the wheels still on!Just thought I've not checked if mine has locking wheel nuts on and if there is a key. Probably should check this.
If not then i'll have to break out the hammer
Edit: Checked while on lunch - looks like I do have locking wheel nuts and after some rummaging found the key
Edited by cornet on Tuesday 26th February 14:16
Need to wait til my next days off to fit all my goodies and I'm waiting for spigot rings for my new wheels as they're not a perfect fit and causing a wobble, frustrating as I want to drive it!
The hood was £100 from a scrappy. It's pretty good, couple of wee marks on it but I'm happy for the money, especially as it has a glass screen. The old one had more holes in it than the Oscar Pistorius defence case.
Heated screen wired in this morning, window regulators greased up and performing a bit better, same goes for the wipers now I've greased the linkage. Tried to get the electric aerial working but it's not wanting to play, even though it seems to be getting the right volts at the right time.
Going to get a soft top cleaning kit from Halfords and do that next.
Heated screen wired in this morning, window regulators greased up and performing a bit better, same goes for the wipers now I've greased the linkage. Tried to get the electric aerial working but it's not wanting to play, even though it seems to be getting the right volts at the right time.
Going to get a soft top cleaning kit from Halfords and do that next.
Well, it was MOT time this week. And it failed 
On a binding front brake though so not all bad Stripped and cleaned them and although it seemed fine it still wasn't releasing properly as the piston was sticking slightly, new caliper on and bled this morning and it's ready for its retest on Thursday.
I put new pads on the rear in preparation and had to fit a new rear caliper as the handbrake adjuster was seized, also stripped and regreased the wiper motor as it was a bit lethargic. Removing the rear view mirror, not from an MX5, which had found its way into the scuttle jamming the linkage helped though. WTF?
But on a brighter note, it's not rusty underneath, despite checking and double checking before I bought it I was still nervous.
And the sun is shining so it'd be rude not to take it out(it still has MOT til the end of the month so it's all good)
On a binding front brake though so not all bad
Stripped and cleaned them and although it seemed fine it still wasn't releasing properly as the piston was sticking slightly, new caliper on and bled this morning and it's ready for its retest on Thursday.I put new pads on the rear in preparation and had to fit a new rear caliper as the handbrake adjuster was seized, also stripped and regreased the wiper motor as it was a bit lethargic. Removing the rear view mirror, not from an MX5, which had found its way into the scuttle jamming the linkage helped though. WTF?
But on a brighter note, it's not rusty underneath, despite checking and double checking before I bought it I was still nervous.
And the sun is shining so it'd be rude not to take it out(it still has MOT til the end of the month so it's all good)
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