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Hey all,
So I'm looking to get rid of my A-Class (yawn) and find myself a nice MX5 as a daily.
Bit of a noob when it comes to MX5s but with a budget of around £3,000 I feel I should be able to find something in good nick, basically without too much rust!?
Obviously I've after a Mk1 or Mk2, probably a 1.8 as long as the insurance isn't too high!
Am I being too ambious within my price range?
For £3k what spec should I be looking for?
Edit: Living in Scotland I'd also really like one with a hardtop! But I'm guessing these are reasonable easy to buy on their own?
If anyone knows of a clean example, please PM me the link!
So I'm looking to get rid of my A-Class (yawn) and find myself a nice MX5 as a daily.
Bit of a noob when it comes to MX5s but with a budget of around £3,000 I feel I should be able to find something in good nick, basically without too much rust!?
Obviously I've after a Mk1 or Mk2, probably a 1.8 as long as the insurance isn't too high!
Am I being too ambious within my price range?
For £3k what spec should I be looking for?
Edit: Living in Scotland I'd also really like one with a hardtop! But I'm guessing these are reasonable easy to buy on their own?
If anyone knows of a clean example, please PM me the link!
Edited by AndrewEH1 on Tuesday 18th June 15:55
You should be able to get a very clean and nice MK1 for that money. Dandy Cars have some good FAQs on both UK and Import cars.
www.dandycars.com/Mazda-MX5s.htmýl
Goodwood Sportcars also sell MX5s and are up your way. Thety also have a buyers guide that may be worth a read.
http://www.goodwoodsportscars.co.uk/
I'm not an expert on the MK2, but it is more solidly built and a touch heavier as a result. I'm sure someone else can fill you in on those.
www.dandycars.com/Mazda-MX5s.htmýl
Goodwood Sportcars also sell MX5s and are up your way. Thety also have a buyers guide that may be worth a read.
http://www.goodwoodsportscars.co.uk/
I'm not an expert on the MK2, but it is more solidly built and a touch heavier as a result. I'm sure someone else can fill you in on those.
Hardtop should be around £500 if you don't get it with the car, doesn't add much to the price if buying with a car so good to get the two together. At least it was that much a few years back from threads on here.
You could get a good car for that, both Mk2 and 1. However don't assume more expensive = better car. The main thing to do is look for rust. Sills and wheel arches in particular. Any bubbling = rotten as they rust inside out. Also on the Mk.2 cars the front chassis rails are attracting a lot of comments in regards to rust these days. At £350 or so for each rail, plus the work required then it's an expensive fix. See here for example of a horror story! http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
You should have a look at the guide: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
It's got quite a few of the normal points for these posts. Insurance shouldn't be a problem on the 1.8 - it's still really low horsepower compared to a lot of modern cars.
You could get a good car for that, both Mk2 and 1. However don't assume more expensive = better car. The main thing to do is look for rust. Sills and wheel arches in particular. Any bubbling = rotten as they rust inside out. Also on the Mk.2 cars the front chassis rails are attracting a lot of comments in regards to rust these days. At £350 or so for each rail, plus the work required then it's an expensive fix. See here for example of a horror story! http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
You should have a look at the guide: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
It's got quite a few of the normal points for these posts. Insurance shouldn't be a problem on the 1.8 - it's still really low horsepower compared to a lot of modern cars.
Edited by NRS on Tuesday 18th June 16:54
NRS said:
You could get a good car for that, both Mk2 and 1. However don't assume more expensive = better car. The main thing to do is look for rust.
That's just my max budget, if I can find a tidy example for less I'll be a happy boy!Yeah, my main worry is rust! Most of the ones I see around Edinburgh must be pretty unloved as their sills are falling to pieces!
AndrewEH1 said:
That's just my max budget, if I can find a tidy example for less I'll be a happy boy!
Yeah, my main worry is rust! Most of the ones I see around Edinburgh must be pretty unloved as their sills are falling to pieces!
It seems to be the way of things now - a lot are tatty and so it could take quite a few trips to find a good one. It's probably worth sticking to places like this or some of the other dedicated forums to try and narrow down finding a good one. I know some people have commented Scotland can be worse due to the salt, however my car seems fine and it's been in Norway for 10 years (albeit rust-proofed at some unknown date). Saying that it has some of the official bodykit which is painted a non-standard colour (very cool purple, Yeah, my main worry is rust! Most of the ones I see around Edinburgh must be pretty unloved as their sills are falling to pieces!
) over it so don't want to take it off and see what's underneath as it'll crack the paint!If you'll be driving it in winter I'd recommend trying to get a limited slip diff. I'm sure my old car was better in the snow and ice (which had it) compared to the new one (both with spiked tyres though). Still, both used as everyday cars. Plus it's more fun to have it anyway!
For the Mk2 cars the Mk2.5 1.8 Sport gets a lot of good reviews.Dandycars seem to have some of the highest prices in the country! Almost everyone I know who knows of them laughs at their prices.Take your time and a 1k to 1.5k nice MK1 will come along.Hard tops can be had for £250 to £300 for nice ones if you are patient.
3k should get you a decent turbo Mk1 if that's your bag and I know someone who is selling one
3k should get you a decent turbo Mk1 if that's your bag and I know someone who is selling one
MX-5 Lazza said:
Mk2 is built no more solidly built than Mk1, in fact most would say Mk1 is more solid. The weight is no different either. The last of the Mk1s were pretty much the same weight as the first of the Mk2s given the same spec.
As Lazza mentions the general thoughts is that on the Mk.2 they started saving costs (e.g. metal that rusts quicker etc). My two Mk2 cars ('99 models have been around 1245kg according to the plaque on the car.Quick question, have hardtops become cheaper, or is the price you mention when you wait around? (Perhaps my memory is just bad, but pretty sure I used to see £500 mentioned in regards to them).
MX-5 Lazza said:
Mk2 is built no more solidly built than Mk1, in fact most would say Mk1 is more solid. The weight is no different either. The last of the Mk1s were pretty much the same weight as the first of the Mk2s given the same spec.
I stand corrected Lazza. Doesn't the Mk2 have more impact protection etc, or am I just making that up?VladD said:
MX-5 Lazza said:
Mk2 is built no more solidly built than Mk1, in fact most would say Mk1 is more solid. The weight is no different either. The last of the Mk1s were pretty much the same weight as the first of the Mk2s given the same spec.
I stand corrected Lazza. Doesn't the Mk2 have more impact protection etc, or am I just making that up?Mk1 had side impact protection added around '96. That's why they started fitting the cockpit brace.
Mk2 added some strengthening to the chassis so it no longer needed the cockpit brace and was still a bit stiffer.
Mk2 swapped out the pop-ups partly for pedestrian safety regulation but mostly to save weight to make up for the increase in weight from the chassis strengthening.
Mk2 added some strengthening to the chassis so it no longer needed the cockpit brace and was still a bit stiffer.
Mk2 swapped out the pop-ups partly for pedestrian safety regulation but mostly to save weight to make up for the increase in weight from the chassis strengthening.
MX-5 Lazza said:
Mk1 had side impact protection added around '96. That's why they started fitting the cockpit brace.
Mk2 added some strengthening to the chassis so it no longer needed the cockpit brace and was still a bit stiffer.
Mk2 swapped out the pop-ups partly for pedestrian safety regulation but mostly to save weight to make up for the increase in weight from the chassis strengthening.
Good knowledge Lazza, thanks.Mk2 added some strengthening to the chassis so it no longer needed the cockpit brace and was still a bit stiffer.
Mk2 swapped out the pop-ups partly for pedestrian safety regulation but mostly to save weight to make up for the increase in weight from the chassis strengthening.
Andrew, I'm selling mine soon if you're still looking? I'm in Edinburgh too and without sounding big headed you'll be hard pushed to find a better example!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
PM if you're interested?
Cheers
Neil.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
PM if you're interested?
Cheers
Neil.
I'm an Edinburgh based MX5 owner too. As people have said, the prices vary wildly so buy on condition alone. The MX5 Scotland forum is a good place to start, that's where I picked up my current Mk2.5 1.8 Sport. It's the 4th MX5 I've had.
For £3k I'd want a mint late Mk2.5, or a very low mileage Mk1 in a nice spec. Both should be checked thoroughly for rust and not just in the obvious places either. Buying now you're going to be paying more than if you looked for one in the winter (obviously).
Give me a shout if you want any more info.
For £3k I'd want a mint late Mk2.5, or a very low mileage Mk1 in a nice spec. Both should be checked thoroughly for rust and not just in the obvious places either. Buying now you're going to be paying more than if you looked for one in the winter (obviously).
Give me a shout if you want any more info.
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