Just bought a Mk1 MX-5.
Discussion
I've had the desire to own a Mk1 MX-5 for a little while now. It's one of those cars that I like the appeal of (simple, cheap, RWD and convertible) and well, everybody on PH can't be wrong, can they? 
I never really got round to scratching the itch, save from getting the opportunity to drive a Kuro edition for a press shoot (I ended up in the official shots).
I went for a beer with a friend on Thursday and he turned up in his new car. I enquired as to what he was doing with his old car, a Mk1 MX-5, and he said he was looking at selling it. A plan was hatched and I was going to go and have a look at it over the weekend. It was an attractive proposition, as I knew the history of the car and the seller was a good friend and fellow petrolhead, so unlikely to try to pull the wool over my eyes.
I went to have a look at the car in a bit more detail and it's pretty much what I remember. Decently maintained, a few little rough spots (a little bit of rust forming on the arches, the electric windows are very slow and the exhaust rattles a bit) but fundamentally sound. The car's MOT'd until June so I have a few months to get used to it, sort out the niggles and try and spot anything catastrophic with it.
Enough babbling - here are the pics:
As mentioned before, there's some rust on the rear arches, the electric window mechanisms need greasing, there's a rattle coming from the exhaust, and it needs a cambelt change in the near future. The car does have new rear calipers, is wearing new Uniroyal Rain Experts all-round and has the heated glass rear screen from the Mk2 MX-5.
I haven't really had a chance to drive it properly today - went for a half-hour test drive and very much enjoyed it. I love the short-throw gear lever and the car is incredibly easy to rev-match when downshifting. The lack of power steering caught me out the first few times - as did the indicator stalk being on the right-hand side, and will undoubtedly continue to do so. If you see a blue MX-5 around Bristol furiously washing its windscreen, that's me, please let me in
I'm very chuffed with the deal - particularly as I picked up this little bundle of joy for £350! I appear to be getting quite good at this cheap car puchasing, given that I'm still rumbling around in a Rover 623 GSI that was the SOTW nearly a year ago. Realistically I can tool around for a few months until the MOT expires, and if it does fail, sell it for scrap/parts and make most of my money back.
Guess it's time to book a track day to have some fun
I never really got round to scratching the itch, save from getting the opportunity to drive a Kuro edition for a press shoot (I ended up in the official shots). I went for a beer with a friend on Thursday and he turned up in his new car. I enquired as to what he was doing with his old car, a Mk1 MX-5, and he said he was looking at selling it. A plan was hatched and I was going to go and have a look at it over the weekend. It was an attractive proposition, as I knew the history of the car and the seller was a good friend and fellow petrolhead, so unlikely to try to pull the wool over my eyes.
I went to have a look at the car in a bit more detail and it's pretty much what I remember. Decently maintained, a few little rough spots (a little bit of rust forming on the arches, the electric windows are very slow and the exhaust rattles a bit) but fundamentally sound. The car's MOT'd until June so I have a few months to get used to it, sort out the niggles and try and spot anything catastrophic with it.
Enough babbling - here are the pics:
As mentioned before, there's some rust on the rear arches, the electric window mechanisms need greasing, there's a rattle coming from the exhaust, and it needs a cambelt change in the near future. The car does have new rear calipers, is wearing new Uniroyal Rain Experts all-round and has the heated glass rear screen from the Mk2 MX-5.
I haven't really had a chance to drive it properly today - went for a half-hour test drive and very much enjoyed it. I love the short-throw gear lever and the car is incredibly easy to rev-match when downshifting. The lack of power steering caught me out the first few times - as did the indicator stalk being on the right-hand side, and will undoubtedly continue to do so. If you see a blue MX-5 around Bristol furiously washing its windscreen, that's me, please let me in
I'm very chuffed with the deal - particularly as I picked up this little bundle of joy for £350! I appear to be getting quite good at this cheap car puchasing, given that I'm still rumbling around in a Rover 623 GSI that was the SOTW nearly a year ago. Realistically I can tool around for a few months until the MOT expires, and if it does fail, sell it for scrap/parts and make most of my money back.
Guess it's time to book a track day to have some fun
I do remember driving a Kia with the stalks on the other side, it does make perfect sense when indicating off a roundabout etc, if a little unfamiliar at first. I can see why MX-5s soon got a 6-speed box as they're geared pretty low, and I'd imagine my trip to London might be a little noisy at 3krpm.
ETA: I'm sure, in my '81 Mini, that the stalks are the other way around i.e. indicator on the left. The car's been in a project state for over 3 years so I can't actually remember driving it in that detail though.
ETA: I'm sure, in my '81 Mini, that the stalks are the other way around i.e. indicator on the left. The car's been in a project state for over 3 years so I can't actually remember driving it in that detail though.
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