Mazda MX-5 Respectable Project
Discussion
Hi All
Going to look at a Jasper Conrad Limited Edition MX-5 at the weekend
I don't know much about the car at present so im all ears on some advice here seeing as im not the most mechanically minded car enthusiast
All I know so far is its on 85k, a 2000 spec mk2 (no pop up lights).
Some history
Red Leather Interior
Looks sound body condition wise
Possible rust on one wheel arch
Has a new hood
Uncles brother in law so fair chance of complete honest
MOT history seems sound, no major problems
Its only averaged 1k mileage per year for the last 10yrs
So my main point is, what to look for with these? I gather rust is a major situation.
Its been sat for 18mths I believe, but starts
Priced around £700. Possible i could offer £500
Check the seals and wheel arches for rust? What kind of cost range am i looking at if it has rust?
Any advice welcome but at £500 and ive heard they can be cheap to maintain and parts also, is it a no brainer as a nice fun weekend car
Going to look at a Jasper Conrad Limited Edition MX-5 at the weekend
I don't know much about the car at present so im all ears on some advice here seeing as im not the most mechanically minded car enthusiast
All I know so far is its on 85k, a 2000 spec mk2 (no pop up lights).
Some history
Red Leather Interior
Looks sound body condition wise
Possible rust on one wheel arch
Has a new hood
Uncles brother in law so fair chance of complete honest
MOT history seems sound, no major problems
Its only averaged 1k mileage per year for the last 10yrs
So my main point is, what to look for with these? I gather rust is a major situation.
Its been sat for 18mths I believe, but starts
Priced around £700. Possible i could offer £500
Check the seals and wheel arches for rust? What kind of cost range am i looking at if it has rust?
Any advice welcome but at £500 and ive heard they can be cheap to maintain and parts also, is it a no brainer as a nice fun weekend car
I think biggest concern is chassis rail rust , this may help work out how to check it
https://www.themx5restorer.co.uk/services/welding-...
Check oil changes have been done ?
Google image search the number plate, search the edition number (on the plate inside), you might find some more about it online eg owners club forums etc.
"Jasper Conran" is apparently based on the 1.8iS so has the LSD, which is good.
Tbh I think the value depends pretty much on how rusty it is.
If it's got no or minimal rust, it's a steal at £700
If the front chassis rails are rotten, it's going to need a fair bit of money spending to keep it on the road, might be better off spending more on a better example.
So working out how to evaluate the rustiness is the main thing here I think.
https://www.themx5restorer.co.uk/services/welding-...
Check oil changes have been done ?
Google image search the number plate, search the edition number (on the plate inside), you might find some more about it online eg owners club forums etc.
"Jasper Conran" is apparently based on the 1.8iS so has the LSD, which is good.
Tbh I think the value depends pretty much on how rusty it is.
If it's got no or minimal rust, it's a steal at £700
If the front chassis rails are rotten, it's going to need a fair bit of money spending to keep it on the road, might be better off spending more on a better example.
So working out how to evaluate the rustiness is the main thing here I think.
Thank you that’s very sound advice and il have a read on the link you sent. £700 for the worse case scenario you’ve stayed with the rails.
Factor in the car has no MOT for the last 3 years it could be good or bad but just say and not used will create problems too.
But it’s all fun and games with these
If anyone has first hand experience or anymore info that would be great. But thank you so far
Factor in the car has no MOT for the last 3 years it could be good or bad but just say and not used will create problems too.
But it’s all fun and games with these
If anyone has first hand experience or anymore info that would be great. But thank you so far
Just to add....
July 2016 MOT Advisories
exhaust system corroded
Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases at joint (7.1.2)
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
under trays fitted
Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)
Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
both rear brake discs slightly corroded
Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) slightly corroded (2.3.2)
slight corrosion on offside outer sill
Aug 2017 MOT
No advisories
July 2016 MOT Advisories
exhaust system corroded
Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases at joint (7.1.2)
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
under trays fitted
Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)
Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
both rear brake discs slightly corroded
Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) slightly corroded (2.3.2)
slight corrosion on offside outer sill
Aug 2017 MOT
No advisories
Kingdom35 said:
Just to add....
July 2016 MOT Advisories
exhaust system corroded
Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases at joint (7.1.2)
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
under trays fitted
Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)
Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
both rear brake discs slightly corroded
Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) slightly corroded (2.3.2)
slight corrosion on offside outer sill
Aug 2017 MOT
No advisories
Were all those things fixed between 2016 & 2017? Or did the 2017 tester just look a little less closely?July 2016 MOT Advisories
exhaust system corroded
Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases at joint (7.1.2)
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
under trays fitted
Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)
Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
both rear brake discs slightly corroded
Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) slightly corroded (2.3.2)
slight corrosion on offside outer sill
Aug 2017 MOT
No advisories
Regardless, if it’s been standing, and depending on the service history, it’ll want a full service - all fluids and filters, probably brake discs and pads, possibly a couple of pipes and/or hoses. Did your uncle’s brother in law ever get the cam belt done? Might need to factor that in too. That’s all before anything that’s actually wrong with it, rust remedy or cosmetic enhancements are addressed. If you’re not mechanically hands on that lot could potentially run to over a £1000.
Even then it could still be very good value at £700. Personally I think it’s best to buy something slightly down at heel and get it up to scratch. You get to make the decisions and you know how and what has been done. But go in eyes open. I’d be surprised if you managed to get a clean, running, serviced and up to date MX5 for under four figures. Good luck too. Let us know the outcome.
Thank you all. My aim is to max pay £500.
My own partners uncle runs a garage so I’m hoping for a start I could possibly have a full service etc completed cheaper.
That’s a good point well made though, if I start off with something I know as much about but needs work, at least I then know how I’ve personally looked after it.
My own uncle (works as a service manager for BMW) and he says it’s a respectable project and looks in good nick.
About the MOT history, I know it can be a minefield with different MOT stations and checking every angle so il take that on board but I know that my uncles brother in law would be honest enough for me to see/obtain paperwork so let’s hope I see all those jobs completed with paperwork to back it up.
My override feel is worse case is I could get my money back if I paid £500 as they’ve bought a new hood, wheels could go for some money, parts etc. Then scrap £150. But let’s see. I will hopefully see it Sunday, limited edition and only made 100 of this variation (platinum silver) so even more unique than the 400 black versions.
Thanks all for your comments/help.
My own partners uncle runs a garage so I’m hoping for a start I could possibly have a full service etc completed cheaper.
That’s a good point well made though, if I start off with something I know as much about but needs work, at least I then know how I’ve personally looked after it.
My own uncle (works as a service manager for BMW) and he says it’s a respectable project and looks in good nick.
About the MOT history, I know it can be a minefield with different MOT stations and checking every angle so il take that on board but I know that my uncles brother in law would be honest enough for me to see/obtain paperwork so let’s hope I see all those jobs completed with paperwork to back it up.
My override feel is worse case is I could get my money back if I paid £500 as they’ve bought a new hood, wheels could go for some money, parts etc. Then scrap £150. But let’s see. I will hopefully see it Sunday, limited edition and only made 100 of this variation (platinum silver) so even more unique than the 400 black versions.
Thanks all for your comments/help.
So we’ve inspected it as best we can. It’s in a garage and we didn’t have the keys.
So I have a whole bunch of pictures I’m not sure how I can post up here.
All 4 wheel arches are originals with the spot weld points.
It seems the side panels have been treated about 4inches up from the bottom. There’s a line and some kind of protector (can’t word this right).
There is a small bubble of rust on driver side arch size of 5mm.
Had a look at the front chassis rails. Drivers side small rust from what I can see drivers side and none other side BUT the key here is I can’t see in the engine bay to thoroughly look and this is key
Exhaust is new, hood is new, has a luggage rack too, alloys in decent condition and the leather seats and interior as much as I can tell.
It drives as it’s been driven to a friends garage 2-3miles down the road
I’m waiting on the history - cam belt changed at 80k.
Hopefully the keys will be sent down soon to take an even closer look but if the front rails are fine then I think this maybe a bargain as you would never think this is 20yrs old
So I have a whole bunch of pictures I’m not sure how I can post up here.
All 4 wheel arches are originals with the spot weld points.
It seems the side panels have been treated about 4inches up from the bottom. There’s a line and some kind of protector (can’t word this right).
There is a small bubble of rust on driver side arch size of 5mm.
Had a look at the front chassis rails. Drivers side small rust from what I can see drivers side and none other side BUT the key here is I can’t see in the engine bay to thoroughly look and this is key
Exhaust is new, hood is new, has a luggage rack too, alloys in decent condition and the leather seats and interior as much as I can tell.
It drives as it’s been driven to a friends garage 2-3miles down the road
I’m waiting on the history - cam belt changed at 80k.
Hopefully the keys will be sent down soon to take an even closer look but if the front rails are fine then I think this maybe a bargain as you would never think this is 20yrs old
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