MX5, SLK, Z3, MR2 or other?
Discussion
That's pretty much all your choices. Could risk a cheap 986 Boxster, but I'm not sure about reliability at that price point.
I owned an MX-5 NB 1.8 S 10 years ago when I was at university. I got it with 68000 miles on and it cost me £3000 back then. I was also looking at a Toyota MR2, but they were a bit dearer back then, more like £4000 at the same mileage and they had virtually no boot space, so I went with the MX-5 as it was my daily driver back then too.
Great car and I loved it.
A few things went wrong in the time I owned it - the old vinyl roof leaked so I got it replaced with another (with the heated glass rear windscreen), for £400. I got the timing belt replaced, but didn't get the water pump done - big mistake as it started leaking, lost it's water and overheated - don't skimp! Also, get it done at an MX-5 specialist - my local garage didn't put the cam position sensor back properly either and it fell out when I was accelerating onto an NSL dual carriageway and then made the engine run so badly I had to get it recovered to the garage. I only did really short trips in it usually so the alternator and battery got knackered. I then got a proper job and started putting loads of miles on it, which led to other stuff going wrong - it needed new ABS sensors, new clutch release bearings/springs and a new radiator, then it failed emissions tests and was costing me quite a bit on fuel, so I ended up getting rid of it.
Don't let all that put you off though, still great cars - probably all the problems I had were due to the woeful maintenance and abuse I gave it. I'm much better these days now I have matured and learned my lessons the hard way!
An NC model would likely be more reliable and less rusty, though a bit less exciting.
I owned an MX-5 NB 1.8 S 10 years ago when I was at university. I got it with 68000 miles on and it cost me £3000 back then. I was also looking at a Toyota MR2, but they were a bit dearer back then, more like £4000 at the same mileage and they had virtually no boot space, so I went with the MX-5 as it was my daily driver back then too.
Great car and I loved it.
A few things went wrong in the time I owned it - the old vinyl roof leaked so I got it replaced with another (with the heated glass rear windscreen), for £400. I got the timing belt replaced, but didn't get the water pump done - big mistake as it started leaking, lost it's water and overheated - don't skimp! Also, get it done at an MX-5 specialist - my local garage didn't put the cam position sensor back properly either and it fell out when I was accelerating onto an NSL dual carriageway and then made the engine run so badly I had to get it recovered to the garage. I only did really short trips in it usually so the alternator and battery got knackered. I then got a proper job and started putting loads of miles on it, which led to other stuff going wrong - it needed new ABS sensors, new clutch release bearings/springs and a new radiator, then it failed emissions tests and was costing me quite a bit on fuel, so I ended up getting rid of it.
Don't let all that put you off though, still great cars - probably all the problems I had were due to the woeful maintenance and abuse I gave it. I'm much better these days now I have matured and learned my lessons the hard way!
An NC model would likely be more reliable and less rusty, though a bit less exciting.
I've just done the same thing - fancied a fun convertible for the summer so bought a MK2 MX5.
Paid £2250 for a 2004 1.8 vvti Euphonic edition with 96k on the clock which had recently had the rear sills replaced.
Needed some work, both (minor) mechanical and cosmetic, so I was going to create a "Reader's cars" thread, but got stuck into getting bits sorted and forgot to take some "before" photos.
They're great little cars, just watch out for rust on the rear sill, wheel arches and chassis legs. There are decent cars out there, usually around the £3k mark, which when I'm finished with this one will be roughly what I've spent on it. I wouldn't spend any more.
Fantastically good fun, and handles brilliantly in the dry even on horrific ditchfinders.
Fairly easy to do stuff yourself if you fancy it - I've just replaced the rocker cover gasket (OEM part £26 and sealant £8) and am going to change the gear lever shift boots in a few weeks once it's gone through its MOT.
Looked at a MK3, but I've always had a soft spot for the MK2.
Paid £2250 for a 2004 1.8 vvti Euphonic edition with 96k on the clock which had recently had the rear sills replaced.
Needed some work, both (minor) mechanical and cosmetic, so I was going to create a "Reader's cars" thread, but got stuck into getting bits sorted and forgot to take some "before" photos.
They're great little cars, just watch out for rust on the rear sill, wheel arches and chassis legs. There are decent cars out there, usually around the £3k mark, which when I'm finished with this one will be roughly what I've spent on it. I wouldn't spend any more.
Fantastically good fun, and handles brilliantly in the dry even on horrific ditchfinders.
Fairly easy to do stuff yourself if you fancy it - I've just replaced the rocker cover gasket (OEM part £26 and sealant £8) and am going to change the gear lever shift boots in a few weeks once it's gone through its MOT.
Looked at a MK3, but I've always had a soft spot for the MK2.
Toyota MR2 Mk3 is far better than a mk2 MX5. For that money you could get a mint MR2, granted you will have no room for luggage unless you have a rucksack and willing to remove the spare wheel like I have. The handling is so much better in the 2003+ cars and you might get one with a hardtop (which are going for sale for £1000 at the moment).
Then again I am bias seem as I have a 2001 Mk3,
Then again I am bias seem as I have a 2001 Mk3,
You could get a nice 280SLK or 350SLK for that money - just check out the rear subframe for corrosion....tin top and convertible in one......not the end of the world in handling but a peach of an engine - most are auto too.....
Also a Z4 would be a nice option if you can live with the dodgy front end looks or like them......
Also a Z4 would be a nice option if you can live with the dodgy front end looks or like them......
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