MX5 NA - Is Miata really the Answer?
Discussion
I'd been looking for an MR2 or an MX-5 for a while, but hadn't found the right one. As luck would have it, both cars were offered at a very good price in the same week, so after some man math with the idea to sell the car that i like less and maybe recover some costs for one of the cars .... well you know.
The advert for the MX5 was nice "a car with character" it said, the pictures were nice, it was red as it should be and it was cheap, really cheap. So i went to see it and test drive it as it was registered which is a rare thing for MX5 at this price in Germany.
The first problems were immediately apparent during the test drive. The car was full of water as the car leaked badly, and when I say badly, I mean my shoes were full of water after the first time I braked. It sounded a bit like the seaside with the sound of rushing water. You couldn't drive faster than 80 km/h because the wheels vibrated so much. Interior parts of the center console had obviously been repainted multiple times, a radio and seats from an NB had been slapped in, the door panels were torn, and the paint job was done in a garage (not a very good one, I might add).
Since I was already there, I made what I thought at the time was an outrageous offer. To my surprise, it was accepted.
A week later, I picked it up with a trailer because driving it seemed too risky.
Once home, I immediately removed the entire interior and the convertible top, and hung all the carpets up to vacuum and dry. It quickly became clear how the water had gotten into the MX-5. There was no drain for the convertible top.
Now, nothing more has happened until early 2026. I was still busy with the MR2.
To be continued
The advert for the MX5 was nice "a car with character" it said, the pictures were nice, it was red as it should be and it was cheap, really cheap. So i went to see it and test drive it as it was registered which is a rare thing for MX5 at this price in Germany.
The first problems were immediately apparent during the test drive. The car was full of water as the car leaked badly, and when I say badly, I mean my shoes were full of water after the first time I braked. It sounded a bit like the seaside with the sound of rushing water. You couldn't drive faster than 80 km/h because the wheels vibrated so much. Interior parts of the center console had obviously been repainted multiple times, a radio and seats from an NB had been slapped in, the door panels were torn, and the paint job was done in a garage (not a very good one, I might add).
Since I was already there, I made what I thought at the time was an outrageous offer. To my surprise, it was accepted.
A week later, I picked it up with a trailer because driving it seemed too risky.
Once home, I immediately removed the entire interior and the convertible top, and hung all the carpets up to vacuum and dry. It quickly became clear how the water had gotten into the MX-5. There was no drain for the convertible top.
Now, nothing more has happened until early 2026. I was still busy with the MR2.
To be continued
Edited by just4u on Tuesday 5th May 13:17
Edited by just4u on Tuesday 5th May 13:20
Part 2
After removing the carpets, the convertible top and all interior parts, i cleaned everything with a wet vacuum cleaner and carpet cleaner and hung it up to dry in the boiler room.
I noticed that the gearshift boot was no longer in the best condition, so it was replaced and the gearshift oil was changed.
Then the drains were installed. These where completly missing.
Carpet back in
Softtop mounted including all water channels
Rear carpet and side trim
Unfortunatly i have two parts left and i cant find out where these 2 go
If someone knows ... please let me know
Thats it for part 2
After removing the carpets, the convertible top and all interior parts, i cleaned everything with a wet vacuum cleaner and carpet cleaner and hung it up to dry in the boiler room.
I noticed that the gearshift boot was no longer in the best condition, so it was replaced and the gearshift oil was changed.
Then the drains were installed. These where completly missing.
Carpet back in
Softtop mounted including all water channels
Rear carpet and side trim
Unfortunatly i have two parts left and i cant find out where these 2 go
If someone knows ... please let me know
Thats it for part 2
Edited by just4u on Tuesday 5th May 22:14
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