Going off to look at an MX5 this weekend

Going off to look at an MX5 this weekend

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pmanson

Original Poster:

13,382 posts

254 months

Friday 2nd November 2007
quotequote all
Ok SWMBO would like to sell her Clio (53 plate low mileage) and purchase a cheaper car... this cheaper car being an MX5!

She's seen one she likes the look of which is below:

1993 K Reg MAZDA MX-5 1.6i Convertible
2 Doors, Manual, Convertible, Petrol, 160,000 miles, PEARL WHITE WITH BLACK HOOD, MOT-02-2008. BRAND NEW HOOD, lady owner, Alloy wheels, CD, Electric windows, Power assisted steering, Full Service History, velour trim, Colour coding - Body. Insurance Group:12, LINES OPEN 7 DAYS 8AM TO 10 PM £1,594.





Is that a fair price? Or do we have room to do a deal? High mileage isn't a problem as she does very little miles (less than 8k per year) and we have my 5 series for long road trips.

She's hoping to do a deal which see's them taking her Clio in part ex with some cash coming our way? (approx £2k ish)

The car to my eye looks good in the pics and a new hood is a bonus, along with it being a UK car!

Any suggestions? Is rust an issue on the rear arches?

Thanks,
Phill

Sporting Bear

7,898 posts

235 months

Friday 2nd November 2007
quotequote all
MX-5 Mk1 - fantastic car and best soft top hood design I've found, fantastic for winter use but either unzip the rear window or use a lenght of pipe insulation to stop the rear window creasing

I've no idea about the price but I do remember that white used to be an unpopular colour - that makes no odds if you're keeping the car but it could mean a lower buying/selling price

160K miles - check for FULL service history - correct dates and mileage - research the models weak points and service work that should have been done for that age and mileage (MX-5 owners club, long time owners, owners who have had several models)

If the current owner had the car for a long time things like cheap/wrong or odd tyres on the car will show you how good their ownership has been as cars get older and need more maintenance they usually get less (so if you get one you must expect to have to keep up full maintenance but it's worth it they don't make cars like this now)

Early Mk1 1600s are considered the best MX-5s (power steering was a bit light as I remember)

Check all electrics work and that headlights pop up (they also have a manual override) and go back down

Rust to rear wheel arches is a problem more on import (Eunos) models but a 14 year old car may have rust on it (you need to do more research perhaps about MX-5s)

Don't listen to this talk about the MX-5 needing more power it's designed for 60 mph bendy B-roads and that's where it's superb but it has a top speed well in excess of the national speed limit

WARNING - the handling and grip of the car is excellent (especially with the correct tyres) but it is a rear wheel drive sportscar so if you drive it the same way in the wet as you do in the dry you will spin it (and perhaps crash it hurting you and/or others)

On mine I changed the tyres for ones that where not quite as good as the standard ones in the dry (for fun) but more importantly better than the standard ones in the wet for safety and to balance out the dry to wet handling

It's a buyers market so if you don't get this one don't worry to much

Good luck, get a good MX-5 and use it all year round, tour with it - if you want to join a club this is a good one wink
Sporting Bears Motor Club

Edited by Sporting Bear on Friday 2nd November 13:44

Munter

31,319 posts

242 months

Friday 2nd November 2007
quotequote all
Sounds a nice car. It's pre-1994 so it's got the 115bhp 1.6. It's on it's original size alloys so 185/60R14 tyres. Nice and cheap. If it's had regular oil changes theres no reason to suspect any problems with the engine.

Things that fail after 10 years:
Rear calipers seize
Clutch Slave Cylinder leaks
Rubber suspension bushes(as with any car)

So see if theres mention of these in the service history.

It's a non-interferance engine so if the cam belt snaps it's not the end of the world. I think they should be changed every 60,000 ish miles.

Having a new hood is definitely a bonus. If it's been leaking for a long time before replacement though you might want to get underneath and check the floor hasn't rusted through where water has puddled in the foot wells. Also as stated check the rear arches and sills for signs of rust.

pmanson

Original Poster:

13,382 posts

254 months

Friday 2nd November 2007
quotequote all
Amy spoke to the guy earlier apparently he's just put 4 new tyres on it and the bodywork is very good. Going to book into to go and see it tommorrow.

Phill

pmanson

Original Poster:

13,382 posts

254 months

Friday 2nd November 2007
quotequote all
Munter said:
Sounds a nice car. It's pre-1994 so it's got the 115bhp 1.6. It's on it's original size alloys so 185/60R14 tyres. Nice and cheap. If it's had regular oil changes theres no reason to suspect any problems with the engine.

Things that fail after 10 years:
Rear calipers seize
Clutch Slave Cylinder leaks
Rubber suspension bushes(as with any car)

So see if theres mention of these in the service history.

It's a non-interferance engine so if the cam belt snaps it's not the end of the world. I think they should be changed every 60,000 ish miles.

Having a new hood is definitely a bonus. If it's been leaking for a long time before replacement though you might want to get underneath and check the floor hasn't rusted through where water has puddled in the foot wells. Also as stated check the rear arches and sills for signs of rust.
Nice one, i'm going to print out this thread so that I can remember to check it all off.

I've thought about getting one for myself in the past but ended up with a barge instead.

White looks good to me (possibly with darker coloured wheels?)

The only problem is that i've already been told that i can't borrow it! (We'll see about that)

pmanson

Original Poster:

13,382 posts

254 months

Friday 2nd November 2007
quotequote all
Sporting Bear said:
MX-5 Mk1 - fantastic car and best soft top hood design I've found, fantastic for winter use but either unzip the rear window or use a lenght of pipe insulation to stop the rear window creasing
Interesting... what do you do with the pipe insulation?

Sporting Bear said:
I've no idea about the price but I do remember that white used to be an unpopular colour - that makes no odds if you're keeping the car but it could mean a lower buying/selling price
This is going to be cheap motoring until we need to go back to a sensible car (That or when I buy a Chimera

Sporting Bear said:
160K miles - check for FULL service history - correct dates and mileage - research the models weak points and service work that should have been done for that age and mileage (MX-5 owners club, long time owners, owners who have had several models)
Sound advice cheers

Sporting Bear said:
If the current owner had the car for a long time things like cheap/wrong or odd tyres on the car will show you how good their ownership has been as cars get older and need more maintenance they usually get less (so if you get one you must expect to have to keep up full maintenance but it's worth it they don't make cars like this now)
It's just had 4 new tyres apparently. I think this guy is a trader though so i'll be going through the SH with a fine tooth comb

Sporting Bear said:
Check all electrics work and that headlights pop up (they also have a manual override) and go back down
Will do

Sporting Bear said:
Rust to rear wheel arches is a problem more on import (Eunos) models but a 14 year old car may have rust on it (you need to do more research perhaps about MX-5s)
I've heard the rear arches can be an issue so i'll check them over properly


Sporting Bear

7,898 posts

235 months

Friday 2nd November 2007
quotequote all
pmanson said:
Amy spoke to the guy earlier apparently he's just put 4 new tyres on it and the bodywork is very good. Going to book into to go and see it tommorrow.Phill
Four new tyres - check what I wrote above - if they're cheap tyres it's not the end of the world but the car wont handle as well as correct tyres

If the four tyres are the correct type then that's possibly a good sign

If Amy gets a MX-5 then you should possibly get a short tentative accompanied test drive on a suitable summer's day and then you'll have to be on your very best behaviour and driving

Who's washing and polishing a white car or would you just enjoy the car and only wash when necessary

ETA: spelling

Edited by Sporting Bear on Friday 2nd November 14:11

pmanson

Original Poster:

13,382 posts

254 months

Friday 2nd November 2007
quotequote all
Sporting Bear said:
If Amy gets a MX-5 then you should possibly get a short tentative accompanied test drive on a suitable summer's day and then you'll have to be on your very best behaviour and driving
She's reading this thread so I have to be careful what I say....

Sporting Bear said:
Who's washing and polishing a white car or would you just enjoy the car and only wash when necessary
I'll be washing it (I'm going to try the excuse that as I washed it I should be allowed to dry it).

I'm thinking a good session with the clay bar followed by a couple of coats of wax should mean that all it's needs is a pressure wash every couple of weeks to keep it clean.

If not I have an excuse to drive it down to the local car wash every so often wink


Sporting Bear

7,898 posts

235 months

Friday 2nd November 2007
quotequote all
Phill, I've just seen your post above (I type very slooooowly)

To answer your questions:

A) the pipe insulation (15mm) goes between the fold of the hood as you lower the hood to save you unzipping the rear window panel by providing a soft curve to prevent creasing of the window panel particularly

the window panel can get scratched anyway when it's unzipped so a fleeced lined bag was made to protect the unzipped rear window panel

the hood cover that came with the car was to prevent the hood fading on the inside when it was down and dirt getting into the hood mechanism but was such a pain to fit (and nail breaker, for those that don't bite their nails) that most never bother with the hood cover plus if you use the hood cover it's not ready if you need to put it up in a hurry

BTW along as your going above 40mph you wont get wet in the rain with the hood down and windows up but at red traffic light you will look a bit silly and get a bit wet

B) If you ever buy a Chim also have the MX-5 (learning doesn't stop after Uni)

C) service - has it been done at least every 12 months/9,000 (IIRC), don't just go by the stamps in the book look for paperwork to back it up and mileage (MOTs, bills ect.)

Dealer - not necessarily a good or bad thing (hope he pays his taxes) but something to bear in mind - did he change all four tyres to make the car more saleable or to hide something - suggest you have HPI check and if you're thinking of buying it an independent check - remember it's a buyers market, plenty more MX-5s in the classifieds (see PH also)

D) rear arches rust more on Eunos (and any grey-import Jap cars) far more than UK MX-5s but as I said it's a 14 year old car so check and underneath

An Eunos of that age is well worth considering, no problems with insurance anymore, more UK extras fitted as standard

An aftermarket wind deflector is very useful but a scarf and hat to protect your ear tips will still be necessary on those refreshing bright but nippy days when you have the roof down (can best topless driving days)

This is a good time of year to learn to drive a rear wheel (non-electronically assisted/proper) sportscar as it'll teach/remind you to drive properly or you'll crash setting you up for exploring the car's potential more in the summer

NB - I put this last bit before I knew Amy was reading these posts, sorry
Notice I keep saying you, as ladies are generally more sensible and instinctively act more safely and progressively (all in general of course)

Edited by Sporting Bear on Friday 2nd November 14:56

pmanson

Original Poster:

13,382 posts

254 months

Friday 2nd November 2007
quotequote all
Nigel,

Many thanks for that. I had problems trying to insure an Eunos at the beginning of the year as I was under 25 hence going for a UK car. Amy is 22 and the insurance will be in her name with me as a named driver (I have my own policy on my car).

My current car is RWD (E34 5-Series) but it's not going to be the same as driving the MX5 so we'll be careful and the plan is to get Amy to do her first RideDrive course and for me to do a refresher sometime next summer after our wedding.

I'll let you know how we get on.

Phill

Sporting Bear

7,898 posts

235 months

Friday 2nd November 2007
quotequote all
pmanson said:
She's reading this thread so I have to be careful what I say....
see my apology above

pmanson said:
I'll be washing it (I'm going to try the excuse that as I washed it I should be allowed to dry it).

I'm thinking a good session with the clay bar followed by a couple of coats of wax should mean that all it's needs is a pressure wash every couple of weeks to keep it clean.

If not I have an excuse to drive it down to the local car wash every so often wink
yes I see and agree with what you're saying but it doesn't work as in the end we have to do as we're told, don't we

Don't agree with pressure washing, if you wash by hand you'll be able to keep a close eye on the bodywork and know if there are any new dinks, (very light metal on MX-5s) scratches or rust spots (oh, the joy)

I almost got sun stroke for T-cutting and polishing my mate's white Eunos

A tip to make any, but especially white, car look cleaner - treat the black plastic and rubber bits and clean all the cars glass inside and out, when necessary polish the roof as it's the largest area of black

Silicone grease (or spray) the rubber roof seals especially the areas of joint (the one you don't normally see when the roof is up) and they will last longer and remain water tight and look cleaner

An MX-5 (like even a lot of old cars) roof should be fully water tight if it's reasonable condition, no excuses (not counting Chims here) you will however get a drip from the roof on your seat as you open the door because of the vacuum effect (funnily enough that shouldn't happen in a Chim tho')

pmanson

Original Poster:

13,382 posts

254 months

Friday 2nd November 2007
quotequote all
Sporting Bear said:
pmanson said:
She's reading this thread so I have to be careful what I say....
see my apology above
No problem at all. I leave before her in the morning's so i'm planning on just taking her keys instead of mine. She'll have to take the 5-Series instead!

Sporting Bear said:
pmanson said:
I'll be washing it (I'm going to try the excuse that as I washed it I should be allowed to dry it).

I'm thinking a good session with the clay bar followed by a couple of coats of wax should mean that all it's needs is a pressure wash every couple of weeks to keep it clean.

If not I have an excuse to drive it down to the local car wash every so often wink
yes I see and agree with what you're saying but it doesn't work as in the end we have to do as we're told, don't we

Don't agree with pressure washing, if you wash by hand you'll be able to keep a close eye on the bodywork and know if there are any new dinks, (very light metal on MX-5s) scratches or rust spots (oh, the joy)

I almost got sun stroke for T-cutting and polishing my mate's white Eunos

A tip to make any, but especially white, car look cleaner - treat the black plastic and rubber bits and clean all the cars glass inside and out, when necessary polish the roof as it's the largest area of black

Silicone grease (or spray) the rubber roof seals especially the areas of joint (the one you don't normally see when the roof is up) and they will last longer and remain water tight and look cleaner

An MX-5 (like even a lot of old cars) roof should be fully water tight if it's reasonable condition, no excuses (not counting Chims here) you will however get a drip from the roof on your seat as you open the door because of the vacuum effect (funnily enough that shouldn't happen in a Chim tho')
Very true on the pressure washing and like you say it's a good way of keeping an eye on the dreaded rust.

Any recommendations on what to clean and treat the roof with? I have most car cleaning products lined up in the garage (typical PHer) but this will be the first soft top!

Talking of interiors.... do the leather seats and door panels from other models just drop straight in?

Munter

31,319 posts

242 months

Friday 2nd November 2007
quotequote all
pmanson said:
Nigel,

Many thanks for that. I had problems trying to insure an Eunos at the beginning of the year as I was under 25 hence going for a UK car. Amy is 22 and the insurance will be in her name with me as a named driver (I have my own policy on my car).

My current car is RWD (E34 5-Series) but it's not going to be the same as driving the MX5 so we'll be careful and the plan is to get Amy to do her first RideDrive course and for me to do a refresher sometime next summer after our wedding.

I'll let you know how we get on.

Phill
This is what a 23yo female partner can do to your MX5 on a damp roundabout...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

On sunday we are going to the skidpan. (I'm paying!)

pmanson

Original Poster:

13,382 posts

254 months

Friday 2nd November 2007
quotequote all
Munter said:
This is what a 23yo female partner can do to your MX5 on a damp roundabout...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

On sunday we are going to the skidpan. (I'm paying!)
I remember reading that... all sorted now?

Sporting Bear

7,898 posts

235 months

Friday 2nd November 2007
quotequote all
pmanson said:
I had problems trying to insure an Eunos at the beginning of the year as I was under 25 hence going for a UK car. Amy is 22 and the insurance will be in her name with me as a named driver (I have my own policy on my car).
Think you need to seriuosly look at somewhere like MX-5 owners club for more advice

AON used to be their preferred (sponsored?) insurance company and they had no trouble with imports

You may be contacting the wrong insurance companies, most are geared towards only dealing with ordinary over 25s with standard family cars - I would try those that specialise with classic and/or performance cars - all have different requirements i.e. car/your age, mileage, garage ect. but someone somewhere wants your business at a reasonable cost (probably lower than you've been quoted already and will also deal with imports if required)

pmanson said:
My current car is RWD (E34 5-Series) but it's not going to be the same as driving the MX5
oh, no

pmanson said:
so we'll be careful and the plan is to get Amy to do her first RideDrive course and for me to do a refresher sometime next summer after our wedding.
excellent, tho' I wouldn't bother with the track stuff for Amy first time round

pmanson said:
I'll let you know how we get on. Phill
Yes please keep us posted - fantastic to have someone of your age wanting to learn more about driving

BTW 23 is too young to be getting married - whoops, did I just think that or type it wink

Best of luck to both of you

Edited by Sporting Bear on Friday 2nd November 15:44

Munter

31,319 posts

242 months

Friday 2nd November 2007
quotequote all
pmanson said:
Munter said:
This is what a 23yo female partner can do to your MX5 on a damp roundabout...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

On sunday we are going to the skidpan. (I'm paying!)
I remember reading that... all sorted now?
Kinda. Getting some vibration. Possibly a slightly out of balance wheel. Plus the new bumper is attached in a robust rather than accurate fashion due to some things that wouldn't straighten out. And it's Black bumper, white wing, red top and silver now.


Sporting Bear

7,898 posts

235 months

Friday 2nd November 2007
quotequote all
Munter the Skid Pan is worth going to but is best done after things like RideDrive and Advanced Driving lessons

It's best to learn to adapt to the car you're in and the road conditions and enviroment that surrounds you so that you don't get into the skid in the first place

The "disiel on the road" excuss I believe is mainly used to protect egos

I have to put my hands up here and say I've never been on Skid-Pad training (but will some time) but I have over the years skidded five different cars in five different situations (nothing to be proud of) which I would not have done if I'd been driving properly so I count that as real world experience

ETA: it's much more likely for a male to get into this situation than a woman hence the difference in insurance premiums - MX-5 are so good they flatter the driver's ability so lulling them into a false sense of security and perceived higher driver ability and ego

Edited by Sporting Bear on Friday 2nd November 16:05

pmanson

Original Poster:

13,382 posts

254 months

Friday 2nd November 2007
quotequote all
Sporting Bear said:
pmanson said:
I had problems trying to insure an Eunos at the beginning of the year as I was under 25 hence going for a UK car. Amy is 22 and the insurance will be in her name with me as a named driver (I have my own policy on my car).
Think you need to seriuosly look at somewhere like MX-5 owners club for more advice

AON used to be their preferred (sponsored?) insurance company and they had no trouble with imports

You may be contacting the wrong insurance companies, most are geared towards only dealing with ordinary over 25s with standard family cars - I would try those that specialise with classic and/or performance cars - all have different requirements i.e. car/your age, mileage, garage ect. but someone somewhere wants your business at a reasonable cost (probably lower than you've been quoted already and will also deal with imports if required)
I think I tried people like A-Plan last time. We're both half way through policies with Churchill who will cover us on a UK car (Both of us have full protected NCD)

Sporting Bear said:
pmanson said:
so we'll be careful and the plan is to get Amy to do her first RideDrive course and for me to do a refresher sometime next summer after our wedding.
excellent, tho' I wouldn't bother with the track stuff for Amy first time round
Last time I did it I did 2 four hour sessions on the road. I'm thinking that we'll both do a four session and see how we get on from there. After that possibly some skid pan training.

Sporting Bear said:
pmanson said:
I'll let you know how we get on. Phill
Yes please keep us posted - fantastic to have someone of your age wanting to learn more about driving

BTW 23 is too young to be getting married - whoops, did I just think that or type it wink

Best of luck to both of you
Wedding is 5th July next year, i'll be 25 next month and Amy turns 23 at the end of March. Already brought a house and got 2 cats together so it's the next step!

Life is good!

pmanson

Original Poster:

13,382 posts

254 months

Friday 2nd November 2007
quotequote all
Munter said:
pmanson said:
Munter said:
This is what a 23yo female partner can do to your MX5 on a damp roundabout...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

On sunday we are going to the skidpan. (I'm paying!)
I remember reading that... all sorted now?
Kinda. Getting some vibration. Possibly a slightly out of balance wheel. Plus the new bumper is attached in a robust rather than accurate fashion due to some things that wouldn't straighten out. And it's Black bumper, white wing, red top and silver now.
Always a pain to track down a vibration! I've got a slight one on the 5 series at the moment at about 60mph. I've not had a chance to get in to the garge yet though.

Sporting Bear

7,898 posts

235 months

Friday 2nd November 2007
quotequote all
pmanson said:
I think I tried people like A-Plan last time. We're both half way through policies with Churchill who will cover us on a UK car (Both of us have full protected NCD)
A-Plan I don't know about but Churchill is definitely mainstream - I'll PM you an old list of insurers most should be current, other insurance companies available

pmanson said:
Last time I did it I did 2 four hour sessions on the road. I'm thinking that we'll both do a four session and see how we get on from there. After that possibly some skid pan training.
Excellent, see my post above - why aren't other 25 year olds like you

Sporting Bear said:
BTW 23 is too young to be getting married - whoops, did I just think that or type it wink

Best of luck to both of you
pmanson said:
Wedding is 5th July next year, i'll be 25 next month and Amy turns 23 at the end of March. Already brought a house and got 2 cats together so it's the next step!

Life is good!
Two cats, it's serious

Life is good! - good on ya, somethings in life really are as good as they seem and the oppitunity should be grabbed with both hands and never let go

My wife and I have known each other since we were 17, moved in together at 21, married at 25 (22 years ago) the secret, as with today, quality time apart smile

Edited by Sporting Bear on Friday 2nd November 16:29