Help Me Buy The Right MX5
Discussion
OK, a little background first.
I compete in sprints/hillclimbs with a kitcar which is currently undergoing a nut and bolt rebuild, including new chassis (long story).
I am missing competing and as I don't currently have a road car have decided to buy an MX5, this will be used as road transport, infrequent use, as a sprint/hillclimb car and for autotests.
I do not expect to be competitive in the hillclimbs or autotests, just to have some fun and be involved again.
My budget is 5K, but less would be better and have three cars on my radar.
A MK1 with supercharger Ebay Item number: 270586028342
two MK2 1800s Ebay Item numbers: 290439099124 and 270583347226
The MK1 looks a little overpriced - Is It ? And is it a standard inport car or is the supercharger an aftermarket extra ?
It is closest to home, so easy to go view, and loooks to have had some money spent on it and so hopefully has been looked after.
The gold one may look a little underpriced, again is it and could there be a reason for that?
Any advice would be gratefully received.
Thanks
CT
I compete in sprints/hillclimbs with a kitcar which is currently undergoing a nut and bolt rebuild, including new chassis (long story).
I am missing competing and as I don't currently have a road car have decided to buy an MX5, this will be used as road transport, infrequent use, as a sprint/hillclimb car and for autotests.
I do not expect to be competitive in the hillclimbs or autotests, just to have some fun and be involved again.
My budget is 5K, but less would be better and have three cars on my radar.
A MK1 with supercharger Ebay Item number: 270586028342
two MK2 1800s Ebay Item numbers: 290439099124 and 270583347226
The MK1 looks a little overpriced - Is It ? And is it a standard inport car or is the supercharger an aftermarket extra ?
It is closest to home, so easy to go view, and loooks to have had some money spent on it and so hopefully has been looked after.
The gold one may look a little underpriced, again is it and could there be a reason for that?
Any advice would be gratefully received.
Thanks
CT
I can only really comment on the Mk1, and would say it looks overpriced, though I'm not in the UK so out of touch.
The supercharger is an Eaton MP45 (M45?) and whilst I'm not aware of a Mazdaspeed specific kit, it sounds to me to be made up of (or similar to) the Jackson Racing kit. Depending on how old this is I think the 195BHP may be a little optimistic.
Mine, when it was a little sick, was only making about 5psi when it should be 6psi (from memory). That made about 150BHP at the wheels, so I'd hazard a guess at 170@ flywheel on a good day.
Does look nice though, but if I was going for a quick '5 again I'd be going the turbo route. That said, the noise of that supercharger is worth a hell of a lot.
There will be plenty on here that know more than me, so I'll hand you over to them.
The supercharger is an Eaton MP45 (M45?) and whilst I'm not aware of a Mazdaspeed specific kit, it sounds to me to be made up of (or similar to) the Jackson Racing kit. Depending on how old this is I think the 195BHP may be a little optimistic.
Mine, when it was a little sick, was only making about 5psi when it should be 6psi (from memory). That made about 150BHP at the wheels, so I'd hazard a guess at 170@ flywheel on a good day.
Does look nice though, but if I was going for a quick '5 again I'd be going the turbo route. That said, the noise of that supercharger is worth a hell of a lot.
There will be plenty on here that know more than me, so I'll hand you over to them.
It looks like that might really be a Mazdaspeed B Spec which I believe was supercharged from the factory.
The big boost kit, TDR intercooler, Powercard & timing control means that 190+bhp is very believable and if it's in as good condition as it looks then the price isn't too overpriced for what looks like a rare and very nicely modified car.
For what you want it for I'd stick to a Mk1.
The big boost kit, TDR intercooler, Powercard & timing control means that 190+bhp is very believable and if it's in as good condition as it looks then the price isn't too overpriced for what looks like a rare and very nicely modified car.
For what you want it for I'd stick to a Mk1.
Thanks Lazza
Given that I will not competitive anyway, there are Exiges, VX Turbo, etc in the class and only want to remain involved until my other car is rebuilt, would you advise a N/A car, I am thinking reliability here, or would the supercharged car be reliable given that it will be driven hard.
With the power hike I would certainly be able to get closer to the Exiges etc with it.
I plan to go see it on Friday anyway, it looks good in the pictures.
Given that I will not competitive anyway, there are Exiges, VX Turbo, etc in the class and only want to remain involved until my other car is rebuilt, would you advise a N/A car, I am thinking reliability here, or would the supercharged car be reliable given that it will be driven hard.
With the power hike I would certainly be able to get closer to the Exiges etc with it.
I plan to go see it on Friday anyway, it looks good in the pictures.
Reliability shouldn't be a problem as long as it's all been fitted well and judging by the mods that have been done I would expect it to be pretty good though the 1st thing I'd do is double-check everything and take it to a rolling road to make sure the AFRs are correct across the full rev range & make sure it's nowhere near any knock to make absolutely sure it's all safe. These engines will easily take over 250bhp before they start bending things as long as it's well mapped and serviced 
That Ebay one in Scotland - is that a B Spec from the factory? To me it looks like an R-Ltd with an aftermarket kit given he's priced all the S/C stuff in the ad? Given that R-Ltds fetch anywhere up to 4k depending on condition then I think it's a good price (again, depending on condition)
hornetrider said:
That Ebay one in Scotland - is that a B Spec from the factory? To me it looks like an R-Ltd with an aftermarket kit given he's priced all the S/C stuff in the ad? Given that R-Ltds fetch anywhere up to 4k depending on condition then I think it's a good price (again, depending on condition)
On another site the owner states"Car is a genuine Mazdaspeed B Spec 1.8 R ltd (built Feb 17 1995) with 64,000 miles, 12 months MOT and tax till end of October."
And when asked "Excuse me for showing my ignorance, but was the car factory built with the supercharger, or is it an aftermarket addition?"
He replied "Mazdaspeed was Mazda's motor sport division and you could buy your car from Mazda complete with Mazdaspeed additions.
The B Spec was marketed in the dealerships and if you ordered a new one it went from the main factory as a complete car and then onto Mazdaspeed in Tokyo for fitting of SC before delivery to the customer."
You can find it here. http://www.mx5scotland.co.uk/board/viewtopic.php?t...
So sounds to me like it was bought new with a factory fit option of a supercharger.
It looks a nice car and I have arranged to see it friday evening.
Corpulent Tosser said:
MX-5 Lazza said:
In fact it's a B-Spec Stage 3 
Is that good ?Corpulent Tosser said:
Will insurance companies recognise the model
I'm guessing not...Corpulent Tosser said:
will it take a lot of explaining, and cost.
I imagine 99% of them would class it as a modified car, even though it was Mazda who made the modifications. I very much doubt any of them will have the B-Spec on ther system and will instead just take note of the mods and charge a little extra. There are plenty of places like Adrian Flux, etc who will probably be happy to give you a quote.Risotto said:
Corpulent Tosser said:
MX-5 Lazza said:
In fact it's a B-Spec Stage 3
Is that good ? (though I'd love to get my hands on a Stage 2 Think of it as just another Mk1. Look out for rust in the normal places and check the crank pulley for any signs of wobble. Make sure it's been well maintained (rather than just cleaned) and check the condition of the hood.
Check that the AC actually works. If it sounds tappety on start-up it's ok as long as it goes away quickly. Check the oil-cap for white sludge and the rad water for oil and/or oily/petrol fumes. Once it's fully warmed up make sure the exhaust doesn't puff out white or black/blue smoke on sharp revving.
As for the SC - while it's idling, make sure there are no noises from the bearings/gearbox in the nose, other than that they are pretty much bullet-proof.
It does sound very interesting
ETA: Oh, and check the brake discs to make sure the brakes are biting properly - they should sweep all the way, almost to the edge of the disc. If there is a small swept area there's a good chance the callipers are sticking. Not a deal breaker but something to be aware of.
Check that the AC actually works. If it sounds tappety on start-up it's ok as long as it goes away quickly. Check the oil-cap for white sludge and the rad water for oil and/or oily/petrol fumes. Once it's fully warmed up make sure the exhaust doesn't puff out white or black/blue smoke on sharp revving.
As for the SC - while it's idling, make sure there are no noises from the bearings/gearbox in the nose, other than that they are pretty much bullet-proof.
It does sound very interesting
ETA: Oh, and check the brake discs to make sure the brakes are biting properly - they should sweep all the way, almost to the edge of the disc. If there is a small swept area there's a good chance the callipers are sticking. Not a deal breaker but something to be aware of.
Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Wednesday 2nd June 15:46
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