Shall I keep my 5?
Discussion
I have an original Miata imported from the US. It is over 20 yrs old and I love it. Handles terrifically and feels fantastic, helped by being LHD which feels more comfortable driving on the left. And it has less than 70k miles on it.
However it is getting to the point where I worry about the impending bills and whether I can be bothered to go through a big refurb or whether to cut my losses and buy an S2K or Boxster or whatever.
Here's what's wrong:
Mangled front left wing from a minor accident.
Scratched and damaged paintwork all over that needs a complete respray.
Very leaky roof - needs new one
Rear window I can't see out of.
Transmission tunnel heatshield worn out
Cruise control not working
Rust in the sills
Car doesn't freewheel very well so not sure if brakes slighly rub or if bearings are no good.
How much will all this lot cost to get sorted?
However it is getting to the point where I worry about the impending bills and whether I can be bothered to go through a big refurb or whether to cut my losses and buy an S2K or Boxster or whatever.
Here's what's wrong:
Mangled front left wing from a minor accident.
Scratched and damaged paintwork all over that needs a complete respray.
Very leaky roof - needs new one
Rear window I can't see out of.
Transmission tunnel heatshield worn out
Cruise control not working
Rust in the sills
Car doesn't freewheel very well so not sure if brakes slighly rub or if bearings are no good.
How much will all this lot cost to get sorted?
While you obviously love the car, the list of repairs needed sounds a bit daunting (and expensive). Mind you, if you're worried about repair bills for a Miata, Boxster and S2000 ones aren't going to be pennies either!
Get the Boxster/S2000 and, if you feel the need to return to '5 ownership, you'll be able to get a clean one for £2k or less, albeit RHD. My opinion, so take it or leave it, but if your Miata was 'the one' you wouldn't be asking your original question in the first place.
Get the Boxster/S2000 and, if you feel the need to return to '5 ownership, you'll be able to get a clean one for £2k or less, albeit RHD. My opinion, so take it or leave it, but if your Miata was 'the one' you wouldn't be asking your original question in the first place.
Mangled front left wing from a minor accident. - Replace with 2nd hand wing from Autolink/MX5 Heaven/eBay/someone stripping a car.
Scratched and damaged paintwork all over that needs a complete respray. - Could be quite expensive. How bad is it?
Very leaky roof - needs new one - About £250 from Jack Smith in South Wales.
Rear window I can't see out of. - As above.
Transmission tunnel heatshield worn out - Don't need it. Remove or fix it in place somehow.
Cruise control not working - Don't need it in UK. Remove it.
Rust in the sills - Price depends on how bad they are and how good a job you get done...
Car doesn't freewheel very well so not sure if brakes slighly rub or if bearings are no good. - Probably sticking callipers. Might be a simple case of freeing them all up which is very cheap (or free) or could require replacement callipers (again, use Autolink, MX5 Heaven, eBay or someone stripping a car).
Scratched and damaged paintwork all over that needs a complete respray. - Could be quite expensive. How bad is it?
Very leaky roof - needs new one - About £250 from Jack Smith in South Wales.
Rear window I can't see out of. - As above.
Transmission tunnel heatshield worn out - Don't need it. Remove or fix it in place somehow.
Cruise control not working - Don't need it in UK. Remove it.
Rust in the sills - Price depends on how bad they are and how good a job you get done...
Car doesn't freewheel very well so not sure if brakes slighly rub or if bearings are no good. - Probably sticking callipers. Might be a simple case of freeing them all up which is very cheap (or free) or could require replacement callipers (again, use Autolink, MX5 Heaven, eBay or someone stripping a car).
MX-5 Lazza said:
Mangled front left wing from a minor accident. - Replace with 2nd hand wing from Autolink/MX5 Heaven/eBay/someone stripping a car.
Scratched and damaged paintwork all over that needs a complete respray. - Could be quite expensive. How bad is it?
Very leaky roof - needs new one - About £250 from Jack Smith in South Wales.
Rear window I can't see out of. - As above.
Transmission tunnel heatshield worn out - Don't need it. Remove or fix it in place somehow.
Cruise control not working - Don't need it in UK. Remove it.
Rust in the sills - Price depends on how bad they are and how good a job you get done...
Car doesn't freewheel very well so not sure if brakes slighly rub or if bearings are no good. - Probably sticking callipers. Might be a simple case of freeing them all up which is very cheap (or free) or could require replacement callipers (again, use Autolink, MX5 Heaven, eBay or someone stripping a car).
Thanks.Scratched and damaged paintwork all over that needs a complete respray. - Could be quite expensive. How bad is it?
Very leaky roof - needs new one - About £250 from Jack Smith in South Wales.
Rear window I can't see out of. - As above.
Transmission tunnel heatshield worn out - Don't need it. Remove or fix it in place somehow.
Cruise control not working - Don't need it in UK. Remove it.
Rust in the sills - Price depends on how bad they are and how good a job you get done...
Car doesn't freewheel very well so not sure if brakes slighly rub or if bearings are no good. - Probably sticking callipers. Might be a simple case of freeing them all up which is very cheap (or free) or could require replacement callipers (again, use Autolink, MX5 Heaven, eBay or someone stripping a car).
Not sure it's the calipers as I had 4 new calipers put on it less than 2 years ago.
oyster said:
MX-5 Lazza said:
Mangled front left wing from a minor accident. - Replace with 2nd hand wing from Autolink/MX5 Heaven/eBay/someone stripping a car.
Scratched and damaged paintwork all over that needs a complete respray. - Could be quite expensive. How bad is it?
Very leaky roof - needs new one - About £250 from Jack Smith in South Wales.
Rear window I can't see out of. - As above.
Transmission tunnel heatshield worn out - Don't need it. Remove or fix it in place somehow.
Cruise control not working - Don't need it in UK. Remove it.
Rust in the sills - Price depends on how bad they are and how good a job you get done...
Car doesn't freewheel very well so not sure if brakes slighly rub or if bearings are no good. - Probably sticking calipers. Might be a simple case of freeing them all up which is very cheap (or free) or could require replacement callipers (again, use Autolink, MX5 Heaven, eBay or someone stripping a car).
Thanks.Scratched and damaged paintwork all over that needs a complete respray. - Could be quite expensive. How bad is it?
Very leaky roof - needs new one - About £250 from Jack Smith in South Wales.
Rear window I can't see out of. - As above.
Transmission tunnel heatshield worn out - Don't need it. Remove or fix it in place somehow.
Cruise control not working - Don't need it in UK. Remove it.
Rust in the sills - Price depends on how bad they are and how good a job you get done...
Car doesn't freewheel very well so not sure if brakes slighly rub or if bearings are no good. - Probably sticking calipers. Might be a simple case of freeing them all up which is very cheap (or free) or could require replacement callipers (again, use Autolink, MX5 Heaven, eBay or someone stripping a car).
Not sure it's the calipers as I had 4 new calipers put on it less than 2 years ago.
You can get a cheap hood for £130.00 now or less, but remember you will need to get it fitted.
Your Miata is 20 years old, sounds like you love it? and there is a bond?, get it repaired and it will last you another 20 odd years, there are plenty of the right trusting repairers about that have a passion for these pocket rockets, that will put their heart and soul into getting it right and it is not as dear as you think.
As said before, the boxters and s2000's will zap your pocket good style, and you will nowhere near have as much fun in them as you do in your Miata.
Pound or in your case dollar per smile per mile the Miata/Mx-5/Eunos Roadster will win hands down every time.
Edited by Mazdamender on Tuesday 2nd November 07:17
Gassing Station | Mazda MX5/Roadster/Miata | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff