hmm, which MX-5?
Discussion
The missis and I are about to be boring and buy an MX-5 - yes, yes, I know. But which one, Mk 1 or Mk 2? It needs to be able to take us to Italy and back in August. I prefer the look and the lower seating position of the MK 1, and I know from friends' experience that they go for ever, but what about rust? Isn't the sill problem actually worse in the Mk 2? Budget is £2500.
phil_cardiff said:
If I was doing it all again I'd buy the cheapest out there that runs well and spend the money making sure it is rust free and watertight. Guaranteed peace of mind for years then.
I'd do the reverse and go for the cleanest body - much prefer mechanical refurbishment to bodyworkv8will said:
I'd do the reverse and go for the cleanest body - much prefer mechanical refurbishment to bodywork
My thinking is that it's very difficult to find the rust starting inside a sill of an MX5 wheras if you cut it out properly and start again then you know it's gone for a long time. Cheaper to replace the engine/gearbox though granted.
phil_cardiff said:
My thinking is that it's very difficult to find the rust starting inside a sill of an MX5 wheras if you cut it out properly and start again then you know it's gone for a long time.
Cheaper to replace the engine/gearbox though granted.
True but a solid car and a days work of waxoyl will always be my preference. If the car was going to be a major project, V8 conversion of suchlike then I would not be adverse to replacing sills as the car would effectively be rebuilt anyway.Cheaper to replace the engine/gearbox though granted.
To the OP, I always found the imports to generally be a better spec and generally better condition, of course there are now possibly cars that were imported 12-15 years ago on the roads so some caution will be needed.
In the next 10 years or so I can only see the very best MK1's surviving, the rest will be scrapped or cannibalised for kit car projects (When did you last see a Ford Sierra?)
v8will said:
True but a solid car and a days work of waxoyl will always be my preference. If the car was going to be a major project, V8 conversion of suchlike then I would not be adverse to replacing sills as the car would effectively be rebuilt anyway.
To the OP, I always found the imports to generally be a better spec and generally better condition, of course there are now possibly cars that were imported 12-15 years ago on the roads so some caution will be needed.
In the next 10 years or so I can only see the very best MK1's surviving, the rest will be scrapped or cannibalised for kit car projects (When did you last see a Ford Sierra?)
I see where you're coming from but my main point it that it's difficult to tell if a 5 is solid as they rust from the inside out. Depends on how long you want to keep the car I guess. To the OP, I always found the imports to generally be a better spec and generally better condition, of course there are now possibly cars that were imported 12-15 years ago on the roads so some caution will be needed.
In the next 10 years or so I can only see the very best MK1's surviving, the rest will be scrapped or cannibalised for kit car projects (When did you last see a Ford Sierra?)
Don't assume a Mk2 will be less rusty than a Mk1, they won't. Mk2's had more of an issue with rust, which I found out to my cost. There are lots of 6yr old Mk2.5's which have far more rust than 16yr old Mk1's.
As said above buy on condition. I'd be tempted by a recent import if I went through the process again. However, considering how much I've spent to date on my 5, it's going to be a keeper.
As said above buy on condition. I'd be tempted by a recent import if I went through the process again. However, considering how much I've spent to date on my 5, it's going to be a keeper.
tonym911 said:
The missis and I are about to be boring and buy an MX-5 - yes, yes, I know. But which one, Mk 1 or Mk 2? It needs to be able to take us to Italy and back in August. I prefer the look and the lower seating position of the MK 1, and I know from friends' experience that they go for ever, but what about rust? Isn't the sill problem actually worse in the Mk 2? Budget is £2500.
I'll let the other guys discuss the merits of the decent body or decent mechanicals and offer some other advice.I did Dover - Andorra - Nice - Monaco - Sicily - Corsica - Livorno - Calais - Home in a MK 2.5 with my girfriend in August 2009. Great roads, great car, fantastic weather but how I wished we had air con. I've never previously been concerned by the lack of it in any car I've owned in the UK however that weather meant that roof down was unpleasant thanks to beating sunshine and roof up was horrible due ot cabin temp. Whatever you buy make sure it's fitted and working; it'll make an enourmous difference to your enjoyment of the trip. Realistically this probably means hunting down an import.
JWH said:
I'll let the other guys discuss the merits of the decent body or decent mechanicals and offer some other advice.
I did Dover - Andorra - Nice - Monaco - Sicily - Corsica - Livorno - Calais - Home in a MK 2.5 with my girfriend in August 2009. Great roads, great car, fantastic weather but how I wished we had air con. I've never previously been concerned by the lack of it in any car I've owned in the UK however that weather meant that roof down was unpleasant thanks to beating sunshine and roof up was horrible due ot cabin temp. Whatever you buy make sure it's fitted and working; it'll make an enourmous difference to your enjoyment of the trip. Realistically this probably means hunting down an import.
Couldn't agree more. It is PROPER hot in that part of the world as you know, air con is a must. Otherwise you'll cook!I did Dover - Andorra - Nice - Monaco - Sicily - Corsica - Livorno - Calais - Home in a MK 2.5 with my girfriend in August 2009. Great roads, great car, fantastic weather but how I wished we had air con. I've never previously been concerned by the lack of it in any car I've owned in the UK however that weather meant that roof down was unpleasant thanks to beating sunshine and roof up was horrible due ot cabin temp. Whatever you buy make sure it's fitted and working; it'll make an enourmous difference to your enjoyment of the trip. Realistically this probably means hunting down an import.
Just looked at a 97 Monza (Mk 1) in green, 85k, sills look solid, pretty decent car all round but I wonder if it is a genuine Monza as it doesn't have aircon and I thought that model did? It's got a Monza decal on the bonnet, none on the sides. Car has just had £500 repairs to get it through MOT but the aircon issue is slightly worrying now you mention it, we're going an hour's drive south of Rimini in early Aug.
Here's a nice one Tony.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Aircon - check
Lightweight BBS - check
Hardtop - bonus
New soft top - bonus
Not leather seats - bonus for the kind of trip you're doing in that heat
Nice Momo steering wheel - bonus
Mazda MSSS: my eagle eye spies tweeters in the doors which means headrest speakers too - bonus
12 months ticket
6 months tax
Job jobbed
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Aircon - check
Lightweight BBS - check
Hardtop - bonus
New soft top - bonus
Not leather seats - bonus for the kind of trip you're doing in that heat
Nice Momo steering wheel - bonus
Mazda MSSS: my eagle eye spies tweeters in the doors which means headrest speakers too - bonus
12 months ticket
6 months tax
Job jobbed
tonym911 said:
Just looked at a 97 Monza (Mk 1) in green, 85k, sills look solid, pretty decent car all round but I wonder if it is a genuine Monza as it doesn't have aircon and I thought that model did? It's got a Monza decal on the bonnet, none on the sides. Car has just had £500 repairs to get it through MOT but the aircon issue is slightly worrying now you mention it, we're going an hour's drive south of Rimini in early Aug.
Isn't the Monza the 90bhp 1.6? Could be wrong mind you.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff