Checking for rust ?

[J4CKO]

Sold my Merc CLS and am deferring buying another, more expensive car for a while, so considering a cheap MX5 as its an itch I have never scratched.

I am fairly handy with the spanners and can weld, but want to avoid it, is there a sure fire way to avoid terminally rusty MX5's ? I know if there is any rust on the outside it will be worse on the inside, watched a Carthrottle video where he had two weeks of rust repairs and I am not into doing, or paying for that.

Only want to spend a couple of grand so that puts me slap bang in rust bucket territory so can you tell with a torch and getting underneath if its beyond redemption ?

[J4CKO]

Darkslider said:

That's pretty much it really, they're either repaired or knackered in my experience. There are repair panels for the front chassis legs but it's an engine out job to fit them. Such a shame that such a brilliant little car is afflicted so badly, I wouldn't buy another mk1 or 2 unless it had already had extensive repair work done.

Possibly consider mk3 mr2 or bmw z3/4 as not quite as good but less rusty alternative?

Sure the MR2 is good but just cant get with the looks, like a startled Frog, Z3 is a possibility.

Or just get a loan and get a MK3, assume they are at least not too frilly ?

[J4CKO]

God there is some st out there,

Look at this, two and a half grand and the rust is bubbling through,

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-MX-5-1-8i-Sport/1...

Correct me if I am ruined but that is going to be utterly rotten ?

[J4CKO]

Evoluzione said:

Splash the extra and get a late NC, otherwise expect to buy something you'll have to fix every other weekend.

Yeah, was thinking of getting a cheapy but dont think there is such a thing.

That one looks alright, will have a think.

[J4CKO]

Evoluzione said:

I think this is a good time to buy as Winter is on the way, keep an eye on this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-Mazda-MX5-MK3-5-Sp...

If it is a good one that's a £7k car all day long, 30k miles, must be like new. Should have the slightly better engine in it on that plate/year. Get it properly wax injected and enjoy it as it is.

I have three grand put to one side, I could go mad and get a loan but got an extension planned (waiting for the quotes to come back) so cant really commit to more spending, and if I were getting a loan I would be looking at spending 15 grand really.

Just after something fun, instead of driving our C1, which is fine to be honest but may as well get something a bit more interested, not bothered about going all that fast, kind of thinking a Z4 might be safer bet in the bargain basement < 3 grand price range, like Darkslider suggested, maybe just go for the 2.0, prob not as fun as an MX5 but should be ok.

[J4CKO]

Going to see a 2003 TT 225 tomorrow, not probably quite as fun as an MX5 but cant face rust chasing again, did that with my 944 and old Fiats 500s.