Three grand to spend on an MX5 ?
Discussion
Want to see what all the fuss is about, got a spare car we aren’t using, a 2010 Citroen C1 that we have decided to get rid of and rather than just not replace it, think I may scratch the itch.
So what’s the best to buy at that kind of money, half decent MK1 or maybe a 2.0 Mk3 ? Key thing is no huge rot to sort out.
Where is best to look ?
So what’s the best to buy at that kind of money, half decent MK1 or maybe a 2.0 Mk3 ? Key thing is no huge rot to sort out.
Where is best to look ?
Am thinking a MK3 2.0 may be a better, if not entirely rust free proposition ?
Seen a few in budget and could potentially stretch a but more.
I know a chap who has had the same MK1 for 16 years and that is finally succumbing to the rust, am not averse to getting my MIG out but dont want to have to, want something that can live outside, not leak and start when I want to use it.
I like the MK1 but they by and large are either dogs, or lovely and expensive.
Think will find a dealer locally with one and go and have a look round it.
Seen a few in budget and could potentially stretch a but more.
I know a chap who has had the same MK1 for 16 years and that is finally succumbing to the rust, am not averse to getting my MIG out but dont want to have to, want something that can live outside, not leak and start when I want to use it.
I like the MK1 but they by and large are either dogs, or lovely and expensive.
Think will find a dealer locally with one and go and have a look round it.
Watched the videos on Mk3 rust, will get our holiday out of the way, advertise the Citroen and then, when that sells, see what is about.
No mad hurry, will check any over very carefully and bargain hard, MX5 prices seem speculative in a lot of cases. Will see if there is one in a dealers locally, even if its only a 1.8, want to check I fit ok and crawl under one, am 6ft so not massive but pretty broad shoulders, managed in a 944 cab and 350Z roadster but they are a bit bigger I think.
Might insist on any potential purchase being inspected at a garage for rust as well, or at least need to get under it with a torch. Whatever I get would get some treatment but dont want to have to start welding.
No mad hurry, will check any over very carefully and bargain hard, MX5 prices seem speculative in a lot of cases. Will see if there is one in a dealers locally, even if its only a 1.8, want to check I fit ok and crawl under one, am 6ft so not massive but pretty broad shoulders, managed in a 944 cab and 350Z roadster but they are a bit bigger I think.
Might insist on any potential purchase being inspected at a garage for rust as well, or at least need to get under it with a torch. Whatever I get would get some treatment but dont want to have to start welding.
No progress thus far, been away, got the C1 cleaned, well, most of it, still some bits to do to meet my standard and will get it advertised.
I am sort of gravitating towards a Mk1 again, no plans to mod the C1 as whatever fun it could be it wont be a sports car, kind of not into the Mk2, some look good but most look a bit limp, a neighbour has a MK2 and a MK1 on axle stands, might go and bother him and see if I can have a nosey.
Going to find some videos/blogs to watch about sorting the rust, I have done work on various cars in the past rust wise, my 944 S2 took a lot of work, I can do it but prefer not to, I do a reasonable job but its slow going.
I was out in my M135i last night and its a great car, but for batting down country lanes it feels a bit of a blunt instrument, its rapid and if you use the paddles it puts a little bit of the engagement of losing a manual back but it just feels a bit loose. Half the fun of driving is feeling you are wringing the cars neck, but this just efficiently has you going really quickly and you end up backing off as it accelerates so hard, I know there are faster, much faster but it bloody shifts with 370 bhp.
I could go any buy an MX5 now but need the space freeing up taken by the C1 first.
I am sort of gravitating towards a Mk1 again, no plans to mod the C1 as whatever fun it could be it wont be a sports car, kind of not into the Mk2, some look good but most look a bit limp, a neighbour has a MK2 and a MK1 on axle stands, might go and bother him and see if I can have a nosey.
Going to find some videos/blogs to watch about sorting the rust, I have done work on various cars in the past rust wise, my 944 S2 took a lot of work, I can do it but prefer not to, I do a reasonable job but its slow going.
I was out in my M135i last night and its a great car, but for batting down country lanes it feels a bit of a blunt instrument, its rapid and if you use the paddles it puts a little bit of the engagement of losing a manual back but it just feels a bit loose. Half the fun of driving is feeling you are wringing the cars neck, but this just efficiently has you going really quickly and you end up backing off as it accelerates so hard, I know there are faster, much faster but it bloody shifts with 370 bhp.
I could go any buy an MX5 now but need the space freeing up taken by the C1 first.
Sold the C1, then the garage flooded, thought was the roof, it wasn’t but it’s fooked so getting replaced, and still need to sort the leak in the fully sealed utility, might be an insurance job.
So, MX5 budget took a hit, can still afford one but want to get this sorted and see where I am up to, do t want to leave myself short.
So, going to defer for a little while, don’t want to buy the cheapest just to get one, has to be right so can bide my time, summers nearly up now anyway.
So, MX5 budget took a hit, can still afford one but want to get this sorted and see where I am up to, do t want to leave myself short.
So, going to defer for a little while, don’t want to buy the cheapest just to get one, has to be right so can bide my time, summers nearly up now anyway.
Dave. said:
Budget creep? 
Well, was thinking if I could chop in my M135i and live with one and was near the dealers with time to kill, just to see if I fit in ok as well.Budget has taken a hit, had a leak, assumed roof was leaking, thats been replaced today for £1512, the leak was actually an 18 month old hidden cistern in the new downstairs bathroom, British Gas came out, made it so it didnt leak and said they would be back to fix it, then decided it isnt covered so now have that to fix as well, so budget has crept the wrong way.
Realistically will just defer a few months now seeing as I am a minimum of two grand down.
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