Throw back, little winter project: Mk1 Mazda MX-5.

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Just bought this little 1998 Mk1 Mx5 for a project.

Forgot how sorted these things are to drive. Not powerful of course, but i doubt there is a snickier gearbox out there.

Mechanically it is great, 14 services, and a recent cam belt. Hood is ok, but the screen is milky. Tyres need changing. Paintwork is worst element, enough panels have marks that I'll probably just paint the whole car to make it right. Drivers eat is ripped, so will need a re-trim.

Unusually no rust on the sills.

Only done 45,500 miles.

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Ha, I did have a Puma many years ago, that was a decent gearbox you are right.

I'll keep the price to myself if you dont mind as I plan to sell once done up.

Considering a replacement hood in dark brown or dark tan, yay or nay?

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maxest said:

The hood looks nice that's on and fairly new..

Yup unfortunately the plastic window is beyond recovering with a lot of marks across the middle and its gone blue. It only went on in 2012 according to the paperwork.

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To be clear, it has an airbag. Worked on plastic screen today, Not recoverable sadly

Edited by edo on Sunday 22 October 23:14

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Henners said:

JeremyH5 said:

Henners said:

Very nice.

Pull that middle cover off the steering wheel - what sits underneath should be a bit nicer to look at!

eta: try some brasso on the rear screen, might help.

Not recommended. That is an air bag.

In a mk1?

Mine was a plastic cover...

Last of the Mk1's had an airbag yup.

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New Toyo's on the way. Should sort out the slightly odd handling characteristics in the wet!

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Mega said:

You can get a zip-in rear screen much cheaper than the plastic, IIRC, which is solid acrylic or even glass in some cases. Can't for the life of me remember the manufacturer though.

On the other hand, if you forget to unzip the now solid piece when putting the roof down, it'll crack and you'll need to buy another one...... Sigh..........

Planning a full respray but also want to sell it arguably for a profit? The two aren't compatible. Spraying the whole car will be to make it nice - for you - you'll never see that money back on one of these ...

Will be tight, but depends how much (or little) I paid for it

Was looking at zip in windows, but the hood isnt the original, so not sure if this is possible. Need to check the supplying roof place, I think I have the paperwork for it.

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First job. Done.

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Thanks very much for the input.

The steering wheel has an airbag incorporated so will be staying.

Ed.

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Couple of other jobs ticked off today - no rust in the boot or sills either which is a bonus...

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Hi

Yes it is a 1.8iS. I had a 1995 one of these many years ago, plus a Miata (1992).

Very slight hesitation at mid revs, so have ordered some HT leads as they look like the originals.

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pstruck said:

Nice. Looks like a good solid project car.

I would like to get one of these back in the garage one day, but locating a rust free (solid original or properly repaired) one these days is a bit of a challenge. Had two previously, a '91 Eunos 1.6 V-Special and a '96 1.8 Merlot.

Yup, getting harder (as shown by some of the prices of good ones!)

This is a great balance between rust free (just the very beginnings of rust on the wheel arch end of the sills), and the mechanicals, history and mileage are all spot on. The paint is dreadful, most panels have marks, but I will get that perfect.

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Just been through and sorted all the service history and paperwork. Not bad at all!

667 Thursday, March 05, 1998
6,492 Tuesday, March 02, 1999
9,994 Tuesday, February 22, 2000
12,304 Wednesday, January 24, 2001
14,040 Wednesday, January 23, 2002
16,406 Friday, January 24, 2003
18,014 Thursday, January 22, 2004
19,789 Wednesday, January 19, 2005
21,267 Friday, January 27, 2006
22,057 Tuesday, January 16, 2007
23,152 Tuesday, June 09, 2009
27,505 Tuesday, June 01, 2010
30,989 Tuesday, June 07, 2011
34,546 Thursday, July 19, 2012
37,360 Thursday, August 01, 2013
39,849 Thursday, September 04, 2014
41,905 Monday, September 07, 2015
43,998 Tuesday, September 06, 2016

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Hammerhead said:

A nice little project, Ed!

Out of interest, what process/products did you use on the seats to get them looking like they do now?

A trimmer!

I turned up, he took my seats out put newly trimmed seats in and I drove off (after paying him!)

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JeremyH5 said:

My wife's was the same colour. I remember the paint being very soft. Use cutting compound with care!

Its beyond cutting - both wings have been painted by a blind man, and I have some light scuffs on bumpers and a door so I'm just going to paint the whole car.

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Fair to say 19 year old HT leads were not helping. A right bd to get off. Now noticeably smoother and lost the little bit of mid rev hesitation.

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New Bosh sparks in today. Seriously question the service 2k ago having done them despite charging the previous owner...

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Interior all done. Carpets wet vac'd, re-trimmed leather seats, gear gaiter. New stereo and speakers. New mats.



New soft top going on Monday.

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5tuartw said:

Renovo plastic polish is worth a try.

Tried - past it sadly.

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New Mohair hood with heated glass screen.