MX5 Buying Help

[Mr Prototype]

Looking for an MX5 and am quite taken back by the MK1 version because of it's looks and rawness compared to the MK2.

I've seen a lot of examples on ebay, but would like to avoid the Eunos roadsters that keep popping up for insurance purposes.

I know that the 1.6 from 89-93 had around 116bhp until the 1.8 was released with 128bhp and finally 133bhp


The question is, what one should I go for?
I find the MK1 appealing, has a bigger interior than the MK2, but isn't as well equipped.

Did the later MK1's get any extras such as air con, power windows, passenger airbag, 6-speed transmission and LSD?

How are the MK1 and MK2's on rust as I hear the sills and arches are susceptible to rust with the MK2 more so because of thinner metal.

Is there any mechanical difference between the standard 1.6/1.8's compared to the special versions like Merlot, Monza, Calafornia etc?


How are they as daily drivers as I shall looking to be using it all the time.

And does anyone park theirs in the street overnight with the soft top and have any issues with vandals or thieves?



Apologies for all the questions, but I want to know as much as I can before taking the plunge!

[MG CHRIS]

Look above this topic that is what its there for.

[Schmeeky]

Main thing with a Mk1 is to buy on condition. There are a lot of cars out there that need a load of bodywork done, mainly sills in front of the rear arches. Eunos Roadsters have lived most of their lives in Japan where they don't use salt on the roads, but many imports have been here long enough for the tin worm to set in if they've not been looked after...

Insurance for a Eunos doesn't have to be much more than a UK spec car, and JDM cars generally have a better spec than UK - air con, power windows and an LSD are fairly common on JDM cars. Am ready to be proved wrong, but airbags and 6speed gearboxes aren't a Mk1 thing. There are a million special editions that have all sorts of extra kit, it's worth doing a bit of research to familiarise yourself with what's what.

I use my Eunos as a daily driver and have no worries that she'll get me to work, the mechanicals of this car are probably the toughest part of the machine. That said, my car is now 18yrs old, and parts do fail. Part of the fun of owning a car like this is keeping up with entropy, but mechanical sympathy and good maintenance makes for a very reliable car.

I park my Eunos on the street, and the only problem I've had was some complete ahole kicking off my offside mirror. Said drunken tt also kicked off the mirrors of all the cars on my street, so it wasn't a sportscar/envy issue, just a dhead issue, which would happen whatever car you had...

Bottom line is, find a good Mk1 and you will fall in love with it, they are wonderful little cars. And they have pop-up headlamps!!

[Itsallicanafford]

....my friend, just don't get a rusty one, that is all the hard earned advice I can give you. Everything else is easily and cheaply resolved.

[vrsmxtb]

As mentioned above it's all about rust! The mk2 actually have a more serious rusting point around the front chassis members that can pretty much write them off from economical repair, the Mk1 rusts around the sills and arches which are easier to sort.

In terms of gadgets, the later Mk1 1.8s, probably badged as 1.8iS had power steering, electric windows and airbag as standard. Aircon was an option. I'd have to trawl through my MX5 books but fairly sure no standard UK Mk1 had 6speed box or an LSD.

If I was choosing again, I'd be tempted to go for the cleanest Mk2 I could find with the 160bhp engine, 6speed box and a Torsen LSD if enthusiastic/track driving will be the main use. For just general summer fun, and for a more classic look definitely look for a nice Mk1.

[MX-5 Lazza]

I don't think any standard Mk1 had 6-speed. That was introduced on Mk2 and then only on JDM models other than the UK 10AE. In UK 6-speed wasn't really available until Mk2.5 Sport and some Mk2.5 specials.

I'm not sure any really had 160bhp. I think Mk2.5 RS was supposed to have a bit more power but I haven't seen that confirmed.

[feef]

MX-5 Lazza said:

I don't think any standard Mk1 had 6-speed. That was introduced on Mk2 and then only on JDM models other than the UK 10AE. In UK 6-speed wasn't really available until Mk2.5 Sport and some Mk2.5 specials.

I'm not sure any really had 160bhp. I think Mk2.5 RS was supposed to have a bit more power but I haven't seen that confirmed.

My MK2.5 Sport with VVT was a claimed 147bhp iirc. As said, I don't think any went as high as 160 in standard form

[MX-5 Lazza]

I think the Mk2.5 was advertised as having 160ps (158bhp) prior to launch but when they were actually launched they only had 146bhp. I've heard it said that JDM cars are said to have the full 160ps but like I said, I've never seen that confirmed.