Rear rusting.

Author
Discussion

Sam3773

Original Poster:

15 posts

119 months

Friday 23rd January 2015
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Hi guys,

Decided to look around at some MX5's because I really want one as a fun car! Been looking for a few weeks but didn't want to make a long trip to try one, only to find I can't fit (6ft 5 curse)

Today I found a perfect specimen of a mk2.5 and went to see it. It was in sensational condition except for one problem. The rear arches have started getting small amounts of rust. Looks like it's just surface rust but how big of a cost is it to fix? The car is pretty cheap for it's age, but I don't want a huge expense on repairing the arches. I'm a patient guy so I can wait for the right one if it's a huge job.

Also, I fit in it! OK my knees have to go either side of the wheel but I can get a smaller wheel. It feels amazing to know I can actually fit in one.

Cheers!

Itsallicanafford

2,816 posts

167 months

Friday 23rd January 2015
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Personally, I won't touch a rusty one, there should be good examples out there without rust, keep your powder dry on this one.

MG CHRIS

9,177 posts

175 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
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Leave well alone mk2.5 have serious rust issues, if the arches are showing rust then its even worse underneath as these rust from the inside out. That also isn't the main issue, the main one is front chassis rail rust which can only be checked properly by taking the engine under cover of.

The multi layer designs with little rust protection means they rust like hell and isn't a cheap job to fix and will never be as strong as before.

You must check any mx5 out for rust plenty out there so can be fussy and mk2.5 would want it up on a ramp or atleast get the under cover off to fully inspect the chassis legs.

trackerjack

649 posts

192 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
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MX5,s are fast becoming a car that is bought on condition rather than model.
So when people ask "how much for an mX5"? The answer is from scrap to a lot because good ones are becoming scarce and in the future an unmolested superb condition MX5 will actually rise steeply in value.
I would guess that a Mk1 in 1st condition will be the first to get expensive.

Flip Martian

20,382 posts

198 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
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Wings can be replaced - around £350-400 per side, apparently. Depends on the cost of the original car as to whether its worth it or not. Good bargaining tool, I would have thought...

Sam3773

Original Poster:

15 posts

119 months

Monday 26th January 2015
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Cheers all.

The car sold the next day to someone else, but I'm not overly sad about it. I now have my heart set on getting one, though. Either a MK1 or MK2. Time to shop around.