mx5 Research?

Author
Discussion

volante5767

Original Poster:

22 posts

118 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
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Hi
First of all a big Thank You to the good people on this Forum for there advice/help.
I have more questions if i may:
As i know very little about the Mx5 at the moment [never seen one up close, let alone sit in one!...lol]
My budget will be £3000, love leather seats so would go for the Sports version, 1.8 OR 2.0 not sure yet?
Never had a soft top car before and it appears a little tough to find a sport with a hard top?
I'm not dead against the soft top, just have know experience of a car like this?
But when i think soft top, these come to mind; Birds Poo, vandals with knives, green mold and weather leaks, then expensive roof replacement???
When i think hard top, i see somrthing a bit more practical, water tight, warm ect, less problems???
Any Thoughts much appreciate.
Steve V.

SportsCarShop

591 posts

145 months

Wednesday 18th February 2015
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You could buy my 2000 Icon special edition! Google the spec, with hardtop!

volante5767

Original Poster:

22 posts

118 months

Thursday 19th February 2015
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Thanks for the offer, very nice too!
But looking for a slightly younger model.

VladD

8,011 posts

272 months

Thursday 19th February 2015
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As you're debating between 1.8 and 2.0, I assume you're looking at a Mk3 (NC) model. I'd be very surprise if you could get one for £3K though. The Roadster Coupe (folding hard top) came in later than the soft top, so that is even less likely to be affordable.

If you're looking at a Mk2, then you have a choice between a 1.6 and 1.8. The last year they made these was 2005 I think. These were all soft tops, though a removable hard top was available. These hard top can be picked up readily second hand if you can't find a car you like that has one already fitted.

volante5767

Original Poster:

22 posts

118 months

Thursday 19th February 2015
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Hi Vlad,
Thanks mate, very helpful info, appreciated.
Narrowing it down all the time. As my budget is £3000, and you are dead right, it's a MK2 i'm after, 1.8 NOT the 1.6, 2002 to 2005,must be leather seats, the one's with hard top's are tough to find, but they are about...will keep looking!
Cheers mate.

VladD

8,011 posts

272 months

Thursday 19th February 2015
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Have a look at mx5nutz and mx5oc, they both have cars for sale.

SportsCarShop

591 posts

145 months

Thursday 19th February 2015
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Beware that the mk2s and 2.5s can have valid MoTs yet be catastrophicly rusty

Pit Pony

9,256 posts

128 months

Thursday 19th February 2015
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volante5767 said:
Thanks for the offer, very nice too!
But looking for a slightly younger model.
What you are looking for is something not as good as what you could be looking for.

What you want, and what you need is a mk1. Preferably a 1.6. Preferably a bit knackered. Probably a lot less than your budget, But so much more 'real' . Mk1 owners will know what I mean. You'll have more fun. I'm learning to weld too.

Don't worry about the security of the soft top. You can fit one in about 5 hours even if you are a muppet, and they are cheap (ish)




volante5767

Original Poster:

22 posts

118 months

Friday 20th February 2015
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Never considered mk 1
The lights put me off, but will look again.
One thing I have one my side is being a Welder by trade and doing it for a living.

SportsCarShop

591 posts

145 months

Friday 20th February 2015
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No doubt the MK1 1.6 is a peach. I can't wait to have my own on the road in a few weeks!

SportsCarShop

591 posts

145 months

Friday 20th February 2015
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No doubt the MK1 1.6 is a peach. I can't wait to have my own on the road in a few weeks!

pharmvrs

147 posts

167 months

Friday 20th February 2015
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As a recent convert to a mk1 mx5 they are an acquired taste, mine is very low and quite firm though! I have a kitcar in the garage for sunny days and weekend blasts, the mx5 is for daily driver duties.

Its biggest drawback is the condensation-this can be overlooked as its so much fun to drive! Very involving steering, sharp brakes and neutral handling in the corners.

Mine has the advantage of a purchase price of £850, its an s-special-but isn't a show car, the sills are bubbling at the rear and will need replaced in the summer and it's missing the original radio (still got the BBS's, LSD, strut braces and Bilstein suspension though).

Try a few out and beware of the various model specific issues, worst case summer is coming and you sell it on again for a profit!


MX-5 Lazza

7,954 posts

226 months

Friday 20th February 2015
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There is no need to suffer condensation. Make sure the hood drain tubes and all 4 sill drain points are clear. After that, make sure all the carpets and sound deadening underneath the carpets are dry. Condensation will be coming from moisture in the car somewhere.

Pit Pony

9,256 posts

128 months

Monday 23rd February 2015
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volante5767 said:
Never considered mk 1
The lights put me off, but will look again.
One thing I have one my side is being a Welder by trade and doing it for a living.
According to erm my wife only REAL sports cars and the mazda 323 from 1988 have pop up lights.

I quite like the view with them up.

Hol

8,743 posts

207 months

Friday 6th March 2015
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You still looking?

The wife is getting a new SLK through work very soon, so her 53 Plate sort is going up for a quick sale on Ebay when it arrives.

£2500, including a headed rear screen hardtop.

It had £1700 worth of rust repair and replacement underseal from Garath, the MX5 specialist.

Its a standard car, with a Mazda Boot spoiler, Stainless Back Box and a Chrome bar/windbreaker combo.


Im not going to say its mint, but its certainly average - bar the peace of mind for the professional rust repair.