Which MX5?

Author
Discussion

PompeyPaul

Original Poster:

519 posts

190 months

Monday 10th April 2017
quotequote all
Hi all,

Some years back I owned a mk 2.5 MX-5 which I loved. I had to get rid due to the need for something more practical.

I am now looking to get another, but this time as a second car to enjoy at the weekend and on those nice evenings.

Ideally looking to spend up to £3,000 or thereabouts. Based near Portsmouth, Hampshire.

Any advice on the best option? I have never driven a 1.6 model.

Thanks for taking the time to read this post.

Paul

VladD

8,009 posts

272 months

Monday 10th April 2017
quotequote all
Eunos Roadster S-Special.

PompeyPaul

Original Poster:

519 posts

190 months

Monday 10th April 2017
quotequote all
VladD said:
Eunos Roadster S-Special.
Thanks. Anything apart from rust to be aware of? What makes this such a good choice?

Mannginger

9,496 posts

264 months

Monday 10th April 2017
quotequote all
This short guide may help:

http://www.goodwoodsportscars.co.uk/section783453....

I had an S-Special before my current car. They have the LSD, a Nardi wheel if you can get one with it still attached and uprated ARBs and Bilsteins as standard. Mine was the 1.8 but the 1.6 is still meant to be the more suited engine for the Mk1s

I'd agree that they're a pretty good middle ground between the standard trim level special editions and the very nice "R" cars

PompeyPaul

Original Poster:

519 posts

190 months

Monday 10th April 2017
quotequote all
Many thanks, much appreciated!

PompeyPaul

Original Poster:

519 posts

190 months

Tuesday 11th April 2017
quotequote all
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
perhaps biased, but a nice, clean and original Mk1 if it is going to be an occasional fun car....
Still oozing charm, and in a fair wind may even go up in value.


Finding a rust free one is the challenge to focus on as much as anything.
Many thanks!

Biglips

1,380 posts

162 months

Tuesday 11th April 2017
quotequote all
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
perhaps biased, but a nice, clean and original Mk1 if it is going to be an occasional fun car....
Still oozing charm, and in a fair wind may even go up in value.


Finding a rust free one is the challenge to focus on as much as anything.
This advice is spot on. I have just been through this process. I was set on getting a special edition such as the s limited but as I looked at them I realised that the most important criterion is condition.

Most of the cars for sale fall into the categories of basket cases, rusting but repairable with significant money thrown at them, modded badly, and the importers such as goodwood who have newly imported cars at a premium price which are rust free. There is a final category which is much rarer. An enthusiast owned, well cared for rust free/ rust properly sorted, non modified, original. These gems are out there and I Am picking one up on Friday, but they are getting harder to find.

So buy a mark 1 and buy on condition and history. Rust is always much much worse than it at first looks. Good luck

kuro

1,626 posts

126 months

Tuesday 11th April 2017
quotequote all
Definitely a mk1. I have a 1.6 s-ltd and a 1.8 v-spec and prefer the 1.6 even though it’s not quite as quick. Whatever the engine they are great little cars. £3k should get you a good one but do your homework on the rust issues.

PompeyPaul

Original Poster:

519 posts

190 months

Wednesday 12th April 2017
quotequote all
Biglips said:
This advice is spot on. I have just been through this process. I was set on getting a special edition such as the s limited but as I looked at them I realised that the most important criterion is condition.

Most of the cars for sale fall into the categories of basket cases, rusting but repairable with significant money thrown at them, modded badly, and the importers such as goodwood who have newly imported cars at a premium price which are rust free. There is a final category which is much rarer. An enthusiast owned, well cared for rust free/ rust properly sorted, non modified, original. These gems are out there and I Am picking one up on Friday, but they are getting harder to find.

So buy a mark 1 and buy on condition and history. Rust is always much much worse than it at first looks. Good luck
Great advice, thanks very much!

edujorge

1 posts

90 months

Tuesday 23rd May 2017
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Hello,
Sorry to use this open topic.

I am seeing a NB (see photos) and I would ask if you identify by the images something wrong, or not original (Excluding wheels and bonnet)?

Thank you

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|https://thumbsnap.com/FyU8SGxK[/url][url]


|https://thumbsnap.com/3QETR541[/url]

kuro

1,626 posts

126 months

Wednesday 24th May 2017
quotequote all
[quote=edujorge]Hello,
Sorry to use this open topic.

I am seeing a NB (see photos) and I would ask if you identify by the images something wrong, or not original (Excluding wheels and bonnet)?

Thank you

It looks okay but check the reg number on the mot history website, that will show up any history of corrosion. The mk2s have the added problem of the front chassis rails rusting. A seemingly clean example can be hiding a lot.