Mk1 MX-5 purchase advice - anyone know these?

[Zippee]

Hi all,

I’m looking for my first mk1 MX-5, ideally a 1.8. Seen these 3 and after your opinions on them or even better, if you know them? I know rust is the biggest killer on the sills, wings and front chassis rails (the Berkley has had all this properly cut out and done) but anything else you can help with would be great.

 

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

 

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

 

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

 

Edited by Zippee on Wednesday 8th May 14:53

[mrciarano]

Oil leaks - old cars will leak oil but can be a consideration if it's rear main seal or sump pan as they're a bit of a pain to replace drop the subframe or drop the gearbox in either case. My 1.8s has a rear main seal leak that isn't bad but I'm equally not fixing it until I service the gearbox/clutch!

Other oil leaks that can be fixed within a day/few hours (even if new to the MX-5 and comfortable with spannering) - cam angle sensor o-ring is common to spit oil over the exhaust manifold, lambda sensor and heater hoses on a 1.8. Cam seals and front main seal aren't impossible to do but would definitely do them with a timing belt. Chances are if you see oil at the rear of the engine bay, it's probably the CAS o-ring.

Look out for worn coil packs and HT leads - standard for any old car really - misfires and hesitancy accelerating (prominent in the mid range).

I bought mine with a split vacuum hose - evident from the higher idle RPM, was drinking fuel and would idle somewhere north of 1200RPM!

They're not really no-buy statements if you ask me as the parts are fairly inexpensive and keeps your Sunday busy, but can be good bargaining tools!

AFAIK the front rails tends to affect more Mk2s than Mk1s but any critical area corrosion should definitely be considered. Also rust around the wheel arches are indicators that the sills aren't fair off either.
igns of damage where people may have tried to jack the car incorrectly or perhaps have scraped the car if it's ever been lowered. Not game over if they're damaged but would put some braces on to keep the body rigidity you can get them as fairly inexpensive bolt on kits as far as I know.

Edited by mrciarano on Wednesday 8th May 13:51

[Smartland]

Hi. The first Mk1 (British Racing Green) on the Pistonheads website is mine. As my advert states, it has had some professional work done to the cills and wheel arches, but has all been carried out correctly and it passed it's last MOT in September last year. It's been well looked after by me. It's 23 years old in August this year, I'm only the second owner and I've owned it for 21 years. Really low mileage, but has been used on a daily basis, so not just a weekend car. Will be really sad to see it go.

[steady eddie]

I am in the same position, looking to buy a Mk1.
So far my contact has been with Martin at MX5 City and Steve at Goodwood Sports Cars.
I am in Northern Ireland so I need to be sure the description of the car’s condition is accurate.
Has any one had dealings with any of the above and if so would they let me know their experiences.
Thanks
Eddie

[Drew106]

Rust is the biggest thing to look out for on a Mk1. Rear sills and arches are the worse culprit due to water collecting at the bottom if the drain holes are blocked.

The front chassis rails are really more of a Mk2 problem due to the double skin design.

I haven't studied the ad's, but I would say any Mk1 will have either rusty sills or previous repairs, unless seriously mollycoddled or a fresh import. I'd have no problem buying one that had already been repaired (well).

Any other little bits and pieces are easy enough to fix due to ease of maintenance.

I surprised by the prices in those ad's! Maybe my little Mk1 is gaining more value than I thought

steady eddie said:

I am in the same position, looking to buy a Mk1.
So far my contact has been with Martin at MX5 City and Steve at Goodwood Sports Cars.
I am in Northern Ireland so I need to be sure the description of the car’s condition is accurate.
Has any one had dealings with any of the above and if so would they let me know their experiences.
Thanks
Eddie

I found Goodwood Cars difficult to contact, phone, email etc. all not answered. He can certainly write a good advert though!

There's MX5 parts NI in Dungannon, might be worth seeing if they've got anything.

[steady eddie]

Thanks Drew
Waiting for a reply from MX5 Parts Dungannon.
They have a Mk1 so will have a look.
Eddie

[tim-b]

Drew106 said:

I found Goodwood Cars difficult to contact, phone, email etc. all not answered. He can certainly write a good advert though!

I had the same experience, was determined to go and see a couple of his cars last year after a promising chat on the phone, said he would send pictures later that day but for some reason he never got around to it.....after bugging him for a few weeks to no response I just gave up. Shame as the cars sounded great from his descriptions and I would have bought one if they were as good in the metal!

[buzzer]

A few people i know have bought off Goodwood... i was impressed with the cars... matched the descriptions exactly.

I still have my MK1 and its in use every day. In fact, it does more miles than our other two cars put together! I keep thinking about a Mk3.... but I like the original better!

Last 7 years we yave done a yearly trip in it... spain, france, italy, Switzerland, austria, Germany... they are fantastic little cars. Have a look at mine on my blog....

https://jtccc.wordpress.com/our-cars/about/