Mk1 Mazda Mx5

[Callista]

Hi guys!

I have around 10k to spend and am looking to buy a mk1 mx5 with the idea of making it faster and even more better looking than it already is!

There doesn't seem to be many highly modified ones for sale, therefore should I just buy a very cheap one and fix it up or should I buy something half decent and just make it better?

If you had 10k to spend on a Car + Mods, what are the first mods you would do?

Im coming from a highly modified bmw 130i so ideally would like to get the MX5 up to around similar power!

Thanks!

[anonymous-user]

Find the one with the least rust. Everything else can be fixed / replaced / upgraded.

[stavr0ss]

Look on mx5oc/mx5nutz forums as well as carandclassic- there was a really nice supercharged mk1 on there a couple of months ago at under 6k which looked absolutely mint. Cars with repaired sills seem to go for less than rust free all original, so if you’re going to chase numbers save the money and look for one that’s been repaired by someone who knows what they’re doing - skuzzle or mx5restorer to name two.

[Dave.]

Not sure if i'd do the opposite to be honest....

Buy the cheapest you can find & get the work done by someone trustworthy, or yourself if you're capable. Ideally a mix of the two.

I bought my mk2 dirt cheap as it was meant to brief fling, the sills looked fine, lasted about 9 month one side, another 9 before the other started showing signs.

They had been bodged, nothing tragic, just repaired cheaply last time.

You might be as well approaching a specialist with your target & budget, see if they have any suitable donor cars avalable.

[Zed.]

JimSuperSix said:

Find the one with the least rust. Everything else can be fixed / replaced / upgraded.

+1

if you want to modify then look for look for an auto car as these were commonly bought as second cars so usually have lower millage & more chance of living in a garage
as to the model, look for Eunos Roadster (grey import) as it'll have spent less time in UK weather (UK cars usually rotten...)

Rich.

[TheJimi]

JimSuperSix said:

Find the one with the least rust. Everything else can be fixed / replaced / upgraded.

As Dave suggests, not all repairs are equal. Ideally, you'd want a car with repairs done by one of the well regarded specialists, with before & after photos of the work (and preferably photos of in-progress)

I'm just as wary of repaired cars with no repair provenance as I am of cars that require obvious work.

Also be wary of cars that have been undersealed without before and after photographs,

[Callista]

Awesome thanks guys!

[TheJimi]

Incidentally, your budget puts you into Mk3.5 turbo/supercharged territory.

See here for a recent example -

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

[Callista]

TheJimi said:

Incidentally, your budget puts you into Mk3.5 turbo/supercharged territory.

See here for a recent example -

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

As nice as it is the mk1 has stolen my heart 😂

[VR6VR6]

My MK1 (fully restored and stunning) is still sat in my storage unit (gets started and run around the block every couple of weeks) and I could be persuaded to part with her:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

She is part of a small collection (I usually have 10-12 cars at a time) and I don't have the time to drive all of them so I am looking to thin down my numbers.

Have a read of the build thread.

[ben_duggan]

Hey buddy. Hope you’re keeping good.
Did you end up selling your MX5?


I’m in the middle of my research / hunt, and yours looks perfect. MK1, classic styling, tan leather. 250bhp 🙌🏻

Fingers crossed.

[VR6VR6]

Ben

My MX has sat in my storage unit since it was completed and literally only gets a quick run up and down the road every few weeks to stretch her legs.

I bought some more parts to upgrade her (Willwood big brake kit, TR Line roll bar, RX8 injectors, boost solenoid etc so that we can remap to 280+bhp and still get her to stop) but I still haven't collected these from Dai at Valley 5 in wales.

The reality is that I simply won't ever use the car is it was a small resto project that got a little carried away!

Feel free to come and view the car if you are still looking for one.

[Furyblade_Lee]

If you want to have forced induction, I would buy an already converted car , with a good setup, way cheaper in the long run. You should be able to one with lots of good bits on for 4-5k. Then you have a lot of cash left to sort the rest!

[VladD]

VR6VR6 said:

Feel free to come and view the car if you are still looking for one.

In the summer when it's legal to do so, obviously.