Argh, are there no rusty NBs about?

[Rustybits]

--No NON-rusty NBs even.


I've been keeping any eye out for an NB for a while now, but every time I find one that looks like it might be a goer the MOT history throws up that the car is is some way effected by rust.

I'm not looking at the bottom end of the market either, so work would've thought there would be some about, even if it means paying a bit of a premium.

I've had an NB previously which basically just rotted away and I couldn't keep up the fight financially to keep getting it sorted, so maybe I'm being a bit precious based upon experience.

Where else apart from AT and Pistonheads can I look to find a decent quality vehicle?

[Planet Claire]

Keep an eye open on the MX5 Owners Club for sale section:
https://forum.mx5oc.co.uk/c/buy-and-sell/mx-5s-roa...

[ShinyPsyduck]

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/
The cars on here sometimes can be of better condition.

[andy97]

Try Goodwood Sportscars near Berwick?

[seabod91]

Be careful when buying “rust free” mx5’s. Iv seen NB’s with less than 25k miles on that have been garaged that looks mint on the outside but under the under seal and both inner and outer sills were rot. Get as many pictures of the problem areas as you can including pictures of the inner sills using a bore scope. They rust from the inside out. And if you do find a rust free example, pay for decent protection. Not a £100 quick under seal. A proper job will take a few days, not a few hours.

[Volant]

I’ve had mine for years, now it’s a garage queen, but before it was mine it was my wife’s daily driver for nearly 10 years. And so it needed work.

I got it done at The MX5 Restorer near Eastbourne. Like many on here, I really rate him. The car got chassis rails, wheel arches, sills, wheels refurbed, PROPER rust protection treatment, front end respray (stone chips etc) and also loads of non bodywork items - electric windows motor etc etc.

I spent waaaay more than the car was worth.

If I was you, I’d be looking for a car like this (mine not for sale!)

Rather than an original low mileage one whereby the owner promises it has no rust, try and get one that’s actually been done. A ‘no rust’ original may be 6 months away from the arches bubbling. Since mine was done (3 years?) it hasn’t seen rain or salt, once. I also have the invoices and photos to prove the work.

To this end, if you can’t find one elsewhere (the owners club perhaps?) then The Mx5 Restorer does sell some cars. You can be sure buying from them what the state of the car is.

Finally, last choice… Buy really cheap. Get a rotten one that’s the colour and spec you want, and budget in (£3000+) to get it done top to bottom, and know you have the best out there that won’t rust in the future?

My advice would be not to go the middle route - buy a ‘good’ one that soon needs the work anyway.