Cheap '5s...

[KingRichard]

Toying with the idea really. Want some cheap summer fun. It was so depresing driving home in one of the Taxi's today it really made me jealous of everyone out having fun in their cars. Yep, even my mate in his TT made me jealous... And I never thought that would happen!

Now this is theoretical. ok? But could I get a decent MX5 for about a grand to 1500 quid?

If it's possible. I might just have one. Are they really as cheap to run as everyone keeps banging on about? Because I wouldn't want to keep spending money that could be put towards a real dream car next year. Thats no offence to the MX5, but it's not a Porsche, TVR or 'Rari is it?

I was all set to get a TVR S series, but I think it's going to;
a). Cost more to buy, seeing as it's only going to be for a summer would I really want to pay out a decent quantity of cash?
b). It's likely to need a bit of fettling. More cash. and...
c). What if it ends up off the road at a specialist and I miss out on hooning during the summer? The whole reason for purchase

Or should I just put up with another boring summer with no Le Mans, No meets and no track days?

Edited by KingRichard on Friday 6th April 16:49

[risotto]

Should be perfectly possible to pick up a 5 for £1500. It may be an early 1.6 with highish miles but it's a properly designed, well-built car so this shouldn't be anything to worry about. Personally, I'd always go for an import over a UK car but others may disagree.

Buy the right car and you shouldn't have to spend much at all beyond oil, filters and plugs. Servicing is simple and can be done at home. The cambelt needs doing at 60,000miles/100,000kms so make sure it's been done (UK cars might have a receipt to prove it, imports usually have a sticker on the cam cover stating the mileage the belt was changed, assuming it was done before they arrived in the UK).

As for comparisons with the TVR S, well, I've never had an S so can't say for sure but while the S is faster and rarer, I imagine the cost of its development was probably on a par with the amount Mazda allocated to designing the MX-5's wing mirrors.

If you want a low maintenance, low cost, fun car, I'd go for the Mazda. I'm sure the TVR is great but it's likely to be on a different level in terms of purchase price and maintenance costs.

[Kinky]

KingRichard,

I've had an S and currently have a '5'.

Of the 2, it's a tough call - but the 5 wins it - but only just.

And if the finances are for consideration, then the 5 wins it.

Although fuel consumption (for me) are almost identical - I got an average of 28.93mpg on the TiV and am currently getting 30.13 on the 5.

K

[KingRichard]

Thanks guys.

Whats the difference between the models? Ie; Eunos and MX5, or 1.6 & 1.8 models. I recall reading somewhere that there was a difference of about 3bhp

What are they like on track? Ie; will I want to take it to the 'ring etc... Or is it a bit tame and underpowered? I've never driven one you see

From what I hear it will be something fun to knock about in, with a bit of a following, that won't cost me many magic beans and won't eat into the savings pot. Could be ideal

PS: Of the cars I've found so far, half decent ones seem to hover around the £2k mark. I'd rather spend £1500 if I can? Anyone know of any for sale?

[magic torch]

KingRichard said:

could I get a decent MX5 for about a grand to 1500 quid?

Paid well under that for mine a couple of months ago.

Faults, well the passenger window need a new cable, needs a good polish, and there's a mark in the rear window.

Good points, 57k miles, working a/c, lsd, new brakes, tyres...

Just about the best fun I've ever had on my local roads. Coming out of a 996, I struggling to see why I'd spend big money again. She's a keeper.

[KingRichard]

magic torch said:

KingRichard said:

could I get a decent MX5 for about a grand to 1500 quid?

Paid well under that for mine a couple of months ago.

Faults, well the passenger window need a new cable, needs a good polish, and there's a mark in the rear window.

Good points, 57k miles, working a/c, lsd, new brakes, tyres...

Just about the best fun I've ever had on my local roads. Coming out of a 996, I struggling to see why I'd spend big money again. She's a keeper.

Where did you find yours? We haven't all got a magic torch to find stuff you know.

[magic torch]

KingRichard said:

magic torch said:

KingRichard said:

could I get a decent MX5 for about a grand to 1500 quid?

Paid well under that for mine a couple of months ago.

Faults, well the passenger window need a new cable, needs a good polish, and there's a mark in the rear window.

Good points, 57k miles, working a/c, lsd, new brakes, tyres...

Just about the best fun I've ever had on my local roads. Coming out of a 996, I struggling to see why I'd spend big money again. She's a keeper.

Where did you find yours? We haven't all got a magic torch to find stuff you know.

Ebay, just kept e-mailing people questions about their cars, then made them an offer. Could have bought three for under £1500 in the end.

[KingRichard]

magic torch said:

KingRichard said:

magic torch said:

KingRichard said:

could I get a decent MX5 for about a grand to 1500 quid?

Paid well under that for mine a couple of months ago.

Faults, well the passenger window need a new cable, needs a good polish, and there's a mark in the rear window.

Good points, 57k miles, working a/c, lsd, new brakes, tyres...

Just about the best fun I've ever had on my local roads. Coming out of a 996, I struggling to see why I'd spend big money again. She's a keeper.

Where did you find yours? We haven't all got a magic torch to find stuff you know.

Ebay, just kept e-mailing people questions about their cars, then made them an offer. Could have bought three for under £1500 in the end.

Never bought a car from ebay. parts yes, but whole cars. nope. Would at least want to see it.

[magic torch]

KingRichard said:

Never bought a car from ebay. parts yes, but whole cars. nope. Would at least want to see it.

Ask to go and see them. Saw a couple that were local to me, got other PHers to look at the ones that weren't.

[KingRichard]

magic torch said:

KingRichard said:

Never bought a car from ebay. parts yes, but whole cars. nope. Would at least want to see it.

Ask to go and see them. Saw a couple that were local to me, got other PHers to look at the ones that weren't.

*trots off to ebay for a gander...*

Do you have to pay by paypal or any of that old malarkey? I like paying for things in cash

[magic torch]

Going back to your earlier questions. There's some threads on here about model differences on here iirc. There's a Classic & Sports Car buying guide pdf here.

Personally I went for a Eunos as opposed to a UK car, as they seem to be better specced. There can be an issue with history though, or lack of it. Insurance is a bit more on imports though, I pay just over £200, which isn't much less than I was paying on the Porsche.

I wasn't fussed about which engine I ended up with. 1.8 is a bit torquier, 1.6 seems a bit more rev hungry. There's a detuned 1.6 UK model that you'll want to avoid.

They're not fast, and some of the faster tracks will probably expose this. They're hugely adjustable though, and you can carry huge amounts of speed.

I'm not sure what to do with mine. The rear screen could do with sorting, but then as it's garaged the hood never goes up. I've got a long shopping list which includes stuff like an induction kit, and decat pipe. Part of the enjoyment is the fact it cost me so little, if I start spending on it that'll change.

Happy to look at any for you down my way, South Coast Hampshire / West Sussex.

[magic torch]

KingRichard said:

magic torch said:

KingRichard said:

Never bought a car from ebay. parts yes, but whole cars. nope. Would at least want to see it.

Ask to go and see them. Saw a couple that were local to me, got other PHers to look at the ones that weren't.

*trots off to ebay for a gander...*

Do you have to pay by paypal or any of that old malarkey? I like paying for things in cash

I took cash when I went to view. Was a private transaction, just found the car on ebay.

Have a look at these and these.

Good luck.

[KingRichard]

magic torch said:

KingRichard said:

magic torch said:

KingRichard said:

Never bought a car from ebay. parts yes, but whole cars. nope. Would at least want to see it.

Ask to go and see them. Saw a couple that were local to me, got other PHers to look at the ones that weren't.

*trots off to ebay for a gander...*

Do you have to pay by paypal or any of that old malarkey? I like paying for things in cash

I took cash when I went to view. Was a private transaction, just found the car on ebay.

Have a look at these and these.

Good luck.

I quite like this one actually.... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1991-MAZDA-MX-5



How would you go about asking if they would end the auction for the right price if I came down to see it? Don't want to break ebay rules or owt Ok, so I do, but you know what I mean...

[magic torch]

Erm, not that I've ever done this.

I'd ask whatever questions you've got. Then ask if it's possible to view, and say just so you're not wasting both your time do they have a buy it now price in mind.

Some will ignore your e-mails, those that don't make an offer.

Make an offer on this one? www.pistonheads.com/sales/135039.htm

170,000 kms wouldn't put me off.

[Kinky]

Just ask them - and tell them you've got cash (REAL cash).

Although that said - there's a positive and negative aspect.

Negatively - if the car is a right lemon - the guy will probably be glad to get rid of it at any cost - so will be willing to sell "off-line".

Reversely - if the car is the genuine McCoy - then the seller would probably be reluctant to sell off-line as he'll be confident enough that it will make his reserve price.

Tricky game.

But that all said - I've bought loads off eBay - a few sight-unseen - but no lemons (yet).

K

[princeperch]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mazda-MX5-Eunos

This looks good (if it's £ doesn't increase much) and could be sorted for not a great deal of money...

[KingRichard]

magic torch said:

Erm, not that I've ever done this.

I'd ask whatever questions you've got. Then ask if it's possible to view, and say just so you're not wasting both your time do they have a buy it now price in mind.

Some will ignore your e-mails, those that don't make an offer.

Make an offer on this one? www.pistonheads.com/sales/135039.htm

170,000 kms wouldn't put me off.

Emailed. Actually I've emailed two of them. The west london car I will see how the pricing goes

I like the look of the red one though. Seems to have a bit of 'tinker' factor about it which I like, and seems honest. Torch? Is surrey too far to meet up? I'll buy you a bacon sarnie in the morning, and a beer at lunch for your troubles

Edited by KingRichard on Saturday 7th April 11:04

[KingRichard]

KingRichard said:

I quite like this one actually.... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1991-MAZDA-MX-5

Ok. Just had a response from this guy and he seems up for a deal. He's sending over some more info and pictures.

I like this one as it seems in good nick and looked after.

[risotto]

KingRichard said:

Thanks guys.

Whats the difference between the models? Ie; Eunos and MX5, or 1.6 & 1.8 models. I recall reading somewhere that there was a difference of about 3bhp

Whether they were badged Roadster, MX-5 or Miata, they were all built on the same production lines in Japan and are essentially the same car with minor differences in trim and spec. The Eunos Roadster was the Japanese domestic market car and had a better spec (LSD, air con, etc).

The 1.6 engine had just over 115bhp, the 1.8 had 130bhp (rising slightly post 1995). Visually there's not much to tell the two engine sizes apart but the VIN plate will start with NA8C on 1.8 cars and NA6C on the smaller engine). The script on the cam cover is raised/inset depending on the engine size too.

Things are a bit more confusing with the UK 1.6 cars. I've never been able to remember how to tell which cars were affected but basically in addition to the 115bhp cars, there are other 1.6 cars which only have about 90bhp.

From a personal point of view, I'd always go for a Eunos. Aside from the better spec, you know what power output you're getting, there's less chance of rust (they don't salt the roads in Japan) and they've usually been well maintained.

In terms of where to find a cheap one, I've always found you need to bookmark the usual suspects - AutoTrader, eBay, FindIt, the classifieds here, etc and check them all DAILY until a good deal comes up.

As far as eBay is concerned, it's best to view first if you can, but ultimately if you win without viewing, then turn up with the cash only to find it was mis-described, you're perfectly within your rights to walk away.

Last time I put a car up for sale on there, a guy turned up with cash. I ended the auction early (just used the 'item no longer available' option) and avoided having to pay eBay their final value fees. The buyer was happy too - he didn't have to go through the hassle of a bidding war.

Edited by risotto on Saturday 7th April 11:37

[KingRichard]

risotto said:

KingRichard said:

Thanks guys.

Whats the difference between the models? Ie; Eunos and MX5, or 1.6 & 1.8 models. I recall reading somewhere that there was a difference of about 3bhp

Whether they were badged Roadster, MX-5 or Miata, they were all built on the same production lines in Japan and are essentially the same car with minor differences in trim and spec. The Eunos Roadster was the Japanese domestic market car and had a better spec (LSD, air con, etc).

The 1.6 engine had just over 115bhp, the 1.8 had 130bhp (rising slightly post 1995). Visually there's not much to tell the two engine sizes apart but the VIN plate will start with NA8C on 1.8 cars and NA6C on the smaller engine). The script on the cam cover is raised/inset depending on the engine size too.

Things are a bit more confusing with the UK 1.6 cars. I've never been able to remember how to tell which cars were affected but basically in addition to the 115bhp cars, there are other 1.6 cars which only have about 90bhp.

From a personal point of view, I'd always go for a Eunos. Aside from the better spec, you know what power output you're getting, there's less chance of rust (they don't salt the roads in Japan) and they've usually been well maintained.

In terms of where to find a cheap one, I've always found you need to bookmark the usual suspects - AutoTrader, eBay, FindIt, the classifieds here, etc and check them all DAILY until a good deal comes up.

As far as eBay is concerned, it's best to view first if you can, but ultimately if you win without viewing, then turn up with the cash only to find it was mis-described, you're perfectly within your rights to walk away.

Last time I put a car up for sale on there, a guy turned up with cash. I ended the auction early (just used the 'item no longer available' option) and avoided having to pay eBay their final value fees. The buyer was happy too - he didn't have to go through the hassle of a bidding war.

Edited by risotto on Saturday 7th April 11:37

Helpful post. Thanks