MOT then sell on??
Discussion
We've had our MX5 for about 7 years now, firstly it was my daily driver, then I passed it on to my other half.
Sadly due to a blackout last October she had her licence revoked for 12 months and the car has sat now for a few months unloved with no MOT. It's a K plate Eunos 1.6 in the electric blue colour. She is now thinking of selling the car as it's getting on a bit, and just in case she does ever have a blackout at the wheel (it was the first and only time ever and was at home, should be fine to get in back in 6 months now) she wants something a little more substantial, just in case.
So, firstly it needs an MOT. I had a brief spin in our cul-de-sac just to make sure there was nothing horribly wrong, and I've found the following.
Rear fog (originally of a MK1 fiesta!) is knackered, can anyone recommend a good replacement? Did the UK cars have a proper Mazda one or is it built into the light clusters?
Headlamp bowls rusted at the bottom, is that a fail?
Handbrake is a bit crap, discs and pads seem fine, is it just an easy adjustment on the lever or similar?
Ok, so let's assume that it passes. We now have a 1993 import with 175000kms on the clock, wheels needing respraying, and a bit of rust here and there, although it's been 100% reliable and had a new hood a couple of years ago. What's it worth? Would we be better just hanging on to it and perhaps using it for track days?
Any thoughts appreciated!
Sadly due to a blackout last October she had her licence revoked for 12 months and the car has sat now for a few months unloved with no MOT. It's a K plate Eunos 1.6 in the electric blue colour. She is now thinking of selling the car as it's getting on a bit, and just in case she does ever have a blackout at the wheel (it was the first and only time ever and was at home, should be fine to get in back in 6 months now) she wants something a little more substantial, just in case.
So, firstly it needs an MOT. I had a brief spin in our cul-de-sac just to make sure there was nothing horribly wrong, and I've found the following.
Rear fog (originally of a MK1 fiesta!) is knackered, can anyone recommend a good replacement? Did the UK cars have a proper Mazda one or is it built into the light clusters?
Headlamp bowls rusted at the bottom, is that a fail?
Handbrake is a bit crap, discs and pads seem fine, is it just an easy adjustment on the lever or similar?
Ok, so let's assume that it passes. We now have a 1993 import with 175000kms on the clock, wheels needing respraying, and a bit of rust here and there, although it's been 100% reliable and had a new hood a couple of years ago. What's it worth? Would we be better just hanging on to it and perhaps using it for track days?
Any thoughts appreciated!
It will fail on the rusted headlights - mine just has! Cheapest place is Autolink - he will sort you out with anything MX5 - see link
www.ekmpowershop2.com/ekmps/shops/autolinkuk/index.asp?function=DISPLAYPRODUCT&productid=286
Handbrake probably just needs adjusting.On my 1.8 you remove a cap & insert an allen key to adjust the pads to the disk, not sure if its the same on a 1.6 - suggest you get a haynes or similar.
Dont be surprised if it failes on brake-pipes, they are pretty hot on these with an old car.
www.ekmpowershop2.com/ekmps/shops/autolinkuk/index.asp?function=DISPLAYPRODUCT&productid=286
Handbrake probably just needs adjusting.On my 1.8 you remove a cap & insert an allen key to adjust the pads to the disk, not sure if its the same on a 1.6 - suggest you get a haynes or similar.
Dont be surprised if it failes on brake-pipes, they are pretty hot on these with an old car.
In truth I think the handbrake is supposed (note use of the word 'supposed') to be self adjusting at the rear calipers - I can say with experiences on the MX6 as well as the MX5 that neither seem to work one the car is 0.0001 seconds old.
So you end up taking it up on the cable adjuster. Which as already mentioned is under the plastic covers for the handbrake handle. Think there is one or two screws on the passenger side side of the cover, then you prize it apart (will have the usual will it won't it break feel as it unclips) Then tighten it while feeling the handbrake (keep lifting it is what I do) to make sure all you're doing is taking up the free play - don't want it too tight so it's dragging!!
MX5's have dropped in money to a level where prices drop towards the thousand pound mark for the cheapest cars. A Eunos looking a touch tatty may be toward this figure, I guess you need to think about whether that money is better in your pocket or cheap enough to use the car for tracks!
I'm biassed, having a 1.6 Eunos, but chances are it's better spec than a UK 1.6 for the track - it'll have power steering (I know manual will give more feel, but power rack is quicker, which I think suits catching slides etc. more), it is more likely to have the LSD (Alas I'm not that lucky), and also you don't have to worry about having the insurance special 90 hp version. Good luck!
So you end up taking it up on the cable adjuster. Which as already mentioned is under the plastic covers for the handbrake handle. Think there is one or two screws on the passenger side side of the cover, then you prize it apart (will have the usual will it won't it break feel as it unclips) Then tighten it while feeling the handbrake (keep lifting it is what I do) to make sure all you're doing is taking up the free play - don't want it too tight so it's dragging!!
MX5's have dropped in money to a level where prices drop towards the thousand pound mark for the cheapest cars. A Eunos looking a touch tatty may be toward this figure, I guess you need to think about whether that money is better in your pocket or cheap enough to use the car for tracks!
I'm biassed, having a 1.6 Eunos, but chances are it's better spec than a UK 1.6 for the track - it'll have power steering (I know manual will give more feel, but power rack is quicker, which I think suits catching slides etc. more), it is more likely to have the LSD (Alas I'm not that lucky), and also you don't have to worry about having the insurance special 90 hp version. Good luck!
franv8 said:
I'm biassed, having a 1.6 Eunos, but chances are it's better spec than a UK 1.6 for the track - it'll have power steering (I know manual will give more feel, but power rack is quicker, which I think suits catching slides etc. more), it is more likely to have the LSD (Alas I'm not that lucky), and also you don't have to worry about having the insurance special 90 hp version. Good luck!
Don't think any UK 1.6's have an LSD (no real point with 90hp
) I started off looking for a car without PAS in the belief it'd have nicer steering, less weight etc. However, everyone I spoke to said that the PAS system was actually better for feel as well, on account of being the intended design, as opposed to non-PAS which was a cost save and not as well thought out. PAS is certainly quite a quick rack, which I'm thankful for every time it rains (which leads me onto another point - if you have an import, change the tyres before winter!)
chris71 said:
Don't think any UK 1.6's have an LSD (no real point with 90hp )
) Only the '95+ UK 1.6's were 88bhp. Up until then they had the full-fat 114bhp engine.
Some UK 1.6's did come with LSD but I'm not sure which ones, just some special editions I think.
Not all imports had LSD. It was an option in Japan which the majority of cars have (just like air-con) but certainly not all of them.
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