Buying advice please

[mdotrutherford]

My 22yr old student son having just written off his 1.8 Focus, is inspired to buy an MX5.
Budget is likely to be circa £3k tops, so an early 90s model looks likely.

Would appreciate if we could have a few pointers as to what to look for, specifics and any pitfalls for
viewing this age of model and more than likely from the private classifieds on PH and Autotrader please.

Thanks in advance for any help

Edited to say have just done a search and found some helpful gen, but anything poignant gratefully received.

Edited by mdotrutherford on Monday 28th January 20:34

[MX-5 Lazza]

He's 22 and has already written off a Focus?
I'd be looking for a later car (94+) with air-bags, ABS and side-impact protection beams...

[hornetrider]

You keep buying him them, he'll keep crashing them. I'm not sure a Mk1 MX5 is what he needs! Something with Euro NCAP ratings of 4 or higher?!

[GravelBen]

hornetrider said:

I'm not sure a Mk1 MX5 is what he needs! Something with Euro NCAP ratings of 4 or higher?!

B0ll0x Maybe he needs something like an MX-5 that lets him feel like he's going fast (even when he isn't) and communicates what its doing, thus helping him become a better driver.





(besides, who said it was his fault anyway?)

[mdotrutherford]

GravelBen said:

B0ll0x Maybe he needs something like an MX-5 that lets him feel like he's going fast (even when he isn't) and communicates what its doing, thus helping him become a better driver.





(besides, who said it was his fault anyway?)

Thank you Ben.

[dhutch]

Meh. Cant help on buying advice for an mx5.
- However im 20, have just written of a 306*, and find the mx5 an attractive car.
- That said, i wouldnt expect or trust my dad to find a replacement and have just bought another 306.

• Totaly my fault, slid off a bend going to fast, no other cars involved.

Im also looking at buying a locost/seven/rwdkitcar as a second car. Maybe.



Daniel

[mdotrutherford]

Hi Daniel

Sorry to hear about your accident and hope your ok and that it was only your pride that has been damaged.

Thanks for replying, actually my son is now the proud owner of a Mk1 and is thoroughly pleased with it,
which is nice as I viewed and purchased on his behalf !! also he can appreciate Ben's well placed advice.

Cheers
Ian

[MX-5 Lazza]

I was trying to be helpful. If he is only 22 and in your words "just written off his 1.8 Focus" then a car with ABS, airbags & side impact protection will be way safer than an early car which had no side impact beams or airbags and only basic 2-channel ABS if any.
Probably best to check out insurance costs first. Most people at that age find insurance on an MX-5 will be around £1000 and that's without any insurance claims.