Wanting to buy first MX-5

[DannyR]

Hi Guys,

looking for an MX-5 for the g/f. Found a car which is 1998 import 1.6 automatic with 70,000 miles on the clock.

What am i going to have to be aware of (apart from the obvious things) when we look at this, is the 1.6 and automatic a bad combination?

[Wigeon Incognito]

DannyR said:

Hi Guys,

looking for an MX-5 for the g/f. Found a car which is 1998 import 1.6 automatic with 70,000 miles on the clock.

What am i going to have to be aware of (apart from the obvious things) when we look at this, is the 1.6 and automatic a bad combination?

Check out this thread amongst others for some advice:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

There isn't anything wrong with the 1.6 Auto as far as I know if it's an auto you particularly want.

(Although if you decide you want a 1998 UK Mk1 1.8iS mine might be for sale soon, PM me if you're interested.)

[hornetrider]

DannyR said:

is the 1.6 and automatic a bad combination?

All other things being equal, it is the least desireable combination on an MX5. Do you have to have an auto, or does the one you're looking at just happen to be one?

If I were you, I'd go manual.

[DannyR]

Just happens to have an auto, although it does seem a bargain, if i was going to be driving it all the time i would prefer a manual but for the g/f it really doesnt matter.

My main concern was the auto box possibly being a weak link on the car / expensive if it goes wrong

[Raify]

If it doesn't have to be auto, why bother? The manual gearbox is one of the most pleasurable items on an mx5.

[hornetrider]

DannyR said:

Just happens to have an auto, although it does seem a bargain

To be fair, it probably seems a 'bargain' price because it has an auto, its the least desireable configuration, and is priced accordingly. Therefore, is it really a bargain?

I honestly don't see the point in an auto in the 5 unless you can only drive autos.

[DannyR]

Ok then, perhaps bargain is the wrong word, the phrase, 'a lot less than we were looking at spending' is more appropriate.

If it was me i would go for the manual option anyday but as long as there isnt any reason other than enjoyment for not going for it i guess it is worth a test drive to compare to a manual, if there was significant worries other than desirability then it would be ruled out altogether.

[MX-5 Lazza]

The auto in the 5 is a good box and doesn't tend to go wrong as long as it's been serviced. The engines are tuned differently to give more torque at lower revs/less power at higher revs to match the requirements of the gearbox.

Personally I wouldn't touch it - it's cheap because they are hard to get rid of, but if you like it and don't mind holding onto it for a long time (like I said, hard to sell) then go for it.

[DannyR]

Cheers all, thanks for the tips

[franv8]

Agree with the auto manual points, but I wouldn't nail an auto if the car is to be used for more cruising and general enjoyment than out and out hard driving pleasure. If it spends a reasonable amount of time in the UK's ever worsening traffic, a manual can seem a bit of a drag.

Just playing devils advocate mainly. I'm sure a while back when I was just looking around import dealers there was a surprising proportion of autos (and I did at the time think - what's the point of that in an MX5...) but I guess if they've the confidence to bring them in there must be a market for them somewhere.

[twinchoke]

If you are looking for a mint Mk1 mine is still up for grabs.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/354662.htm