New MX5 Owner!
Discussion
Hi! Just thought I'd introduce myself! I'm a Porsche fanatic but need something a little cheaper to run, just for a while so naturally thought MX5 Mk.1! Think it will be a car that will stay, even when I get another Porsche, for going to work in, though don't despare my route to work is round all the roads MX5s love 
I've just bought a 1990 / H MX5 import, rather looking forward to it! Spec as follows:
1990 / H
Mazda MX5 (Eunos Roadster)
60K miles on the clock
Mariner Blue
Last owner 7 years and stacks of history
Has a few cosmetic extras, chrome roll bars, I think there is also an aftermarket front mesh grille, also a little back spoiler and non standard alloys, it doesn't look over the top at all though just enough!
I'm also led to believe no PAS, no other stupid aids
just a wonderfully balanced front engined RWD ragtop, got to be a recipe for fun!
Any advice regarding these cars? Apart from roof down motoring at all times, I alread conform to that!!
Pics to come when I pick the car up!
Power upgrades to be thereafter
I've just bought a 1990 / H MX5 import, rather looking forward to it! Spec as follows:
1990 / H
Mazda MX5 (Eunos Roadster)
60K miles on the clock
Mariner Blue
Last owner 7 years and stacks of history
Has a few cosmetic extras, chrome roll bars, I think there is also an aftermarket front mesh grille, also a little back spoiler and non standard alloys, it doesn't look over the top at all though just enough!
I'm also led to believe no PAS, no other stupid aids
just a wonderfully balanced front engined RWD ragtop, got to be a recipe for fun! Any advice regarding these cars? Apart from roof down motoring at all times, I alread conform to that!!
Pics to come when I pick the car up!
Power upgrades to be thereafter
nice one mate.
just make sure your tyres are good and a full alignment has been done recently (5's are quite sensitive to both).
also, the original dampers would be getting very tired by now so check those have been replaced, and check brakes (including handbrake) to make sure they're ok.
then enjoy
just make sure your tyres are good and a full alignment has been done recently (5's are quite sensitive to both).
also, the original dampers would be getting very tired by now so check those have been replaced, and check brakes (including handbrake) to make sure they're ok.
then enjoy
Well the 60k miles is more likely to be 60k km unless they have fitted UK gauges
Some of the early 1989/1990 cars had a "lightweight sports crank" which is prone to problems around the woodruff key on the crankshaft if the servicing isn't done right - it's worth checking yours out. It's not a big problem as long as you know it's there.
I'd be surprised if it didn't have PAS. There are some JDM cars without PAS but they are few and far between.
The best power upgrade is the throttle. Many people think these cars are slow but always change gear before 4krpm. Use the FULL rev-range as the peak power is at around 6500rpm and the engines need to be thrashed to get the most out of them. They are almost unbreakable so don't think you are hurting it.
A free upgrade is to advance the timing. 14BTDC is the best compromise (stock is 10BTDC).
Some of the early 1989/1990 cars had a "lightweight sports crank" which is prone to problems around the woodruff key on the crankshaft if the servicing isn't done right - it's worth checking yours out. It's not a big problem as long as you know it's there.
I'd be surprised if it didn't have PAS. There are some JDM cars without PAS but they are few and far between.
The best power upgrade is the throttle. Many people think these cars are slow but always change gear before 4krpm. Use the FULL rev-range as the peak power is at around 6500rpm and the engines need to be thrashed to get the most out of them. They are almost unbreakable so don't think you are hurting it.
A free upgrade is to advance the timing. 14BTDC is the best compromise (stock is 10BTDC).
MX-5 Lazza said:
Well the 60k miles is more likely to be 60k km unless they have fitted UK gauges
Some of the early 1989/1990 cars had a "lightweight sports crank" which is prone to problems around the woodruff key on the crankshaft if the servicing isn't done right - it's worth checking yours out. It's not a big problem as long as you know it's there.
I'd be surprised if it didn't have PAS. There are some JDM cars without PAS but they are few and far between.
The best power upgrade is the throttle. Many people think these cars are slow but always change gear before 4krpm. Use the FULL rev-range as the peak power is at around 6500rpm and the engines need to be thrashed to get the most out of them. They are almost unbreakable so don't think you are hurting it.
A free upgrade is to advance the timing. 14BTDC is the best compromise (stock is 10BTDC).
Thanks for the advice there is circa 90K Km on the clock!Some of the early 1989/1990 cars had a "lightweight sports crank" which is prone to problems around the woodruff key on the crankshaft if the servicing isn't done right - it's worth checking yours out. It's not a big problem as long as you know it's there.
I'd be surprised if it didn't have PAS. There are some JDM cars without PAS but they are few and far between.
The best power upgrade is the throttle. Many people think these cars are slow but always change gear before 4krpm. Use the FULL rev-range as the peak power is at around 6500rpm and the engines need to be thrashed to get the most out of them. They are almost unbreakable so don't think you are hurting it.
A free upgrade is to advance the timing. 14BTDC is the best compromise (stock is 10BTDC).
I took the no PAS from the internet
yet the only MX5 I've driven a later '94 Mk. 1 did have PAS. Not that fussed to be honest, so long as it's good fun. I never, ever change gear before 4K, typical Jap cars they liked to be revved
Where did you buy it unseen, Ebay?
Cracking little cars, and you shouldn't feel short changed coming from the 944. I have my Mk1 MX-5 and a 944 S2. They're both equally good cars but in very different ways.
I use the MX-5 for half my journeys, and the Porsche for the other half. I always look forward to getting back behind the wheel of either car when I'm using the other so that has to be a good sign!
One thing that really strikes you about the MX-5 coming from the 944 is just how light the controls are, particularly the clutch. The other is the fact ALL of the stalk controls are on completely opposite sides, as is the handbrake. The swapped stalks mean I can often be caught wiping my screen rather than indicating if I'm not concentrating!!
Cracking little cars, and you shouldn't feel short changed coming from the 944. I have my Mk1 MX-5 and a 944 S2. They're both equally good cars but in very different ways.
I use the MX-5 for half my journeys, and the Porsche for the other half. I always look forward to getting back behind the wheel of either car when I'm using the other so that has to be a good sign!
One thing that really strikes you about the MX-5 coming from the 944 is just how light the controls are, particularly the clutch. The other is the fact ALL of the stalk controls are on completely opposite sides, as is the handbrake. The swapped stalks mean I can often be caught wiping my screen rather than indicating if I'm not concentrating!!
Wigeon Incognito said:
One thing that really strikes you about the MX-5 coming from the 944 is just how light the controls are, particularly the clutch. The other is the fact ALL of the stalk controls are on completely opposite sides, as is the handbrake. The swapped stalks mean I can often be caught wiping my screen rather than indicating if I'm not concentrating!!
Yep I've done this so many times having come from a Mk1 to a Mk2.5....never learn!Wigeon Incognito said:
Where did you buy it unseen, Ebay?
Cracking little cars, and you shouldn't feel short changed coming from the 944. I have my Mk1 MX-5 and a 944 S2. They're both equally good cars but in very different ways.
I use the MX-5 for half my journeys, and the Porsche for the other half. I always look forward to getting back behind the wheel of either car when I'm using the other so that has to be a good sign!
One thing that really strikes you about the MX-5 coming from the 944 is just how light the controls are, particularly the clutch. The other is the fact ALL of the stalk controls are on completely opposite sides, as is the handbrake. The swapped stalks mean I can often be caught wiping my screen rather than indicating if I'm not concentrating!!
Cracking little cars, and you shouldn't feel short changed coming from the 944. I have my Mk1 MX-5 and a 944 S2. They're both equally good cars but in very different ways.
I use the MX-5 for half my journeys, and the Porsche for the other half. I always look forward to getting back behind the wheel of either car when I'm using the other so that has to be a good sign!
One thing that really strikes you about the MX-5 coming from the 944 is just how light the controls are, particularly the clutch. The other is the fact ALL of the stalk controls are on completely opposite sides, as is the handbrake. The swapped stalks mean I can often be caught wiping my screen rather than indicating if I'm not concentrating!!
Yep eBay buy, picked it up tonight, well before it got dark so I could have a good look at it and am proud to say I've brought myself an absolute beauty at a bargain price Yes it is very light not a trait I particually like in cars but feel right on the MX5. So much fun driving it back it feels great, roof down motoring at all times of course!
Yes, the indicators are annoying for a day or so, I had a Celica ages ago which was the same, somehow I actually prefer the indicators on the right rather than the left, not sure why though!
Handbrake on the opposite side, again doesn't bother me but if I had to choose a configuration it would be on the right as the 944! Perhaps I'm just strange
The car indeedy does have PAS, I found once I juumped in also A/C, does that make a difference on resale? To be quite honest at the moment I am fully impressed with my little Mk. 1 MX5, I think she could be a stayer ... perhaps with a few tweaks further down the line
MX5 OC, is it worth it?
GHW said:
Porscha! said:
MX5 OC, is it worth it?
IMHO, no. It's not worth the membership fee.You get a 10% (I think) discount at Mazda on Parts & Servicing.
There are also discounts at a number of other places.
AON OC Insurance is good if you are over 25 (preferably over 30).
OC Motorsports events are good too though most seem to be open to anyone.
And the club magazine is pretty good now (I was featured in the last one
)So if you actually take advantage of the insurance & discounts then it easily pays for itself.
Congrats and glad you started liking it already. PAS, despite the theory it is not the best drivers option actually has a quicker ratio, and imho is not devoid of feel.
Great to have a different other car to drive too, I find it keeps the 'special' feeling of getting behind the wheel of either from time to time.
Funnily enough I am okay with the 5's indicators - it is when getting into my girlfriend's Fabia I find myself making excuses for random windscreen cleans...
One other thing - I used to (now, wrongly) shun the MX5 thinking it had only pose and no go. It is not a drag strip car but I find it hard to think of anything else with quite as much fun, certainly at this power level, makes every drive to work a joy!
Great to have a different other car to drive too, I find it keeps the 'special' feeling of getting behind the wheel of either from time to time.
Funnily enough I am okay with the 5's indicators - it is when getting into my girlfriend's Fabia I find myself making excuses for random windscreen cleans...
One other thing - I used to (now, wrongly) shun the MX5 thinking it had only pose and no go. It is not a drag strip car but I find it hard to think of anything else with quite as much fun, certainly at this power level, makes every drive to work a joy!
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