Mk 2/2.5 Road & Track Car Basic Spec?

[Daaave]

Guys,

I'm after a bit of advice on which spec of MX-5 to buy. I want a car that will be used on both road and track, it'll be my first car that I intend to take on track regularly (hopefully 6+ times a year).

The only option that I'm unsure about is the LSD on the sport models. I'm not bothered about any of the other sport bits, but I'm not sure if the LSD will make that much difference to how the car drives?

So what should I get - Sport or normal spec?

Cheers.

[MX-5 Lazza]

What's your budget?
Are you planning to get Mk1, Mk2 or Mk2.5? (or Mk3 though I doubt it if it's a road & track car).

[zac510]

I'm doing this exact thing.

Ended up buying non-sport spec for convenience - can always retrofit a factory or aftermarket LSD at a later date.

[MX-5 Lazza]

MX-5 Lazza said:

What's your budget?
Are you planning to get Mk1, Mk2 or Mk2.5? (or Mk3 though I doubt it if it's a road & track car).

Ok, just read the thread title - Mk2/2.5 it is then.

I'd say it just depends on budget and what you can get hold of at the time. LSD is nice to have but not essential for track work.

[Daaave]

MX-5 Lazza said:

MX-5 Lazza said:

What's your budget?
Are you planning to get Mk1, Mk2 or Mk2.5? (or Mk3 though I doubt it if it's a road & track car).

Ok, just read the thread title - Mk2/2.5 it is then.

I'd say it just depends on budget and what you can get hold of at the time. LSD is nice to have but not essential for track work.

I've recently sold my 350z so the budget isn't too tight, but I'm after a car that's 'value for money' and I'm willing to wait/look around to get the right car.

Mk2 - £3k-£4k ish
Mk2.5 - £4k-5k ish

I'm more drawn toward a cheaper, tattier Mk2 without any options or sport pack just because I'm not too bothered about a few dings and scratches, etc. I'm tall, so I need Mk2 seats really and I'm considering putting aftermarket seats in anyway - so no need for heated leather. The cars with 5 speed 'boxes feel grand, no need for the 6 speed IMO. Also looking at changing the massive steering wheel too so a Sport Nardi isn't much use. Then considering a roll bar and side bars so don't want to get a car that's too nice only to go chopping bits off the interior trim. Ideally I want small narrow wheels too so I can learn track driving without having a car that's either too grippy or has tyres that are too expensive. I suspect the Sport Bilsteins would get binned in favour of P5 units too.

However the LSD and bigger brakes on the Sport models are of some interest... (I am right in saying the Sport does have bigger brakes?) But not worth paying £1k extra for.

[Herman Toothrot]

Get a sport, the brakes really are SO MUCH better than other mx5 brakes, also the Torsen LSD will be handy when you get bored and turbo or supercharge it

[MX-5 Lazza]

The Mk2.5 Sport does indeed have bigger brakes. The additional Mk2.5 Sport bracing is nice to have too, particularly the big under-body brace that FM are copying with their spider-brace.

If you are going to be stripping parts out of the car you should also bear in mind that the Mk2.5 heated leather seats tend to sell for £350+ and the Sport 16" wheels are also fairly sought-after (you'd want to replace the wheels with 15" lightweight alloys anyway). If the seats & wheels are in good nick that would probably get you at least £500, back.

Not sure about removing the air-bag steering wheel - I know it's not something you'd want to do yourself. I'd imagine it would sell well too.

[kevham]

The Mk2 brakes are up to the job with half decent pads and the 1.8iS model has the LSD so that's what I'd go for if I was you.

Alternatively, look for a jap imported Mk2 VS or RS roadster - although they have the 6-speed box, they also have LSD and the added nicety of air-con (it is nice on a hot summer's day - I promise!). Most importantly, its less likely to be rusty if its a recent import because it won't have had 10 winters of salty roads!