£3-4k to spend on an MX-5 – what to look for?
Discussion
Hello everyone! Thought I'd make the trip over here from Biker Banter to try and help a friend.
One of my best chums has had her Mini written off by a dozy old clot (who kindly t-boned her into some bollards at 30mph… but anyway), and I've convinced her that she should get an MX5 for the Summer, possibly longer.
She has a budget of about 3-4k (possibly 5 at a stretch). She wants something fun, reliable and that won't need a heap of work doing to it (she's not so mechanically minded, but loves cars, and the idea of topless motoring
).
So, a massively open ended question for you folks! I'm predicting answers suggesting what Mark will be best, what sort of mileage she'll should be looking out for, recalls, that sort of thing. We're based in Chelmsford, Essex, and I gather Dandycars are quite near us – so I think we're quite well-placed to have a lot of examples to look at. But what should we be looking at?!
Many thanks for your help – I'll buy you all some virtual cake for helping
One of my best chums has had her Mini written off by a dozy old clot (who kindly t-boned her into some bollards at 30mph… but anyway), and I've convinced her that she should get an MX5 for the Summer, possibly longer.
She has a budget of about 3-4k (possibly 5 at a stretch). She wants something fun, reliable and that won't need a heap of work doing to it (she's not so mechanically minded, but loves cars, and the idea of topless motoring
). So, a massively open ended question for you folks! I'm predicting answers suggesting what Mark will be best, what sort of mileage she'll should be looking out for, recalls, that sort of thing. We're based in Chelmsford, Essex, and I gather Dandycars are quite near us – so I think we're quite well-placed to have a lot of examples to look at. But what should we be looking at?!
Many thanks for your help – I'll buy you all some virtual cake for helping
£3-4k will buy you a v.good condition Mk.1 - the original and best (it has pop-up headlights, so must be superior!). Probably best to get a Eunos that's been imported quite recently, as there'll be much less chance of rust than any UK models, which suffer quite badly at the rear arches. The imports also have more extras inside, like headrest speakers, electric windows, LSD, etc., etc.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1057990.htm
This looks good for £2k, so I imagine £3k+ will get you something even more special, with lower mileage (not that important as mechanically they're very reliable).
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1053148.htm
This one at Dandycars looks nice, though expensive (even taking into account their warranty and service) - I'm sure you could haggle a bit.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1057990.htm
This looks good for £2k, so I imagine £3k+ will get you something even more special, with lower mileage (not that important as mechanically they're very reliable).
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1053148.htm
This one at Dandycars looks nice, though expensive (even taking into account their warranty and service) - I'm sure you could haggle a bit.
Edited by Taffer on Wednesday 10th June 23:14
Wander along to Dandycars if they're close, they're really good.
I bought my Mk1 from them, and even though it was right at the bottom end (budget-wise) of what they stock, their attention to detail was excellent, they did an unbelievable amount of prep work on the thing, and I know it sounds like total cliché but the guys really did bend over backwards to do everything they could for me, even offering me three days' use of a nice Mk2 when a post office worker decided to take exception to my (perfectly valid, as verified when taking it to a different post office!) documentation.
Personally I'd go for a really nice example of a basic Eunos or MX-5; at that money you should be able to get a rust-free example of either, although watch the UK cars as some of the later 1.8s are extremely basic to the point of having no power steering, and having driven both types I think the cars with PAS are much nicer. I'd avoid the V-spec and similar import cars as IMO you pay a premium for something that's only of interest to real enthusiasts - that said it's not a huge difference and if things like the leather interior or the special colour schemes interest your buyer, then they may as well go for them.
I bought my Mk1 from them, and even though it was right at the bottom end (budget-wise) of what they stock, their attention to detail was excellent, they did an unbelievable amount of prep work on the thing, and I know it sounds like total cliché but the guys really did bend over backwards to do everything they could for me, even offering me three days' use of a nice Mk2 when a post office worker decided to take exception to my (perfectly valid, as verified when taking it to a different post office!) documentation.
Personally I'd go for a really nice example of a basic Eunos or MX-5; at that money you should be able to get a rust-free example of either, although watch the UK cars as some of the later 1.8s are extremely basic to the point of having no power steering, and having driven both types I think the cars with PAS are much nicer. I'd avoid the V-spec and similar import cars as IMO you pay a premium for something that's only of interest to real enthusiasts - that said it's not a huge difference and if things like the leather interior or the special colour schemes interest your buyer, then they may as well go for them.
£3-4k will get you a nice mk2 1.8is (with the lsd) though your frirnd may not be too fussed about what diff it has! The only thing I would check is that the hood is in good condition with absolutely no splits or tears. Not much else goes wrong with them as far as I know. Even a new hood is only £260 if you go to Jack Smith in Swansea like I did.
Thanks for all the advice guys, it's greatly appreciated! Jo [my friend who wants a '5] passes her thanks on too… just hasn't got 'round to registering on here yet. That last one looks quite nicely modded, smacks a bit of Darth Vader's helmet though 
ETA: Keep the suggestions and advice coming!
ETA: Keep the suggestions and advice coming!
Edited by TimmyWimmyWoo on Friday 12th June 19:47
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