Cheap and cheerful MX-5 - worth a gamble?
Discussion
Just been to look at a 1996 1.8 MX-5, in BRG. Everything ran ok, sounded good, and felt great under cornering and when giving it beans, but cosmetically the car really had seen better days.
The bodywork seemed in need of a bloody good polishing, but had also been parked under a tree for a while and thus was covered in sap and dust - particularly the boot lid. At some points it was quite a thick layer, and you could smudge it with your hand! Also the plastic mud guards on the rear wheels were flaking a bit. Rust wise, only a little bit of bubbling at the rear of the sills. Interior-wise, it simply seemed as if it hadn't been cleaned in a few years, although the seat bolsters seemed pretty firm and the pedals were in OK condition.
It's at 74000 miles and the owner wasn't sure if the cambelt had ever been done, it has however been in constant use and is MOTed until August. It's also just had a brand new hood, and sits on newish tyres and alloys. No PAS, Air-con or electric windows, which is fine by me as I can't stretch to a Eunos Import simply for insurance purposes, and it just means less stuff to potentially go wrong.
So basically, is the cosmetic condition likely to hide any nasty surprises underneath, or would a bit of elbow grease see it in good condition? I'm not particularly bothered about how it looks to begin with, just as long as the cosmetic condition isn't going to contribute to bits falling off as well!
This isn't just a first MX-5, it's a first "own car", rather than being named driver on someone elses, so it's all a bit daunting...
The seller is asking £1350 though I think this might be slightly negotiable.
Go or No Go?
The bodywork seemed in need of a bloody good polishing, but had also been parked under a tree for a while and thus was covered in sap and dust - particularly the boot lid. At some points it was quite a thick layer, and you could smudge it with your hand! Also the plastic mud guards on the rear wheels were flaking a bit. Rust wise, only a little bit of bubbling at the rear of the sills. Interior-wise, it simply seemed as if it hadn't been cleaned in a few years, although the seat bolsters seemed pretty firm and the pedals were in OK condition.
It's at 74000 miles and the owner wasn't sure if the cambelt had ever been done, it has however been in constant use and is MOTed until August. It's also just had a brand new hood, and sits on newish tyres and alloys. No PAS, Air-con or electric windows, which is fine by me as I can't stretch to a Eunos Import simply for insurance purposes, and it just means less stuff to potentially go wrong.
So basically, is the cosmetic condition likely to hide any nasty surprises underneath, or would a bit of elbow grease see it in good condition? I'm not particularly bothered about how it looks to begin with, just as long as the cosmetic condition isn't going to contribute to bits falling off as well!
This isn't just a first MX-5, it's a first "own car", rather than being named driver on someone elses, so it's all a bit daunting...The seller is asking £1350 though I think this might be slightly negotiable.
Go or No Go?
Edited by BonzoGuinness on Thursday 25th June 09:28
Also, in case I'm either exaggerating or not going into enough detail, here's the auction:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
Doesn't look too bad... not sure about that ride height tho? Seems very high? Being a UK car you really need to check for rust. Check the sills and rear arches especially.
There are plenty of 5's around tho mate... check forums such as www.mx5nutz.com etc. Have well looked after cars and loads of advice.
Try and drive a few before buying... the quality of 5's vary drastically and you'll know a good car when you drive it.
If you pick the right car it'll give you years of fantastic motoring for a fraction of the price of other cars. Had one of my 5's for over 6 years now and it hasn't once let me down. Makes me smile every time I drive it.
There are plenty of 5's around tho mate... check forums such as www.mx5nutz.com etc. Have well looked after cars and loads of advice.
Try and drive a few before buying... the quality of 5's vary drastically and you'll know a good car when you drive it.
If you pick the right car it'll give you years of fantastic motoring for a fraction of the price of other cars. Had one of my 5's for over 6 years now and it hasn't once let me down. Makes me smile every time I drive it.
Edited by Johnny-Five on Thursday 25th June 09:46
Thanks for the replies. Having never looked at (any!) used car before, I think I may have glossed over the sills a little bit. I don't mind using Mr. Dodgy, as I'll be trying to do as much maintenance as I can myself anyways - at least until I find something that I don't have the tools/skills for! If no other cars come close on price, then this one will definitely be kept in mind.
I'm going to look at an almost identical car tonight, but it also has PAS, 'leccy windows, tonneau cover, rollover bars and timing belt recently done. Additionally it looks as if it's been polished every day for the past umpteen years! Should be good for comparison purposes at least, as I really need to look at more than one to get a feel for the car. No asking price on the auction but it appears to already have met a low reserve.
I'm going to look at an almost identical car tonight, but it also has PAS, 'leccy windows, tonneau cover, rollover bars and timing belt recently done. Additionally it looks as if it's been polished every day for the past umpteen years
! Should be good for comparison purposes at least, as I really need to look at more than one to get a feel for the car. No asking price on the auction but it appears to already have met a low reserve. 
Rust rust rust
Check for rust as thats what costs the most to sort out and you never really get rid of it! roofs can be a touch pricey although not compared to other brand soft tops but it seems sorted on that issue
Engine wise I wouldnt worry, they are so tough, just factor the cost of a cambelt and a good service.
Paintwork normally comes up nicely if you work alot of elbow grease and there are loads of great detailing products on the market.
I'd get it on a ramp and have a good look, I've seen really nice condition 5s (like mine!) rotten underneath, conversely I've also seen neglected and abused hacks with hardly anything!
In regards to ride height, didn't they simply raise the suspension of the late mk1s to make it pass pedestrian safety tests, so later mk1s sit higher than early ones. What a bloody stupid idea, so stupid they did it again with the mark 3!!
Check for rust as thats what costs the most to sort out and you never really get rid of it! roofs can be a touch pricey although not compared to other brand soft tops but it seems sorted on that issue
Engine wise I wouldnt worry, they are so tough, just factor the cost of a cambelt and a good service.
Paintwork normally comes up nicely if you work alot of elbow grease and there are loads of great detailing products on the market.
I'd get it on a ramp and have a good look, I've seen really nice condition 5s (like mine!) rotten underneath, conversely I've also seen neglected and abused hacks with hardly anything!
In regards to ride height, didn't they simply raise the suspension of the late mk1s to make it pass pedestrian safety tests, so later mk1s sit higher than early ones. What a bloody stupid idea, so stupid they did it again with the mark 3!!
Looks ok but I'd assume that it will need new sills - They tend to rust from the inside out. There is though a good chance that it is just surface rust and that it can be cleaned up easily but I'd insist on reducing the price by £200 just for that.
Having said that, there are plenty of cars around, even at that price range so if it doesn't fell 100% right just don't do it.
Having said that, there are plenty of cars around, even at that price range so if it doesn't fell 100% right just don't do it.
Munter said:
I'd be happy with that. Just check the rear of the sills. They may be starting to rust as it's not been stored in the best condition. I've been quoted £40 a side to fix sills on my car. But thats Mr Dodgy and his back street bodyshop.
That is cheap! I paid £200 per side at Paul Sheads'. However, it was a top class job with a respray of the area. Looks factory fresh. It does depend on how far you want to go. Do you want an MOT pass or get OCD like I did.Edited by A2Z on Thursday 25th June 21:18
Edited by A2Z on Thursday 25th June 21:19
Just returned from viewing another MX-5, lovely 1.8 1996 like the one in the OP but in mint condition.
Placed a deposit, came home, phoned the cheapest insurer I could get, who then insisted my mum had two accidents on her record - November and September 2006. Explained that these were accidents my dad claimed for as a named driver on her policy, but they insisted they count as a claim for my mum. Even had the cheek to tell me that if I added my dad as a named driver, I'd have to declare them for him AS WELL, meaning each claim counts twice!
She wasn't even driving in the car! Tried to be scrupulously honest with insurers, even declaring the stereo, and they still fk you over. MX-5 plan now hangs on the brink of abandonment, as insurance has gone from 900 quid to well over 1500. 
Thanks for replies anyways.
Placed a deposit, came home, phoned the cheapest insurer I could get, who then insisted my mum had two accidents on her record - November and September 2006. Explained that these were accidents my dad claimed for as a named driver on her policy, but they insisted they count as a claim for my mum. Even had the cheek to tell me that if I added my dad as a named driver, I'd have to declare them for him AS WELL, meaning each claim counts twice!
She wasn't even k you over. MX-5 plan now hangs on the brink of abandonment, as insurance has gone from 900 quid to well over 1500. Thanks for replies anyways.
Edited by BonzoGuinness on Thursday 25th June 22:12
Edited by BonzoGuinness on Thursday 25th June 22:14
BonzoGuinness said:
Just returned from viewing another MX-5, lovely 1.8 1996 like the one in the OP but in mint condition.
Placed a deposit, came home, phoned the cheapest insurer I could get, who then insisted my mum had two accidents on her record - November and September 2006. Explained that these were accidents my dad claimed for as a named driver on her policy, but they insisted they count as a claim for my mum. Even had the cheek to tell me that if I added my dad as a named driver, I'd have to declare them for him AS WELL, meaning each claim counts twice! She wasn't even driving in the car! Tried to be scrupulously honest with insurers, even declaring the stereo, and they still fk you over. MX-5 plan now hangs on the brink of abandonment, as insurance has gone from 900 quid to well over 1500.
Thanks for replies anyways.
Can you not just take your Mum off?Placed a deposit, came home, phoned the cheapest insurer I could get, who then insisted my mum had two accidents on her record - November and September 2006. Explained that these were accidents my dad claimed for as a named driver on her policy, but they insisted they count as a claim for my mum. Even had the cheek to tell me that if I added my dad as a named driver, I'd have to declare them for him AS WELL, meaning each claim counts twice!
She wasn't even k you over. MX-5 plan now hangs on the brink of abandonment, as insurance has gone from 900 quid to well over 1500. Thanks for replies anyways.
Edited by BonzoGuinness on Thursday 25th June 22:12
Edited by BonzoGuinness on Thursday 25th June 22:14
Matt_N said:
Can you not just take your Mum off?
Yes, but that oddly puts the insurance UP even further (my mum and my grandad actually reduced the premium).Problem solved though, taken my mum off and added an uncle with no claims - insured,
Edited by BonzoGuinness on Sunday 28th June 00:03
Looks like you bagged a nice one; have fun! 
BTW a couple of pointers (IMHO) for your first 5:
1) Don't use the handbrake when parking, just leave her in 1st gear (handbrake can be problematic).
2) Observe proper procedure for care of the rear window zip = don't zip it up or down with the catches in-place on the windscreen frame; always ease the tension by zipping whilst in the catches are undone.
3) When the engine starts to sound cammy/tappety/like a bag of spanners/like it's lathing itself to death, it's time for an oil change (this happens every 3500 miles approx).
4) For extra performance, use all the revs.
5) Smile.
BTW a couple of pointers (IMHO) for your first 5:
1) Don't use the handbrake when parking, just leave her in 1st gear (handbrake can be problematic).
2) Observe proper procedure for care of the rear window zip = don't zip it up or down with the catches in-place on the windscreen frame; always ease the tension by zipping whilst in the catches are undone.
3) When the engine starts to sound cammy/tappety/like a bag of spanners/like it's lathing itself to death, it's time for an oil change (this happens every 3500 miles approx).
4) For extra performance, use all the revs.
5) Smile.
Edited by bluetone on Friday 26th June 22:17
bluetone said:
Looks like you bagged a nice one; have fun!
BTW a couple of pointers (IMHO) for your first 5:
1) Don't use the handbrake when parking, just leave her in 1st gear (handbrake can be problematic).
2) Observe proper procedure for care of the rear window zip = don't zip it up or down with the catches in-place on the windscreen frame; always ease the tension by zipping whilst in the catches are undone.
3) When the engine starts to start cammy/tappety/like a bag of spanners/like it's lathing itself to death, it's time for an oil change (this happens every 3500 miles approx).
4) For extra performance, use all the revs.
5) Smile.
I have to say I've not done 1 through 3 at all (well 3 a bit. But it's far longer than 3500, closer to 8500). Although I do recommend 4 and 5.BTW a couple of pointers (IMHO) for your first 5:
1) Don't use the handbrake when parking, just leave her in 1st gear (handbrake can be problematic).
2) Observe proper procedure for care of the rear window zip = don't zip it up or down with the catches in-place on the windscreen frame; always ease the tension by zipping whilst in the catches are undone.
3) When the engine starts to start cammy/tappety/like a bag of spanners/like it's lathing itself to death, it's time for an oil change (this happens every 3500 miles approx).
4) For extra performance, use all the revs.
5) Smile.
Edited by bluetone on Friday 26th June 20:41
bluetone said:
... Don't use the handbrake when parking, just leave her in 1st gear (handbrake can be problematic) ...
Funny you should say that, yesterday I stopped for a minute, applied the handbrake and found I couldn't release it afterwards no matter how hard I pulled it up. My brother rescued the situation from the passenger seat by tugging it slightly to the left. Could he have hit upon the cure I wonder?Gassing Station | Mazda MX5/Roadster/Miata | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff