rusty sills on a MK2 52 plate?
Discussion
After secretly wanting an MX5 for ages I went and had a look at one at a local dealer. Was a 52 plate in dark blue, looked nice enough...
But OMG the sills, I haven't seen that much rust and so many holes since my dad had a Ford Anglia as a resto project.
All the way along both sills wre holes and bubbles about to become holes and the inside edge of the sill at the bottom of the rear wheel arch had crumbled away.
I had heard some Mk1s suffered but didnt expect a late MK2 to suffer so bad. Is this normal?
Also the driving position was so tight, I've driven a MK3 and loved it. Was the first car in years that really made me smile but as my budget is tight I looked at a MK2. But I can barely fit my left leg in to operate the clutch. I'm 6ft 3 and slim build so I didnt expect tons of room but the mk3 was no problem, the seat lowered a lot and the wheel was adjustable. But the MK2 had virtually no seat height adjustment and the wheel was fixed.
Was this a poverty spec car with no adjustable steering wheel? Was gutted I couldn't fit in it.
But I did take a mk3 MR2 out, it was bigger inside and was a laugh to drive.
But OMG the sills, I haven't seen that much rust and so many holes since my dad had a Ford Anglia as a resto project.
All the way along both sills wre holes and bubbles about to become holes and the inside edge of the sill at the bottom of the rear wheel arch had crumbled away.
I had heard some Mk1s suffered but didnt expect a late MK2 to suffer so bad. Is this normal?
Also the driving position was so tight, I've driven a MK3 and loved it. Was the first car in years that really made me smile but as my budget is tight I looked at a MK2. But I can barely fit my left leg in to operate the clutch. I'm 6ft 3 and slim build so I didnt expect tons of room but the mk3 was no problem, the seat lowered a lot and the wheel was adjustable. But the MK2 had virtually no seat height adjustment and the wheel was fixed.
Was this a poverty spec car with no adjustable steering wheel? Was gutted I couldn't fit in it.
But I did take a mk3 MR2 out, it was bigger inside and was a laugh to drive.
When I got my 54 plate the stonechip by the rear sill was starting to bubble. I took it off to respray but thankfully it was good metal underneath. If it had been left the rear sill would of rusted through in a few years.
There was a paint bubble on the rear wheel arch but again it was good metal underneath
Having to repaint a four year old car is not impressive ! Even my Fieata managed twice that before the same level of corrosion set in.
Its now been undersealed, waxoyled, WD40'ed and greased anywhere that can even remotely rust.
There was a paint bubble on the rear wheel arch but again it was good metal underneath
Having to repaint a four year old car is not impressive ! Even my Fieata managed twice that before the same level of corrosion set in.
Its now been undersealed, waxoyled, WD40'ed and greased anywhere that can even remotely rust.
That's a shame to hear, I don't want to be chasing rust on such a new car.
My ten year old audi is unmarked, shame MX5s suffer, really puts me off.
Though the fact I can't operate the clutch is more of a problem, looks like I'll be looking at MR2s until I can afford a MK3 with the luxury of seat height and steering wheel adjustment! Gutted!
My ten year old audi is unmarked, shame MX5s suffer, really puts me off.
Though the fact I can't operate the clutch is more of a problem, looks like I'll be looking at MR2s until I can afford a MK3 with the luxury of seat height and steering wheel adjustment! Gutted!
My 2001 Mk2.5 is completely spotless as they should be at that age. I'm not aware of rust being a particular problem with Mk2.5s any more than with any earlier cars.
Mk2.5s don't have seat height or steering wheel adjustment but they do have taller deeper seats than earlier versions though so I'd suggest trying a Mk1 (up to 98) or Mk2 (98-2000) car before you write them off.
Mk2.5s don't have seat height or steering wheel adjustment but they do have taller deeper seats than earlier versions though so I'd suggest trying a Mk1 (up to 98) or Mk2 (98-2000) car before you write them off.
and I can fit in a Mk1 fine! Only problems I have is that occasionally I punch my self in the leg, but saying that I also don't have the seat all the way back and I've got pretty long legs!JAM35F said:
yeah was both sides and was terminal, dealer didnt know what to say when I pointed it out to him.
Will have to keep a very close eye out for early signs if I go looking at any others... that's if I can fit in any others more to the point!
Yes I've noticed MX5's can be rusty little buggers, compared to other cars. Not as bad as Landrover Discovery's or XJS's tho!!Will have to keep a very close eye out for early signs if I go looking at any others... that's if I can fit in any others more to the point!
ALL the cars I looked at had a lot of surface rust on the rear suspension subframe, and the suspension wishbones themselves too.
While your watching for rot, check the rear arches and also the power steering pipes corrode, on the rack.
Also, despite the engines having the reputation for being unburstable, the cars I looked at
Car #1 had a misfire, presumably non trial or seller would have fixed it
Car #2 was actually OK although I didn't get to try it much
Car #3 sounded good but was UTTERLY gutless (1996 1.8), even the seller agreed with me.
Car #4 (the one I bought) actually runs OK but needs valve guides and/or stem seals.
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