Looking for my first MX-5
Discussion
I am looking for a new car at the moment and one of the things I am considering is a super/turbo charged MX-5. Now I'm not too knowledgeable on these cars so was wondering if I could get a bit of advice.
Would these be suitable as an only car (typically covering 6000 miles a year)? My last car was an S1 Elise so I can deal with a harsh ride but I would like just a little more comfort and practicality if possible.
What kind of things should I be looking out for with a car that has been modded like this? I want to make sure that I get one that won’t blow up on the way home.
Do they typically require more TLC than n/a MX-5s?
Any help would be appreciated as this is a new area of car ownership for me. I have seen a few cars around on a few forums. This is one I am interested in as an example. Any opinions would be welcome: http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1299749.htm
Would these be suitable as an only car (typically covering 6000 miles a year)? My last car was an S1 Elise so I can deal with a harsh ride but I would like just a little more comfort and practicality if possible.
What kind of things should I be looking out for with a car that has been modded like this? I want to make sure that I get one that won’t blow up on the way home.
Do they typically require more TLC than n/a MX-5s?
Any help would be appreciated as this is a new area of car ownership for me. I have seen a few cars around on a few forums. This is one I am interested in as an example. Any opinions would be welcome: http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1299749.htm
Looks like a well sorted car to be honest. For peace of mind it would probably be best if you did a few logs to check the fuelling & make sure there is no knock but by the look of how well it's been specified I'd guess that the mapping will be good. These cars will handle that much power without a problem as long as they are well mapped.
With a FI car it will of course be under more stress than it was designed to take so best advice is to change oil more often and keep a close eye on all the fluids.
I don't know what clutch is fitted and being a 6-paddle jobbie it might well have a heavy pedal. If that's ok then there is no reason it will cause problems.
I guess the weak-point will be the dif if it's a stock 1.6 dif. Probably best to ignore it until it becomes a problem or just replace with a torsen lsd off of a 1.8.
With a FI car it will of course be under more stress than it was designed to take so best advice is to change oil more often and keep a close eye on all the fluids.
I don't know what clutch is fitted and being a 6-paddle jobbie it might well have a heavy pedal. If that's ok then there is no reason it will cause problems.
I guess the weak-point will be the dif if it's a stock 1.6 dif. Probably best to ignore it until it becomes a problem or just replace with a torsen lsd off of a 1.8.
Cheers for the replies, think I will be giving him a call. Out of curiosity how much does a decent respray tend to cost? In the ad it mentions that it is a bit tatty so that is something I may look to do in the future if I got it.
If you have any suggestions on questions to ask when I call that would be appreciated (really don't have any experience with modded cars).
Any ideas what kind of effect these changes will have on things like insurance and mileage?
Cheers for all the help, I know I sound a bit weedy and pathetic with some of the questions but I want to make sure I get the right car.
If you have any suggestions on questions to ask when I call that would be appreciated (really don't have any experience with modded cars).
Any ideas what kind of effect these changes will have on things like insurance and mileage?
Cheers for all the help, I know I sound a bit weedy and pathetic with some of the questions but I want to make sure I get the right car.
Insurance will generally be about 50% up from na. Mileage is fine, as long as it's well mapped there is no reason why it shouldn't last just as long as an na car.
Make sure you check it out for the standard MX5 issues though, particularly rust at the back ends of the sills which can quickly get nasty and can be an mot failure. Rust in the rear arches can be tricky & expensive to fix. They are mostly pretty solid & durable little cars though.
Make sure you check it out for the standard MX5 issues though, particularly rust at the back ends of the sills which can quickly get nasty and can be an mot failure. Rust in the rear arches can be tricky & expensive to fix. They are mostly pretty solid & durable little cars though.
Davey111 said:
Cheers for the replies, think I will be giving him a call. Out of curiosity how much does a decent respray tend to cost? In the ad it mentions that it is a bit tatty so that is something I may look to do in the future if I got it.
If you have any suggestions on questions to ask when I call that would be appreciated (really don't have any experience with modded cars).
Any ideas what kind of effect these changes will have on things like insurance and mileage?
Cheers for all the help, I know I sound a bit weedy and pathetic with some of the questions but I want to make sure I get the right car.
We have markets available for uk and imported models as well.If you have any suggestions on questions to ask when I call that would be appreciated (really don't have any experience with modded cars).
Any ideas what kind of effect these changes will have on things like insurance and mileage?
Cheers for all the help, I know I sound a bit weedy and pathetic with some of the questions but I want to make sure I get the right car.
If you want to e-mail me your details I will get someone to call you and then you will have an idea of cost.
Matt From Flux said:
Davey111 said:
Cheers for the replies, think I will be giving him a call. Out of curiosity how much does a decent respray tend to cost? In the ad it mentions that it is a bit tatty so that is something I may look to do in the future if I got it.
If you have any suggestions on questions to ask when I call that would be appreciated (really don't have any experience with modded cars).
Any ideas what kind of effect these changes will have on things like insurance and mileage?
Cheers for all the help, I know I sound a bit weedy and pathetic with some of the questions but I want to make sure I get the right car.
We have markets available for uk and imported models as well.If you have any suggestions on questions to ask when I call that would be appreciated (really don't have any experience with modded cars).
Any ideas what kind of effect these changes will have on things like insurance and mileage?
Cheers for all the help, I know I sound a bit weedy and pathetic with some of the questions but I want to make sure I get the right car.
If you want to e-mail me your details I will get someone to call you and then you will have an idea of cost.
Regards
matt
The Tea Boy said:
Matt From Flux said:
Davey111 said:
Cheers for the replies, think I will be giving him a call. Out of curiosity how much does a decent respray tend to cost? In the ad it mentions that it is a bit tatty so that is something I may look to do in the future if I got it.
If you have any suggestions on questions to ask when I call that would be appreciated (really don't have any experience with modded cars).
Any ideas what kind of effect these changes will have on things like insurance and mileage?
Cheers for all the help, I know I sound a bit weedy and pathetic with some of the questions but I want to make sure I get the right car.
We have markets available for uk and imported models as well.If you have any suggestions on questions to ask when I call that would be appreciated (really don't have any experience with modded cars).
Any ideas what kind of effect these changes will have on things like insurance and mileage?
Cheers for all the help, I know I sound a bit weedy and pathetic with some of the questions but I want to make sure I get the right car.
If you want to e-mail me your details I will get someone to call you and then you will have an idea of cost.
Regards
matt
Ok the deal has been done and I am now just waiting to sort out insurance (Matt I have sent you a PM)
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
Does anyone else have any experience of these guys. They are near me and if they will provide an even colour across the car I may go for it.
e11nos said:
Having seen the car it definately does need a respray. Does anyone know if these guys are any good? I know you get what you pay for so for £850 it may not be the best in the world but if they have a reputation for doing a good, reliable job then I would be interested. I have also tracked down a thread where someone got a full respray for £500 http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
Does anyone else have any experience of these guys. They are near me and if they will provide an even colour across the car I may go for it.
Davey111 said:
I have also tracked down a thread where someone got a full respray for £500
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
Does anyone else have any experience of these guys. They are near me and if they will provide an even colour across the car I may go for it.
Hey thats my car! I think I said in my thread it's an OK job, not perfect, but as expected for the price. I delt with them by going there and staring them in the eye rather than on the phone. WOuld I use him again. Yes. But only on a car worth tuppance ha-penny.http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
Does anyone else have any experience of these guys. They are near me and if they will provide an even colour across the car I may go for it.
Munter said:
Davey111 said:
I have also tracked down a thread where someone got a full respray for £500
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
Does anyone else have any experience of these guys. They are near me and if they will provide an even colour across the car I may go for it.
Hey thats my car! I think I said in my thread it's an OK job, not perfect, but as expected for the price. I delt with them by going there and staring them in the eye rather than on the phone. WOuld I use him again. Yes. But only on a car worth tuppance ha-penny.http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
Does anyone else have any experience of these guys. They are near me and if they will provide an even colour across the car I may go for it.
Davey111 said:
Ok the deal has been done and I am now just waiting to sort out insurance (Matt I have sent you a PM)
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
Does anyone else have any experience of these guys. They are near me and if they will provide an even colour across the car I may go for it.
Have you sent me a pm today. If so I haven't received it yet.e11nos said:
Having seen the car it definately does need a respray. Does anyone know if these guys are any good? I know you get what you pay for so for £850 it may not be the best in the world but if they have a reputation for doing a good, reliable job then I would be interested. I have also tracked down a thread where someone got a full respray for £500 http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
Does anyone else have any experience of these guys. They are near me and if they will provide an even colour across the car I may go for it.
Matt From Flux said:
Davey111 said:
Ok the deal has been done and I am now just waiting to sort out insurance (Matt I have sent you a PM)
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
Does anyone else have any experience of these guys. They are near me and if they will provide an even colour across the car I may go for it.
Have you sent me a pm today. If so I haven't received it yet.e11nos said:
Having seen the car it definately does need a respray. Does anyone know if these guys are any good? I know you get what you pay for so for £850 it may not be the best in the world but if they have a reputation for doing a good, reliable job then I would be interested. I have also tracked down a thread where someone got a full respray for £500 http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
Does anyone else have any experience of these guys. They are near me and if they will provide an even colour across the car I may go for it.
Hi David,
Did the power steering belt last till you got home? Also for more information on turbo'd 5's check out www.miataturbo.net
In particular, there are huuuuuge threads on the most common problems with the cars. For instance you migh experience a puff noise when you go to start the car after a couple of hours? There is a thread covering that in the Megasquirt section.
Also I usually always run this octane booster as a safety margain to keep knock at bay. It DOES work (more power and knock prevention). Like I said though you might want to spend an hour or so tuning the ignition timing on the dyno. The fueling should be pretty much spot on.
Here is a link to it:
http://www.powerenhancer.co.uk/product.php/11/nf-o...
Did the power steering belt last till you got home? Also for more information on turbo'd 5's check out www.miataturbo.net
In particular, there are huuuuuge threads on the most common problems with the cars. For instance you migh experience a puff noise when you go to start the car after a couple of hours? There is a thread covering that in the Megasquirt section.
Also I usually always run this octane booster as a safety margain to keep knock at bay. It DOES work (more power and knock prevention). Like I said though you might want to spend an hour or so tuning the ignition timing on the dyno. The fueling should be pretty much spot on.
Here is a link to it:
http://www.powerenhancer.co.uk/product.php/11/nf-o...
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