Help with choosing the right MX-5

[jezzashair]

Write OK guys, I started an article on what car I should get to last me two years until I look to myself a new one.

Now, after a great suggestion, I think I may go for the MX-5. I think I may be on to a winner here.

I have read a bit about them now and noticed that people either love them or hate them. Most following the former. Even more impressively, I don't think I need to spend as much money as I first budgeted (7-10k) and I think it would be fun getting one for under 2k and using it and selling it on for a not too hefty loss.

Well what I am asking PH followers is what is the best one to go for? Anything from age, colour, engine, leather? What are they like to own? Etc, etc?

Fill me with your wisdom folks...

[MazDave]

I'd say a 1993 Yellow 1.8 would be perfect

[jezzashair]

MazDave said:

I'd say a 1993 Yellow 1.8 would be perfect

Ha ha, trying to grind me down

[MazDave]

Price now lowered to £2750....

[cyprinis]

Is the 1.6 too slow?

[DanGT]

Not an expert but, The Eunos (Jap imports) are a good starting point, less chance of rust and most have good spec, AC etc. Worth I think looking for one with a LSD? Power changed over time at one point lower so its worth checking what you are getting. PPC mag has done a guide in this months addition.

[MX-5 Lazza]

1.6 up to 93 was 114bhp. 1.8 from 93 was 130bhp. Doesn't matter which market, they were all the same.
In UK a 1.6 with 88bhp was introduced in 94 as a cheap insurance option.

The majority of Jap imports had LSD (1.6 = viscous, 1.8 = torsen). Most UK Mk1s didn't have LSD though it's possible it might be fitted to some special editions. I think LSD is overrated though and not really something to worry about.

The quickest cars would be early 1.8 before all the additional braces were fitted. A bit of a mute point anyway as lots of people fit the additional bracing to the earlier cars to improve the handling. 1.6 will of course be slower than 1.8. It's not a big difference when thrashing but in day to day driving the extra midrange torque of the 1.8 makes it feel quicker.

[hornetrider]

Some random ideas

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1275179.htm

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1279702.htm

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1110438.htm

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1295341.htm

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1189845.htm

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1293659.htm

This looks good:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1295927.htm

[Gizmo!]

jezzashair said:

I have read a bit about them now and noticed that people either love them

If they've owned one

jezzashair said:

or hate them.

If they've never driven one.

I bought mine for £1600 a little while back. It's a UK 1.8, no PAS, no electric windows, no A/C (best 'air conditioning' is obtained by opening the roof) and a rubbish stereo. I've driven the doorhandles off it, shown no sympathy, and it's the best car I've ever owned.

One thing I would suggest - if you can, find one with a glass rear window, or buy one with a ratty roof and replace it. Standard fit on all models was a plastic rear screen that you *should* zip out before dropping the roof. But you can get replacement ones now for £300 or so that you don't have to zip out and they transform the usability (for the cost of making the roof a little harder to put up and down).

[MX-5 Lazza]

Gizmo! said:

Standard fit on all models was a plastic rear screen

Standard fit on all Mk1 models was a plastic rear screen. Mk2/2.5 have heated glass rear screens that don't need to be zipped out to lower the hood. Mk2 hood can be fitted to Mk1.

[snotrag]

An interesting point... The Plastic rear screen can be a bit of a pain when parking at night etc (although no worse than a small van wiht no back window).

But - I quite like the Zip out section of the rear hood and I quite often drive with the main hood up but the whole of the back section zipped out - particularly in the depths of winter - not too cold but you still get the sounds and smells of driving topless.

[skinny]

i know it's not recommended but in 3 of the 4 months, i just leave my plastic window in, and it folds up when i drop the hood (having fixed bucket seats and a roll cage means it's a real ball-ache to un-zip and zip back up). i've unzipped it now for the winter and the hardtop is on

[Gizmo!]

MX-5 Lazza said:

Gizmo! said:

Standard fit on all models was a plastic rear screen

Standard fit on all Mk1 models was a plastic rear screen. Mk2/2.5 have heated glass rear screens that don't need to be zipped out to lower the hood. Mk2 hood can be fitted to Mk1.

Sorry, I meant to say all Mk1s.

[GravelBen]

skinny said:

i know it's not recommended but in 3 of the 4 months, i just leave my plastic window in, and it folds up when i drop the hood (having fixed bucket seats and a roll cage means it's a real ball-ache to un-zip and zip back up).

Similar story here but my zip is a bit fragile - for the last year or so I've taken to just shoving a rolled-up wooly hat (anything similar will do) in as it goes down to make sure it doesn't crease and crack, no problems so far.