MX5 with rust on arches/sills - should I walk away?

[yellowbentines]

Sorry for another 'I'm buying an MX5 please help' thread but I know you're all a nice helpful bunch anyway

Theres a well-looked after MX5 (FSH) for sale close to me at a good price, however the sills and arches have some rust, should I jusy walk away or has anyone bought similar and had them repaired, if so I'd been keen to know how cheaply this can be done (properly).

Its a choice of £1400 for this one (inc hardtop) or £1600 for similar with no rust but no hardtop, what would you recommend?

[mike9009]

Personally I would avoid the rusted example. There are plenty of rust (?) free examples out there. Someone will be able to quote the costs to repair (about £300/ side if I remember)

All IMO

Mike

[Taffer]

Provided the cars are the same spec., I'd go with the non-rusty one.

Rusty: £1400 + £600 sill repairs both sides = £2000

Non-rusty: £1600 + £300-400 hard top = £1900-2000.

The hardtop isn't essential as the MX5 roof seals well and will survive the winter - for the higher price you get a sorted, non-rusty car. Just wait for a hardtop to come up on eBay at the right price.

[yellowbentines]

Thanks guys, I hadn't anticipated that sorting the rust would cost quite as much but it'll certainly influence what I buy now! That's settled it, if it's rusty I'm not even going to look at it.

As for the hard top I guess this isn't the time of year to buy one separately anyway as they'll no doubt command a premium now winter's here.

[Gizmo!]

The easy option is to avoid the rusty one, agreed.
But seeing as they rust from the inside out, if you can get a decent amount of money off the rusty hardtop one it may be worth it. The non-rusty one might just not be showing yet...