Looking for my first MX5

[CaterhamJoy]

Its time for me to get rid of my enjoyable but sluggish Hyundai Coupe 1.6. In about 8-10 months I will probs end up getting a 330D M Sport, but at the moment the insurance is crazy, trust me waiting that amount of time nearley halves it as I will be 20 and 2 years NCB. So after much thinking I have decided that an MX5 is the perfect stop gap, it will happily see me through the next 8-10 months and if I enjoy it I might keep it as a fun car (or I might sell it to mod the 330D).

I have been looking around on the classifieds and there appear to many different models and specs so I am after some advice realy. Im looking for a 1.8 preferably 2000 plate onwards, other than that I dont really know what else. I would like air con and I will get a hardtop so one with a hardtop is a bonus, I would like leather but as I may swap seats not a deal breaker. I have done a few Drift courses and I am gonna do a few more in the new year so I would like an MX capable of enjoying some opposite lock.

So what model would you guys recomend, how much should I be paying, do I need an LSD or will it slide well without?

Any help is greately appreciated

Cheers Guys

[neil_bolton]

trust me when i say this: you'll so not want a 330d convertible after having an mx5 for 6 months - l loved my 328 and as good as it was, i far enjoy driving my mx5...

Just buy on condition - dont worry about lsd and all that - these things are easy to change.

Dont discount the 1.6 - just as quick and supposedly better handling...

Mx5 to 330d droptop - i mean come on!

[J-Tuner]

neil_bolton said:

trust me when i say this: you'll so not want a 330d convertible after having an mx5 for 6 months - l loved my 328 and as good as it was, i far enjoy driving my mx5...

Just buy on condition - dont worry about lsd and all that - these things are easy to change.

Dont discount the 1.6 - just as quick and supposedly better handling...

Mx5 to 330d droptop - i mean come on!

LSD isnt strictly necessary for arse out either - given how wideways i was going at bedford the other month - just add some a bit of water and some cheap (or in my case just ste) tyres

Edited by J-Tuner on Tuesday 1st December 17:51

[neil_bolton]

J-Tuner said:

neil_bolton said:

trust me when i say this: you'll so not want a 330d convertible after having an mx5 for 6 months - l loved my 328 and as good as it was, i far enjoy driving my mx5...

Just buy on condition - dont worry about lsd and all that - these things are easy to change.

Dont discount the 1.6 - just as quick and supposedly better handling...

Mx5 to 330d droptop - i mean come on!

LSD isnt strictly necessary for arse out either - given how wideways i was going at bedford the other month - just add some a bit of water and some cheap (or in my case just ste) tyres

Edited by J-Tuner on Tuesday 1st December 17:51

In fact, it makes it a little easier, as it's easier to control, however, harder to maintain

In something so light, you'll not have any issue with grip.

[CaterhamJoy]

Cheers for the response so far guys! I wont be going to another vert I dont think, It will be a coupe! I want something RWD, business like, smooth quick and arse ended, that plus the economy means 330CoupeD is the way foward for me!!!! Anyway back to the matter in hand. As its a stop gap car I dont want to spend huge sums of money. So what am i looking at for a medium to high (best mates a mechanic and Im not bad with a spanner or too) 2000 onward top spec with air con and leather? Is the IS worth the extra cash?

Once again cheers for the advice guys!!!!

[CaterhamJoy]

Ok guys, I went out and test drove some MX5's this saturday and I now know what it is I am looking for, a mk2 1.8 preferably sport model.

I do have a few final questions though. Is the mk2 as good as the mk1 (my test drive on the mk2 was a dull straightish road!)! Will a mk2 get as sideways as a mk1?

Cheers in advance guys?

[Munter]

MK2 is said to be slightly softer. But a better place to be. MK2 sport comes with the Torsen LSD as well.

[MX-5 Lazza]

The top standard model Mk2 is the 1.8iS (just as it is with Mk1 1.8). Mk2 Sport before 2001 is a limited edition model. From 2001 the Mk2 was facelifted and is commonly known as Mk2.5. Top model became known as 1.8 Sport (Some call it 1.8 VT Sport).
Which one are you talking about?

[CaterhamJoy]

Mine would be a pre 2.5 so 1998-2001 era. So I guess I am looking for a mk2 1.8iS if I want the top model with LSD etc?

Cheers for all the help guys!

[MX-5 Lazza]

Mk2 1.8iS should have Torsen LSD. The Mk2 Sport will too along with a few other nice goodies (extra bracing, subtle body kit etc.) but will be more expensive being a very sought after limited edition.

[CaterhamJoy]

Ok cool. I have found an S plate i believe MK2 Sport 1.8. Its up for 3000 with 92000 on the clock, what are things I can look for to make sure it is the S model with an LSD etc? IS 3k a good price or too cheap to be good?

Once again thanks for the on going help

[Munter]

Well it should say on the V5 what model it is. But also check the sticker in the door jam. That'll have the VIN on it, and all sorts about what's fitted to the car. Can't find an example on Google right now fro an MX5.

Edit: Here's an example from a Mazda 323.

Edited by Munter on Monday 7th December 15:06

[Planet Claire]

MX-5 Lazza said:

Mk2 1.8iS should have Torsen LSD. The Mk2 Sport will too along with a few other nice goodies (extra bracing, subtle body kit etc.) but will be more expensive being a very sought after limited edition.

According to the brochure on here, the Mk2 Sport doesn't have TorSen LSD.
http://www.mx5-3rdgenerationlimited.com/sport.htm

In terms of special edition Mk2 cars I think you need to be looking for the 10AE or Icon, both came with TorSen. Does the 1.8iS have Torsen as standard or is it a viscous one? The Sport was based on the 1.8iS and doesn't have it .

[MX-5 Lazza]

I'm pretty sure the Mk2 Sport does have LSD - as you say it's based on a 1.8iS. The OC Vehicle Spec page agrees with me. It's also a bit lower than a standard 1.8iS so it might have the billies too but I can't find that listed anywhere.

Only the Mk1 1.6 came with viscous LSD. 1.8s only ever came with Torsen.

[Planet Claire]

MX-5 Lazza said:

I'm pretty sure the Mk2 Sport does have LSD - as you say it's based on a 1.8iS. The OC Vehicle Spec page agrees with me. It's also a bit lower than a standard 1.8iS so it might have the billies too but I can't find that listed anywhere.

Only the Mk1 1.6 came with viscous LSD. 1.8s only ever came with Torsen.

Ah, right, that's me informed then!