Buying Guide

[CampDavid]

I've searched but found no answers (I really have and was a bit surprised!)

So, to prevent me having to get up in the loft and dig around like a nutter through two tons of old copies of car mags, does anyone know of a good buying guide for a Mazda MX5?

The car I'm looking at is a 1999 1.8iS in BRG with cream leather (some wear.) It's on 67k, has all it's MOTs but the chap selling has just informed me that the service book is missing...

It's been in the family a long while and serviced by a good friend so there are no receipts for that, however it's on at a very good price.

The car itself looks good in photos, the seller seems to be a genuinely nice chap and certainly doesn't strike me as a trader in disguise so provided it all checks out well then I'm certainly interested in having it.

So really I'm interested in knowing what to check and also how much should I budget for getting the cam belt changed if needed etc? Also, what's the difference between the S model and the standard car? It's a 5 speed so not clearly not the Sport with it's slippy diff and I believe the engine's standard.

The car will be used as a daily driver for my girlfriend and will be heading on a 3 week road trip across Europe next year. I'll probably be on track a little with it, though we aren't looking to modify it (though are there any standard replacment dampers from Bilstein etc which are worth fitting?)

Our little Metro hack will stay as a second car for the practical stuff, though pleased to see the Billy bookcase will fit in another thread.

Thanks for reading and responses. Really looking forward to getting to know the car over the next year or so

[dylan0451]

have you checked out

http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/44.aspx

loads of buying related stuff on there

[CampDavid]

On my way there now Dylan, ta

[MX-5 Lazza]

CampDavid said:

...The car I'm looking at is a 1999 1.8iS...
...Also, what's the difference between the S model and the standard car? It's a 5 speed so not clearly not the Sport with it's slippy diff...

For Mk2 1998-2001 1.8iS was the top model and does have LSD as well as electric windows, mirrors, leather etc.
The Sport was the top model Mk2.5 2001-2005 and that's when the 6-speed first appeared on a standard UK model.

To complicate things a little there was a limited edition Mk2 Sport that did had LSD and a 6-speed box. That's not what that car is though.

Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Friday 22 January 14:33

[CampDavid]

Thanks Lazza. Sounds like the ideal spec for me. I want the diff but not the bodykit of the Sport.

Hope it's a goodun then. I'd rather a different colour to green but it'll do me.

I'm getting quite excited by this (for the first time in a long time regarding cars!)

[CampDavid]

Turns out that it's a Cat D write off, I did a HPI check before I left so didn't bother with it.

T145JGC it would appear is a rebuilt write off