Bringing my mk1 up to scratch....

[Legend83]

I have had several threads going on lately about how I am thinking about chucking in the MX5 in place of something newer, better built, more powerful and generally tidier.

However, the other option that SWMBO pointed out was spending less cash (would have budgeted £8-10k on a new car) on improving the MX5 and getting it back to something like it's original form (and better).

The question is how much would that cost me?

Current niggles are:

- condensation inside
- roof that does not quite seal evenly (annoying as only bought 2 years ago)
- broken Mazda badge
- some scrapes on bodywork and one dent on left front wing caused by some idiot
- not fast enough
- some rust underneath
- leather seats in pretty bad condition
- alloys are kerbed to death and missing two centre-caps

So, work I am thinking would need to be done:

- rust-proofing chassis (£350 at Rustmaster)
- new mazda badge (£?)
- new suspension all round (£?)
- garage to inspect boots / bushes / seals all round and replace with new appropriately(£?)
- wheels to be skimmed and painted (£?)
- brake upgrade to decent pads (£?)
- JRSC... (£?)
- new seats (£?)
- paint touch-up (£?)
- repair to wing (£?)

Is it worth it? Not going to add any value as the car is now accident repaired and it is my daily runner so can't really treat is as a 'project' as such.

Or should I just bite the bullet, say thanks for the fun times, and move onto a BMW 130i?

Help!

[GravelBen]

Option c)

Flog it off and buy a better MX5 that somebody has already spent the money bringing up to scratch and upgrading - still a lot less cash than buying a new sensible car, and more likely to give a return on your money than throwing at upgrading yours.

Well thats what I'm doing!

Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 4th March 22:38

[franv8]

Hmm, if you're prepared to throw, say £5k at all of those things, I think you'd end up with a pretty sorted car (doing a chunk of the spannering yourself, which would be half the fun in my opinion). And that includes the supercharging bit (although I wouldn't rule out turbo's either).

I've got the use of an MR2 Turbo at the moment, whilst I'm sorting out a bit of an epic (front suspension) fail at MOT - took the MX5 out today (still in date on the MOT before you ask) - was impressed by the total lack of straight line go from the motor (it's a 1.6...) but by the first roundabout the smile was jammed right onto my face. The sun out and the roof down helped.

[oyster]

I'm in a similar position, only I've had my car since new (nearly 20 years) and it's a US import so has a lot of additional kit and has the 116bhp 1.6. Hence I would be very reluctant to swap it for another MX5.

I'm wondering how much for a:

New hood - good quality one
New front wing
Clear about 5 or 6 small dings
Full re-spray in Mariner Blue
Sort of the electrics - horn, headlamps, cruise control not working
New speakers


Is it worth spending money on it or shall I call it a day and get a different car?

[Gad-Westy]

oyster said:

I'm in a similar position, only I've had my car since new (nearly 20 years) and it's a US import so has a lot of additional kit and has the 116bhp 1.6. Hence I would be very reluctant to swap it for another MX5.

I'm wondering how much for a:

New hood - good quality one
New front wing
Clear about 5 or 6 small dings
Full re-spray in Mariner Blue
Sort of the electrics - horn, headlamps, cruise control not working
New speakers


Is it worth spending money on it or shall I call it a day and get a different car?

New hood seems to be about £400 fitted
Paintwork, wing and dents, I'd guess around £1,000 assuming the car is already mariner blue to start with and you source a good wing yourself.

Electrics, depends what's wrong but would have thought that's all pretty run of the mill for an auto electrician so wouldn't cost much.

New speakers. If you just want good sound that is audible, I just disconnected the headrest speakers and fitted decent quality door alpine door speakers (£20 from ebay) and a clarion head unit. Sound is perfectly acceptable and audible with the roof down.

Seeing as you've had the car from new, there's a lot of value in the knowledge that you know exactly how its been treated so assuming you have the cash, its got to be worth it.

[Legend83]

As advised to me, it depends on many factors:

- time
- money
- inclination
- mechanical ability
- is it only car

My answer to those is:

- little
- some
- little
- little
- yes

Therefore, for me the best route (and the one I am pursuing) is to sell mine and buy a new one with everything sorted!

[Legend83]

An update for you chaps and chappesses...put a deposit down on a red supercharged '5 on sat! Big thanks to Mark at OnlyMX5s for assistance and making it an easy decision by show-casing what 200bhp can do in one of there brilliant little cars! I was scared. Cant wait to pick it up on sat!