My first MX5 - cheap track car
Discussion
After selling the Elise and buying my SL500 - see here https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I had a bit of cash left for a fun car, I was torn between another Renault Sport Clio and my first MX5. In the end I went on a hunt for an MX5... My god the rust everywhere there's rust!
I finally found a nice NC with 2 owners from new, immaculate MOT history and having been rust treated from new. What's more the car came with:
BC racing coilovers
Buddy Club alloys
New calipers all round
Cobalt exhaust
Massive history file
It's a silver car, non sport but with a slipper. I believe it's the same gearbox (5speed) as I had in my Caterham 310R.
Paid around £4k and the bang for buck is incredible. I can't wait to get back on track and the it's going to Germany for a road trip in a few weeks.
What's more I can now make sure the SL gets the pampering it deserves.
When I picked it up!
Naturally then did the cleaning thing you do with any new car.... Claybar showed it hasn't been done for ages!
Came up okay!
Then took to the quiet roads for an evening blast... Car could do with some small changes to the geometry to my taste BUT it's bloody brilliant for the money.
It's also my only ULEZ friendly car!
I had a bit of cash left for a fun car, I was torn between another Renault Sport Clio and my first MX5. In the end I went on a hunt for an MX5... My god the rust everywhere there's rust!
I finally found a nice NC with 2 owners from new, immaculate MOT history and having been rust treated from new. What's more the car came with:
BC racing coilovers
Buddy Club alloys
New calipers all round
Cobalt exhaust
Massive history file
It's a silver car, non sport but with a slipper. I believe it's the same gearbox (5speed) as I had in my Caterham 310R.
Paid around £4k and the bang for buck is incredible. I can't wait to get back on track and the it's going to Germany for a road trip in a few weeks.
What's more I can now make sure the SL gets the pampering it deserves.
When I picked it up!
Naturally then did the cleaning thing you do with any new car.... Claybar showed it hasn't been done for ages!
Came up okay!
Then took to the quiet roads for an evening blast... Car could do with some small changes to the geometry to my taste BUT it's bloody brilliant for the money.
It's also my only ULEZ friendly car!
200 miles in and it's proving itself a practical little car, one bonus being it's my only ULEZ friendly vehicle so it was nice to pop and see the old man today in Greenwich and not pay £12.50 for the privilege. Also did the weekly shop in the way home....whilst the boot is miles off my E Class it still swallows everything it needs to....bodes well for the Euro trip next month
The previous owner gave me a ton of spares and bits...
Which includes 4 refurbished original wheels which could make useful spares or track wheels.
Also included was a properly fitted outdoor cover which was a nice bonus
Parking is just about doable, luckily the E class has the mega German taxi turning circle!
The previous owner gave me a ton of spares and bits...
Which includes 4 refurbished original wheels which could make useful spares or track wheels.
Also included was a properly fitted outdoor cover which was a nice bonus
Parking is just about doable, luckily the E class has the mega German taxi turning circle!
Annoying update... Been using the car for a bit of commuting as it's now cheaper for me to drive from West Malling to North Greenwich, park and get the tube than it is a return train ticket to London (ridiculous )
Anyway driving home today and some absolute twunt in a Q7 not paying attention was getting closer .no end of beeping and he just drove into me... Then shrugged and sped off! People are horrible...
Got home and luckily I've managed to get all the rubber from his wheel off and there's only a few ripples which a dent man will get out. I was just thankful I wasn't in the SL
In terms of the car itself, head to the Black Forest three weeks today, overall in super happy with it and £ for £ fun with the coilovers and few other bits it's right up there.
Looks like a great example with some choice mods too. If it has an LSD I'm assuming it's a 2.0 - how do you find the power?
Also where did you find it? I'm looking for an MX5 at the moment too and as you say, a lot of them tend to be borderline scrap and I'm struggling to find a decent one on the usual ebay/autotrader/etc. sites. Wondering if I'm missing a trick with where to get a good one from an enthusiast owner!
Also where did you find it? I'm looking for an MX5 at the moment too and as you say, a lot of them tend to be borderline scrap and I'm struggling to find a decent one on the usual ebay/autotrader/etc. sites. Wondering if I'm missing a trick with where to get a good one from an enthusiast owner!
ChrisRF1 said:
Looks like a great example with some choice mods too. If it has an LSD I'm assuming it's a 2.0 - how do you find the power?
Also where did you find it? I'm looking for an MX5 at the moment too and as you say, a lot of them tend to be borderline scrap and I'm struggling to find a decent one on the usual ebay/autotrader/etc. sites. Wondering if I'm missing a trick with where to get a good one from an enthusiast owner!
It's not fast compared to the other things I've had obviously, but it's really good fun and still plenty fast enough to be entertained with. I think 180-200 bhp would be the sweet spot. Yes 2.0. Also where did you find it? I'm looking for an MX5 at the moment too and as you say, a lot of them tend to be borderline scrap and I'm struggling to find a decent one on the usual ebay/autotrader/etc. sites. Wondering if I'm missing a trick with where to get a good one from an enthusiast owner!
In terms of finding it, literally looking everyday across all the platforms. This one I got lucky with locally.
healeyfan said:
Hi Chris. Tried to contact you but you don't accept emails. I might be able to help.
Hi, thanks for the message, I've updated my settings so should work now! Didn't realise that wasn't the default setting.Joehow said:
It's not fast compared to the other things I've had obviously, but it's really good fun and still plenty fast enough to be entertained with. I think 180-200 bhp would be the sweet spot. Yes 2.0.
In terms of finding it, literally looking everyday across all the platforms. This one I got lucky with locally.
I think I kept being put off originally because even the 2.0 is down on power even compared to hot hatches I've owned, but I completely see how it can still be plenty of fun all the same - good to hear that's the case! I've seen a company called BBR offer a range of solutions to get a bit more power, but also heard mixed thoughts on their work.In terms of finding it, literally looking everyday across all the platforms. This one I got lucky with locally.
ChrisRF1 said:
I think I kept being put off originally because even the 2.0 is down on power even compared to hot hatches I've owned, but I completely see how it can still be plenty of fun all the same - good to hear that's the case! I've seen a company called BBR offer a range of solutions to get a bit more power, but also heard mixed thoughts on their work.
It depends what you like, it's not a point and shoot car but as a driving device it's a lot of fun. The 5 speed box is unreal, just as I loved it in my Caterham. In terms of BBR I've heard more good than bad and if I keep the car it'll probably go to them.
Ultimately the whole car cost less than what I'd spend on two sets of tyres on my 996 GT3 when tracking it.
Cambs_Stuart said:
That looks like a great find. It's a shame mazda never got to grips with rust prevention as they are so many crusty ones around.
What size wheels they they? They look like they're filling the arches better than the factory ones...
Yeah this one has had undersealing from new. I've got every bill including the original order form before the bill of sale. It's got a few knocks but it's an old £4k car. What size wheels they they? They look like they're filling the arches better than the factory ones...
They are buddyclub wheels at 17x7.5, I think the coilovers help with the stance of it though.
Had the joys of changing a bulb in the car today!
Annoyingly the pin flicked off so had to take the arch liner out to retrieve that.
So wheel off and back on again and although this is my fault as I forgot to change the torque settings I suffered the issue of the cheese nuts the previous owner had fitted.
Bolt input had snapped but it's on the thread so looks like I'll be begging the nice lads at Tyrepoint in Maidstone to sort it out.
Annoyingly the pin flicked off so had to take the arch liner out to retrieve that.
So wheel off and back on again and although this is my fault as I forgot to change the torque settings I suffered the issue of the cheese nuts the previous owner had fitted.
Bolt input had snapped but it's on the thread so looks like I'll be begging the nice lads at Tyrepoint in Maidstone to sort it out.
Bolt fixed!
Thanks to my trusty old garage who looked after since I passed my test and the lovely Roger who is a gem and helped me out no end as a kid with a Fiat Cinquecento or my first 106 Rallye.
£50 and bolt removed and all bolts replaced with steel alternatives.
Roll on the Black Forest next week.
Thanks to my trusty old garage who looked after since I passed my test and the lovely Roger who is a gem and helped me out no end as a kid with a Fiat Cinquecento or my first 106 Rallye.
£50 and bolt removed and all bolts replaced with steel alternatives.
Roll on the Black Forest next week.
I really enjoyed your Elise thread. Quite a lot about it hit the nail right on the head for me.
Interestingly, I have also purchased a silver MX-5 as a track car, al be it a fair bit older and far rustier than your one. It’s interesting to hear that you’re enjoying yours so much. I can honestly say I’ve never had as much fun in a car as I have my MX-5, despite having owned things far more powerful and prestigious. Perhaps it’s the lack of worry if something going expensively wrong!
It also looks like you’re just down the road from me, I am fairly sure I have family in your immediate area, funnily enough with an MX-5, albeit in ND form. I will keep an eye out for you!
Interestingly, I have also purchased a silver MX-5 as a track car, al be it a fair bit older and far rustier than your one. It’s interesting to hear that you’re enjoying yours so much. I can honestly say I’ve never had as much fun in a car as I have my MX-5, despite having owned things far more powerful and prestigious. Perhaps it’s the lack of worry if something going expensively wrong!
It also looks like you’re just down the road from me, I am fairly sure I have family in your immediate area, funnily enough with an MX-5, albeit in ND form. I will keep an eye out for you!
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