Discussion
Practical as a first (and only car? (I'm 22 though, and have 5 years no claims bonus of my own... the car this was built up on is owned by my parents...).
Advice for buying? Why are there so many imports about? how much more will I pay for insurance on an import?
Also, they don't appear to have much roll-over protection. How do they fair in the event of such an incident...
Thanks in advance
Advice for buying? Why are there so many imports about? how much more will I pay for insurance on an import?
Also, they don't appear to have much roll-over protection. How do they fair in the event of such an incident...
Thanks in advance
I had one at 21, best drivers car that i've owned, was my only car, steering feel is amazing and you know exactly what the car is doing. I had a BBR turbo model which had about 150bhp and embarrassed most hot hatches. I'd buy one mate, you won't regret it. Best place for buying advice is www.mx5oc.co.uk, they have a great forum there and it was where the car I bought was advertised.
bought mine (mk2) when I was 22.. GREAT car.
definately good as an only car, provided you don't need more seats/luggage space etc.
handling's great, very reliable, cheap to service (and easy to do yourself), great community on the OC site, massive aftermarket scene if you want a 240bhp FM2 monster!!
if you're worried about roll-over protection, get a HardDog Sport double-diagonal roll-bar from Performance5.co.uk (about £380 IIRC), really solid proven roll-over protection, and stiffens up the chassis, looks good, and is great for mounting a DVcam to for when you go to the 'ring !!
Get One!
definately good as an only car, provided you don't need more seats/luggage space etc.
handling's great, very reliable, cheap to service (and easy to do yourself), great community on the OC site, massive aftermarket scene if you want a 240bhp FM2 monster!!
if you're worried about roll-over protection, get a HardDog Sport double-diagonal roll-bar from Performance5.co.uk (about £380 IIRC), really solid proven roll-over protection, and stiffens up the chassis, looks good, and is great for mounting a DVcam to for when you go to the 'ring !!
Get One!
I have just got a quote for insurance and was pleasnatly surprised - based on a mid 90s 1.8 uk mx5 - £420 fully comp. Given that I'm 22 and would park it on the driveway and a student (ahem, I prefer to call myself a post graduate 
) I was vry pleasantly surprised. This is looking more and more like a realistic proposition... why is insurance on imports so much more though?
) I was vry pleasantly surprised. This is looking more and more like a realistic proposition... why is insurance on imports so much more though?If you like them then why not? I've heard no reliability worries about them other than potentially a little rust in the chassis arms and the odd head gasket. Sounds fine to me.
I see loads with aftermarket roll bars. Problem is, I remember a feature in a mag one time about roll bars, how some were essentially 'cosmetic' and had a tendency to snap off in the event of a roll, and those little individual 'driver and passenger' ones, which had a habit of inducing nasty head injuries rather than preventing them.
Make sure, in that case, that it's 'structural' and goes right to the floor like a roll cage. Get one that comfortably clears your head, and preferably (though it isn't the best looking thing cosmetically) a single, rectangular one that runs the full width of the car, essentially replacing the built-in roll bar on a coupe.
And enjoy! Take it on track to replace the old karting and you'll be able to carry on your motorsport in a car you can do the shopping in as well.
I see loads with aftermarket roll bars. Problem is, I remember a feature in a mag one time about roll bars, how some were essentially 'cosmetic' and had a tendency to snap off in the event of a roll, and those little individual 'driver and passenger' ones, which had a habit of inducing nasty head injuries rather than preventing them.
Make sure, in that case, that it's 'structural' and goes right to the floor like a roll cage. Get one that comfortably clears your head, and preferably (though it isn't the best looking thing cosmetically) a single, rectangular one that runs the full width of the car, essentially replacing the built-in roll bar on a coupe.
And enjoy! Take it on track to replace the old karting and you'll be able to carry on your motorsport in a car you can do the shopping in as well.
Gassing Station | Japanese Chat | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff