Discussion
OK, in light of the looming wedding and the need to be a bit financially sensible for a year, I'm (under advisement) leaning strongly towards an old MX5 for the weekend toy...yes it's a bit girly but everyone says it's a hoot to drive, should be a good car to learn rwd in the wet in, and it'll (hopefully) be cheap-ish to run for a year with minimal depreciation. After all the bills are out of the way this time next year I can then see what funds will stretch to...
Am really looking at about £5k, can stretch to £6k happily, higher and I'm starting to lose that "be sensible and don't spend too much" logic.
So, what do I get:-
- Early (1998/99) Mk-2 (faired lights not pop-up) for £6k-ish
- Late (1997) Mk-1 with low-mileage for £6k-ish
- c.1995 Mk-1 for £5k
- old Eunos 1.8 for £3-4k
Considerations are:-
- potential bills and problems (known faults with either model??? Build-issues on first-batch Mk-2's???)
- quick resale with minimal depreciation
- possible 2nd cam-belt change coming up on 1996/97 cars.
- getting the most-fun car I can (is there much difference? Heard the Mk-2 had lost a little of the Mk-1's sparkle...but is it better built etc.???)
I have to confess I know little about the specifics of model-years, limited editions etc...so any advise or opinions gladly received.
Cheers guys,
M.
Am really looking at about £5k, can stretch to £6k happily, higher and I'm starting to lose that "be sensible and don't spend too much" logic.
So, what do I get:-
- Early (1998/99) Mk-2 (faired lights not pop-up) for £6k-ish
- Late (1997) Mk-1 with low-mileage for £6k-ish
- c.1995 Mk-1 for £5k
- old Eunos 1.8 for £3-4k
Considerations are:-
- potential bills and problems (known faults with either model??? Build-issues on first-batch Mk-2's???)
- quick resale with minimal depreciation
- possible 2nd cam-belt change coming up on 1996/97 cars.
- getting the most-fun car I can (is there much difference? Heard the Mk-2 had lost a little of the Mk-1's sparkle...but is it better built etc.???)
I have to confess I know little about the specifics of model-years, limited editions etc...so any advise or opinions gladly received.
Cheers guys,
M.
It says something that its design has stayed reletively unchanged sine the neolithic period. Great little car... You might want to consider an N/A MR2, as performance is pretty similar, just mid engined, which might float your boat... GOOD boot space before you ask!
>> Edited by andy mac on Saturday 8th October 17:29
>> Edited by andy mac on Saturday 8th October 17:29
I got a 96 build 1.8is last year. Since then i've done over 30,000miles. In that time on top of oil/water and sparkplugs it's needed:
1 rear light bulb.
A cam belt change at 60,000 miles (£200).
And thats it. And I drive it like it's stolen. It's even still on the tyres I fitted when I got the car.
If I was looking again I would get a 1994 1.8 Eunos for as little cash as I could. Early 1.8's dont need a cat because of their age
and Eunos's have a higher spec possibly aircon as well.
1 rear light bulb.
A cam belt change at 60,000 miles (£200).
And thats it. And I drive it like it's stolen. It's even still on the tyres I fitted when I got the car.
If I was looking again I would get a 1994 1.8 Eunos for as little cash as I could. Early 1.8's dont need a cat because of their age
and Eunos's have a higher spec possibly aircon as well.I'd go for an Eunos (a nice one) a few extra goodies like Aircon which is almost a requirement with a convertible. Eunos's are normally completely rust free too which is a bonus.
There is one model which quite frankly is lovely & thats the 1.8 MK1 late 96 import in dark metallic blue with gry/blue suede interior. There is some model name for it but I don't know it.
There is one model which quite frankly is lovely & thats the 1.8 MK1 late 96 import in dark metallic blue with gry/blue suede interior. There is some model name for it but I don't know it.
Cheers guys, some really useful stuff there. 
Won't be a town-car really...will be a second car which I might use for the m-way commute if I feel like it, and for the odd weekend away with the missus. But will be largely "I fancy a blat, where's the nearest B-road".
Air con...yeah, guess that's probably a good idea. Anyone found Eunos ones more expensive to insure or service?
Glass rear-window certainly is a good idea. Are they expensive to get fitted if the one I find hasn't got one???
Extra kit and weight? Only really fussed by a/c, glass rear, and probably ABS (1.8iS only I gather, which means all the elec gubbins...although weight penalty seems small)
Just reading Parkers for the history...no standard PAS on the stock 1.8i early-on...anyone comment on how heavy/how much extra feel vs PAS version...PAS is apparently very light, but I'm guessing quite feelsome still, esp. as rwd.
...time to browse some small ads, methinks...
Won't be a town-car really...will be a second car which I might use for the m-way commute if I feel like it, and for the odd weekend away with the missus. But will be largely "I fancy a blat, where's the nearest B-road".
Air con...yeah, guess that's probably a good idea. Anyone found Eunos ones more expensive to insure or service?
Glass rear-window certainly is a good idea. Are they expensive to get fitted if the one I find hasn't got one???
Extra kit and weight? Only really fussed by a/c, glass rear, and probably ABS (1.8iS only I gather, which means all the elec gubbins...although weight penalty seems small)
Just reading Parkers for the history...no standard PAS on the stock 1.8i early-on...anyone comment on how heavy/how much extra feel vs PAS version...PAS is apparently very light, but I'm guessing quite feelsome still, esp. as rwd.
...time to browse some small ads, methinks...
los angeles said:
Thanks, Phil. I meant ABS - brain dead, but had my coffee now.
Do all MK2 cars have ABS? If so you can fit a supercharger to an MX-5 with ABS!
www.performance5.co.uk/ will fit superchargers to just about any MX-5...
Just be careful the previous owner has not taken the engine to bits are rebuilt it with piston rings from another engine that have not bedded in properly, this will cost you lost of money through knackered valves and head gaskets.
Not that im bitter about it all, though I suspect it is a very rare thing to happen to anyone.
Not that im bitter about it all, though I suspect it is a very rare thing to happen to anyone.
los angeles said:
Typing in haste? Where is that? I think it's near, Boldfont In Subheadings.
Just remembered one problem with early MX5s .... they had no "Low petrol" warning light, something drivers discovered to their acute embarrassment when their car spluttered to a halt on a city centre junction.
And it must be a cone shaped petrol tank, as the last quarter of the tank goes extremely fast
I have a '97 1.8iS (-S-one of the faster Mk1's) and when I come to sell early next year I'd be looking at only 4k for it, so you should get a very good Mk1 for well under 6k
For your budget, I would get a '94-'95 Eunos Roadster RS for £4.5-5k - Its most likely to be the most collectable model - make sure it has the std. Recaro seats and BBS Wheels. Other similar models are the '96 S-Special Type IIs - Same stiffend suspension, BBS wheels, Montego Blue Colour and special diff.
If you want something a litte softer, the '96 VR Combination in Dark Green with Dark Grey leather is also very nice and should be around £5k.
If you want something a litte softer, the '96 VR Combination in Dark Green with Dark Grey leather is also very nice and should be around £5k.
jazzybee said:
If you want something a litte softer...
Soft? SOFT?!? Oi, just 'cause I'm looking at MX5's doesn't make me a girly woofter you know!!!
Seriously - I ran a DC2 'teg as only car for 3yrs and 50k...so long as it's got good seats and reasonable damping, then stiff suspension is a boon...was on MX5OC website earlier and the Bilsteins do look worth it. Anyone know how long before they get tired???
Am leaning towards a Mk1, possibly a Eunos (subject to test-drives). But am still slightly concerned over reliability/build on the older ones...10y.o. car is still a 10y.o. car, after all. Hopefully not a biggie as they're Jap, but anyone know any obvious things to look out for on Mk1's and imports?
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