MX5 Rust

[mg-fido]

Hey guys, sorry if this has been posted before!

I've got an MGBGT and know what a pain in the arse rust can be. I'd like to get an MX5 in the next year so I've got another fun car that doesn't need quite so much tinkering. I've heard all sorts of stories about them rusting out, how Jap imports aren't rust proofed, no salt on roads in Japan etc. Does anyone know how big a problem rust is on MX5s and whether they did start rust proofing the Eunos roadsters after the first few years etc.

Cheers Steve

[D_Mike]

I am reading about these at the moment as I (still) want to get one myself...

Apparently the imports are better for rust (i.e. there is less) for some reason. Mk1 UK cars are generally quite rusty by now. They normally rust at the rear of the sills by the back wheelarches I've been told.

www.mx5ocforum.co.uk is the place you need to read!

And if anyone knows of a good MX5 fir sale for around 2 - 3k let me know, I really really really want one (it's just a matter of persuading myself that the expense is worth it).

[mg-fido]

I guess you've gone to www.autotrader.co.uk as they seem to have literally hundreds within a few miles of my house in that sort of price range, not that they're necessarily good ones!!!

Steve

[heebeegeetee]

D_Mike said:

Mk1 UK cars are generally quite rusty by now.

I've never heard that before. I have a late '97 Mk1, been under and over it, not aware of any rust a t all.

I also have an MG BGT, and also bought the 5 because I was having to spend so much time on the B.

[mg-fido]

Haha, thanks guys. I guess it's just a case like with the MGs of checking each car and finding a good one!

HeeBeeGeeTee... I love the GT but feel guilty taking it out in the rain, using it too much at winter and there's always this little nagging feeling that it just might not get me home How does the MX5 compare fun wise?

[D_Mike]

heebeegeetee said:

D_Mike said: Mk1 UK cars are generally quite rusty by now. I've never heard that before. I have a late '97 Mk1, been under and over it, not aware of any rust a t all. I also have an MG BGT, and also bought the 5 because I was having to spend so much time on the B.

well, this is just what I read in a fairly well worded and knowledgeable looking post on www.mc5ocforum.co.uk, so maybe it's wrong!

[heebeegeetee]

mg-fido said:

Haha, thanks guys. I guess it's just a case like with the MGs of checking each car and finding a good one! HeeBeeGeeTee... I love the GT but feel guilty taking it out in the rain, using it too much at winter and there's always this little nagging feeling that it just might not get me home How does the MX5 compare fun wise?

Chalk and cheese. I like my BGT, but its a different, although equally pleasureable experience. Interestingly, the 5 takes up far more room in the garage yet is tiny inside. The B is like the Tardis in comparison.

The 5 is good fun though, its my every day car. I always enjoy driving it. Unfortunately I had great trouble finding a good'un, and the car I did buy has been mucked about a bit by previous owners, so I've had to spend some money on it getting it back to how it should be. Fr'instance I've discoverd that the weight of wheels and tyres are vitally important - well, they are to me anyway. My car had 15" wheels on when I bought it, and I came to think that the ride quality of my B was better in some respects. Then I weighed the wheels on bathroom scales and found they were 7kgs each heavier than standard 14's.

As regards rust, I also post on MX5oc, and whilst I've seen the odd mention of rust, I've never read that its serious enough yet to be of any sort of issue. My understanding is the Eunos has less rust proofing, so if the car has spent much time in the UK rust might be an issue. Also cars that were shunted years ago may have had pattern panels fitted which won't be rust protected.

There's no rust on my car and I've had a good look. A friend has a '91 1600 and we're not aware of any rust on that. His paint is fading now and he's had a new roof, but I have never seen a spot of rust.