If someone was looking for a mk1 MX5

[Mr E]

As a bit of a toy, what should one be looking for as known issues?

[drogo]

Hi Mr E,

None really, but try this link.
www.fizzindi.demon.co.uk/problem.htm

And don`t worry about any of it, just buy one and have FUN.


Drogo

[tuttle]

drogo said:

Hi Mr E, And don`t worry about any of it, just buy one and have FUN. Drogo

Agreed, there are a couple of quite a good buyers checklists etc for MX5's in the JapChat FAQ section.
Go for it MrE-fun-fun-fun!

>> Edited by tuttle on Friday 26th May 12:32

[Mr E]

tuttle said:

Agreed, there are a couple of quite a good buyers checklists etc for MX5's in the JapChat FAQ section.

Ah - I'd forgotten they esisted. Excellent.

[thegreatsoprendo]

Mechanicals are pretty bullet proof, but rust developing around the sill just forward of the rear wheel arches is quite common. Got this problem with mine at them moment, and although it's cosmetic rather than structural, I still want to get it sorted at the cost of a few hundred big ones...

[franv8]

Would say these are pretty bulletproof. Only problems with mine in two years of owning an '89 Eunos, with about 80k miles on it,

1) Idle speed plays about (suspect Idle Speed Control valve is sticky) - minor annoyance

2) Water pump seal let go, caused progressively worsening overheating and wasn't evident by what would be expected to be seen - a puddle or evidence of cooling leak.

3) Tyres - don't last that long since you can have so much FUN in these cars!

Look for problems with the hood, although £2-300 buys a new one, crash damage (e.g. shut lines not lining up, particularly around headlights) and yes, sills worth keeping an eye on for rust. Also, car should drive pretty much impeccably on a test drive, e.g. not pulling to one side etc.

Get one - you'll love it.

[wedge girl]

Rust wise - check the A pillars and under the metal door sill plates.

[tuttle]

I expect you're looking for an 1800 James, but how do you feel about a 1.6 BBR turbo
www.pistonheads.com/sales/77025.htm

[bint]

tuttle said:

I expect you're looking for an 1800 James, but how do you feel about a 1.6 BBR turbo www.pistonheads.com/sales/77025.htm

NIIIIICE! Is that a standard car? Well obviously not STANDARD, but is it a Mazda Turbo from the factory?

[tuttle]

bint said:

tuttle said: I expect you're looking for an 1800 James, but how do you feel about a 1.6 BBR turbo www.pistonheads.com/sales/77025.htm NIIIIICE! Is that a standard car? Well obviously not STANDARD, but is it a Mazda Turbo from the factory?

Well not exactly factory standard, but BBR do the official UK tubby convos iirc. See more here:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?p=2&f=71&t=268227&h=0

[bint]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, thanks for that!

[mxdi]

Mines going in the summer too
Had no serious problems, small amount of start of rust round one sill- may get it sorted before selling, and today the zipper went so have to play with that tommorrow- thank god for BH Mondays

Watch out for accident damage, also worth checking for slow leccy windows, also brake calipers tend to go a bit.