How tough are MX5's?
Discussion
Thinking of purchasing an MX5 for drifting / track slag purposes - their reputation as a great handling car precedes them, and I can happily live without power for fun in the corners.
I've seen a few around for <£2k which look like perfectly decent little cars, just a bit old with lots of mileage but otherwise tidy. Do they cost much to run, and how reliable are they? Anything in particular I should look out for? Do they have a LSD as standard, or is there a particular model which is best for tracking?
I've seen a few around for <£2k which look like perfectly decent little cars, just a bit old with lots of mileage but otherwise tidy. Do they cost much to run, and how reliable are they? Anything in particular I should look out for? Do they have a LSD as standard, or is there a particular model which is best for tracking?
www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=276763&f=71&h=0&hw=MX5
This thread should answer some of your questions. I've had a similiar idea, it would appear an earlier 1.6 115bhp MX-5 would be the best/cheapest option. Do a search though, as there has been alot of discussion on this.
This thread should answer some of your questions. I've had a similiar idea, it would appear an earlier 1.6 115bhp MX-5 would be the best/cheapest option. Do a search though, as there has been alot of discussion on this.
Edited by WildCards on Monday 17th July 11:53
I've done exactly that, spent £2.5k on a '94 Eunos with a roll cage + adjustable suspension.
Another good source of information: www.mx5ocforum.co.uk
Another good source of information: www.mx5ocforum.co.uk
I've got a 1991 Eunos Roadster which has been off the road for a year just sitting on my drive because I bought a new car last year and couldn't bring myself to sell it.
I'm also thinking of turning it in to a track day car. I cleaned it up last weekend, connected it to another car to jump start it and it started first time!! I've owned mine since 1999 and IMHO is the most fun you can have for for under £5k. I've never had any trouble with it and if anything does go wrong the parts are widely available and cheap.
I'm 99% sure that the early uk mx5's did not have a LSD but the Eunos Roadsters did, check out
www.mx5ocforum.co.uk/index.php?sid=e43377dd4c305b5e9a386f4b23b7dff2
James
I'm also thinking of turning it in to a track day car. I cleaned it up last weekend, connected it to another car to jump start it and it started first time!! I've owned mine since 1999 and IMHO is the most fun you can have for for under £5k. I've never had any trouble with it and if anything does go wrong the parts are widely available and cheap.
I'm 99% sure that the early uk mx5's did not have a LSD but the Eunos Roadsters did, check out
www.mx5ocforum.co.uk/index.php?sid=e43377dd4c305b5e9a386f4b23b7dff2
James
I know loads of people who use these as track slags and daily drivers!
Drop a roll-bar, stiffen it up, and get some new brake pads and you'll be away.
Nothing major to look for in these cars, early 1.6s have a slight weak point with some crank wobble but a quick search round the owners club forum will help you find the right one.
Here's a good example:
www.mx5ocforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=37132
Good luck mate!
Drop a roll-bar, stiffen it up, and get some new brake pads and you'll be away.
Nothing major to look for in these cars, early 1.6s have a slight weak point with some crank wobble but a quick search round the owners club forum will help you find the right one.
Here's a good example:
www.mx5ocforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=37132
Good luck mate!
WildCards said:
trackdemon said:
I've no intention of moding at all, simply purchase-abuse-enjoy-sell when done 
I should imagine uprated pads of some description are a must if you're going on the track.
Fair comment, once the first lot are worn out they'll be upgraded. I was alluding more to major cosmetic changes which make the car overtly track focused and therefore difficult to sell down the line. If I get the drift bug seriously I'll sell the NSX and get a 200SX / Soarer or similar.
juzzyp said:
Hard Dog Bars which are guranteed for life can be picked up from Performance 5 or MX5 Mad. Installation is a pain in the ass though.
They look the biz, deffo the one i'd go for over alot of the other 'gay' looking stuff you can buy.
No gays were hurt during the making of this post
WildCards said:
juzzyp said:
Hard Dog Bars which are guranteed for life can be picked up from Performance 5 or MX5 Mad. Installation is a pain in the ass though.
They look the biz, deffo the one i'd go for over alot of the other 'gay' looking stuff you can buy.
No gays were hurt during the making of this post
You can pay for Performance 5 to fit it. I got a Hard Dog deuce and uprated ARB's supplied and fitted by P5 for a reasonable price.
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