Mazda MX5 1.8i - MK1
Discussion
I wasn't really looking for another car nor did I need one but when my mother mentioned that someone's husband at her work had an MX5 he wanted to sell (to make room for another car), I thought it would be rude not to have a peek at it (having never owned an MX5 nor a Japanese car) . Armed with very little information at the time, I didn't know anything about the car, such as the engine size, gearbox type, year, or even if it was a MKI or MKII etc. All I knew was: "it's green, i think?" - said my mother.
The car in question had been off-road/SORN for a couple of years and the seller had owned it for 8 years or so. He also had around 6 cars, a TVR Griff needing restoration and a kit car he was building to name a few in this garage. The car is a 1994 UK Spec 1.8i, in BRG with 89k on the clock, super basic spec, with no ABS, no PAS, no airbag, no leccy windows. Ideal with little to go wrong!
After spending over an hour with the seller (and a few cups of tea), discussing cars, his love for this little MX5 and him not really wanting to sell it, we agreed on a figure I was happy to pay (smidge over a grand) and I offered take it off his hands there and then. He also threw in a almost new mohair soft top (on the frame) too. It was also good to know he knew the car very well, and had fixed most of the common faults, plus showing me all the bad areas where MX5's usually suffer.
The following morning I booked in the MOT. It took a while for the emissions to pass (I assume the CAT needed a proper warm up) but other than that, it passed with no advisories! Happy days.
A week later I had it fully serviced and the cambelt replaced, as a precaution (although it had been done 3 years ago) at a local MX5 specialist. I also replaced the seal on the cam sensor as this was weeping a little (common fault).
Anyway, here's a few pics I took today after a quick wash (still need to get around to polishing it):
Exterior:-
Sills have been done recently too
Engine bay:
Interior:
I recently bought a bargain original Momo steering wheel off eBay to replace the hideous standard/basic one. This came off an Eunos of some kind, really suits it.
Underneath is reasonably solid and the previous owner had wax oiled/under sealed it at some point and he never used the car during winter:-
I fitted the newish mohair soft top and re-waterproofed it:
Now for the bad bits which need some attention soon:
Rear arches have had work, but the paint seems to have reacted (on both sides). I'll have this tidied up soon.
Other than that, its a very honest little motor and brilliant fun to drive, the gear change is very sharp. It's cheap to insure (on a classic policy) and so far seems very easy to work on. What i am surprised is how well put together the dash and interior is. For a car of this age/value I'd expect it to rattle, but it's pleasantly quiet and solid.
Future plans are to tidy the bodywork up, replace the front indicator lenses as they are damp/mouldy and slowly go through the suspension components and mountings. Oh and fit a better more modern stereo as the 90's tape deck/cd changer combo is dreadful.
Thanks for looking!
The car in question had been off-road/SORN for a couple of years and the seller had owned it for 8 years or so. He also had around 6 cars, a TVR Griff needing restoration and a kit car he was building to name a few in this garage. The car is a 1994 UK Spec 1.8i, in BRG with 89k on the clock, super basic spec, with no ABS, no PAS, no airbag, no leccy windows. Ideal with little to go wrong!
After spending over an hour with the seller (and a few cups of tea), discussing cars, his love for this little MX5 and him not really wanting to sell it, we agreed on a figure I was happy to pay (smidge over a grand) and I offered take it off his hands there and then. He also threw in a almost new mohair soft top (on the frame) too. It was also good to know he knew the car very well, and had fixed most of the common faults, plus showing me all the bad areas where MX5's usually suffer.
The following morning I booked in the MOT. It took a while for the emissions to pass (I assume the CAT needed a proper warm up) but other than that, it passed with no advisories! Happy days.
A week later I had it fully serviced and the cambelt replaced, as a precaution (although it had been done 3 years ago) at a local MX5 specialist. I also replaced the seal on the cam sensor as this was weeping a little (common fault).
Anyway, here's a few pics I took today after a quick wash (still need to get around to polishing it):
Exterior:-
Sills have been done recently too
Engine bay:
Interior:
I recently bought a bargain original Momo steering wheel off eBay to replace the hideous standard/basic one. This came off an Eunos of some kind, really suits it.
Underneath is reasonably solid and the previous owner had wax oiled/under sealed it at some point and he never used the car during winter:-
I fitted the newish mohair soft top and re-waterproofed it:
Now for the bad bits which need some attention soon:
Rear arches have had work, but the paint seems to have reacted (on both sides). I'll have this tidied up soon.
Other than that, its a very honest little motor and brilliant fun to drive, the gear change is very sharp. It's cheap to insure (on a classic policy) and so far seems very easy to work on. What i am surprised is how well put together the dash and interior is. For a car of this age/value I'd expect it to rattle, but it's pleasantly quiet and solid.
Future plans are to tidy the bodywork up, replace the front indicator lenses as they are damp/mouldy and slowly go through the suspension components and mountings. Oh and fit a better more modern stereo as the 90's tape deck/cd changer combo is dreadful.
Thanks for looking!
Edited by Rich_AR on Sunday 10th June 08:46
Just a small update.
I replaced the radiator, hoses, rad cap and thermostat last week. There was no leaking, but as advised, it probably wasn't far off going anyway! Simple job and I'm pleased how relatively easy these little cars are to work on.
Took me about 1 hour (after a good few coolant flushes beforehand)
Few pics:
Old vs New
all done!
I replaced the radiator, hoses, rad cap and thermostat last week. There was no leaking, but as advised, it probably wasn't far off going anyway! Simple job and I'm pleased how relatively easy these little cars are to work on.
Took me about 1 hour (after a good few coolant flushes beforehand)
Few pics:
Old vs New
all done!
Looks well, apart from the paint you mention.
Couple of minor observations, those aren't the right seats, they should be the split head rest type for that model/year.
The wheels are from the special edition mk1 'California' but personally not a fan of the colour of them there. Cracking cars though, I've owned several!
It should have these seats... (Not that it matters of course)
Couple of minor observations, those aren't the right seats, they should be the split head rest type for that model/year.
The wheels are from the special edition mk1 'California' but personally not a fan of the colour of them there. Cracking cars though, I've owned several!
It should have these seats... (Not that it matters of course)
Andy_5 said:
Looks well, apart from the paint you mention.
Couple of minor observations, those aren't the right seats, they should be the split head rest type for that model/year.
The wheels are from the special edition mk1 'California' but personally not a fan of the colour of them there. Cracking cars though, I've owned several!
It should have these seats... (Not that it matters of course)
Yes, I'm aware the seats are not the originals. Previous owner wanted speakers in the headrests, so sourced a pair of seats with them and fitted. They're tidy and work, so all good!Couple of minor observations, those aren't the right seats, they should be the split head rest type for that model/year.
The wheels are from the special edition mk1 'California' but personally not a fan of the colour of them there. Cracking cars though, I've owned several!
It should have these seats... (Not that it matters of course)
Yes, I'm not sure about the wheel colour. Looking to pic up a set of silver wheels at some point.
Edited by Rich_AR on Thursday 12th July 16:34
ManicMunky said:
Depends if you've got a tall body or long legs!
I'm 6'1" with short legs and I struggle.
I have no idea how you taller guys manage in these cars, I'm about 5-8 5-9 ish and in my mk2 mx5 my knees were on the steering wheel and the seat as far back as it would go. I did have an aftermarket roll bar so this may have contributed. Headroom was ok but legs were a deffinete squish.I'm 6'1" with short legs and I struggle.
Berkshire bred said:
I have no idea how you taller guys manage in these cars, I'm about 5-8 5-9 ish and in my mk2 mx5 my knees were on the steering wheel and the seat as far back as it would go. I did have an aftermarket roll bar so this may have contributed. Headroom was ok but legs were a deffinete squish.
Totally agree. I'm a shortar5e 5'7 and pretty much have the seat all the way back. No idea how you lanky streaks drive these! 
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