Looking for an MX5
Discussion
Hi guys, I drove several MX 5's back in the day through work. Always liked them but never got round to owning one.
Now is the right time to get one.
I have a £6k budget and have been looking at a couple of local cars. NC models (56 and 57 plates) with 30 and 40k miles on from a local specialist.
Bodywork is decent on both, no signs of rust.
I've been reading up on these and am concerned about the engine issues. Are they a ticking time bomb or is this an isolated issue?
I currently wfh but my next contract will probably be a couple of days in the office so annual mileage will be 5k max.
Not really concerned about running costs (eg insurance is £170 pa as I'm an old fart
) but the engine issue has me thinking about another model. Is it worth going for a later model an upping the budget?
Thanks for the advice guys
Now is the right time to get one.
I have a £6k budget and have been looking at a couple of local cars. NC models (56 and 57 plates) with 30 and 40k miles on from a local specialist.
Bodywork is decent on both, no signs of rust.
I've been reading up on these and am concerned about the engine issues. Are they a ticking time bomb or is this an isolated issue?
I currently wfh but my next contract will probably be a couple of days in the office so annual mileage will be 5k max.
Not really concerned about running costs (eg insurance is £170 pa as I'm an old fart
) but the engine issue has me thinking about another model. Is it worth going for a later model an upping the budget?Thanks for the advice guys
Engine issue is a bit of myth. As with any car if you don't service it it will break. You rarely here of engine failure, on any forums or groups, yeah there are a few but not many as with all these stories about unreliable cars and major failures, what ever that make or model.
In my experience of my NC over the last 8 years and 50k miles, you are far more likely to spend money on the brakes and suspension, none of which is difficult or expensive.
In my experience of my NC over the last 8 years and 50k miles, you are far more likely to spend money on the brakes and suspension, none of which is difficult or expensive.
There are literally stacks of them about, go look at a few.
Buy on condition, not just pure mileage - yes, the NC2 facelift has some minor improvements but for £6k your much better off buying a 'good' car not a 'bad' one. Dont be afraid of private sellers too, often with cars such as an MX-5 you can get far better value and much more history of how the cars been looked after. Look at the owners club, the facebook groups etc to find cars that are not on autotrader etc and might be good purchases.
Buy the best condition one in terms of bodywork, corrosion, paint etc, with a healthy engine thats been well serviced and regularly exercised.
Interior trim, brakes, suspension etc are all very easy and cheap to fix comparatively.
Buy on condition, not just pure mileage - yes, the NC2 facelift has some minor improvements but for £6k your much better off buying a 'good' car not a 'bad' one. Dont be afraid of private sellers too, often with cars such as an MX-5 you can get far better value and much more history of how the cars been looked after. Look at the owners club, the facebook groups etc to find cars that are not on autotrader etc and might be good purchases.
Buy the best condition one in terms of bodywork, corrosion, paint etc, with a healthy engine thats been well serviced and regularly exercised.
Interior trim, brakes, suspension etc are all very easy and cheap to fix comparatively.
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