Which mx-5 am I after?
Discussion
Good morning all, first post in this section so please go gentle on me as only just starting to learn about these.
I am after an mx-5 to use as a daily driver for a 5 mile each way journey.
My budget is absolute max of £4.5.
I am not good at fixing things, like at all!
The car will be left outside and used in all weather conditions, this is making me lean towards an nc with hardtop folding roof maybe?
My wife and I would like to have the car as a weekend day trip car.
I have had 2 Elises and one Europa s, so am used to the quirks of getting in and out and smart packing to fit things in so am happy they would fit my lifestyle.
Thanks in advance for any advice or constructive criticism.
Should also add I'm on the Derbyshire/Sheffield border so any advice as to who to buy from would be appreciated as well.
I am after an mx-5 to use as a daily driver for a 5 mile each way journey.
My budget is absolute max of £4.5.
I am not good at fixing things, like at all!
The car will be left outside and used in all weather conditions, this is making me lean towards an nc with hardtop folding roof maybe?
My wife and I would like to have the car as a weekend day trip car.
I have had 2 Elises and one Europa s, so am used to the quirks of getting in and out and smart packing to fit things in so am happy they would fit my lifestyle.
Thanks in advance for any advice or constructive criticism.
Should also add I'm on the Derbyshire/Sheffield border so any advice as to who to buy from would be appreciated as well.
NC hardtop probably is the one for you although there's no reason a soft-top can't live outside if you look after it. The hardtop roof mechanism is very neat, and the boot is actually a decent size for the class of car.
Do look hard at MOT history and stick your head underneath the car before buying – unfortunately they rust as badly as every other MX-5 and I saw some shocking examples when I was buying.
I liked mine (NC1 2.0 Sport) but it had an annoying number of non-catastrophic failures that ended up costing me quite a chunk of cash and time including sticky calipers, a snapped exhaust, a misfire that kept reappearing, wheel sensor, and probably something else I've forgotten.
It was good fun though. The Sport suspension is great for UK roads (not too harsh but well controlled damping) and the heated leather seats were lovely in the winter. I'd probably still have it if my dog didn't hate being a passenger in it so much.
Do look hard at MOT history and stick your head underneath the car before buying – unfortunately they rust as badly as every other MX-5 and I saw some shocking examples when I was buying.
I liked mine (NC1 2.0 Sport) but it had an annoying number of non-catastrophic failures that ended up costing me quite a chunk of cash and time including sticky calipers, a snapped exhaust, a misfire that kept reappearing, wheel sensor, and probably something else I've forgotten.
It was good fun though. The Sport suspension is great for UK roads (not too harsh but well controlled damping) and the heated leather seats were lovely in the winter. I'd probably still have it if my dog didn't hate being a passenger in it so much.
Yeah I hear you about the dog, I would still have my Elise that I bought new for £24k if my ex wife hadn’t of insisted I sold it!
I have heard they rust for fun, looks like mainly the sills and that a good check is to check the sill is still metal with a magnet!
One concern I have about the hardtop is the resilience of it, and the cost of fixing it vs the soft top.
I have heard they rust for fun, looks like mainly the sills and that a good check is to check the sill is still metal with a magnet!
One concern I have about the hardtop is the resilience of it, and the cost of fixing it vs the soft top.
The NC would make most sense.
Nothing wrong with a soft top NA though if looked after with a regular weather resistant treatment.
Hard tops can be a nuisance if you don't have space to store them but are handy in the worst weather, not very practical though if you like to drop the roof whenever possible.
The soft top is great on them for ease of use.
Nothing wrong with a soft top NA though if looked after with a regular weather resistant treatment.
Hard tops can be a nuisance if you don't have space to store them but are handy in the worst weather, not very practical though if you like to drop the roof whenever possible.
The soft top is great on them for ease of use.
Any of the soft tops can be treated and shouldn't leak in good condition.
Do read some buying guides for the different versions. The NB suffers particularly from rot. I forget the details, I think it's the front chassis rails? Not saying don't buy one, but be aware of the pitfalls.
FWIW I'd have another NA if it fit into my life. I had a red 1990 Eunos and it was an absolute delight with a wonderful engine. Still IMO the best looking of the MX-5. Values have firmed up so if you buy a good one (top of your budget and up...) it's unlikely to lose money. You really need to stay on top of the corrosion though, particularly for year-round use. And of course any NA or NB is pretty old at this point, so you'll suffer those niggly old car problems like aging plastics and rubber bits.
Do read some buying guides for the different versions. The NB suffers particularly from rot. I forget the details, I think it's the front chassis rails? Not saying don't buy one, but be aware of the pitfalls.
FWIW I'd have another NA if it fit into my life. I had a red 1990 Eunos and it was an absolute delight with a wonderful engine. Still IMO the best looking of the MX-5. Values have firmed up so if you buy a good one (top of your budget and up...) it's unlikely to lose money. You really need to stay on top of the corrosion though, particularly for year-round use. And of course any NA or NB is pretty old at this point, so you'll suffer those niggly old car problems like aging plastics and rubber bits.
MajorMantra said:
Any of the soft tops can be treated and shouldn't leak in good condition.
Do read some buying guides for the different versions. The NB suffers particularly from rot. I forget the details, I think it's the front chassis rails? Not saying don't buy one, but be aware of the pitfalls.
FWIW I'd have another NA if it fit into my life. I had a red 1990 Eunos and it was an absolute delight with a wonderful engine. Still IMO the best looking of the MX-5. Values have firmed up so if you buy a good one (top of your budget and up...) it's unlikely to lose money. You really need to stay on top of the corrosion though, particularly for year-round use. And of course any NA or NB is pretty old at this point, so you'll suffer those niggly old car problems like aging plastics and rubber bits.
NB= Front chassis rails and sills.Do read some buying guides for the different versions. The NB suffers particularly from rot. I forget the details, I think it's the front chassis rails? Not saying don't buy one, but be aware of the pitfalls.
FWIW I'd have another NA if it fit into my life. I had a red 1990 Eunos and it was an absolute delight with a wonderful engine. Still IMO the best looking of the MX-5. Values have firmed up so if you buy a good one (top of your budget and up...) it's unlikely to lose money. You really need to stay on top of the corrosion though, particularly for year-round use. And of course any NA or NB is pretty old at this point, so you'll suffer those niggly old car problems like aging plastics and rubber bits.
Be warned. An NB MX5 can look glorious from the outside, with very low mileage, under 30k miles and be as rotten as a pear underneath. Most sellers won't mention this/ be honest about it in adverts. MOT history check is your friend before going to view anything.
That is not to say there aren't any good NB's out there, just that it is a bit of a minefield.
I have found an nc 2.0 with folding hardtop for around £2k
Last mot though these were the advisories.
Doesn’t put me off too much as would use as negotiating power to knock some off.
Roughly what would the ball park figure to sort these be?
Last mot though these were the advisories.
Doesn’t put me off too much as would use as negotiating power to knock some off.
Roughly what would the ball park figure to sort these be?
Edited by Sheetmaself on Wednesday 6th March 14:05
I agree with your point, but was just thinking if a few people responded with prices between say £1000 and £3000 then it gives me some leeway.
My thinking is that I know of the potential issue and account for it vs one i think is ok and then get hit by a bill.
So whilst a bit of a red flag, priced accordingly it may be a good buy for me.
Hope that makes sense!
My thinking is that I know of the potential issue and account for it vs one i think is ok and then get hit by a bill.
So whilst a bit of a red flag, priced accordingly it may be a good buy for me.
Hope that makes sense!
If its just surface rust a weekend with a wire brush on a drill and some good quality rust proofing may be all thats needed but its impossible to guess at without some photos really.
It may benefit you to see if you can get it inspected properly if your keen on it.
New tyres and suspension work roughly £500, i would guess it needs 4 tyres.
It may benefit you to see if you can get it inspected properly if your keen on it.
New tyres and suspension work roughly £500, i would guess it needs 4 tyres.
Edited by Belle427 on Thursday 7th March 09:39
Edited by Belle427 on Thursday 7th March 09:43
Right I have bought one!!
From what I understand it is a MX5 2.5 Arctic edition.
54 plate with 56,000 miles, paid £2.5 came with 2 exhausts, 2 sets of rear lights (clear and standard) and a metal luggage rack.
Rails and middle have been rust repaired recently. Cambelt changed 3 years ago, original owners manual and all service receipts from date of purchase!
Only one blemish on it which I need to sort see pics.
Quite frankly and I am ready to eat my words, I think I have a bargain!
And the blemishes that need sorting
From what I understand it is a MX5 2.5 Arctic edition.
54 plate with 56,000 miles, paid £2.5 came with 2 exhausts, 2 sets of rear lights (clear and standard) and a metal luggage rack.
Rails and middle have been rust repaired recently. Cambelt changed 3 years ago, original owners manual and all service receipts from date of purchase!
Only one blemish on it which I need to sort see pics.
Quite frankly and I am ready to eat my words, I think I have a bargain!
And the blemishes that need sorting
Congrats on the purchase.
I will be honest here and I am sure people will shoot me down for being negative, but, if that is the quality of the repairs you can actually see, I would be taking it to a specialist to get an assesment on the chassis rails and inner skins before you do anything else with it.
I will be honest here and I am sure people will shoot me down for being negative, but, if that is the quality of the repairs you can actually see, I would be taking it to a specialist to get an assesment on the chassis rails and inner skins before you do anything else with it.
Im happy with helpful negativity to be honest. The guy seemed very honest and was clear at pointing it out.
Was very clear that the mark on the wheel arch needs to be sorted properly with a dremel and then paint.
I also figure at this price I can afford to throw a bit of cash at it to get it good and then I know where im at.
There is a place in Ilkeston which is near me that i will get to take a look over it. Hopefully it will be good news!
Was very clear that the mark on the wheel arch needs to be sorted properly with a dremel and then paint.
I also figure at this price I can afford to throw a bit of cash at it to get it good and then I know where im at.
There is a place in Ilkeston which is near me that i will get to take a look over it. Hopefully it will be good news!
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