Is this dodgy?

[Cino]

I have been looking for a 2 seater convertible for a few months after my Audi TT packed up (most unreliable car I have ever owned!). I test drove a BMW Z4 6 cylinder then an MX5 NC powershift, and to my surprise much preferred the MX5. Even though it's a lot slower on paper, you feel the speed a lot more and the steering feel and driving position felt much better to me.

I have been looking for a while, and found one on Autotrader. The dealer has very little traces on the internet, no Google reviews. I looked up the address on Google maps and it seemed to be houses and a repair yard. The dealer is not listed in Companies House (under that name). The car has had a reg. change but everything else seems clear. 6 owners though since 2011. The dealer is by appointment only, does this sound a bit dodgy should I walk away?

[Belle427]

Make the appointment and go and take a look, you will get an idea of what they are all about then, it if looks a bit ropey then just walk away.

[VladD]

If the dealer is a sole trader rather than a limited company, then he wouldn't have a Companies House entry, if my logic is correct.

As above, have a look at the car to see if you like. You can then do thorough checks on it just to be certain if you are still a bit nervous.

Might be worth a post on the MX5 Owners Club site to see if anyone is familiar with the car.

[Cino]

VladD said:

If the dealer is a sole trader rather than a limited company, then he wouldn't have a Companies House entry, if my logic is correct.

As above, have a look at the car to see if you like. You can then do thorough checks on it just to be certain if you are still a bit nervous.

Might be worth a post on the MX5 Owners Club site to see if anyone is familiar with the car.

Thanks, seems you have to pay for membership to use the Owners Club forums. What checks would you recommend to see if the car is legit? Beyond the standard ones that you can see on Autotrader like stolen, written off, imported etc.?

[VladD]

Cino said:

VladD said:

If the dealer is a sole trader rather than a limited company, then he wouldn't have a Companies House entry, if my logic is correct.

As above, have a look at the car to see if you like. You can then do thorough checks on it just to be certain if you are still a bit nervous.

Might be worth a post on the MX5 Owners Club site to see if anyone is familiar with the car.

Thanks, seems you have to pay for membership to use the Owners Club forums. What checks would you recommend to see if the car is legit? Beyond the standard ones that you can see on Autotrader like stolen, written off, imported etc.?

I'd go for a HPI check or similar, check the dealer has the latest V5 and verify the mileage against the MOT history. I haven't bought a car for over 10 years though, so there may be more that can be done now.

Gov

[MattsCar]

Little traces? Is he one of those that start up "A1 cars" and within a few months time it is "A2 cars" and then a few months later "AB Cars"?

The repair yard nearby would concern me.

Do you have Facebook? The best way to buy an MX5...

1. Read up on the car and know all the issues. Rust!

2. Join Facebook owners clubs, ask around, put a wanted advert up.

3. Take your time, don't rush and eventually something lovely will crop up from a doting owner.

Edited by MattsCar on Sunday 4th August 22:31

[Cino]

[quote=MattsCar]Little traces? Is he one of those that start up "A1 cars" and within a few months time it is "A2 cars" and then a few months later "AB Cars"?

The repair yard nearby would concern me.

Do you have Facebook? The best way to buy an MX5...

1. Read up on the car and know all the issues. Rust!

2. Join Facebook owners clubs, ask around, put a wanted advert up.

3. Take your time, don't rush and eventually something lovely will crop up from a doting owner.


I'm looking for a powershift and there are far fewer of those around. There was a lovely white one from 2015, so the newest NC you can get, I wish I had bought that but it went quickly. How much of an issue is rust on the NCs? I live right by the sea so that would accelerate it probably. Most of them I see are around 2011/12 so a 12 year old car known to rust is a bit of a concern.

[Nickp82]

Cino]attsCar said:

How much of an issue is rust on the NCs?

It’s the one thing to be most wary of. There are probably as many clean (in terms of underside condition) cars out there as there are absolutely hanging ones and everything in between.

[Planet Claire]

Cino said:

Thanks, seems you have to pay for membership to use the Owners Club forums. What checks would you recommend to see if the car is legit? Beyond the standard ones that you can see on Autotrader like stolen, written off, imported etc.?

You don't need to be a paid up member to join the forum, however, some sections are member only eg member discounts. But, you can register for free!

[MattsCar]

When I went to view an MX5 impulsively, with about 2 hours spare (it was local and what seemed a great price)I managed to learn about every single issue with the car in an hour and made a check list.

Google Is your friend. Search "MX5 NC buyers guide"/ "MX5 problems".

Don't rush. It is not like you need the car tomorrow I assume. Be prepared to walk away. Don't settle for anything less than perfect.

There are a lot of great cars out there.

[anyoldcardave]

Powershift rings alarm bells, but in a Ford way, I hope this is not the same thing, using the name and ford not getting huffy about it suggests it could be, Ford did own Mazda for a while.

Avoid if it is, major clutch problems with the dry clutch and they are expensive, Cheaper Chinese copies are available, but sell the car if you use them, and make sure they have not been used in one you buying,

They are bad news in Fords if it is the same set up..

[MattsCar]

Quick google suggests that it is in fact a powershift gearbox.

[Cino]

anyoldcardave said:

Powershift rings alarm bells, but in a Ford way, I hope this is not the same thing, using the name and ford not getting huffy about it suggests it could be, Ford did own Mazda for a while.

Avoid if it is, major clutch problems with the dry clutch and they are expensive, Cheaper Chinese copies are available, but sell the car if you use them, and make sure they have not been used in one you buying,

They are bad news in Fords if it is the same set up..

Thanks I wasn't aware of these problems and looking it up seems that Ford discontinued the Powershift because of all the problems. The question is whether it is the exact same gearbox used in the MX5, I don't know how I could find that out. A shame if it is because it was great to drive

[Cino]

MattsCar said:

Quick google suggests that it is in fact a powershift gearbox.

Question is whether it is the exact same gearbox used in the Fords which was problematic or a different MX5 version with the same name

[anyoldcardave]

Cino said:

anyoldcardave said:

Powershift rings alarm bells, but in a Ford way, I hope this is not the same thing, using the name and ford not getting huffy about it suggests it could be, Ford did own Mazda for a while.

Avoid if it is, major clutch problems with the dry clutch and they are expensive, Cheaper Chinese copies are available, but sell the car if you use them, and make sure they have not been used in one you buying,

They are bad news in Fords if it is the same set up..

Thanks I wasn't aware of these problems and looking it up seems that Ford discontinued the Powershift because of all the problems. The question is whether it is the exact same gearbox used in the MX5, I don't know how I could find that out. A shame if it is because it was great to drive

I believe Ford were sued by a major fleet operator down this way, over these gearboxes, I contract for a Ford main agent, well aware how bad they are, the costs of fixing them, and how short a time that fix lasts.

Most traders and used dealers avoid them if possible and price them very well to get out of them quickly or send to auction.

May not be the same thing , but the trademark suggests it is. I would look into it before committing. The MX5 forums is a good place to start.

[MattsCar]

Might be attractive for a lot of back street dealers.

Buy a car with a failing box for scrap price.

Sell.

Then deny all knowledge it was problematic. Blame driving style, blame wear and tear, deny all knowledge.

[anyoldcardave]

MattsCar said:

Might be attractive for a lot of back street dealers.

Buy a car with a failing box for scrap price.

Sell.

Then deny all knowledge it was problematic. Blame driving style, blame wear and tear, deny all knowledge.

Assuming the buyer does not notice the fault, most would, fixing it with chinese copy parts is a different matter, it might last long enough for the dealer to say bks.

[MattsCar]

anyoldcardave said:

Assuming the buyer does not notice the fault, most would, fixing it with chinese copy parts is a different matter, it might last long enough for the dealer to say bks.

Lots don't, over the hype of a new car and dealers patter "oh they all do that sir/ just needs warming up" etc.

Buying from a back street dealer is more risky than buying privately from what I have seen from friends purchases. Friends that are adamant they will only ever buy from a dealer for "protection" and a week down the line they are dealing with worn clutches, blocked DPF's etc.

[pigface1001]

Nickp82 said:

Cino]attsCar said:

How much of an issue is rust on the NCs?

It’s the one thing to be most wary of. There are probably as many clean (in terms of underside condition) cars out there as there are absolutely hanging ones and everything in between.

Late NBs are the most rusty of all MX5s.