3k MX-5. Advise me!

Ahleckz

Ahleckz

Ahleckz

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I'm considering buying myself a MX-5. I want a convertible, and I don't want to spend too much money. 4k is really my limit as insurance will be around £1300 (dodgy postcode and no no-claims).

What should I be looking at? I understand rusty sills are quite common?

Whilst I won't be buying for at least 6 weeks, I'm keen to get looking to cheer myself up a little bit!

I saw this one, and like the look of it (love the colour!) but no idea if it's a good price or anything http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3523799.htm but obviously it'll be gone by the time I have the funds in place.

It'll be used for pottering about the city, and a few weekends away and such like. No big commutes.

So, poofters - advise me!
 
I'm in on this thread as I've been looking at MX5's, I want a 1600 though as there s'posed to be bullet proof.
Main thing to look out for is rust round the arches, Sills & dodgey mods I reckon but it'll be interesting to see what the Motors heads have to say.
 
Wife has one, very reliable cars and pretty damn fun to drive. 1.8 is a good choice, not sure about leather though, the fabric seats are excellent and obviously don't wear with age.

Excuse to pimp a pic of the wifes car :)

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That's what I'm looking for - reliable and pretty fun to drive. My only other car I've owned was a 2.0 Accord which was awesome for motorways (apart from the way it drank fuel) but not that fun.

What's the economy like, if you're being sensible?
 
Subscribed! Keen to watch this thread unveil. I too am after a MX5, probably not for a while but will definitely be interesting to see what others have to say. I know there are a few members who already have mx5's and they look tremendous.

That green one in OP would be ideal, maybe a bit pricey for my budget...
 
I couldn't quote sources as I've just been reading untold forum posts etc on MX5's then when looking around I've seen plenty of 1600's with up to 180k on it where as the 1800's only seen to be around to 120k.
 
Ahleckz said:
That's what I'm looking for - reliable and pretty fun to drive. My only other car I've owned was a 2.0 Accord which was awesome for motorways (apart from the way it drank fuel) but not that fun.

What's the economy like, if you're being sensible?
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That hugely depends on what you're doing. I got around 30mpg average with mixed town driving/country lane thrashing before I fitted the SC. That's dropped to about 22 now but I've been driving it harder, the fuelling isn't right etc.

There is no way I would take the 1.6 over the 1.8. The car is underpowered enough without making it even worse by going for the 1.6 (even the higher powered ones, the low ones are just ridiculous).
 
DRZ said:
That hugely depends on what you're doing. I got around 30mpg average with mixed town driving/country lane thrashing before I fitted the SC. That's dropped to about 22 now but I've been driving it harder, the fuelling isn't right etc.

There is no way I would take the 1.6 over the 1.8. The car is underpowered enough without making it even worse by going for the 1.6 (even the higher powered ones, the low ones are just ridiculous).
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Around 30 is fine for me, that's what I thought it would be like. I don't plan to throw a turbo/supercharger in it any time soon. I have no no-claims discount so I imagine that'll bump up my insurance to silly money and with my lack of driving experience (like I said, only owned a barge before) I doubt I'll get bored quickly.

Alternatively, I could bump the budget up and get a 3rd generation but I don't think it's really worth it? I'd be getting worryingly close to Z4 money which I'd probably prefer...

Though, I am on Pistonheads now with 2 DB9 tabs open...
 
Ultimately it is a 1.8 engine in a lightweight car - fuel economy is great if you drive it frugally but it does suffer a bit on the motorway thanks to the short gearbox ratios and the lack of roof.

There is a middle ground of the Mk2.5 special editions - the Euphonic and Icon special editions are quite good and are a noticeable step up from the mk2 interior and the engines are the newer VVT units which are a bit nicer if you're never planning to go FI.

The Mk3/3.5 is a different car really but if you do look then go for the 2.0.
 
4T5 said:
I couldn't quote sources as I've just been reading untold forum posts etc on MX5's then when looking around I've seen plenty of 1600's with up to 180k on it where as the 1800's only seen to be around to 120k.
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Very little between them imho particularly if you get a Mk2 which don't have any of the engine crank pulley issues that the Mk1 had.

My 1800 was fantastic, never let me down, had a supercharger on running well over the stock power :)

I can't really think of anything really which would cost you more than a few quid to sort should it go wrong with the 1800, certainly not enough to discount it and go for the 1600.
 
So really when I have the funds and find a car, as long as it's not rusty and sounds alright then I may as well buy it?

There aren't any other sub 5k cars I should be considering are there? I'm ignoring the MR2, because I wasn't particularly fond of it when I was in my parents. I had a brief look at 10k Lotus's, but then realised it would be utterly stupid to get one of them. I think the MX5 is the best option.

Though I am tempted to just blow my cash on a DB9 and never drive it...
 
4T5 said:
Damn I knew somebody would post that. :p
From what I've read though the 1600 is indestructible where as the 1800 isn't, I am confuse. :confused:
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Sounds to me like buthurt 1.6 owners trying to justify their poor choice.

I have never heard any one say a 1.6 is more reliable than the 1.8, or vice versa. I have heard 1.6 owners claiming the power doesn't matter because of the weight saving (there is barely any weight saving and the power difference is very noticeable in such an underpowered car) I have heard 1.6 owners say their engines are better for FI (again complete rubbish) and I have heard 1.6 owners say that they prefer their cars because they rev easier, none of these things have held true.

Get a 1.8s or if you can find one, a mk2.5 1.8 with all the gubbins.
 
Ahleckz said:
So really when I have the funds and find a car, as long as it's not rusty and sounds alright then I may as well buy it?
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Check the condition of the hood, look above the side windows on the roof edge for split marks.

Listen to the diff, see if it's making any noises.

Looks like a good car though.
 
I was in the same position back in November looking at Mk2/2.5 for £3,000.

I wanted a 1.8, preferably with a 6-speed and preferably with a LSD, which meant either a special edition Mk2 or a Mk2.5 S–VT.

In the end I chose a Mk2 10th Anniversary Edition with a hard top and couldn't be happier!
 
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