Car shortlist - MR2 / MX5 (mk1 or mk2?)

So,

After much umming & arhhing...

I think the MX5 Mk1 (those popup lights are just too awesome) has taken the bite, I've decided to take the advice & stick to something cheap for my first & put the rest away for something next year.

Now, looking locally I've found this one.

tDGKQN2.jpg


Mazda MX-5 1.6i 2dr IMPORT / FULLY LOADED

66000 miles
2000 date

Thoughts? - it seems very reasonably priced & from the pictures I can't see any rust.

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201306087193328/sort/default/usedcars/price-to/2000/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles/transmission/manual/maximum-age/over_10_years_old/model/mx-5/make/mazda/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/page/1/postcode/po167pa/radius/100?logcode=p
 
It seems pretty good, imports are usually better for rust as Japan don't put salt down on the roads. Just check the usual places (Read sills and arches)

Any idea what year it was made? 2000 will be the date it was imported.
 
Marvt74 said:
It seems pretty good, imports are usually better for rust as Japan don't put salt down on the roads. Just check the usual places (Read sills and arches)

Any idea what year it was made? 2000 will be the date it was imported.
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Yeah, I've emailed the dealer to find the date for manufacture - hopefully will hear back from him soon.

Cheers for the tips.

Freefaller said:
It's all down to what you want but personally I'd try and go for a 1.8. However if it is what you want and in good nick go for it. :)
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Yeah, I did consider that - but from what I've read, as long as you avoid the 1.6 UK models they are pretty good still the import ones (correct me if I'm wrong here, as I'm just absorbing 100's of pages of info at the moment so may be wrong!).

Cheers for the pointers, I'll have to get some curling tongs soon.
 
Imports are more competent and I believe more fun to tune too. However, before owning mine I tried both mk1 and 2 as well as 1.6 and 1.8 with and without the LSD and the 1.8 felt much more fun.

However, if you've driven it and like it and it suits you, go for it!
 
That has been on UK soil for 13 years so could well be rotten. Give it a good look over, feel under the sills or take a mirror with you and look at and feel the arches.

Rust is bad, a bodge of a repair is worse. If it looks clean then buy and enjoy :D
 
Hmmm,

Did a check for the reg to get a feel for the quote & getting the following info on it.

1990H, MAZDA MX-5 CABRIOLET, 1597CC PETROL, 2DR, MANUAL, CAB

I assume it's better to avoid MX5's quite that old & go for something 1997/1998?
 
I wouldn't let it put you off to be honest. The engines are generally very reliable. As long as it drives ok and isn't rusty then there's no reason why it can't give you many years of hassle free motoring :)

At 66000 miles if be wanting to know if the cambelt had been changing though (due at 60k) and its generally advised to replace the water pump at the same time due to convinience.
 
I wouldn't worry too much about age and mileage, buy on condition. My brother just picked up a 2002 UK mk2.5 1.8 sport for £700 due to rust, where as my mate paid over 2k for a 1989 mk1 1.8 import which is rust free.

Check the front chassis rails on any UK car, this can easily be overlooked and if bad your car is only good for the scrap yard.

My advise is to go for a mk2 (1998/99) 1.8 import. 146bhp, 6 speed box, and depending on when it was imported you've got a chance of it being rust free.

Edit: If you can get over the colour this doesn't seem too bad http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=125767

Or if you want the best colour and more power then this is a good spec and would be lots of fun http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=124348
 
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Some good tips, writing up a long list of things to check!.

I don't think I could go for the golden one myself.. the colour is ... horrendous! :p, but I do like them in white actually - very much so, but still think I prefer the mk1's style (but in white) - something new to look for also.
 
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Yeah, the orange/gold isn't for me either!

Mk1's are nice, and a little rawer, however the interior of the mk2 is a much nicer place to be IMO. Also the mk1 1.8 is 130bhp, the mk2 is 140(UK)/146(JDM) and the imports have a 6 speed box which both make a big difference (so much so that my mate with the mk1 stuck a mk2.5 vvt engine in his so he could keep up with me) Mk1s do have poppy up headlights though.......
 
dale1uk said:
Yeah, the orange/gold isn't for me either!

Mk1's are nice, and a little rawer, however the interior of the mk2 is a much nicer place to be IMO. Also the mk1 1.8 is 130bhp, the mk2 is 140(UK)/146(JDM) and the imports have a 6 speed box which both make a big difference (so much so that my mate with the mk1 stuck a mk2.5 vvt engine in his so he could keep up with me) Mk1s do have poppy up headlights though.......
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Hehe ay, I'll have to have a think - but so far I'm close to being settled on the Mk1 - I could always push for something a little more powerful later on!.
 
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