Spec me my first foray into RWD

So the GT86 was good, great even chassis wise, but the complete lack of drama or grin factor or whatever from the engine really killed the idea of spending so much on a brand new car.

Also the Skoda is almost back on the road, awaiting a rear caliper as that'd seized after a year standing, but aside from that MOT passed and all 20 valves ground out of the head and rebuilt, looks like the plastic water pump propellor failed and took the timing belt with it at 70 mph, hence the 20 dog legged valves. So that's ended up costing me around £1500 to get roadworthy, not so sure it's worth chopping in now....

So i rang up about this today....http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201406104903664?atmobcid=soc4

The guy was really good on the phone, admitted the sills had some rust, but nothing to be concerned about, and that they had deliberately left it to allow any buyer to see the state now, go and view other work they're doing on restoring cars and they'll take the MX5 back to metal, treat it and repaint, allowing the buyer to view each stage if required.

So that plus http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/bolt-turbo-mazda-p-347.html and a weekend spannering?
 
Yeah, but I haven't got time to go for a day trip and all the local ones are absolute rust buckets

Plus the guys showed me work they'd done on an e - type and an old Aston restoration and they looked like good jobs from the photos.

They also do a full going over including rebuilding the brakes etc.

At the end of the day the engines are fairly bullet proof I reckon as they're so over engineered so if I get a fully sorted, patched and waxoyled body it's the best base for the upgrades I'll no doubt make engine wise.
 
You need to check the front of the chassis rails on that MX5 too, if those are shot it is a much bigger/expensive job than replacing the sills.

Also, that turbo kit isn't available, and hasn't been for years. For a simple reliable turbo setup on the MX5 you are probably look around 2500-3000, then you would want other supporting mods too, suspension brakes etc. All adds up quickly. Depends if you want a fast car or a fast MX5. If you just want a fast car, get something else, as it will be more reliable
 
wesimmo said:
So i rang up about this today....http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201406104903664?atmobcid=soc4
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The one in the last two photos is a much better bet ;)

I went from Octy vRS to MX-5. While I like the MX-5 I do miss my Octy.

Also this is only my opinion so ignore it if you like- part of the appeal of the MX-5 is having to wring its neck to squeeze every last drop of performance while not ending up doing stupid speeds. Turbo would spoil that despite me saying all the time that I'd like a bit more go :o
 
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Yeah I don't want silly power, around 200 would be right I think, that's what I loved about the DC2, wringing it's neck most of the time.

I'll be keeping the Octy for a while, but I can take it or leave it, I doubt I'd ever miss it, I prefer the £500 beaten up 1.3 Fiesta LX I bought to see me through....
 
Vigoro said:
You need to check the front of the chassis rails on that MX5 too, if those are shot it is a much bigger/expensive job than replacing the sills.

Also, that turbo kit isn't available, and hasn't been for years. For a simple reliable turbo setup on the MX5 you are probably look around 2500-3000, then you would want other supporting mods too, suspension brakes etc. All adds up quickly. Depends if you want a fast car or a fast MX5. If you just want a fast car, get something else, as it will be more reliable
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I've got them to put in writing that they will inspect and deal with the chassis rails as well as the sills if they need doing, i'll get to inspect everything once its stripped back.

I may be daft, but I've gone for it because, at the end of the day, the MX5 is the type of car i want, low, agile, open top and RWD, and in my current financial situation pretty disposable, if it all goes horribly wrong I'm not going to starve as a result.

I can still keep the rest of my original budget behind, save a few hundred a month to top that up and when/if i get a more secure job make more of a financial commitment.
 
Best of luck with the MX5. I didn't think I'd miss my Octy vRS either and chose to hack about in my wifes '98 Polo for work for a while but not long after it was gone I regretted it :o
 
lordrobs said:
Best of luck with the MX5. I didn't think I'd miss my Octy vRS either and chose to hack about in my wifes '98 Polo for work for a while but not long after it was gone I regretted it :o
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I'll still have both on the drive, the Fiesta shed will get scrapped and I'll have the choice of big turbo barge or hairdressering about. :cool:;)
 
robinbanks said:
Why don't you give JM imports A call and see if they can give you a test drive is some cars. If I remember right they are based near you?
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Funnily enough they used to be a unit or 2 down from my mates garage. I did look at them but everything is sold or deposit taken, it makes the whole process of searching on there pretty fruitless.
 
So i got the MX5 on Thursday, loved it and knew I'd made the right choice from day 1.

Then i took it camping (no pun intended) last night, loaded the 3 man tent, sleeping bags and airbeds in, drove about an hour through Northumberland with the roof down and it just felt like what i wanted from a car, an Integra with rear wheel drive and no roof. You have to work the engine, everything is so direct and connected and it buzzes round b roads like a dream.

OK, so the missus had to follow on with our daughter in the Skoda with the clothes and food, but hey, i enjoyed it!
 
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