New car for my girlfriend - MX5?

tcfreer · 7 Jun 2016 at 11:24

iaind said:
There'll be occasions she needs a couple more seats so she can just take my car for that

I'm guessing you mean the Saab

N.B Correction, We all hope you mean the Saab, other wise she must be paying you huge favours of all kinds to use the RS6

iaind · 7 Jun 2016 at 11:24

I'm not the same Ian who has an RS6. Hell, I'm not even any Ian

tcfreer · 7 Jun 2016 at 11:26

To many usernames getting messed in my head

Frozennova · 7 Jun 2016 at 12:04

I'd be looking for a MK3 at that budget. It'll be easier to live with day to day, generally they aren't as bad with rust either

Nasher · 7 Jun 2016 at 12:33

If you go for one, find a nice MK1. They still drive the best of the lot and will hold their value now.

Evo8 · 7 Jun 2016 at 15:05

MR2 is always an option.

iaind · 7 Jun 2016 at 15:07

Just saw your pic in the other thread and made me think of it.

Any reason to buy one over an MX-5?

Firestar_3x · 7 Jun 2016 at 15:14

I test drove both and ended up with the MX-5, overall the MX-5 is the superior car.

Evo8 · 7 Jun 2016 at 15:19

iaind said:
Any reason to buy one over an MX-5?

I've never had a go in a MX-5 so I wouldn't know.

It's super reliable and super cheap to run so it does the trick for me. Good fun to drive too. Also, it'll never rust like a MX-5.

adam cool dude · 7 Jun 2016 at 15:22

iaind said:
Just saw your pic in the other thread and made me think of it.

Any reason to buy one over an MX-5?

Better drive and a lot better fuel economy. Mid engine layout as well. Only issue is storage space but as a run around this is of no problem.

Evo8 · 7 Jun 2016 at 15:29

Storage space is limited but you can get 2/3 shopping bags in the bins behind the seats and there's always the passenger footwelll and seat. If push comes to shove you can put something in the frunk.

iaind · 14 Jun 2016 at 09:30

Is mileage a concern on these? This one looks really tidy, has had a load of the rust issues dealt with and seems well looked after. Quality tyres, hard top etc. We could buy this for what her Clio is worth

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201606064662303

Howard · 14 Jun 2016 at 09:43

Mechanically, they're indestructible. You'll just have to keep an eye on the corrosion areas.

iaind · 14 Jun 2016 at 09:46

Thats what I figured. The biggest battle I have is with her family who thinks that a car explodes at 100k and she should be getting a renault or vauxhall on finance. She just wants something more fun.

Does the stuff he lists cover the main areas of concern for corrosion?

Recently replaced:, Both sills and the offside rear wheel arch., Front chassis rails

Frozennova · 14 Jun 2016 at 10:00

iaind said:
Thats what I figured. The biggest battle I have is with her family who thinks that a car explodes at 100k and she should be getting a renault or vauxhall on finance. She just wants something more fun.

Does the stuff he lists cover the main areas of concern for corrosion?

Yep that's pretty much all the areas that corrode on mk2/2.5

Theyre fine with mileage, I have no worries about mine on 110k miles even with the added power of a turbo.

As I think I mentioned earlier the issue with mine had been the cooling system leaks which had mostly been old perished hoses. Most of which I've replaced with genuine mazda at not extortionate prices

Nursie · 14 Jun 2016 at 10:03

If done properly, yes.

Howard · 14 Jun 2016 at 10:03

iaind said:
Thats what I figured. The biggest battle I have is with her family who thinks that a car explodes at 100k and she should be getting a renault or vauxhall on finance.

Tell them if they want to fund the purchase of a much newer MX5, which is the car she wants, then they're welcome to

iaind · 14 Jun 2016 at 10:39

Howard said:
Tell them if they want to fund the purchase of a much newer MX5, which is the car she wants, then they're welcome to

Lol, its typical big brother syndrome really - he wants to push her into what he would do. She doesnt earn much and wants to be able to save to travel more, so I really dont see the need to tie money up in finance if her current car would sell for what would buy a good MX-5. That one I posted looks like a really good example I reckon

Nasher · 14 Jun 2016 at 10:43

iaind said:
Thats what I figured. The biggest battle I have is with her family who thinks that a car explodes at 100k and she should be getting a renault or vauxhall on finance. She just wants something more fun.

Does the stuff he lists cover the main areas of concern for corrosion?

I'd much rather a 100k miles Mazda mx-5 than a brand new Vaxhall lol. The Mazda will last longer...

lordrobs · 14 Jun 2016 at 11:16

Personally I wouldn't consider a Mk1 as an only car and I say that as someone who loves their Mk1! You have to be in the right mindset to want to drive it and even on nice days at the weekend the journey I'm going on will sometimes steer me towards my other car.

Mk2... maybe as a daily. I personally still wouldn't though. If you do make sure it has AC. Mk3 would be my choice for anything other than a second car but I'd encourage a decent test drive taking in city traffic if that is what she regularly encounters.