MX-5 Advice

LiE · 8 Jun 2010 at 18:40

Looking to buy an MX-5 soon and would appreciate any advice on what to look out for. What are the common faults/niggles to be aware of?

So far I've seen this which has caught my interest.

2003 MAZDA MX-5 1.8i Convertible
2 Doors, Manual, Convertible, Petrol, 40,366 miles, Metallic Silver, MOT-11-2010, 2 Owners. ABS, Central locking, Immobiliser, Passenger airbag, Radio/Cassette, Alloy wheels, Alarm, Body coloured bumpers, Drivers airbag, Electric door mirrors, Front electric windows, Heated door mirrors, Isofix child seat anchor points, PAS, Rear electric windows, Solid Paint, Space saver spare wheel, Cloth seat trim. Insurance Group:12, FULL SERVICE HISTORY!!!!!, All Cars Come HPI Checked and Fully Prepared in Our Own Workshops with 12 months MOT. £4,985

Cheers

Le_Petit_Lapin · 8 Jun 2010 at 18:44

I advise you ask in the Motors forum.

aproctor · 8 Jun 2010 at 18:48

Someone started a thread all of 24 hours ago.

Lots of info on there and MX5 Nutz.

I get around · 8 Jun 2010 at 18:59

Theres lots of good shops to buy the tight leather trousers and hairdressing equipment in milton keynes, or so I hear.

LiE · 8 Jun 2010 at 19:01

I get around said:
Theres lots of good shops to buy the tight leather trousers and hairdressing equipment in milton keynes, or so I hear.

It's for my Fiancée who is a hairdresser, but thanks for the info

aproctor · 8 Jun 2010 at 19:04

I get around said:
Theres lots of good shops to buy the tight leather trousers and hairdressing equipment in milton keynes, or so I hear.

Spamming again... :rolleyes:

Alex*TLR · 8 Jun 2010 at 19:07

Got a link to the advert? Sounds towards top end of what it'd be worth depending on spec/edition etc etc. the 98-2006 mk2/mk2.5s make fantastic everyday cars, any reason for the 1.6 over the 1.8?

LiE · 8 Jun 2010 at 19:12

Alex*TLR said:
Got a link to the advert? Sounds towards top end of what it'd be worth depending on spec/edition etc etc. the 98-2006 mk2/mk2.5s make fantastic everyday cars, any reason for the 1.6 over the 1.8?

It's the 1.8.

Alex*TLR · 8 Jun 2010 at 19:16

Whoops, still why the 1.8 over the 1.6?

aproctor · 8 Jun 2010 at 19:28

Alex*TLR said:
Whoops, still why the 1.8 over the 1.6?

Early 1.6 (and all imports) Mk1s are 115~bhp, and are just as quick as the 1.8s, but the 1.8 has better brakes, more bracing and more tuning potential.

Mk2 1.8s are far more powerful than 1.6s and the only one to go for.

Alex*TLR · 8 Jun 2010 at 19:34

Negative on the tuning potential, look at all the big power ones with 250+, most running 1.6s with Auto engine pistons due to the better compression. Fair play on the brakes n bracing though, forgot about that.

Depends on the insurance I guess, I had the 1.6 mk2 before my mk1, really liked it, just didn't have the "potential" that the mk1s have unless you got the coin to go for it.

LiE · 8 Jun 2010 at 19:44

It's a MK2 and won't be tuned.

aproctor · 8 Jun 2010 at 20:15

Alex*TLR said:
Negative on the tuning potential, look at all the big power ones with 250+, most running 1.6s with Auto engine pistons due to the better compression. Fair play on the brakes n bracing though, forgot about that.

Depends on the insurance I guess, I had the 1.6 mk2 before my mk1, really liked it, just didn't have the "potential" that the mk1s have unless you got the coin to go for it.

Underneath the Mk1 and Mk2 are near enough identical....

Most "big power" 5s are running stock internals, a tubby and a good tune.

Most 300+ brake 5's are running built engines with forged parts.

You do have some good points, but you seem to miss key facts.

aproctor · 8 Jun 2010 at 20:19

LiE said:
It's a MK2 and won't be tuned.

1.8 is the one to go for with a mk2, and as there are more around there is little excuse.

They cost the same to run and will be easier to sell as well, a nice mk2 with up to date servicing will be a nice car and are a bit more refined but just as capable as a mk1.

Mechanically 1989-2001 are almost the same with many interchangeable parts, and the mk2.5 (2001-2005) and still very very similar.

Check the cluch slave is not leaking, the hood is good and it is as rust free as possible and you should be fine.

Shocks are something to watch out for, they only "go" after a good 100k miles, but many have aftermarket shocks and springs on, which may not be to your taste.

Alex*TLR · 8 Jun 2010 at 21:04

Near enough identical but there is a lot of key differences, also the 1.6 mk2 wasn't sold in the US and didn't take off so much compared to the mk1 so bits are nigh on impossible to find

For you sounds like mk2 1.8 is perfect, even more so with your budget you'd be able to find one with the 6 speed box and torsen LSD, deff worth it!