MX-5 help & advice

Peter Diffey · 22 Sep 2010 at 21:00

hurfdurf said:
Make sure you definitely get a 1.8, I don't know anyone in a 1.8 who would go back to a 1.6 but plenty of people go up when the opportunity arises.

The engine size for the early ones (pre 94) wouldnt be a deal breaker for me, I have driven both on track (my 1991 1.6 and another 1995 1.8) on the same day and the 1.8 is no faster than the 1.6.

The only reason to specifically go for a 1.8 would be to avoid the 90bhp ones from 94 onwards or if you plan to go forced induction. This is because the 1.8s have a larger clutch, brakes and diff.

OP this buying guide may be useful:

http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=185&t=803271&mid=0&nmt=Common%20MX5%20Faults%20/%20Buying%20Guide

Meatball · 22 Sep 2010 at 21:01

Peter Diffey said:
OP this buying guide may be useful:

http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=185&t=803271&mid=0&nmt=Common%20MX5%20Faults%20/%20Buying%20Guide

Thanks for the link, will be my reading material for the rest of tonight.

MX-5 Special Editions

Great website for explaining the limited editions models. I'm really liking the Berkeley, I'll be keeping an eye out for one! I would have to remove that wood trim though.

Crizzy · 22 Sep 2010 at 21:12

Meatball said:
http://www.mx5-3rdgenerationlimited.com/mx5limiteds.htm

Great website for explaining the limited editions models. I'm really liking the Berkeley, I'll be keeping an eye out for one! I would have to remove that wood trim though.

Haha after looking into the different editions and names/combinations I am starting to understand why the mx5 could be considered a little uh 'gay'

Crizzy · 22 Sep 2010 at 21:18

eg:

Jasper Conran: The "Jasper Conran" was named after the world famous designer that helped design the interior.

Limited Edition Gift / Souvenir: A smart set of Jasper Conran Luggage

Trilogy: Trilogy is the trademark of the De Beers diamond trading corporation, a Trilogy diamond arrangement is a design which places three top of the line diamond gemstones in one single piece of jewellery. Mazda and De Beers where brought together to produce a highly desirable masterpiece in the shape of a MX5.

Limited Edition Gift / Souvenir: Solid Silver key ring with 0.5 Carat Diamonds

Angels: Enthusiasts are unsure why Mazda decided to name the limited edition after the Charlie's Angles film, that had just been released on the big screen. The MX-5 had not been used in the film but the slogan for the film had been "Full Throttle" so maybe Mazda felt it was apt to apply it to their sports car.

Love it

Rich1988 · 22 Sep 2010 at 22:17

Peter Diffey said:
The engine size for the early ones (pre 94) wouldnt be a deal breaker for me, I have driven both on track (my 1991 1.6 and another 1995 1.8) on the same day and the 1.8 is no faster than the 1.6.
L]

suerly the 16bhp will make some difference?

Peter Diffey · 22 Sep 2010 at 23:35

Rich1988 said:
suerly the 16bhp will make some difference?

The extra weight seems to cancel it out. We actually had the cars out at the same time on track and there was absolutely nothing in it on the main straight.

hurfdurf · 23 Sep 2010 at 01:54

Peter Diffey said:
The extra weight seems to cancel it out. We actually had the cars out at the same time on track and there was absolutely nothing in it on the main straight.

I forget the mk1 1.8 is only 130bhp.

Rich1988 · 23 Sep 2010 at 11:43

hmm, might make me reconsider then, ive been aiming at 1.8s exclusively

Meatball · 11 Oct 2010 at 11:20

What looks like a nice example of an MX-5 Berkeley has turned up at a local garage:
MX-5 Berkeley Edition

What are peoples opinion on the California edition? I like it but the interior looks shabby:
MX-5 California Edition

I've found a very reasonable insurance quote from Admiral courtesy of a MultiCar policy. I've just got to wait till my current policy expires early December so I can actually buy an MX-5. Certainly gives me time to look around.

BIGWEB · 11 Oct 2010 at 16:51

We have an early UK MK2 1.8 which is great. Really reliable and loads of fun. At your age you will probably need to stay away from imports as the insurance is stupid for what is exactly the same car.
I have driven the MK1 and I agree it is more raw but I couldnt live with one day to day. I suppose it depends on what you want from it. My GF's has a hardtop which makes it a much quieter place to to be.
If you do buy a UK MK1 make sure you dont get one of the low powered 90bhp models as they are slow.

If you want to buy a nice MK2 with about 50K miles on it ours is being changed soon so let me know nearer to the time you turn 21.

Meatball · 14 Oct 2010 at 22:25

Test drive

I went to have a look at a Berkeley MX-5 today and persuaded the dealer to let me take it on a pretty good test drive. All I can say is, WOW! I can see why people rave about them, it was a hoot to drive! Nice gear changing and pulls really well compared to my 1.25! I felt a lot more 'connected' to the car compared to my Fiesta, which felt very electronic on the drive home.

It didn't look as good in the flesh compared to the online pictures, the following stood out for me:

The paint lower down was suffering from bad orange peeling compared to the top half. Presumably a bad respray job? The last pictures shows some rust.

Q: Were the sills pictured above (in the rust picture) colour coded with the body work or is that a botch repair?

I'm going to test drive an MX-5 California tomorrow.

Peter Diffey · 14 Oct 2010 at 23:17

Is the lower part of the sill painted in black? (can't see well from my phone) if so, that's the colour they should be, the orange peeling in this area is probably just the stone chip protection which is also supposed to be there. That rust isn't meant to be there though :-P

jamoor · 14 Oct 2010 at 23:47

Peter Diffey said:
Is the lower part of the sill painted in black? (can't see well from my phone) if so, that's the colour they should be, the orange peeling in this area is probably just the stone chip protection which is also supposed to be there. That rust isn't meant to be there though

Yeah, the "orange peel" is meant to be there.
Rust is normal.

Eliot · 15 Oct 2010 at 00:32

i thought there were suspension differences between the 1.6 and 1.8 too?

danza · 15 Oct 2010 at 07:25

That rust looks like it's coming along nicely.

Are they all that bad?

Meatball · 19 Oct 2010 at 22:54

I've found what looks like a nice example, only problem is it's all the way up in Scotland :eek:

. Description:

New rear quarter panels,New Tyres,discs and pads. New S/S exhaust.
75,314 Miles. Service History.No 16 of Limited Edition.M.O.T. to June 2011. 3 owners.

£2000 o.n.o.

I've emailed the owner and he stated the following: " I had the underneath undersealed because it was rusty, NOT corroded. Apparently all of these cars were not undersealed and prone to rust."

Would that ring any alarm bells with any one?

Images:

aproctor · 19 Oct 2010 at 23:26

Try here.

http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showforum=51

Batf1nk · 20 Oct 2010 at 01:00

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230537802753&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

If this car wasnt 250 miles away i'd probably have bought it. I could do without spending the cash at the min so its probably a good thing its so far away.

Any use to you?

Meatball · 20 Oct 2010 at 07:21

Batf1nk said:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230537802753&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

If this car wasnt 250 miles away i'd probably have bought it. I could do without spending the cash at the min so its probably a good thing its so far away.

Any use to you?

I can't seem to open the link

.

Batf1nk · 20 Oct 2010 at 16:14

Meatball said:
I can't seem to open the link .

Try searching for item number 230537802753 on ebay.