MX5 Owners in here....bring your curling tongs

[Will]

Interesting. There are plenty of folk getting 180-185 bhp out of the car but few have eeked more out of it without adding boost. Be nice to see other aftermarket options - nobody seems to have fully fathomed how to get much more out of the mzr in the mx5, owing to vvt, a slightly awkward ecu, and a stock cam/intake manifold setup thats great for low down torque but not top end power (max volumetric efficiency is at just 5k rpm on a stock car apparently). Frustrating when the similar duratec engine can safely see 200bhp (mountune fiesta st mr200).

 

[Ezah]

My colleague suggested the fuel cleaner flushed all the gunk onto the plugs and that may be the problem, I dont have the car with me to check just now, but does that sound feasible? I hope thats all it is.

Just an update, Garage says the plugs were completely black, so I hope thats the only issue and its an easy fix.

The bad news is that they refuse to change the timing belt (as and when it needs doing) as they "dont have the tools for it".. totally typical of my Mazda dealer when dealing with an import!
Anyone know if that job is significantly different on a MK2 than a MK3? Mine are due to be changed in 8k

Andy

 

[Will]

Mk3 engine has a timing cam...so no timing belt to change. So yeah, totally different!

 

[Ezah]

Got it, thanks dude. Better find a good indie and give them the workshop manual then, or ill be flying someone out! Any takers?

 

[rjk]

The mx5 parts exhausts for the mk2 are meant to be a bit loud, perhaps obnoxiously so....few people on mx5 nutz had them and got rid. There are a few videos on YouTube, they all souns very loud but not especially tuneful to me. Nicely made but a bit over the top if you ask me, may not be so bad if you keep the cat in place but I'd be wary.

I'd look at Racing Beat or the Cobalt exhausts (available from Moss Europe). Cobalt stuff is very popular in the US, and certainly well thought of on the forums. Racing beat is only a bit louder than stock, well made and quality items (im getting their manifold for the mk3). Both will add a sportier sound but stay fairly subtle

is the mx5 parts cat back not a replica of the racing beat?

if not then they look bloody similar.

I don't think she minds loud tbh, anything is going to sound quieter than my car in fairness
something thats quiet unless you're in the top half of the revs would be ideal.

i think suspension and wheels are first on her list. with power/noise mods coming second.

 

[Will]

Not sure to be honest rich, might be an IL motorsports bit (lots of the unbranded or 'own brand' mx5parts bits are made by them and arrive in their packaging). Mx5nutz is the best place to ask, loads of videos on youtube too..

Best exhaust ive heard for the mx5 is the larini system but they are rare and expensive!

 

[FishFluff]

I have a dilemma. I really, really want an mx5 but I currently live in a house where I'd be parking it on the road in an area that's not the best. Not horrific, but not good either. I'm worried that I'll end up getting the roof slashed but I'm more concerned about what exposing a mk1 mx5 to the british weather would do. Should I hold off until I move to a house with a garage in a few years time or am I being dumb?

 

[-westy-]

I have a dilemma. I really, really want an mx5 but I currently live in a house where I'd be parking it on the road in an area that's not the best. Not horrific, but not good either. I'm worried that I'll end up getting the roof slashed but I'm more concerned about what exposing a mk1 mx5 to the british weather would do. Should I hold off until I move to a house with a garage in a few years time or am I being dumb?

They're fine, if you're overly worried about the roof then just buy a hard top, for the winter at least.

Buy yourself a Eunos (jap import model) with the least amount of rust possible, then get it fully undersealed - it'll be fine then.

 

[The_Abyss]

I've just inherited a 2008 Mx-5. http://www.flickr.com/photos/gregkingston/11039592674/

It is a standard 1.8, but remarkably it has fewer than 3,000 miles on the clock (and three services too!).

I'm in two minds as to what to do with it. On the one hand I don't really have space for another car. This one has lived in a garage all its life - I can't give it that. I'd also like some cash to put towards my next planned car.

On the other hand it seems like it isn't really worth enough to sell, and so I should probably keep it.

Anyone else with one of these?

 

[FishFluff]

Buy yourself a Eunos (jap import model) with the least amount of rust possible, then get it fully undersealed - it'll be fine then.

Cool, thanks for the advice. I'm going to keep an eye out on the Goodwood Sports Cars site. Some of the jap special editions he gets in look amazing.

 

[Grimezy]

Purchasing a 2007 MX-5 2.0i Sport from my Company's Director this week. She's being forced into an SLK upgrade so I enquired and she said she'd rather sell it to me than part-ex it, getting it for £6k which is £1.5k less than what she's listed it for on Autotrader as well.

As far as I'm aware it's got all the bells and whistles; Stormy blue mica, leather heated seats, bose sound system, folding electric hardtop, 30k miles, full dealer history and loads of tax and mot, garaged all its life, plus she's only owner from new.

Only problem is I haven't driven it yet as the company insurance won't cover me (only 20) to drive it so I'm hoping it's going to live up to all the hype I've read about! Should be a nice upgrade from my 1.2 8v Punto

 

[sunn]

Is it a vinyl or mohair roof?

If vinyl then AG vinyl and rubber care does a great job : http://www.autoglym.com/products/products/vinyl-and-rubber-care

If mohair then GTechniq I1 is hard to beat http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/gtechniq/i1-smartfabric-coat-500ml.aspx

Stupid question, how can you tell? or is it very obv?

I picked a Roadster on sat (quite cheaply, hopefully), so far ok, although Tuesday morning it didnt like the cold too much ??? (just sounded rough until it warmed up)

I did many things you arent meant to do, first one i looked at, no history, dull damp day, im prob doomed, but loving it atm

130,000ish miles
1.8
6/7 months Tax/MOT
Cambelt, water, sills, service done recently
Black, ok, needs abit of tlc
Roof - ummmm, window cracked/scatched and covered in duct tape
No heat, bypassed for reasons unknown

Insurance is the same as my 1.0L Polo

 

[lordrobs]

Stupid question, how can you tell? or is it very obv?

I picked a Roadster on sat (quite cheaply, hopefully), so far ok, although Tuesday morning it didnt like the cold too much ??? (just sounded rough until it warmed up)

I did many things you arent meant to do, first one i looked at, no history, dull damp day, im prob doomed, but loving it atm

130,000ish miles
1.8
6/7 months Tax/MOT
Cambelt, water, sills, service done recently
Black, ok, needs abit of tlc
Roof - ummmm, window cracked/scatched and covered in duct tape
No heat, bypassed for reasons unknown

Insurance is the same as my 1.0L Polo

It is very easy to tell. Vinyl looks like a textured plasticy finish and mohair... doesn't!

Have fun with it! Back in the spring I went out to buy a cheap MX5 to do up as a bit of a project. Ended up buying by far the most expensive mk1 advertised locally which was mechanically perfect... oops! Cracking fun though, I love driving the Punto all week and then jumping in it for some proper driving

 

[Grimezy]

I take possession of my new (to me) MX-5 on Monday Think there's going to be a lot of sleepless nights till then... Here's some pics from the autotrader ad Perhaps not a typical 20 year olds car but should be great fun to drive.

 

[Conscript]

Looks lovely, it will be great fun I'm sure

Even though you're buying it coming into winter, don't let that stop you getting the roof down. The heater is fantastically efficient, so stick the heated seats on, grab a beanie to keep your ears warm and go out for a drive.

I do miss having a convertible sometimes, I must say

 

[Gaijin]

Even though you're buying it coming into winter, don't let that stop you getting the roof down. The heater is fantastically efficient, so stick the heated seats on, grab a beanie to keep your ears warm and go out for a drive.

Indeed, although be wary of the dirty looks you'll get. Driving home in about 3 degrees in a t-shirt after playing two hours of tennis, gets quite a lot of head shakes.

 

[Grimezy]

I'll try not to! A few of my mates have mk1's and they try to follow the philosophy of "no rain, no roof" but have wussed out a bit in the last few weeks. I'll try and have it down as much as possible as I find it looks a stupid amount nicer than with the hard-top up.

Already received the "girly" and "purple" comments from pretty much everybody I've told.... This car had best be worth it purely for the drive otherwise I may just jump off a cliff by the end of it -.-

 

[Conscript]

They will stop commenting once they've had a go in it.

 

[Grimezy]

They will stop commenting once they've had a go in it.

I hope! My mate's with mx-5's completely 'get it' and are pretty excited about it. It's mainly work colleagues making snidy comments which I guess is understandable seeing as it's been our Directors company car for 6 years so they probably can't see anybody other than her in it!

At the end of the day I'm upgrading from a 1.2 Punto, it's my second car, I can't have done that bad...

 

[Helios1234]

I find most people get excited about my MX-5, sometimes more so than me!

Also, driving it with the roof down on a cold clear morning/evening is actually very nice. Feels very refreshing. Enjoy the car!