The Show us your MX5 Thread

R0551 said:
Ahh damn it, I've been putting off looking at cars for a while now but this is making me want an mx5 :( . Is there a certain model I should be looking for?
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Depends what you're looking for and how much money you've got.
From what I've seen and experienced, all three versions are very good, but do change as they get newer, becoming more relaxed and refined.
Key differences are:
- Early ones had a 1.6 engine. The later mk1s had the option of a 1.8, which then pretty much carried through all the mk2 and mk2.5 range.
- The mk2 and mk2.5 got slightly heavier, but added improved torsional rigidity and safety features.
- As a car, most of them are pretty basic, e.g mine has electric windows, but no central locking, some of the mk1s have no PAS etc. You need to decide what you want. I'm happy with the spec of my car, but other people might not be.
- There are a LOT of special editions, usually adding niceties like central locking.
- The mk1s all come with a plastic rear screen, that needs to be unzipped to prevent creasing and then cracking. There are aftermarket kits to replace with a glass type, but clearly that's not free.

Hope that helps.
 
£4500 will get you a pretty decent MK1 Eunos special edition with lots of fun bits. If you get a UK car then remember that the 1.6 was detuned from 115bhp to around 88 i think in order to make the 1.8 look better. This happened in 1996 i think but didn't affect imports. New mohair hood fitted is around £250. The vinyl windows are fine and there is a really good product called renovo that will 'clear' really scuffed cloudy ones.

Check the sills for basic rust and if the car has an LSD it may well be worth giving it an overhaul as the early ones were viscous and tend to revert to a standard diff after about 10 years. The forums on mx5oc.co.uk are a really good place to go for MK1/MK2/MK2.5 info.
 
Nobody got one of these Wind Breakers with the built in speakers then?

mark66 said:
...Another question for you guys; does anyone have the wind breaker with the built in speakers? I have been considering upgrading mine to the one with speakers but have been wondering if its worth the £80? It looks to me as if the speakers will be right behind the headrests?
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mark66 said:
Nobody got one of these Wind Breakers with the built in speakers then?
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i think you want them behind the head rests... makes for decent sound at high speeds or something. I know a load of the jap special edition mrk1s had headrest speakers, and i've been tempted to follow the guides to fit them into the mrk2 headrests :) but cutting the rest up is a little dodgey...
 
Ry@n said:
Firestar_3x, please could you tell me a little about your car ?

Like year, model, engine size, that kind of thing.
I am really interested in purchasing one like this.
Cheers :)
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Its a 1999, Mk2 iS, 1.8, 140Bhp 0-60 in 7.7 and has the Torsen LSD / Electric Windows / Electric Mirrors / ABS / Electric Antenna / Wind Deflector / Central Locking and other bits and bobs as standard.

Depending on budget you deffo want the 1.8 and you really want the iS or equivalent special edition much like sams sexy Conran :)

I've added quite a bit to mine, will get a list together soon!

Anything else just ask us lot, quite a nice bunch we are ;)
 
Been thinking of getting a MK1 mx5 as a 2nd car (like the pop up headlight look ;) )- probably a 1.6 as out an out performance is not really needed.... (use my mr2 turbo for that - also has pop up headlights ;) ).

I'm 6ft 3 though, which size 12 feet (though a pretty slim build thankfully ;) ). I know these are pretty small cars - whats the chance I could fit in one? :D
 
fizzy said:
I'm 6ft 3 though, which size 12 feet (though a pretty slim build thankfully ;) ). I know these are pretty small cars - whats the chance I could fit in one? :D
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its going to be a push, i know there are people that are about 6ft 2 that run them alright with bucket seats and different rails to give a further back and lower position... will kinda depend on your leg / rest of body distribution tbh. Had a mate in the passenger seat the other day whose 6ft 2 and while he had enough leg room he got a very cold head and couldn't really see directly ahead as the top of the windscreen was in the way!
 
Hi, I thought that I would add to this thread with a few pic's of my Five. I know it needs lowering, and thats my next job. :D :D

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^^^ Very nice :)

Few questions if you don't mind.....Are you pleased with it? How loud is it compared to stock? Did it fit under the bumper all ok or was some modding required? What make is it, IL Motorsport?

Cheers
 
Cheers :)

I'm very pleased with it, when you start the engine you can tell its a diff backbox, its a little deeper but not ott, on tickover it sounds no diff to the normal unit, driving normally it sounds a little deeper but put you foot down and it roars, above 6k with the car stopped its got a nice rasp.

Quality is second to non very nice bit of kit and well made, but you would expect that for £350!

http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/products_id/328

Edit, box goes right on, need to cut a little out of the bumper for the second pipe ;)
 
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