Things to look for in an MX5

OpenToSuggestions

OpenToSuggestions

OpenToSuggestions

Soldato
Joined
5 Aug 2006
Posts
11,423
Location
Derbyshire
Hey all.

Off to look at a 1992 MX5 tomorrow. It was imported in 2005. It has a dent on the drivers door that is supposedly small. It is up for £1000.

I have read this:
http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/425.aspx

I went to see someone today who has one. It was not for sale but she paid £4200 on a mint late mk1. Personally I think she paid £1500 too much even for a decent one. I was being stored on ramps 1m off the ground so I had a good nose underneath, but it was so pristine that I was unable to gauge what sort of condition is expected!

I will check for waxoil underneath, MOTs etc. I rang the current owner and he is a student who bought it for a trip to Europe over the summer. Luckily his dad has a much better idea about the car. My main concern is that it has had seven previous owners, but is this the sort of car people buy just for summer fun? I will walk away if it is not in top nick, but I am hoping that the seller is one of these who just doesn't realise what a good car he has.
 
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Check the sills as these are a problem point and if gone find another. The good thing about the MX is parts are silly cheap and plentiful so if the foundations are solid any will do as mending it will not cost much. A new door should be easy enough to fit and will cost maybe 30 quid!
 
£4200 for a mk1 is crazy money. My UK MX5 mk1 cost me £1400 and is totally rust free and only wants for a little bit of paint on one of the plastic mudguard things and a single penny sized slight indent on one door.
 
It also has a worn bolster on the driver's seat.
I will go and look at it and give it a thorough once over.

If I pay £900 for it then I will cope with a few cheap niggles. I will not buy a rotten one, a battered one etc.
 
Sills, sills, sills.

Mine will probably be scrapped soon as both sills are gone (were repaired ~4 years ago but are now back with a vengeance).

Then once you've bought it make sure you keep the drain holes clear.
 
The problem with the sills, is that most people just plate the outside, thats the easy bit, the rust comes from the inside, and if you dont sort that, then you can plate the outside as much as you want, it will keep coming back:(
 
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