4 replies to this topic

[Sconner]

Hey guys, it’s great to find space like this for enthusiasts.

I’m currently owning A3 8P from 2005, I’m not sure if you can get more boring car than that... so I came up with an idea of getting some unpractical, drivers car with high fun factor - all the roads were leading to mx5, and after I’ve seen pop ups I’ve decided that I want one. And I’m here, saying hello and looking around for a fun car! Nice to meet you fellas

[Zed.]

have you a specific car that you fancy or is it just a mk1 you want?

 

theres plenty out there but prices are creeping   

Rich.

[Sconner]

Currently only mk1 floats my boat, also it should be the most accommodating for my height 6’1.

There’s plenty of them around but the spec that I want makes it harder. Ideally it would be 1.6 115bhp with AC and power steering in red with cloth seats for about 2000. If I can’t find anything by the end of February I’ll go for compromises

[AndyAlfa]

Currently only mk1 floats my boat, also it should be the most accommodating for my height 6’1.

There’s plenty of them around but the spec that I want makes it harder. Ideally it would be 1.6 115bhp with AC and power steering in red with cloth seats for about 2000. If I can’t find anything by the end of February I’ll go for compromises

That is beggared bodywork money these days unfortunately. MX5 na doesn’t do well in the U.K. water gets in between the inner and outer rear arches and can sit in the sills too and while they can look superficially sound, horrible problems often lurk within up to and including the A post. The stuff about 300 a side fixes - I’m not sure that was ever true and people who really want to restore a 2k car can spend 3,4,5k with the welders and that’s before you get to doing other bits. The good thing is parts availability is actually improving.

If you do want one in all seriousness buy a borescope -they are £70 but do get one get the sill scuff plates off - there are inspection holes under and down through the hood drains too. If what you see doesn’t make you wince, even if the car looks okay from outside, then it’s probably a car worth considering.

The NB is actually worse for rust as they rot their front chassis beam more too. The NC is a completely different car.

[Sconner]

@AndyAlfa thanks for your response! That's actually a very good advice. Borescope is ordered and I'll look for some videos of how to inspect an mx5 with it.

Sadly because of the lockdown I can't travel far to pick up one that I like, people have been fined for doing so. Looks like finding one is gonna take me waaay longer that I expected.