Pro And Con Of Mk 1 V Mk 2 Eunos

Thanks for that advice -hmm getting more confused about this
Am only going to use this as a summer toy not a daily runner
Re the puppy analogy -that's so true -explains how i ended up with 3 border collies and a TVR wedge [which cleaned out my wallet -still hurts to think about it ]
Problem up here in Scotingland is lack of choice and dont really have time to travel to Englandshire with my job [im old but not yet retired ]
Anyone have 1st hand experience of Dandycars -seem to have some real nice well prepared examples -but as one might expect a lot dearer than private
Given that I live in Scotlingland ,i wouldnt be getting the full benefit of their alleged superb aftersales -so prob not worth extra bucks
Spoke to Steve at Goodwood cars who seems to be a genuine MX5 nut and his cars are more reasonable but prob not as well prepared as Dandy from what i can gather
If i were going private [which i have usually done in the past for my 7s] then ideally id like to find some uber MX5 anorak who has been there and got the T shirt -rather than some random who bought their car but knows nowt about the marque
In no great hurry [its going to snow again here next week -deep sigh] -
Finding a new car is a bit like chasing the ideal girlfriend -most of the fun is in the chase dreaming what it will be like -after that its usally an anticlimax IMHO -SWMBO excepted of course

Stirlingshire here.
I can guarantee you I will beat you in the grumpy stakes.

Basically, it goes thus.

1)There is no such thing as a bad 5 in good nick. There is one to cater for everyone. Choice is subjective, sometimes partisan.
2) Drive a few, get to know them..you have to live with it, not the seller.
3) Mk1's are old and will require a bit of TLC now and then, a good Mk2/2.5 is basically still plug n play.
4) Mk2/2.5's are hugely better cars in most respects, but lack the "MG I could never afford" cache.
5) You drive a MK2/2.5, but you drive & "wear" a Mk1. It moulds around your senses.
6)How do I arrive at all this wisdom? Cos I've got a Mk2.5 Sport (incredible) and a '94 Mk1.(As before + "soul")

I'm in Falkirk and will be happy to pax you in each.

grumpyoldfart said:

oops forgot to ask ......
Does anyone out there have experience of how the 1 mark specials like S and R run on the Bilstiens -ie the pros and cons of the handling v ride comfort
Does anyone have any experience of whether its really worth persuing an example with the Torsen LSD -ive always had one on my 7s as it allows you to nicely balance the car on the throttle
Also is there is a noticible difference in the performance of mark 1 1,6 v 1,8 brakes [latter im told are bigger ]

AND finally -anyone out there have exprience of driveability of either the HKS turbo or supercharged flavours -do they make much difference for fast road use -dont intend doing any track

Click to expand...

If you're used to 7's then you should fit right into a Mk1 5 no problems, for an older car they are still reasonably refined (My Mk1 Eunos came with aircon, electric windows, viscous diff etc), although the Mk2 just builds on that refinement and comfort.

I've never tried the Bilsteins, but from what I understand they can be quite harsh for road use.

The question about the Torsen diff and bigger brakes is linked to your question about turbo/supercharger really, if you were to go for a car with forced induction then if it hasn't already got the Torsen diff & bigger brakes they should be high on your list of items to buy for the car.
In my experience (190Bhp turbo 5)it is well worth fitting some form of forced induction, be that an aftermarket kit, one of the Mini Supercharger's which can be found cheaply and easily adapted to fit a Mk1, or my own preference (having bought a stock 5 and then fitted an aftermarket Turbo kit)... find a 5 which has had a turbo/supercharger fitted by a previous owner, it should save you a lot of work and work out cheaper than buying a 5 and then fitting an aftermarket kit. Also keep an eye out for the BBR Turbo 5's which basically had a factory fitted turbo kit when they went on sale in the UK.
Although the sound of a naturally aspirated 5 is very addictive, the extra power from the turbo/charger will make you grin like a little kid I never grow tired of it

If I were in the market to buy a 5 I'd go for: Mk1 1.8 Eunos

Mk1 more of a raw car. I had an S-Spec and the ride was harsh on the billies but I had lowering springs so probably a little more harsh than standard handled like it was on rails. Supercharged it myself and had no problems past the odd vacuum leak or temperamental idle problem. All easily sorted. Loved it, but it was 17 years old and beginning to become more than I could spend time on to keep her in the condition I wanted (my career has changed). So I sold her to somone who could put the time in before she became a problem.

My Mk2 is TC'd and IC'd and keeps all of the handling of the Mk1 but is more refined. I love my Mk2 just as much as my Mk1. It's just newer and as has been said still very plug and play.

Drive them both in all states. You will find them all similar with their own quirks. Badly setup suspension can feel awful and ruin the ride and handling on one but good on another can make all the difference You will find one that feels right for you.

You are welcome to a passenger ride in mine if you are ever down my way.

Hi,

Having just migrated from my 200BHP trackday orientated Caterham 7 to a nice 1.6 MK1 MX5 I can safetly say it will not be as quick, but the MX5 is not about speed it is about the hadling Mine is quite firm as it was cusco coilovers all round. The handling really is great.

Mines also has an LSD but unlike the Caterham which really needs one I would not see this as an essential item.

I would not be too hung up on getting a rare R spec one as people seem to be prepared to pay a lot of money for the rarity value, just depends what floats your boat.

Based on comments I expected the brakes to be poor but actually I think they are not bad as all.

P.S. it is a much nice place to be when it start raining

Tony

cheers -much to ponder -my S8 leaves tomorrow and im feeling sad in anticipation -bit like a girlfriend -seems more attractive once shes gone and then you think about her all the time eh -is that the same analgoy with girls [sarah]
But wavey i think you hit the nail when you said go for the one which SWMBO likes in terms of least aggro option and browies [she has hated every single one of my 7s but adored my Z3M which i didnt like ] -and there it will be the mark 2 for sure for SWMBO due to refinement -sonow i need to find a colour which goes with blonde hair [not dyed BTW] -any suggestions there from the girls on the forum for the ideal colour for grumpyoldwoman .
As for it being a girlie car -i actually [eek] quite like that as it means numpties wont ever want to wind me up ,cut me up try to race me [especially bikes ] which always seemed to happen in the 7 /westie -and i like to think being a modern grumpy ,im quite in touch with my effete side -but obviously 2 bokes in a 5 is not so cool [sorry if thats not PC thing to say ]
As you say i need to sit in a few and se what floats .