Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Like all girlies Mrs Opti has always lusted after an MX5. They do seem to be gender specific cars.

There's an original 1.6 version a few miles from us. What do you think? I wouldn't pay more than £800 for it, and I'd be buying it blind.

Take a few minutes to watch the video.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261068094252&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en#ht_2250wt_1031

[aaronjb]

I think:

You'll have to pay more than £800 for an 'actual' mint example (but probably get one described as such for £800)
Don't buy one blind, they hide rust really well (just ask a friend of mine who failed to spot the sill rust on a UK car he just bought for £800 which was described as 'mint'...)

[cem_devecioglu]

from the video I dont see anything wrong.. but personally I wouldnt pay anything before I checked underneath

[Elite Pete]

I know where there's a totally original and sought after Mk1 R Limited, no rust whatsoever and runs really well and its for sale. The good thing with the R limited, it will only go up in price, problem is its quite a bit more than £800

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Thank, Aaron, Cem and Pete. The auction closes in eleven hours and I just don't have the time to take a look. If it doesn't sell perhaps I could go pay it a visit.

Like Aaron says, the MX-5 is good at hiding rust..........and this one is 22 years old.

[Kevin Wood]

Yep, check the rear end of the sills particularly for any signs of rust. If there's any surface rust here, or signs of a quick repair, be aware that it works its' way out from the inside and needs quite a bit of surgery to repair properly.

Petrol tanks can rust and are difficult to get to (not easy to inspect either) so that job can be a serious PITA.

Mechanically they are pretty robust. I recall some issue with the crank pully working loose and the nose of the crank dying on early engines, so worth asking if that's been encountered and properly sorted.

1.6 could do with a little more go, IMHO, which is a shame because it's a sweeter engine than the 1.8, but that depends on her requirements.

Cam belt interval is 54K IIRC. Easy change once you've got the crank pulley off, though.

[Elite Pete]

Yep, check the rear end of the sills particularly for any signs of rust. If there's any surface rust here, or signs of a quick repair, be aware that it works its' way out from the inside and needs quite a bit of surgery to repair properly.

Petrol tanks can rust and are difficult to get to (not easy to inspect either) so that job can be a serious PITA.

Mechanically they are pretty robust. I recall some issue with the crank pully working loose and the nose of the crank dying on early engines, so worth asking if that's been encountered and properly sorted.

1.6 could do with a little more go, IMHO, which is a shame because it's a sweeter engine than the 1.8, but that depends on her requirements.

Cam belt interval is 54K IIRC. Easy change once you've got the crank pulley off, though.

Good thing is, they're a safe engine so if the cambelt lets go there's no damage done

[Kevin Wood]

Good thing is, they're a safe engine so if the cambelt lets go there's no damage done

Indeed. I've heard that too, but not tested the theory. Still a good bargaining point if it's due/overdue though.

[omega3000]

Like all girlies Mrs Opti has always lusted after an MX5. They do seem to be gender specific cars.

There's an original 1.6 version a few miles from us. What do you think? I wouldn't pay more than £800 for it, and I'd be buying it blind.

Take a few minutes to watch the video.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261068094252&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en#ht_2250wt_1031

Thats put me off getting one now then "girlie car" 

[Kevin Wood]

Thats put me off getting one now then "girlie car" 

Don't knock it 'till you've tried it. They are a hoot.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Like all girlies Mrs Opti has always lusted after an MX5. They do seem to be gender specific cars.

There's an original 1.6 version a few miles from us. What do you think? I wouldn't pay more than £800 for it, and I'd be buying it blind.

Take a few minutes to watch the video.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261068094252&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en#ht_2250wt_1031

Thats put me off getting one now then "girlie car" 

It's a real shame that the little MX-5 has such a  girlie/gay/hairdresser image because I understand that a well set up example is a great driver's car.

Embrace your feminine side, EMD. Plenty of pink MX-5 about.

[omega3000]

Like all girlies Mrs Opti has always lusted after an MX5. They do seem to be gender specific cars.

There's an original 1.6 version a few miles from us. What do you think? I wouldn't pay more than £800 for it, and I'd be buying it blind.

Take a few minutes to watch the video.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261068094252&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en#ht_2250wt_1031

Thats put me off getting one now then "girlie car" 

It's a real shame that the little MX-5 has such a  girlie/gay/hairdresser image because I understand that a well set up example is a great driver's car.

Embrace your feminine side, EMD. Plenty of pink MX-5 about.

 


I quite like the racing green one .... i think mr clarkson took one for a spin and was pleasantly suprised at the handling 

[Elite Pete]

I love it when people put up threads about MX5s, give me a good excuse to repost this

Take an empty airfield, my 1.8 MX5 a few Omegas and a Zafira

[albitz]

Yep,very girly indeed. ............I would have one like a shot if I didnt need more than two seats.

[omega3000]

I love it when people put up threads about MX5s, give me a good excuse to repost this 

Take an empty airfield, my 1.8 MX5 a few Omegas and a Zafira

Eggsellent