Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 20 July 2012, 11:05:57
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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 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261068094252&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en#ht_2250wt_1031)
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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'...)
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from the video I dont see anything wrong.. but personally I wouldnt pay anything before I checked underneath :y
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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 ::)
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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. :y
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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.
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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 ;)
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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.
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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 (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" ::) :'( :( ;D
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Thats put me off getting one now then "girlie car" ::) :'( :( ;D
Don't knock it 'till you've tried it. They are a hoot. :D
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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 (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" ::) :'( :( ;D
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. :y
Embrace your feminine side, EMD. :-* :-* :-* :-* Plenty of pink MX-5 about. ::) ::) ;)
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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 (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" ::) :'( :( ;D
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. :y
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 :)
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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 ;)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h64/pickledpepper/th_MOV00010.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/albums/h64/pickledpepper/?action=view¤t=MOV00010.mp4)
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Yep,very girly indeed. ::) ;D ;D............I would have one like a shot if I didnt need more than two seats. :y
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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 ;D :P :P
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If I could afford to buy back the R Limited I bought for my wife, I would ::)
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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 ;)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h64/pickledpepper/th_MOV00010.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/albums/h64/pickledpepper/?action=view¤t=MOV00010.mp4)
Noooooo.......not possible. Some Dick Dastardly fella must have pulled off the 1..3..5 coil pack. ::) ::) ;)
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Try one of these, personally i'd rather have a 4 pot turbo ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt39DhYBaA0
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Some MX5/Emma Peel Elan, historical data.
Mazda 2.0 MX5........130MPH.........7.1 (0-60MPH)...........20.8 (0-100mph)........tested by Autocar 2006
Elan Sprint 1.6.........122 MPH........6.7 (0-60MPH)...........20.3 (0-100mph).........tested by Motor 1971.
The old Elans were pretty quick for their time. The Sprint version only had 126 BHP.......but weighed less than an MX5. :y :y
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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. :y
Won auctions for motors before and walked away when the "item is not as described".
Recent one was a xj8 which "needs a service" which on meeting the chap and checking the motor had a pronounced misfire and a chain about to jump out the block.
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The old Elans were pretty quick for their time. The Sprint version only had 126 BHP.......but weighed less than an MX5. :y :y
I bet most of them weigh even less now the steel chassis has disappeared.. ;D
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The old Elans were pretty quick for their time. The Sprint version only had 126 BHP.......but weighed less than an MX5. :y :y
I bet most of them weigh even less now the steel chassis has disappeared.. ;D
A good Elan is worth a small fortune now. I'm sure the original MX5 was based on it. :y
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just to add my tuppence in :)
my girfriends now on her second mk1 mx5. the 1st one was thoughfully set on fire by a local garage we asked to weld the sill for the MOT >:(
as mentioned before structurally check the sills, check the sills ..... oh and while you're there check the sills ;)
mecanically their pretty good, top end can be a wee bit rattly at start up but so long as that goes away quickly its ok ... another famous weak point is that they overheat. on both my girlfriends changing the rad fixed the problem, you can get new ones off ebay for less than £50 so not too dear ...
must admit I've driven both of them and like them a lot. I'd have one and I'm definately not a hairdresser ;D
Brett
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At 6ft 2 I recall not fitting in the one I tried to drive !!
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At 6ft 2 I recall not fitting in the one I tried to drive !!
You must have had the roof up Jon ::)
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The old Elans were pretty quick for their time. The Sprint version only had 126 BHP.......but weighed less than an MX5. :y :y
I bet most of them weigh even less now the steel chassis has disappeared.. ;D
Yes, and the chassis disappearing is a great excuse to get one of these and drop a Zetec in. :-*
http://www.spydercars.com/ (http://www.spydercars.com/)
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At 6ft 2 I recall not fitting in the one I tried to drive !!
You must have had the roof up Jon ::)
Imagine having to have the roof in this glorious country ::) ;D
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just to add my tuppence in :)
my girfriends now on her second mk1 mx5. the 1st one was thoughfully set on fire by a local garage we asked to weld the sill for the MOT >:(
as mentioned before structurally check the sills, check the sills ..... oh and while you're there check the sills ;)
mecanically their pretty good, top end can be a wee bit rattly at start up but so long as that goes away quickly its ok ... another famous weak point is that they overheat. on both my girlfriends changing the rad fixed the problem, you can get new ones off ebay for less than £50 so not too dear ...
must admit I've driven both of them and like them a lot. I'd have one and I'm definately not a hairdresser ;D
Brett
Oh you mean check the sils :'(
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc41/milleblack/download.jpg)
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Lot of car and a lot of fun just sold mine with 230 thousand on it and i got over 1k for it, but it was a well sorted one with no rot :y
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Have a look at the sills on this one then make sure you check and check again cant link but here's the item number 120950069322 :y
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The old Elans were pretty quick for their time. The Sprint version only had 126 BHP.......but weighed less than an MX5. :y :y
I bet most of them weigh even less now the steel chassis has disappeared.. ;D
Yes, and the chassis disappearing is a great excuse to get one of these and drop a Zetec in. :-*
http://www.spydercars.com/ (http://www.spydercars.com/)
Ooh that would make a fun nippy little toy! Must add it to the list of "If I won the lottery" cars ;)
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has anyone mentioned the sills ;D
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-CAR-Mazda-MX5-similar-to-eunos-PROJECT-spares-or-repairs-awesome-car-/120950069322?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item1c292f984a
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has anyone mentioned the sills ;D
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-CAR-Mazda-MX5-similar-to-eunos-PROJECT-spares-or-repairs-awesome-car-/120950069322?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item1c292f984a
:o A good donor vehicle for a Westfield build. :y
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has anyone mentioned the sills ;D
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-CAR-Mazda-MX5-similar-to-eunos-PROJECT-spares-or-repairs-awesome-car-/120950069322?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item1c292f984a
Must be a place the water is getting in for them all to rust in the same place , easy ish repair though :y
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has anyone mentioned the sills ;D
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-CAR-Mazda-MX5-similar-to-eunos-PROJECT-spares-or-repairs-awesome-car-/120950069322?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item1c292f984a
Must be a place the water is getting in for them all to rust in the same place , easy ish repair though :y
The rain water from the back of the hood drain via holes in the rear quarter, the drain holes block and they start to rot :(
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Now that's how to sell a car!
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has anyone mentioned the sills ;D
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-CAR-Mazda-MX5-similar-to-eunos-PROJECT-spares-or-repairs-awesome-car-/120950069322?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item1c292f984a
Must be a place the water is getting in for them all to rust in the same place , easy ish repair though :y
The rain water from the back of the hood drain via holes in the rear quarter, the drain holes block and they start to rot :(
That would do it then , just a quick poke with a wire now and then to avoid further problems :y