Thoughts on mk1 mx5

[Jtrigga]

So thinking of getting one best time of year to buy them as they are a lot cheaper, what are people's thoughts and experiences. I've done a bit of research seems the 1.6 is the best more willing to rev and an earlier one or import is what to go for as some have lsd and 115hp over 90hp.

[welshpug]

look for rust and leaks.

[toseland]

#

nuff said

[7057sam]

rear sill sections, rear wheel arches and front chassis rails near front subframe mounting.

On all phases every the imports have it.

[Dum-Dum]

I hope you enjoy welding up rust holes is my thoughts LOL

[tigerstyle]

I bought one from a mate for £500 at the very beginning of summer, tbh it's taken over from the 306 as my main car, the 306 has not had an MOT on it for 2 months now and hasn't moved in that time (that will change though, planning to get it fully taxed and tested over Christmas)

They are fun fun fun, and yes have rust, but mines a '91, 23 years old, what 23 year old car isn't going to be rusty?
Good thing is the replacement procedures for sills is very well known now and mx5 specialists are everywhere who can do the work fairly cheaply.
Leaks? Not so much, again a few simple mods to the roof stopped the tiny leaks coming in mine, and it's fully watertight. Good owners club guides on the fixes required.

Simple and easy to work on (obviously) doing the track rods on mine next weekend as there is a slight wobble I need to fix before I can get a full alignment done.

[r3k1355]

They're cracking little cars, really good fun to drive.

If you're going to commuting with it in the winter it's well worth upgrading the headlights.
Crystal clear housings and a set of nightbreakers is a massive difference from the stock sealed beam units.

[tigerstyle]

Did mine a few weeks ago, Wipac crystal headlights from landrover suppliers (standard 7" unit) are a cheap upgrade and well worth it.

[Piggy]

Are you a girl?

If the answer is yes, this is the car for you

#pointlessanswertruenonetheless

[THE_Liam]

Ok so now we've had the usual "hairdresser" comments from the usual suspects, here's the opinion of someone who's actually driven a few in anger.

DO IT.

Don't expect them to be fast, they aren't, even in the twisties (a 306 would have one there obviously), but that isn't the point. Revvy twin-cam, growly exhaust note, rifle-bolt gear change with perfect ratios, quick and communicative steering, great ride that copes well on a bumpy B-road, and most importantly the most predictable and forgiving RWD chassis ever, will quite easily slide on a wet roundabout at 40mph and is piss easy to catch. Plus, wind in your hair, pop-up headlights, Japanese reliability, 30mpg all for less than a grand.

They rust a lot, and hard-driven ones will have the usual warped discs and sloppy suspension, but find a lady-owned, looked after one (of which there are shedloads) and it will put a big smile on your face for very little money. I'm saving for one as we speak

[Dum-Dum]

Also make sure you test drive one before you buy it. If your a big person you might not fit. I genuinely cant get into one even with the seat all the way back. Had to have the roof off to get in then couldnt shut the door with my foot on the throttle as there wasnt space for my leg between the wheel and the door

[THE_Liam]

Also make sure you test drive one before you buy it. If your a big person you might not fit. I genuinely cant get into one even with the seat all the way back. Had to have the roof off to get in then couldnt shut the door with my foot on the throttle as there wasnt space for my leg between the wheel and the door

Really good point I should have mentioned. I'm only 5' 9'' but there still isn't LOADS of headroom, and because I'm stocky and wide in the shoulders I tend to find my right arm is a bit cramped against the door. Also, there's nowhere to rest your left foot next to the clutch pedal.

[Piggy]

....coz they are made for girls!!


(although cant argue with the fun chuck it sideways grin factor, still not enough to make me buy one though, never will shake the gay factor)

[THE_Liam]

....coz they are made for girls!!


(although cant argue with the fun chuck it sideways grin factor, still not enough to make me buy one though, never will shake the gay factor)

I feel quite sorry for you being so obsessed with image that you slag off a proper drivers car.

[Piggy]

sorry, MX5, proper drivers car!?

---

I own a manstain blue peugeot 306....

Really dont think image stops me from driving something!

[THE_Liam]

sorry, MX5, proper drivers car!?

---

I own a manstain blue peugeot 306....

Really dont think image stops me from driving something!

Read that and learn something. 

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search...-roadster/

The MX-5 is basically an 80's interpretation of a 60's British 2 seat roadster, like the MGB or Triumph Spitfire. Not to mention the fact that it looks very similar to a Lotus Elan, another 1600cc twin cam with pop up headlights...

[7057sam]

Would be a epic winter drift hoon though

[THE_Liam]

I'm very close to buying one, just holding out for a really good one.

[Jtrigga]

Thank you everyone for all the comments much appreciated I know the usual hair dresser jokes. But I think I've made my mind up looks like the estate will be up for sale soon anyone want a stage 2+ hdi lol.

[Piggy]

sorry, MX5, proper drivers car!?

---

I own a manstain blue peugeot 306....

Really dont think image stops me from driving something!

Read that and learn something. 

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search...-roadster/

The MX-5 is basically an 80's interpretation of a 60's British 2 seat roadster, like the MGB or Triumph Spitfire. Not to mention the fact that it looks very similar to a Lotus Elan, another 1600cc twin cam with pop up headlights...

flipping ek that was a boring read. and I like reading stuff like that.

Got to admit though, thats not much of an advert to say its an 80s interpretation of a MGB....goodness, what a shocking car that is!

I just have to much hate towards the things. I'm sure we all have that one car that we feel that way about!

[THE_Liam]

sorry, MX5, proper drivers car!?

---

I own a manstain blue peugeot 306....

Really dont think image stops me from driving something!

Read that and learn something. 

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search...-roadster/

The MX-5 is basically an 80's interpretation of a 60's British 2 seat roadster, like the MGB or Triumph Spitfire. Not to mention the fact that it looks very similar to a Lotus Elan, another 1600cc twin cam with pop up headlights...

flipping ek that was a boring read. and I like reading stuff like that.

Got to admit though, thats not much of an advert to say its an 80s interpretation of a MGB....goodness, what a shocking car that is!

I just have to much hate towards the things. I'm sure we all have that one car that we feel that way about!

You feel that way about everything you miserable scrote! Just go drive one

[Piggy]

I bloody have, driven nearly every mk and engine, mates got the latest one. I've rebuilt I think, three to date.

Just dont like em.

i dont thnk theres another car i feel that way about....Z3 comes close. As does the X5 and 4x4 porsche. But doesnt hit same nerve as this thing

[Pete]

Love 'em. Drove a mates mk1 Import back in the day (Had an LSD as standard, great fun) and Adopted the wifes UK mk2 1.8 for afew months. The Mk2 felt more refined but not quite as much fun as the mk1 IMO. Reliable too she had it 7 years it never let her down despite it not being serviced once (yep) As said abit cramped I'm just shy of 6 ft and only just fitted it. Oh and the cup holder was a PITA you couldn't change gear properly when you had a bru on the go (all the time in my case)

[THE_Liam]

I bloody have, driven nearly every mk and engine, mates got the latest one. I've rebuilt I think, three to date.

Just dont like em.

i dont thnk theres another car i feel that way about....Z3 comes close. As does the X5 and 4x4 porsche. But doesnt hit same nerve as this thing

Well you're in a minority.

[Eeyore]

How can you not love this?



I would love one but it would have to be a mk1 and I think the 1.8 with either a super ccharger or turbo! I think they look good slammed.

[Poodle]

Mgbs are awful, mx5s are awESOME though. (See what i did thar...!? ) Liam's got it on the head tbh, such enormous fun to drive. They really do rust like mad though, watch that lol.

If you're just wanting a toy and have another daily driver i'd seriously recommend turbo'ing it, fozzy has one and there's nothing else i've been in that makes me grin the same way. It's not particularly quick, in fact for the noise it makes it's amusingly slow, but hell it's a lot of fun!

[THE_Liam]

They are the embodiment of my philosophy of cars. It isn't what a car can do on paper that's important, its how it makes you feel. And an MX5 will always make you smile on a good road with the roof down.

[Piggy]

Nothing has ever beaten the grin I had driving a mates mk2 mini cooper (classic/real mini) for an afternoon after doing a tonne of work on it.
#realdriverscar hehe

[THE_Liam]

Nothing has ever beaten the grin I had driving a mates mk2 mini cooper (classic/real mini) for an afternoon after doing a tonne of work on it.
#realdriverscar hehe

At least you appreciate the mini as a proper drivers car. I think maybe you just can't handle RWD...

[Poodle]

Meh, a mini would be a drivers car if you could get real-sized people in it, as it stands it's just a tin can that causes me to knee myself in the chin when i come off the accelerator a bit sharply.