Mx5??

[Grant Monkhouse]

So I\'m thinking of getting a cheap mx5 to have some fun in. Have been looking at this 1998 Mazda MX-5 1.8i Sport 2dr-6 Speed Manual
What should I look for in one of these cars?? Obviously I want the 140hp version as need a little bit of poke.

Budget is ~1,000 the cheaper the better though. Plan is to keep it nice and cheap so money goes into the rx4 but be able to have some fun in one of these until the rx4 is good to go

If anyone is selling one of has a mate selling etc let me know. Needs to be localish to Huddersfield

Thanks

[clive]

Hi Grant

Try this site

http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showforum=51

[steve garbutt]

Hi Grant.
Only thing to look for is the sill sections, wheel arches as replacement panels are pricy and brakes.
The rest of the car is near indestructable

By the way I\'ve replied to your text

[Brett]

Mk2\'s seem to rot as badly if not worse than Mk1s... Mk1 has more cabin space as well. (I tried both)

[Will66]

MK2s have issues with rust in their front crash structure or so I heard.  Mk1s are nice but they\'re tight for space for me.

[Grant Monkhouse]

I have just looked at one over in Wakefield, aweful my resprays rear bumper, indicating maybe been damaged, and the rear arches have been badly repaired.  They have t even bothered too match the paint but just used a silver out of a rattle can. No lacquer. I walked away before sales rep could start chatting. Not worth £1300

[Grant Monkhouse]

Considering having a look at this one http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201307137800005/sort/atcustom/postcode/hd58rb/radius/60/make/MAZDA/model/mx-5/price-from/500/price-to/2000/page/1

Much better colour than the one I just looked at, what do you thi I I could get it down too?

[Brett]

Very few decent pics of the bodywork there...

There are so many Mx5\'s out there you will find a good one, and there is no need to settle for a poor one.

[Grant Monkhouse]

Yeh, I think if I rush into buying one I\'m going to end up with something crap. Just get a little impatient at times. I\'m in 2 minds as to whether to get one that\'s good body wise but better off stripping it out and go do a track day or 2 but keep it road legal as I have no trailer. So I could get one that\'s not so great and real cheap.

Looking at the price range and condition of them online I don\'t think anyone knows an appropriate value, some with 120,000 miles for 2grand, some with under 100,000 miles 1100?! All have the same spec etc. only considering the 1.8s and none pop up light versions though.

[Brett]

1.8 non pop-up is what I was going for... ended up with a JDM 1.6 with pop ups

Just get the best one you can find - everything else can be swapped, changed or upgraded for beer money.

[jetpilot]

They weigh so little in base form is there any point stripping them out, i would say keep it as a nice usable/comfortable car on the road too

I enjoyed my mk1, 70mph felt very quick through twisty a and b roads. Just sort the suspension and your on to a winner, road or track

[Grant Monkhouse]

What would I need to be looking at for suspension? Iv all ready been looking at some RB antoroll bars and some lowered stronger springs, and I haven\'t even got a car yet?!

[jetpilot]

I had Gaz Golds on mine, but was never really happy with them, but they do get good reviews, maybe something just wasnt right, i just couldnt get them set up how i wanted it to feel.

There are a wealth of others to choose from and all the usual suspects, Teins, BC, Meister R etc

Mx5nutz is a good forum and the lovely thing about Mx5\'s is everything and anything is cheap and readily available as there are so many around

[Grant Monkhouse]

Yes cheap is my target for this. Why I decided on an mx5, as I can get an rx8 for ~1500 but it gets so expensive with those, and they\'re a biiig car. And they don\'t have a convertible roof

[jetpilot]

I actually made money on my Mx5, took a bit of punt when buying, no mot or tax, but it was solid which is all that mattered in my eyes.

You will have loads of fun buddy, its quite a novelty driving within the speed limit and still feeling like you are going fast.