I’ve just signed up as I’ve pretty much convinced myself that I want an MX5. I’m looking at getting a Mk2 1.8i S as I want the ABS/Electric mirrors and Torsen LSD I’ve seen a few approaching the 100k mark - should I be even slightly concerned about that? I know the reliability is legendary but is there anything that might start getting creaky by then? (clutch/gearbox etc?)
My other question is about hard tops. I get the feeling that a lot of people aren’t keen I’m going for an MX-5 for the fun factor, reliability, availability of parts and the huge community - having a removable roof doesn’t come into it for me! Previously I’ve had a manual roof Honda CRX (Del Sol shape) and hardly ever removed the roof. So… How often do hard tops come up for sale? Do people look out for one matching the colour of the car or get them sprayed? Also, I’m sure a few years ago I saw an ebay seller selling aftermarket hard tops. Are there any 3rd party tops available?
Oh - and one more thing, There’s a mk2 fairly close to me that’s advertised as a 1.8i (not ‘S’) but the description states electric mirrors, leather seats and alloys - does this suggest that it’s actually a 1.8i S?
Your right about the reliability - seen plenty of the little cars do 150k even 250k miles as long as maintained. It would be beneficial if you could find one with history for that extra piece of mind but the general advice is to buy the car on condition and how it drives. Usual wear and tear is common of course, gearboxes are sound - maybe the clutch could be looked at ( I know the slave cylinder can go after some miles) but these things are cheaply repaired and you will know the minute you test drive the car how the cluth etc feels so I wouldnt worry too much. 1 Thing I would check is the camblet and when it was done (should have been around 52 or 58k) On a 10-11 yrs old car 100k is pretty average and at least you knwo the car has been used regularly so reliable to someone else.
Hard tops - personally not a fan but thats just becuase I want to get everything the car has to offer. Even if its only occasionaly you probably want the freedom to drop the roof if the fancy takes you and a roof down drive is even more exhilirating that with the roof up. Roofs if in good condition are pretty watertight.
Hardtops sell for anything between £350 for a poor condition one to maybe £500 - £600 for an immaculate example from what I can see. If you can get one in your cars colour happy days but I know of some who have resprayed. They are not all genuine Mazda hardtops but IMO that doesnt matter.
The car advertised might be an S and the seller hasnt mentioned it…I am not sure but I think some 1.8i’s had the leccie windows etc. A greater mind than me will be abel to correct if I am wrong.
I’m with you on not caring about having a soft top - I’ve removed my soft top and only ever use the hard top. Mine was red when I got it but I sprayed it satin black with rattle cans which would look OK on pretty much any car (but is a perfect match on my satin black car)
High mileage isn’t a worry either - my car has had years of track abuse and after 150,000km and two different turbo conversions is still going strong. Amazing engine and cheap parts too.
Cheers for the info. I sold my car and I’m currently driving my dad’s K reg Nissan Micra (only 4 forward gears!) so I’m keen to get something soon. I’m off to London for a few days though so it will have to wait until next week.
Captain Muppet - I have a thing for satin/matt black cars, any pics of yours on the forum?
Thanks for saying nice things everyone. I need to make a new carbon wing this year (my driver’s side one is just held together with cable ties now) so I’ll do a full “how-to” photo story with insructions. Just waiting for enough time off work to do it.
Captain muppet "Thanks for saying nice things everyone. I need to make a new carbon
wing this year (my driver’s side one is just held together with cable
ties now) so I’ll do a full “how-to” photo story with insructions. Just
waiting for enough time off work to do it."
Thought i reckognised your name, seen your car pasted all over driftwork forums! looks proper sweet! and nice to see it actually being used instead of being garaged [:P]what is the quality like on those front carbon pannels you make?? dont suppose you fancy selling some? [:P]
Quality on the front wings is shocking [:)] but the next one should be better. I did them to cater for increase steering lock and in competitions they only have to look good from a distance and at speed.
I used to make an sell carbon bits for Civics/CRXs and after a year or so of very hard work only lost a few hundred quid after selling loads of excellent parts. The problem is you can’t sell reject parts and you only find out if a part has defects after you’ve made it. That and the enormous start-up and tooling costs for each component means it really is a hard way to make money.
I’ll do a “how-to” thread when I get round to making my new wing, and then work out how much it’d cost to make some for someone else. I’ve been putting this off for over a year now, so don’t expect any news soon.
