I had a NA 1991 SE that rotted away after 25 years, and I know little about cars, so I hope to get some advice from you.
I saw a NC 2007 with 59k miles yesterday and I really want it. 2 owners, the 2nd from 2009. The bodywork is in great condition, one tiny dent and a couple of minor scratches. Interior is very tidy, everything seems to work, engine oil is pale and high level, the Mazda tyre mobility kit is intact and never used. Tool kit, wheel lock nuts and adapter present. Two keys.
Service history isn’t great, about seven documents, most recent was about 800 miles ago. Tyres are worn so I got the price reduced by a little.
HPI is clear, never failed an MOT and only one previous advisory regarding brake pads.
I have a deposit on it, and I will take it to my trusted Mazda dealer for a full inspection and health check after purchase. Will get it cleaned up and undersealed and cavity waxed if necessary. I want a car I can keep for 5-10 years.
BUT! What are your thoughts on the underside? It looks filthy to me, but there doesn’t look to be any bad rust anywhere. I took these pics yesterday. What do you think please? Thank you so much in advance!
In my opinion, that underside is in need of a good seeing-to to get the (apparent) surface krap off, and then around £400.00 worth of detailed anti rot applied.
Not enough photos to tell, but I’d be disappointed to see bad perforations.
But please…check thoroughly the bits the likes of MickAp dealt with. He’s a bit of a rottybotty Mk3 guru.
Also check out Mx5 Restorers YouTube Mk3 sessions.
And as far as dealers are concerned, try 10% off for cash.
“No” does not hurt the same as a boot in the nuts.
Alegedly
Based on the pics it’s dirty but doesn’t look too bad. The boot lid bubbling around the number plate lights is common and easily sorted. You can see the felt wheel arch liners in one picture. Well worth gently fiting them away (don’t tear out the mounting studs) and having a good firm push with your thumb or a blunt tool at the bottom forward edge of the arch. This is where the sills fail due to corrosion on NC’s due to water ingress into the hollow sill channel. I don’t think these liners help tbh as they hold moisture and dirt against the metal. Assuming it’s all solid the engine is good and it drives well it looks ok as far as I can tell. My first Job if I was buying it would be a professional clean off and under seal.
Thank you both very much! Really helpful. I did feel and rub around under the sills and arches, nothing on my fingers and sounded solid when knocked (not a scientific test of course!). It’s too far away to go back unfortunately. It seems to drive well, no smoke of any colour from the exhaust started from cold.
I will be getting it health checked, cleaned and undersealed at the Mazda dealer I used for my NA.
I’m not sure tbh. I use MKG3000 in Twickenham, they have always seemed good, reliable, and have MX5 fanatics in the workshop. I used to use Dandycars until they folded, not really convinced they were all they seemed in some respects.
Thanks, Jemster, they seem to be silly prices for NAs and NBs too, at the moment. The dealer gave me £500 off because the tyres are worn and it needs the underseal. So I’m happy enough.
I absolutely love it - had a broken spring at MOT time so I upgraded to sport suspension with Bilsteins and -30mm Eibachs and that’s transformed the handling, but other than that it’s as I bought it.
I had a 1.8 NB previously which I “Iconised” with leather and wood and that was a great car, but much more tiring to drive than the NC. I never actually liked the NC shape that much, but it’s grown on me and the engine’s a peach.
I was lucky enough to get a hard top for £510 which I’ve had vinyl/carbon wrapped and that makes it lovely and cosy in winter AND tightens up the handling a bit as well.
Delighted!