Hi I am looking to get a Mk1 MX5 in the new year ,the car is a automatic 60miles on the clock ,can anyone give me any tips what to look for it looks in very good condition at first glance it has been serviced with good bodywork,how do the automatics compare with manuals not worried about a fast car just looking for a fun car.
I started with an automatic Mk1 as it was cheap and round the corner from me just when I was looking for a car. I loved it, but something always felt missing - I switched after a year to a near-identical manual and loved it even more! If you are just out to cruise around in a pretty car then automatic is fine, but be warned it is a fairly clumsy automatic gearbox (though bombproof) that you will need to work hard on hills. Oh, and keep the overdrive switched ‘off’ at all times (side button on gear selector on 1.6 models) unless you hit 50mph for a long stretch, or it will switch constantly between 3rd gear and 4th (overdrive) really annoyingly around the 30mph mark. Fuel consumption is also considerably worse in the auto, as is braking. To be honest, looking back I should have looked around further and got a manual from the off. You might want to do the same. Plenty of deals on Ebay and Autotrader on Mk1s at the mo. On the upside, you will know it has never been thrashed about lol
I’m not sure I’d ever want an auto MX5, simply because it is a nimble sports car - you would lose so much with an auto box.
From what I’ve read, the box is designed to be fast, so it’s not as smooth as you might expect, especially between first and second.
However, if that’s what you’re after, then check for rust around the sills since it is a problem area.
Mechanically they are quite bomb-proof, but the frequent service intervals (especially as the cars are getting older) are potentially going to get ignored, so just double check that all is OK.
I wouldn’t be too badly put off if it is not perfect, or one here or there that is missing/late, but if nothing else, it is a good haggling point!
Collected the H reg mx5 last month and the auto box is great and is very nippy which was a bit a suprise its in very good condition good hood and very clean inside just need to meet other MX5 owners in the Essex/Suffolk area.[:)]
Well done on the purchase, have a look here
Eastern Region for activity in your region 
Hello
Do you still hsave the car.
I have a K reg and work in Clacton.
John
Yes still have car and still in Clacton ,what car do you have ?Saw a Mariner blue today?
john