Many thanks to everyone for the advice and links. I’m particularily struck by the green or black one from the chap in northumberland (previous post). I’m away a few days now until Sunday however I may consider a trip up north to have a peek some time soon. Both look like nice cars the 1.6 being pristine and with ABS, the 1.8 being less spot on but having that bit extra grunt.
Do keep them coming - your help is going a long way to confirm how much should be paid for cars of various ages/condition/1.6/1.8.
Ian
Hi. Just a quick reply. There is a 1994 Mk1 V spec on Ebay now. Currently at £675. I Oldham, Lancs. Can have a look at it if you like. Regards. Mike.
Yes I’m over the moon with the V-Spec, I keep going into the garage to have a look at it, sad I know, but I just love it to bits, it just looks so right. I’ve already started spending, just bought a Eunos strutbrace, its a yellow one.
Dont laugh but I think I’ve found the one… not the solution I was expecting
1999 Mk2 1.8 full mazda service record 98Kmiles.
GOOD BITS
Having driven it today I found the Mk2 to be far more like a modern car yet still fun… put simply it felt worth the money (hope I havent upset any Mk1 drivers). It will come to me for £2100 including 12 months MOT. Its an honest motor with no crash damage,
BAD BITS
Hood does need to be replaced although I will probably make it do this summer, its not an ‘S’ hence no ABS, rear sill protection is bubbling - having pushed the bubbles they squashed and released water, there was solid metal behind however so I’m thinking strip it off, clean it up and re protect and it will be good to go (I hope), arches are fine.
So… does that sound OK value for money?
Sounds OK, mileage is a bit high but as long as the servicing is there no problems… just make sure you get the sills done ASAP, if you leave them it can get expensive quickly!
Wait carefully on the hood, there are loads about on ebay etc so don’t pay over the odds but don’t get a cheap copy as the fit on some is very poor.
Russell
As long as the car has been serviced on a regular basis, the milage should’nt be a problem.
Get that little bit of rust seen to. I’m sure you’ll have loadsa FUN…
Ian[;)]
p.s. I don’t wanna say i told you so…
Thanks both, just looking ebay there are some cheap vinyl roofs - especially if I’m willing to forfeit the glass screen, Dandycars seemed to offer a good value product. As to the bubbling I’m hoping its a simple diy clean up job - first thing I will do is get in my garage wheels off and get sills sorted and arches protected. I’m starting to get excited, I have seem others on ebay with S spec at similar price but their not close, the wrong colour orhaving other deffects so I’m thinking its ago on this one… yippie.
Treat it to a Mohair hood in any colour from Jack Smiths Swansea. £260 fitted or about £200 if you can fit it yourself. He will fit your glass screen if you have one.
Plenty of good reviews on the forums for Jack Smiths
I bought a tan vinyl hood from dandycars for £170 supply only. My car had a black hood when I got it, it’s a v-spec so why a black hood?!!
Great quality and fitted fine, even came with ‘idiots guide’ DVD step-by-step instructions. Took me 6hrs and being a bit of a muppet, I quite enjoyed it!
Well my mx-5 is snugged up in the garage. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed and helped me form my view of what was right for me. I started the week with every intention of going out and on tuesday purchasing the blue one described in my previous post. Funny how things work out, in 5 spare mins on Monday morning I ran another ebay search and listed on sunday night was:
Sept 99 (V) 1.8S BRG A/C Full service history, 12 months MOT, 5 months tax, 3 owners and a private plate sold with vehicle.
Upon ringing it became apparent this was located 5 mins from my work place, a drive and inspection at lunch time showed the hood to be original but servicable and sill rust to be very little. We struck a deal at £2100. Having spent the evening tinkering over it in the garage so far no nasty suprises. Very pleased and looking forward to summer![:)]
Congrats [Y] Great colour choice too.
Post some pictures when you get the chance.
That sounds like a bargain.
Just find a nice A or B road, drop the hood & enjoy…
Ian[H]
My advice is go for well kept MK1 any time. I have driven them both. The MK1 handles the best and is even slightly faster round a track because it weighs less than the MK2 . The MK1 has better looks and is more of a drivers car because when driven hard it tolerates no mistakes because its bites back especially in curves. I am talking about the 115 bhp MK1. My opinion is that every MX5 lover should have one in his garage, for me it is still one of the few best handling cars in the world. Long live the MK1s.
A well sorted Mk 1 doesn’t bite back, that’s left to MGFs Lotus Elises and the like. The 50/50 weight distribution makes the Mk1 MX5 the best handling and most forgiving of sports cars
All IMHO of course[;)]
Are you ever replying to my PM Geoff? [;)]
Congrats on the purchase IHC! very nice car by the sounds of it in a nice colour too, don’t forget to show it off with some nice pics!!!
he he i’m going for a drive now in my Mark 1 with the top down as the sun is out here in South Manchester[:)]
Long live the Mark 1!!!(and of course all other 5’s he he!)
Ben
Hi Paul, you have a PM. I must have had a senior moment, or too much gin! I just hit reply to the mail notification and sent you the diatribe that’s in the PM, forgetting[maybe not even realising], that the e mail notification is an automated thing.
As I recall the old forum just sent you a message, not the body of the text.
Must talk to Ramsay
Congrats on the car - glad it worked out
I have heard so many people say they had to search far and wide and travel miles to find the right car when just at the last minute the perfect car pops up for sales just around the corner
Happy Days [H]
Here we are initial pic… better to follow once its minted! Got rear shelf carpet out as both corners over drains are wet, I’m presuming drains are partialy blocked, will sort at weeked. Imagine its draining but simply not fast enough when raining well. So its in the garage for a while now whilst I tinker, its aleady had a new radio.
moderators please feel free to delete this post now I managed to get pics to work on preceding post.thanks