Oh dear, I’ve gone and sold my MX just when I’d got it Just how I wanted it.
In brief: I’ve just sold our old family hack, a VW Sharan and have bought in its place a low mileage almost like new 2018 Honda Jazz. We bought this over a Mazda 3 we’d seen a few weeks back. The Jazz really is a mini big car.
To replace the MX I had put a small deposit down on a Lexus ISF and initially was happy about that………. However, I’m reasonably sensible and that part of me overcame the rest of me. ISF, brilliant car but high fuel costs, punitive tax and euro 4 started to make me feel very uneasy, so I decided not to buy.
So my MX is being collected tomorrow and I’m happy to move it on. It is though quite a fantastic car so what do I do next?
Well I’m now thinking that really the only car I can happily replace it with is a ND and I have a few options so no need to rush.
I’m thinking I want the later 184 ps 2.0 litre and for a 2019 the cheapest on AutoTrader is just under 15k with 33,000 miles or a 30th edition at 18k also with 33k. So here my question is, is the 30th worth the extra £3000.
I doubt I’ll go down the BBR route again as I spent a fair bit and I think a newer 184 ps car will be fine.
Also I posted in the summer about the 2016 BBR Phase 1 turbo that is still on Autotrader. If I thought that could be reliable that might be worth a look.
Lastly my budget of about 17k had me looking at also had me looking at Merc E/C class cabs and 3.0 Z4s but I realise I need a MX5 in my life!
Any suggestions anybody as I really dont know what to do.
There is no doubt its hard to match the fun of the 5, you could get into a Lotus Elise for your budget if thats something you fancy but you would lose some of the comfort of the 5.
I often see BBR cars for sale and it does make me wonder why someone would spend £10k on one doing the conversion and then selling, makes me think they can be troublesome and BBR are not easy to deal with once your out if the door so ive heard.
Id probably just go for the ND 2,0 and enjoy it for what it is, if you want a faster car then buy one is my motto. Ive come to the conclusion that speed isnt everything now im getting older.
I love my AE30 but to be honest your decision would be whether £3000 is worthwhile for orange paint!
The only other thing you get are the Recaros, I know there is more but you could swap out the shockers and to be honest is a “normal” ND1/2” underbraked, the Brembos just double the price of their own maintenance.
Sacrilegious perhaps, but if I was looking for a weekend car a base 1.5 ND2 would be my choice - no unpleasant LSD action and more gear changing fun!
Hi Nick, I went through a slightly similar process earlier this year, as I was set to buy a friend’s Boxster so put my NC2 up for sale. Unfortunately, following a specialist inspection it turned out not to be quite as thought and put me off going through with the purchase. In the meantime, I’d had viewings and an offer on the Mazda.
I also considered a Z4 (E89 revision) and test drove several examples. But to be honest, as nice as some of the engine options were, it felt more like a cruiser than a sports car. Then I came round to thinking about an ND, which I’d initially discounted given the PRHT version of the NC2 worked so well, and I personally don’t like the look of the RF. I don’t understand why they couldn’t have taken a similar design approach as they’d done with the NC, but there we are! So I tried a ND roadster version and the rest is history as they say…
In your position, I’d buy the best example of an ND2 2.0 that you can, for the budget you have available. I think you’re right to stay away from pre-owned BBR examples. Also with that ND1 turbo that’s still available, I’d question why it’s still for sale after that length of time. With the 30AE, as has been said, it depends how much you like orange paint
Good luck with your search, and with whatever you decide on
Maybe an ND2 circa 2019-2021, before what seems the ole gearbox problems have become a possible thing again. Depends on if you want the soft top or RF. I wouldn’t buy an RF personally, but I wouldn’t buy a car with miles on with a soft top either, as I don’t know how it was maintained. So I reckon I’d go RF if my only option was a used ND. Your requirements/preferences/wants will most likely be different of course.
Yes, an ND1 turbo, with that gearbox. Well, someone with significantly less risk aversion than me would go that route.
I’m not sure I agree with the recommendation to steer clear of used BBR cars. I bought one a few months ago and it’s been faultless so far. If the right car comes up an ND1 Super 200 is a much cheaper way into considerably more performance than a standard ND2. Also worth considering the suspension, wheel and brake upgrades that BBR cars often come with. All a matter of taste and risk appetite, sure, but I’ve not read much about people being unhappy with their BBR cars, given the volume that they’ve converted.
I cannot advise on your options but wanted to say I enjoyed your story/ journey to this point , i think many will say it is totally your choice go with your gut please share pics on your next 5 regards Richy TDA
Yesterday I was looking at a 2018 1 owner E Class Cab E300 with 43K for £18,000. Definitely not for me. Perhaps this shows that MX5 prices are holding up and what a fab car it, but we all know that!
BBR did my 200 in Feb 22 and its been trouble free in that time. On the red onbe someone when I mentioned in the summer that it had pitted discs and so in and it didnt look like a well cared for car and I think I agree with that, but still worth a call.
There’s an ND1 turbo on Pistonheads that looks like a better value option than the Autotrader one if you’re considering those. Looks quite a bargain to me.
Hello Nick, It’s a shame you’re not local to give an ND2 RF a go that we have in stock.
We have customers in this predicament often with NC’s, as ultimately the special editons on NC’s are mainly colour combination changes rather than mechanical differences.
I also bought a second-hand BBR, and it has been completely fault free. I’ve certainly never seen any suggestion that BBR conversions (especially those installed by BBR themselves) are in any way problematic.
I’ve also had my last 2 services done by BBR, and I have found them to be friendly, competent and helpful, so I don’t know where the “difficult to deal with” idea came from.
They are not the cheapest, but their work is of a very high standard.
That’s my experience also. I sold my BBR Super 220 ND at a great loss as a result of reliability issues. Yes, people are going to be happy when everything is hunky-dory, but when things go wrong it is not a pleasant experience.
If it were me (knowing what I know and being the owner of an ND1 BBR Turbo) I would buy the AE30 personally.
My BBR experience left a LOT to be desired (multiple problems during and after). I also think BBR may have had a lot of success with the earlier cars but for whatever reason I’ve seen a number of owners having issues with them and the ND platform.
A 15k BBR Turbo car may look a bargain, but without supporting mods you’ll end up modifying it and it won’t be as reliable as a ‘standard’ car.
