I would certainly consider paying a £3k premium for a 30AE for a mostly equivalent spec ‘standard’ car. It’s just so unique.
Ok I’ve put a returnable £99 deposit down on the car at 17.5K, it was 18k this morning.
However……. (always a however) I routinely have a dislike of most car dealers. I asked for the reg to check the MOT history
BN69 BNV
It’s not awful but not great either. Disappointing maybe.
My NC which I’m selling to a very lucky chap over its whole ownership has never had an advisory!
Awful in terms of that reg gives no vehicle exits
Maybe you mean the sytner select, BN69 VBV?
If so, hub carriers gone/advisory. Not done either. If you go the Mazda route, that’ll be an easy £700 a side.
Low oil, poor windscreen wipers. Looked after?
I’d run, not walk from that.
Hasn’t that car not been mentioned on here before a couple of months ago?
I’ve got a 30AE and for me by far the worst thing about them is the paranoia about kerbing the wheels If anyone has aftermarket wheels that fit that they want rid of let me know
There’s a 30AE for sale by a OC member on here. Worth getting in touch?
Yes that’s correct. You see this is my distrust of car dealers, many just dont give a monkeys.
I don’t know what hub carriers do, if they’re missing then they must be essential?
Thanks
Nick
When I said the hub carriers are gone, I kind of meant gone as in failing/needing replacement. There’s a ‘hub’ on the rear axles with bushes in them. Some of these were poorly designed and fail well before they should. The car you’re looking at has ‘play’ in the rear bushes as an advisory, which basically means in MX-5 ND land that the problematic bushes are saying hello. It’s expensive if you go the Mazda route. And easy £700 a side. There are alternative options. A good tip is if you’re looking at the MOT history of an ND and see the bushings got an advisory, it’s not good news. Who knows too, even if they are an advisory on one MOT, but the next are not, maybe the tester didn’t spot them/think it was warranted to include it in the test results. Either way, could still not be done. Mazda did upgrade these bushes on ND’s off the production line from spring time ish 2021 (I think), so any, say, '22 plate ND or onwards hopefully won’t see the issue.
Thanks for your very succinct reply and very useful that I now know.
My ND had an advisory on the rear bushes. It’s a simple morning’s work to replace then with new ones. Don’t be put off with this as it can work to one’s advantage if you are mechanically savvy,
Thanks Ian, how much did you pay for the bushes?
I intend to keep the car till I’m at least 60 (I’m 55) so the AE30 would be a great spec to see me through. But the Sytner one, it going to need the new bushes and rear discs at some point in the near future. Plus what are those quilted car mats all about? Low oil so it has it been starved of oil or just needs a service?
There is 9k mile on on PH at £20250, which I think is really out of reach but it reads very well.
Or maybe the white G-Sport at £15000 with 33k, have to say white isn’t my top colour.
I have to make a decision soon as my car goes tomorrow, god I feel a bit sad about that now.
Nick
PS I really do appreciate all the advice and comments
The one on Pistonheads appears to have been an Irish car if that matters.
The Sytner one when discussed on here it was mentioned that an MOT test doesn’t include the oil being dipped so a warning light must have been on, which is never really a good sign
I’ve just paid £295 delivered for a set of 4 bushes and the fitting tool from Performance Bushes. The quality is excellent. The car is booked in with my local mechanic next week to fit but the install videos make it look like a simple job if you are handy and can raise the car.
I had a substantial knock and play develop in the offside rear so just getting all four bushes done for peace of mind.
I wouldn’t turn down a purchase of a car with the issue. You could even use it as a negotiating point quoting the Mazda fix cost you’d likely secure a discount more than or equal to the cost of replacing all the bushes.
Thanks that’s really helpful, I guess now its the oil issue!
How long ago was it discussed? Of course the sales guy was telling me it hadn’t been in for long…
Hi Paul, thanks but I’m looking for a 2019 car if poss. Nick
Apologies, it was here Thoughts on this car and anyone near Wolverhampton - Page 1 - Mazda MX5/Roadster/Miata - PistonHeads UK
So heading for 2 months in stock
My GT is March 2021 so presumably has the dodgy ones. Roughly how many miles before they start giving problems?
That’s great really useful, it’s bleeding hard trying to buy a car!