Hey!
I’m a newbie looking for an upgrade of car. First of all must say it’s a nice website and i guess it was a bit more packed before this new website (guessing by the amount of posts already!)
Anyway back to the point, i am looking to get an MX-5 in the not too distant future (after i’ve finished stripping the mods off my car and eventually sell it) and am looking for some advice. I’d really like the 1.8 over the 1.6 for a start as would like a bit of an upgrade in performance. Also prefer the MK1 shape to MKII which is good as they seem to be the ones in my price range. I should have around 2k to spend and was kind of looking for general advice as to what to look out for, whether these engines need particular heavy work at certain mileage etc. Also whether you lot knew of any particularly up for sale or any places to look for them other than the obvious ebay, autotrader, pistonheads and here.
I’d like one with ABS and PAS and preferably in black. Would be looking
to get a hardtop for it aswell so if it comes with one that’s even
better! Having looked throught the MKI buyers guide, it would seem the best one is from mid 93 to mid 95 as gives the 1.8 and better trim whilst still being old enough for me to afford easily. I assume this is sligtly slower to 60 than the series 2 that followed though with, from what i understand from the guide, a shorter final drive than the previous 1.8s? What are the accepted 0-60 times of this club for the 93-95 car as few websites seem to chuck up different results? O and from what i can tell only the eunos come with an LSD as standard? One i have seen i like the look of is here (link adding is greyed out?):
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/cars_popup.jsp?did=30170&pageid=1&originalid=&gid=nogroup&tid=20&start=7&distance=0&adcategory=cars&channel=DEALERPAGE&id=200851325707694
In the future i’d also be looking into modifying it so i’ll have lots of questions to ask there aswell! Seen a few nice modifications already that i like but so many so i find it best to get owners clubs opinions first.
O as just a quick intro to me, I’m Woody and i’m 19 studying automotive engineering (5 year MEng) in my 2nd year at loughborough university. At current i drive a modified yaris SR (old shape) and i am very active on yarisclubuk forum. I’m into my jap cars and modifying (for the record i’m into more subtle styling and performance mods) and looking forward to learning lots about the MX-5!
Anyway cheers in advance guys and girls and i hope to stick around!
Woody
G’day mate, Welcome to the Forum
The best place to start is here
http://mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/190.aspx
Plenty of information to get you going. You won’t get much info about 0-60 times, the MX5 is not about straight line speed, most hot hatches will walk all over it, and out here in Ozz, 4wd utes and Commodores and Falcons as well. It’s about the driving experience and playing on the twisties…that’s what it’s all about. If you want performance, then mount either a turbo or supercharger, some '5s so fitted will give Subarus and Evos a real run for the money…the choice is yours===
Hi,
Thanks for the quick reply! Started reading through all that now. I know the MX-5 isn’t the quickest car in a straight line but they sure live up to there hype in the twisties! Think i will be urged to go supercharged in future but take it one step at a time for now! For now i just get used to RWD properly.
Having not driven a RWD car hard on track, is there a large need for an LSD? I’m obviously used to FWD applications and so is it the similar case of lots of understeer without it? Also i heard it helps control on the limit as the rear will slide more progressively? O and i understand how they work etc but i meant in real life day to day and track situations how do they perform from a drivers point of view?
Other than that i read through rather than bombarding with questions!
Thanks again!
EDIT: Having read through it seems the 95 onwards engine has a higher compression ratio? How much more power did this make than the previous 1.8? Also it then says elsewhere there were some low powered 1.8s made around 95? Are these 3 different 1.8s or are both the old and low powered the same and the higher comp one is another? Not really fussed if it only a small difference but if it will effect the engine when modified or supercharged then i could be more worried.
Sorry for all the questions and appreciate any answers!
Hi, Worth keeping an eye out here too
http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?s=f90bf74d74292af1f16e3d62775d8902&showforum=51
For the record many people think the 1.6 engine to be more bullet proof than the 1.8 with very little notable power differance. But i`m sure you will get plenty of advice to the contrary.
Good luck with the search [Y]
Thanks will check that out too! Regards to engines i guess the 1.8 is still pretty bullet proof and so not worth worrying about it being unreliable as such (Well in comparison to most other non jap manufacturers of the time)? Also the 1.8 itself is under powered imo so the 1.6 just bit too close to my car atm. My yaris was the good side of 100bhp on a 1.3 engine with lightened pulleys and fully upgraded suspension and weighs around 800kg. That makes it probably faster than a 1.6 in straight line so think atleast need 1.8. Also again assume the 1.8 tends itself better towards modifications?
Haha amazingly they both are there! The EHB is, i guess, a bit trendier now as lectures theatres in old style gyms at back but cool bar with tv’s, pool tables and a shop in front. The puple onion was burnt down two years ago by security cam fire and since then had two more fires inside! It is a temporary style building atm half shop half kebab shop which is being repaired from last burning 
But yeah its pretty awesome in general!
Car’s looking very nice btw!
Any more advice about best year to buy? Seems 93-95 the best for interior and few other bits but engine not quite as good as later MKI 1.8s? Any official 0-60 of these as just a rough gauge for difference between 1.6 and 1.8? I tried searching but parkers etc seem to confuse themselves with the different engine revisions within the MKI’s. Also i’d quite like to supercharge it in the future and i assume the 1.8 can take a supercharger running at 8psi on standard internals? I’d like to be closer to 200bhp which doesn’t seem too unreasonable with few other supporting mods. That sound about right?
Greatful for anyones input on the whole thing as like as much information as i can possibly get before i start narrowing down my search!
Cheers for all that help! From looking on pistonheads it seems they bit overpriced on there but few other sites got them much cheaper so will look about a bit! Think 1.8 is the way for better brakes and that and then go from there. Will update as i progress with getting a 5!
Hey again!
Been doing loads of research on aftermarket parts i want etc and really getting into this 5 business! Had my first sit in a 5 yesterday at local mazda dealership but they only had MK2, 2.5 and 3’s. Also told me how a new revision was on it’s way out? Anyway that meant i only got to sit in the 2.5 which is very nice inside and had heated seats etc and lots of other nice bits of trim. However i still want a Mk1! The styling from outside is best on mk1 compared to mk2 imo so heart still set on it. When sitting in it i noticed my legs catch a little on the steering wheel which could cause a problem so definately be swapping out for a smaller one (as noticed no steering wheel height adjustment?). This leads me onto my question…
Is there any owners of MK1’s, preferably 1.8s, around my uni address at loughborough or my home adress in Aylesbury? If so any chance any owner would be so kind as to show me around one and perhaps give me a passenger ride? I would pay petrol money for them (aslong as not THAT far) and buy them a beer as a thanks! I believe this would be the best way for me to experience one hands on, specially from one of you enthusiasts! Means i can see if the steering wheel does indeed catch me, ask a few questions about the cars and get a feel for the performance/handling (from passenger seat). Meant to make it to this years JAE to look around a few cars but unfortunately missed it so thought this would be the best way. No local mazda dealers deal with MK1s and would feel a time waster going to look at private sales just to sit in them!!! I will look in the meets section to see if any near me but i’d personally prefer a 1-on-1 as i can see me having lots of questions and obviously only two seats in a 5 if i get a passenger ride!
Thanks in advance peoples and i assume i am supposed to post this in this section (hopefully lots of people will still see it!).
Woody
Post 1995 cars had a thickish spacer fitted on the steering column; this is fitted to all airbagged cars, and is a break-away, designed to momentarily stop the steering column from collapsing in an impact (so that the airbag hits you in the right place). It seems that Mazda started to fit this plate in all cars from mid-1995, and tried to account for the loss of knee space by fitting a steering wheel (the later Momo design, and later Nardi) with an offset centre. It is not fitted to any earlier non-airbagged car. So, an earlier car might have more room, but also, if thats not enough, you can fit a steering wheel from a post-1995 car to gain a bit of extra room (not a lot, but it counts). Additionally, if post 1995 Roadster has an aftermarket wheel (eg Nardi Classico), it may have a relative lack of space because the Japanese owner never bothered to remove the plate. BTW, I live in Leighton Buzzard, but often up in Queniborough (Leices, near Systen). Have a 1996 S-Special, but I fitted a different steering wheel (and took off the plate).
Thank you very much for your reply! All useful information to add to my knowledge of the 5. So basically i still ok to be going pre mid 95 like i had originally planned as this should give me slightly more space and can be increased if needs be? Wow your pretty close to me in both locations then! Is the S-Special a 1.8? (sorry for not knowing). Also that is after the interior material was changed isn’t it? Would be very interested to see a car after that revision as was told the interior can wear different if pre or post mid 95? i.e. you more likely to get better worn intererior pre 95 than post?
Any chance i could take a look around yours at some point?
Thanks again!
Hey’all!
I’m almost ready to sell my old yaris and am looking for my mx5 to replace it. I’m after a 1.8 MK1 UK model in black. I wouldn’t have thought they be that hard to find but the market appears to be flooded with eunos’ which i cant afford to insure (although i’d love a S-Special). Anyway i’m looking for one with sub 100k miles on and preferably an ‘S’ so i get a few goodies. Also it needs to have a black/cloth interior (i.e. not tan). Can be modified a bit as gona do that myself anyway. Apparently i want one from 95 or earlier for the better quality trim? O and finally it needs to be around £2k. Guess i could go up to an advertised price of £2.5k with the intent of bargaining.
Still looking for people to look around as gona try get to see as many before i buy. Also gona try make the hemel meet if i free to check out some MK1’s there.
Cheers in advance!
Woody
Sorry for not replying to your earlier comment.
Yes, a S-Special 1.8, the so called Series 2 1.8, which has the fuzzy carpet, higher compression engine, revised seat design etc.
The later seats of these cars wear very badly; strange because the material used appears very similar to earlier 1-piece seats. But, the UK seats, with adjustable headrests, all seem to wear badly on the bolster, no matter what year (UK seats didn’t changed 1994-1998). Also, the vinyl around the rake adjustment lever will split and tear.
Airbags on UK cars are more common than on imports. All MX5s and imports fitted with airbags, no matter what the year, will have the spacer fitted. Its not a problem for most, due to the eccentric steering wheel fitted.
Thanks for the update! I plan to supercharge the car later on so would that be another reason to get the lower comp 1.8 i guess? Any chance i could get a seat in yours sometime to see if the steering wheel proves problems with me? From all the infromation i heard it sounds ok but i hope you can understand i wana make sure i can atleast comfortably drive the car i want!
Thanks again
Thought i’d follow this up! In the end i bought a 1.6 Eunos S-Special! Got it for £1600 and has a hardtop so i happy with that price! Good condition mechanically but needs a little tlc externally. Mainly just the paint needs a good clearing up and a proper wash. Aint had chance yet because i at uni! Anyway i started a thread on it here:
http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/p/5987/30805.aspx#30805
(For some reason i can’t add links to my posts?)…there you go