Been wanting to get back into RWD cars after owning a Skoda Rapid (don’t laugh, they’re great fun!) years ago and getting bored with FWD cars.
Did a bit of digging and the MX5 looks to be the perfect car.
I’m on a fairly tight budget and don’t want any frills, so a Mk1 1994/5 1.8i poverty spec with no PAS seems to be the way to go.
I’ve been reading up a bit and just wondered what opinions people have about these particular models, the different merits of PAS or otherwise, is it a good time to buy? etc.
It’s a great time to buy. Don’t worry to much about the age and don’t be put off by imports. Virtually no difference between an early 1.6 and a 1.8. you can pick up a fully loaded Eunos at a real bargin price at the moment. Just buy the best car regardless of age or spec. Whatever you get you’ll love it. [:D]
hi
i agree with chris. an early inport is usually bombproof.
if it looks/sounds/drive good then take a serious look at it.
i’m told you can pick a good eunos up for 1 - 1.5K now.
mine is now 19 yrs old & goes like a rocket.
[:D]
Cheers for the replies. So the imports are ok then? Always been a bit dubious of them. I’ve heard they rust a bit more than UK spec models.
Just out of interest, when it advises you to look for rust on the rear arches, is that on the outside bodywork or hidden within the arches? These things are easy if you’re experienced with old cars but a bit daunting when not that familiar with them and hoping not to pick up something that will fall apart.
Is it easy to replace suspension bushes yourself or does this require a bit of skill. I’ve read an article on this site about replacing the anti-roll bar bushes on a mk1 and that seems really easy and well withing my capabilities, but not sure about going deeper.
The imports are less likely to be rusty as they havn`t been driven much on our salted roads. Mine is a 1992 with not a spot of rust on it. Just check the rear sills & wheel arches.They usually have a few more toys as standard too…ABS, power steering. lecy windows, aircon etc
As for the suspension bushes there are plenty of guides on the forums to help you. If you are good with spanners & don`t mind getting your hands dirty these ole cars are a joy to work on.
Worth investing in a copy of Rod Grangers workshop manual…much better than Haynes IMO. They come up on Ebay regularly.
Good luck with the search. Where abouts are you based incase someone local knows of one for sale.
I’d generally go along with what others have said, you can pick a decent Mark 1 up for peanuts now and they are bombproof virtually, so well made and they go on forever it seems!
The main things i’d say are check for bubbling on the sills/rear arches as these areas always go first, plus check for any knocking sounds and the usual pings or odd noises. Generally if it feels right and gives you a good feeling then it could be a winner!
The beauty of the Mark 1 is choosing which one to buy as going on a few test drives gives you a good idea of what you want to be looking for. As with regards to Eunos’s being superior to UK models i’ve seen imports with rust just as i’ve seen UK cars with no rust so really it’s buyer beware as always and a decent Mark 1 is a decent Mark 1 regardless of country designation.
Whatever you choose good luck and get that top down and have fun!
I have a '91 Eunos and there is no rust on it. I have the inner seals a good spraying with ACF-50 as water is channelled inside them, this is a bit of a weakness on the mk1.
Mine has 85k miles and drives lovely still. Has leather, PAS, a/c, much nicer spec than what you get on a similar UK car.
Hi, please don’t be put off by any lack of knowledge; I have zero mechanical experience and only a moderate DIY ability yet Master E and I have stripped the whole underside of the car, suspension and all and rebuilt the lot with new bits and bobs, we’ve even had the engine apart and back together and, albeit we may end up with the odd bolt or nut every now and again, she still starts and nothings dropped off…yet!
I paid £800, knew very little about the car’s history, and really followed my heart as I fancied something a bit different after years of tin-top Alfas. I’ve never looked back!
I’ve got elec windows and PAS but thats about it, never really seen the need for air-con, thats why its got a soft-top surely? But with the recession biting it really is a buyers market.
Read up on the various forum pages (lots of very good advice buried in here) and take a leap of faith.
Don’t forget, with rust and corrosion, £150 on an AA inspection is money well spent once you think you’ve found your baby…
Just to comment on Jons post regarding aircon. I find it a godsend for clearing condensation in cold weather & occasionaly i have left work in the rain with top up only for the sun to come out half way home. It sure comes in handy then [Y]
I wouldnt not buy a 5 just because it didnt have aircon but it certainly is a bonus IMO
My confidence is now growing thanks to all your positive comments! It’s good to know there’s a load of informed people out there. One thing that does appeal about the MX5 is that it does seem a simple car, and in my opinion, especially as I’m ok with a spanner and want to improve my skills as a hobby, the simpler the better! Modern cars realy do seem to need a computer to tell you whats wrong.
I’m based in Chessington - South London/Surrey so if there are any about it would be good to know.
I guess extras are a bonus, but it’s going to be a fun car for driving pleasure so really don’t care what it comes with or not. I suppose I should drive both PAS and manual steering to see which I prefer. I don’t think I’ve driven a car with PAS that I really liked as much as ones without but I know it depends on the car.
I’ll be hunting soon, but I’m in no rush to buy - need to read up a bit and take my time.
Non-power steering rack feels to me, very dead (had PAS and non-PAS).
Bob Hall was an American motoring journalist who was deeply involved in the MX5’s original development (he now works for Proton), and has often pronounced on the strengths/weaknesses of the manual rack:
[and in reply to a question about removing power steering]
When Mazda introduced the clubman special edition in Japan, the M2-1001, they spec’d it with non-power steering. To howls of protest from enthusiast owners, the last 200 of the 300 production run were offered with power steering as a no-cost option
Chris/Sword from Surrey, cheers for the offer of a look at your MX5. I know Tadworth area pretty well and it would be great to cast a glance over an older car without a salesman breathing down my neck so I might just take you up on the offer. You might be able to give me a few pointers as to what to look for too? It’s far better if when you say look for rust on the sills you can then point to the exact spot!
Busy this weekend but normally free Saturday and Sunday afternoons.