Ok so I bought this nbfl a while ago in splash green and may I add only saw 3 at the rally.
Now here’s the conundrum … have been told that the welding that needs carrying out on it is going to cost £1200 . Problem is I love the thing to bits so really don’t want to get rid and buy another, I have been also quoted £1500 to replace 4 wings and boot and respray. …should I keep it and get it done? Or play for 12 months then sell and get another.
Tia Dave
I was in a similar quandary with my NA 1.8 a decade ago 
In 12 months, its not going to get easier to find a NB-FL without rust/needing welding.
12 months time; assume your car is a rust-riddled MOT failure, value £0. How much MX5 is £1500 going to get you?
Juest to be clear; you have a choice of £1200 to make solid, or £1500 to make solid and freshen up? Or are you considering £2700 to make solid and freshen up? If the latter, there is still no guarantee in 12 months time, that a £2700 MX5 won’t need c. £500 of welding. You might hit lucky (ie. recent OP from Essex collecting a seemingly very nice Mk2 import from Scotland for under £3k).
If it were me, with either scenario, I’d have the work done. the repaint wouldn’t need to be done now, and this time of year is a bad time for a £1500 repaint (air is getting damp etc), leave to spring.
If it’s that bad there is nothing clever about driving a car for a year that maybe has an MOT but is unroadworthy.
First question is the car roadworthy or would it fail structuraly in a crash even the crash it was not your fault.
If it is unroadworthy get rid or weld it to make it roadworthy.
People by and large are wanting higher prices for rust free cars, therefore if you want to buy another safe car that gets more expensive.
Your prices make no sence, to purchase two new front wings, two new rear repair wing panels a boot then install and spray will cost the guts of £1,800 to at least £2,000 maybe more. Anything less is not doing the job properly.
Exactly what welding needs done that is outwith the rear wings, (the fronts wings are bolt on).
Sorry but your message is confused.
Please list exactly what parts of the car need welding for £1,200.
Was based on me buying the wings separate and a mate doing the fitting and spraying at mates rates. The welding was at different place but they said to wheel arches and full floor plan? Thanks
if you are doing it because you like the car & want to keep it then go ahead. IMHO the nbfl is by far the best looking one of the bunch so far & deserves a bit of effort & expense to keep it on the road. Forget any profit on resale though if the time comes though unfortunately many are fixated on values so too many go for scrap.
There are clean MK3’s about at say £3k and a lot of rusty ones but a clean one will last three or four years and more if you clean and treat the underneath and the cavities but you need a ramp inspection with the engine undercover off.
The Mk2.5 will need the wings and as you say the floor or inner sills and probably the front chassis rails some time soon.
I would try to find a non cheap Mk2.5 say £3k but the rust will still be there or as I mentioned a clean Mk3 if you can find one but the arear at the front indicator repeatar on the wings can go and maybe you need to replace those but I think it will be less expensive on the long run.
Mechanically all the older cars are not as bomproof as people suggest.
My mk2 is in that stage again and I’m thinking is it worth my time and friends time welding it.
In 12 months you could learn to weld and save £££££££s
I just did both rear sills. Never welded before but I’m well pleased with the results.
Did my own painting too.
Both sides for less than £100 in materials and my time.
If your buying wings, then your not welding wheel arches.
Read PKB222’s post again. Have a Saturday welding lesson with a mate or local fellow club member. It would be £50 well spent in my opinion.
A corse of evening classes at the local Tech would be another way.
Paul G
p.s. Adding your location to your profile might help.
I get that Paul, but then it’s having somewhere to then carry out the welding? I have a garage for it but it’s then how to get it up in the air to do the work.
Good idea I’ll look into them courses as I got 7 months till mot anyway cheers