Hi! I’m new to the forum (obviously) and that’s mainly because I am after an MX5 MK1 that’s been imported (mainly for the A/C and P/S). I have a budget of 2-5k; which I know provides a wide “in between” but I’d spend £5k on something that’s been really well cared for, has a few nice modifications etc. and possibly engine upgrades etc. 2k is what I would pay then expect to do a bit of fixing.
Now, my main question is; if let’s say I get a decent quality MX5 MK1 with no rust or very little, what can I expect to pay just for general wear/tear and maintenance year round? I initially had a bigger budget for an RX-7 but maintaining those is just ridiculous. Whereas I feel (from what I have read and watched) the MX5 is a little nicer on the maintenance side.
I know I am buy a 20+ year old car, I know that there will be issues but just a general bit of guidance would be great! I ask, mainly, because there’s a really nice MK1 that seems really looked after, the underside is amazing and the sills are great. It has no crazy modifications just a few visual and an exhaust upgrade; obviously once I decide to go see it this may be completely different.
I’ve heard sills/corrosion is the biggest killer. As soon as I get the car I’d be putting aside money for this as I don’t plan on getting rid of the car. I plan on keeping it for a long time (hopefully) so that it can be my daily runner (I drive 5 miles a day return to work) and something to have fun with on the weekends. The wife can have a sensible car, I’ll have this! That’s the idea anyway.
Opinions differ, but having owned 2 x 5’s fpr 15 years, and still do, they were dailys until they retired with us.
My wife’s is a Mk.2.5 Sport. the 1840cc VVT version. Her daily run was exactly 6.2 miles round trip, and during the winter this meant the ECU enrichment mode did not back off until around the first mile/half. In short, it only averaged circa 18/20mpg…which improved a bit out of winter. We only use hers now for nice weather ad hocs…and easily get 32/33mpg now.
My Mk1? Well it’s an 1840cc Auto and from cold around town & back…let’s say 16-18mpg. Nowt wrong with my engine either…they are just both fuel guzzlers old-tech stuff after all.
Servicing your proposed Mk1? Dirt cheap really…oil, filter, plugs…maybe new leads and at worst a coilpack sometime. Cambelt & water pump is an initial task if unproven. £250/£300 all in.
As you say, they are all old and well past the sell-by date…so it’s good you intend to set aside a slush fund as MOTs are far more strict and stuff like a split in a ball joint cover are fails.
Expect the unexpected being geriatric. It’ll be fine but ignore colour/engine size/trim specs etc. Only buy on assured & inspected shell condition…then if it’s good keep it good by getting the floor pan & chassis components cleaned off and proofed. Actual mileage is secondary really.
You kind of use, like ours was, is the worst kind so if it all goes ahead…take it out once in a while and give it a right good caning when sdafe to do so…it keeps it all sweet…and it’s what it was engineered to do anyway.
And, expect to part with about double the fuel bill you first thought of for my above reasons.
This is really useful thank you. My wife is my only obstacle at the moment as she doesn’t understand why I’d want to buy a 25 ish year old car, but it’s happening anyway just till I find the right one.
Thank you though, your advice is awesome. I know I will foot out for fuel, I don’t mind as long as I have fun. My BMW is supposed to do around 40mph, it doesn’t I’ll be lucky with 30. I do motorway driving for sure every month, at least twice (1-2 hour journeys each way) so that should help maintain the little Mazda. I’m glad to hear I won’t have to splash out every 3 months on it (like an RX7 properly cared for would) as I just want something fun to drive around - my BMW is very boring; it’s nice, but boring.
Have had no dealings with Goodwood Sportscars but know they have a good reputation. That VR-Ltd looks stunning. The pictures of the sill work shows they have been done properly and completely, not just patched. From the description it is well sorted, well maintained and not messed about with. It’s a desirable limited edition that hasn’t had the special bits taken off. Reading through the description I was expecting it to be over your budget. £4.5k sounds an absolute bargain. It’s probably had a lot more than that spent on it since it was imported.
You will love it. So will your wife.
If you decide to buy an MX-5 as an additional car then the answer to the question ‘Why do you need more than one car?’ is ‘How many handbags do you own?’.
Although it doesn’t affect me as get it for free, the mk 2.5 is very expensive on road tax. Something to take into account if you are working on a budget.
I was quite surprised by this when I first got mine, over £300 for a car the size of a shoe!!
Hi! I’m new to the forum (obviously) and that’s mainly because I am after an MX5 MK1 that’s been imported (mainly for the A/C and P/S). I have a budget of 2-5k; which I know provides a wide “in between” but I’d spend £5k on something that’s been really well cared for, has a few nice modifications etc. and possibly engine upgrades etc. 2k is what I would pay then expect to do a bit of fixing.
Now, my main question is; if let’s say I get a decent quality MX5 MK1 with no rust or very little, what can I expect to pay just for general wear/tear and maintenance year round? I initially had a bigger budget for an RX-7 but maintaining those is just ridiculous. Whereas I feel (from what I have read and watched) the MX5 is a little nicer on the maintenance side.
I know I am buy a 20+ year old car, I know that there will be issues but just a general bit of guidance would be great! I ask, mainly, because there’s a really nice MK1 that seems really looked after, the underside is amazing and the sills are great. It has no crazy modifications just a few visual and an exhaust upgrade; obviously once I decide to go see it this may be completely different.
I’ve heard sills/corrosion is the biggest killer. As soon as I get the car I’d be putting aside money for this as I don’t plan on getting rid of the car. I plan on keeping it for a long time (hopefully) so that it can be my daily runner (I drive 5 miles a day return to work) and something to have fun with on the weekends. The wife can have a sensible car, I’ll have this! That’s the idea anyway.
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You have a good attitude and the budget should find you the kind of car you are looking for. The top end should budget for a fresh import.
Assuming the car is bought in generally good condition, easy to service and look after yourself and not expensive to pay a garage to look after if you are not inclined.
Goodwood Sportcars have attracted some controversy from memory so do searches on this forum and elsewhere before dealing with them.
As will all these cars worth getting the prospective purchase properly checked over by a respected independant expert before committing to what will hopefully be a long and meaningful relationship.
Thank you - appreciate the feedback. I will definitely be bringing my mechanic friend with me to do the checks that I probably would forget. I have been doing a fair few weeks of research and lurking on forums/groups for things to look out for.
I don’t expect something brand new - obviously - but don’t want something that is going to cost me an arm and leg in 6 months; that could have been avoided anyway. General wear and tear and items that need replacing - they need replacing on any car so that’s just an enthusiasts life!
I do have experience of Goodwood sports cars having bought a 1992 fresh import in 2017.
I would highly recommend undertaking a detailed check of the car before purchasing, especially if travelling any significant distance
Check:
If extremely rusty used suspension parts have been fitted (subsequently replaced by a Mx5 specialist)
Whether the gear change is sloppy and indirect requiring the subsequent replacement of the gear lever slot bush
If the front number plate is attached by layers of double sided tape requiring the subsequent use of plinth
Whether the power steering fluid is below the minimum
If the coolant level is low, the expansion tank is empty, and the coolant itself is extremely rusty
Whether all the body clips holding the front and rear covers are missing
If the auxiliary drive belts are over tightened
Whether the thermostat housing is cracked subsequently requiring replacement by a Mx5 specialist
If mismatched tyres have been fitted requiring subsequent replacement
Whether the rear number plate panel is misaligned and is a colour mismatch
If various door bolts are missing or require tightening
But fundamentally (now) a great car
To be fair the dealer does offer to address issues but when you are hundreds of miles away experiencing issues that should not have been there in the first place, returning may not be feasible or desirable
Just don’t be too reassured by all the reassurances
Just wondered whether you succeeded in finding a car ? I ask as I am now after owning mx5’s almost constantly for 25 years, I am now pondering the possibility of maybe thinking about considering selling my current mx5 …to a suitably enthusiastic buyer
…this thought has triggered by the realisation that I had covered less than 500 miles between mots !
Once / if I finally accept that this is a sensible/correct decision I shall put together an advert… I just mention it here as it would seem to match your requirements