What edition should I consider?

Buying a ‘5 and Insurance advice Buying Advice
2

 
Hi,

I’m currently looking to get my first MX5, after years of wanting one, I’m finally in a position (full permission from the other half!) I have been looking around since the weekend seriously, and now swamped information about the different editions. I think I will be looking for a MK1, but could be persuaded to look at MK2 if the price is right. It will be a weekend and holiday car, with maybe a track day here and there, but nothing serious. The main reason is for holidays and the twisty roads of Dorset.

Location isn’t a problem, and the budget has completely been set. I’m willing to get some work done on it, but not looking for a complete restoration project.

So the main part of the question…what should I look at getting? A good import? A special edition, and if so what (R-limitted, RS-limited, J-limitted, etc)

Any extra advice is more than welcome and things to look out for would be great.

Many thanks

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I wouldn’t discount anything initially - just start viewing & testing initially to guage the market and conditions.

There’s an excellent guide here - well worth a read.

Which Edition? - it’s personal taste I suppose! There are the rarer ones, there are some attractive ones (i.e California Ltd Ed [yellow]) - there’s more Ltd Editions than there are non-Ltd Editions if you look at the imports (Eunos Roadster)!

The import models tend to have a higher spec of equipment - e.g Torsen LSD, A/C, ABS, PAS, electric windows, elec mirrors, etc - these are not limited to only imports as the later UK Mk1 had some of these also.

Go looking - don’t discount anything initially, - the only thing you might want to avoid is the low-powered version of the 1.6 UK engine???

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Thanks Goof, that is kind of what I was thinking in terms of not discounting any yet, but are there any to stay clear of?  As you say, more non-ltd for the imports and I can’t find a good definition of what is on what edition.  Might be on the guide you linked, so I’ll have a look after work.

The low powered 1.6 uk engine, is there an easy way to tell (probably a silly question and it is just age and if it is a UK car instead of an import, correct?)

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Editions - I’ve found this (UK editions), and here (all UK and import), might be some help!

AFAIK the low-powered 1.6 was in the later UK car when they released the 1.8 engine. I don’t think the import cars ever had the low-powered 1.6…???

There is a well documented crank problem with some of the early 1.6 engines - I don’t know much about it as I’ve only ever had 1.8 Eunos Roadsters.

My personal favourites:-

VR Ltd “A”

V-Spec (only because I had one!)

Jasper Conran (Mk2 model) black or silver

S-Special Type 2 (only because I have one!).

 

I never thought I’d buy a red or a white MX5 - I finished up with a red one, and was very keen on a white one!, so leave your mind open to everything!

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 G’day mate, welcome to the Forum

Quite correct the lower powered engine was fitted to the UK 1.6 and produced about 90 bhp compared to 116+ in the imports. Rule nothing out and nothing in until you have driven a few, and read the stuff Goof pointed you too, enjoy the hunt[;)]