While i've just poured a load of cash into my Fabia to roll back the years, and i do now love it again, I can't shake this yearning for something a little less sensible.

The Ibiza was fun while it lasted but the yearning for something petrol and rear drive has bubbled to the surface.

I did go through a crazy stage of thinking an E36 M3 was a good idea until i realised i'd bankrupt myself in fuel, and tax, and insurance, so an MX5 seemed like a good compromise.

In my mind buying a dirt cheap mk1 MX5 (something like this one 5 miles from my house (not that i've been looking or anything)) is a good idea.

Especially when, in the plan n my head, I can sell the Fabia and use the proceeds to buy that car and the BBR turbo kit to give it 250bhp.

Am I hugely deluded?

Eh??? Contradiction or what? :p

http://www.briskoda....ve-with-my-car/

I know i know but that yearning is still there and i'm just gauging opinions.

Besides while it's just pie in the sky there is no way i could make the Fabia eligible for this

How tall are you (specifically body:legs ratio) and how are you built?

Because this will be the biggest factor in you enjoyably driving a Mk1 MX5

:S

5'9" at a push and about 10 stone at my heaviest point - so slim would be a good build description

i also consider my legs in proportion to my body

Think I'll call round to the dealer on the way home see if i can take it for a spin (hopefully not literally!)

Spin might happen literally the first time you try one! Make sure check it's not running ditchfinders before you start

Not a bad idea at all, overall. Great fun, cheap to run, easy to maintain. I don't think the 'smile factor' can be beaten for the cash.

As said the cabin room in a Mk1 (NA) isn't huge and longer legged people can struggle fitting properly too. Some also find the OEM seats a bit uncomfortable and lacking in lower back support.

Go try one for size - see how you get on

One word:

FICKLE!

"I hate my car" / "I love my car"

"diesel is a no brainer for me" / "I want something petrol powered"

Honestly Clifford, get some scissors at the ready and buy that MX-5. You know you want to!!!

I think I have car ADHD

but only when i'm feeling particularly flush or bored or see something relatively affordable locally.

Oh look - the random MX-5 generalisations are out already!!

Oh look - the random MX-5 generalisations are out already!!

we made it to post 7 which is further than i expected

I serviced one at work a few months back and it was a late 05 plate and the front of the rear archs was starting to rust which suprised me as i didn't think they were bad for that,

I didn't get to drive it but am over 6ft and i fitted in it okay

Arch area is a weaker point for rust, that's true. Also undersealing is really required, so that they can cope with the rigours of British road salting.

Certainly things to watch out for. You should find some buying guides on the various MX-5 forums, which will give you a checklist of things to be aware of.

You'll be fine, I'm 6'1" (with a tall body) and "husky"

I can't drive one with the roof on. Roof off was fun though!

Hmm i've now found that the funds raised by a Fabia sale would probably be better spent race modifying it to enter the Ma5da Race series than on the turbo kit... oh decision decisions

(i'll add a disclaimer here and say that I'll bottle it/not have enough cash to do anything butstick with the Fabia)

Re your initial post, you won't get to 250bhp with the std BBR turbo kit for the NA anyway. Not that you need to - 200 horse will be plenty.

I'd spent any mod money on suspension and the myriad of other improvements that are available first anyway, before increasing power.

Once job prospects turn brighter I will be looking into an inexpensive toy like an mx5, looked on the insurance briefly, £150/yr for mk1 mx5 with suspension and turbo kit .

If you find any headway on buyer guides etc feel free to post links up

They can be had on classic insurance these days, certainly the Mk1s, so it does make it an attractive proposition especially from an insurance point of view

If you find any headway on buyer guides etc feel free to post links up

One of many. Happy reading

http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/425.aspx

Cheers,

Steve

Re your initial post, you won't get to 250bhp with the std BBR turbo kit for the NA anyway. Not that you need to - 200 horse will be plenty.

I just read about this and got all excited

http://www.bbrgti.co...1646&category=7

I deffo don't need 250 brake but it's nice to know it's an option

I'd probably do this instead

Ma5da Racing Build Kit

Ma5da racing have identified the following items as the basic build kit required to transform a standard road car into an eligable race car:

Base Items:

• Control Roll Cage (includes fitting plates and door bars)
  
• Control suspension (4 x coil overdampers and 2 1/4" springs)
  
• Control Wheels (4 x team dynamic 15" pro race)
  
• Control tyres (4 x Hankook K110)
  
• Control Air Induction Pipe
  
• Brake Hoses (4 x Braided Brake Hoses)
  
• Set of standard brake discs and race pads
  
• Fire Extinguisher (1 x 2 jet system kit including pull cables)
  
• Exhaust (1 x full system from standard 1.6 manifold)
  
• Seat (driver preference, starter seat eg. Sparco Sprint VI)
  
• Harness (5 or 6 point harness TRS)
  
• FIA Kill switch Ignition/Start panel
  

Total price from £2,450

NB..(all items need to be ordered directly from the respective suppliers at the current cost)

and use the change for entry fees

I can't shake this yearning for something a little less sensible.

The Ibiza was fun while it lasted but the yearning for something petrol and rear drive has bubbled to the surface.

I have the solution to all most of your yearning.......

Petrol - Yes

RWD - No

Faster than an MX-5 - Yes (infact it'll take anything 'like a king')

Gentlemen, I give you......

The 2.0l Fabia FTW

Ah, very good! I can see man maths entering into the fray here too, based on the purchase price of a decent NA, plus the BBR kit or Ma5da race build kit.

To me those combined does not equal the sale price of a certain Fabia :p

your input is welcome Baz - It's ignored but it is welcomed

decent NA Steve? nobody said decent one

I mean it's gunna get bashed up in

Besides the deficit can be made up with a decent sponsor....

OK, with you now. Full steam ahead

Most Mk1's are Eunos's and not massively cheap to insure - mine is the same as the Elise.

No size issues and I'm 5' 11.5".

Fabulously involving little car to drive (way more so than any Skoda) and you really don't need loads of power - sort suspension first, then brakes, then tyres/wheels, then power.

Sills are the main MX5 problem, not arches. Not expensive though - factor £150 a side. Rust will eventually get them though, especially UK registered cars.

Oh, don't expect good mpg on a mk1, 1.6 is worse than the 1.8 and ou get better mpg when you turbocharge.

Nutz is a good forum for mk1's but expect to find plenty of chavs.

Never driven an earlier variant but my Mark 3 2.0 sport 6 speed roadster coupe

which was on Mazda fitted eibachs and bilsteins was loads of fun. Roof up or down

it looked nice and it sounded lovely nudging 7000rpm with the K and N.

But it's sold now with the funds raised put aside for my next purchase.

If I ever find the one I want...