Hey people,

Looking for a cheap mx-5

Does anyone know anything about these particular cars like what to watch out for etc etc?

MAZDA MX5 MX 5 MX-5 EUNOS ROADSTER ! 1.8i ! 1996 ! ! ! on eBay, Mazda, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (item 160153075334 end time 07-Sep-07 20:02:00 BST)

What do we recon to the one above?

cheers in advance

john

make sure the radio can tune into UK stations , had one in the garage the other week , didn't go beyond 90 on the FM , so it was radio2 all the way

make sure the radiator and pressure cap is ok , also that the cooling fan(s) work , done a few imports that were overheating

The cheapest ones (for given condition) will be badged "Miata" or "Eunos", and are grey imports, probably from Japan.

Check radio as above, that the speedo has been converted to read mph, and that it's been rust-proofed. Don't believe the recorded mileage without documentation, since most convertors make the odometer read in miles rather than km, so the mileage will quite possibly be higher than actual. There are theoretical fixes for that, but some people would be tempted to use same to reduce the recorded distance travelled (actual, not odometer) below actual.

A friend in the know has recommended that the Mk2 MX5 if you can stretch to it (it's the model without the pop up lights) as it's got a much better suspension setup that the original one and spec is a bit better too. Go for the 1.8 as the 1.6 is a bit weedy, although you may be lucky and find a 1.6 with a turbo conversion (220ish bhp).

Agree with everything Ken mentioned. Other clues that it's an import will be a decent spec (air con!) and a silly additional fog light outside the rear clusters. Expect the car to be modified if it's from Japan too as they like to tinker. You may also want to asked if the car has been remapped/is ok to run on 95 RON fuel - some of the turbo'd cars, eg Scoobies, Evo's, Skylines tend to be very fussy and anything less than 100RON can lead to problems.

There's a couple of good owners sites about too where they can tell you common problems with the car

Chris

watch out for being associated with a career in ladies hair styling

Make sure the cam belt has been changed if over 60K.

MKII is better than the MKI for obvious reasons.

1.8 was my choise but the 1.6 can be fun too

Cam belt has already been mentioned but the engine is a non interference one so it wont break if the belt goes, but you will be stranded somewhere still.

The sills just in front of the rear arches are where they start to rot, but it is a farily easy job to get them welded.

Rusty arches.

Also crank pulleys can have problems apparently.

I am trying to get a cheap one myself and have driven a few. All 1.6 but they were more than adequate for a bit of fun.

AFAIK there is no difference between the rustproofing on the Jap and UK spec cars. In fact you will probably have less rust on a 90 Eunos that has been imported say five years ago than you may find on a newer uk car. You will get better equipment on a Jap one than a uk but insurance may be slightly higher.

I got quoted £220 for me and the wife on a 91 1.6 eunos.

Re the 1.6 v 1.8, if you are doing motorway miles in the Mazda then the 1.8 cruises better and at lower rpm therefore making the motorway journey better.

But for just having a blast down some twisty roads i reckon a 1.6 would be more than enough.

As for the Mk1 vs Mk2 debate.

Someone on the MX5 owners club told me this:-

The Mk2 is a better car but the Mk1 is the better MX5.

I certainly want a MK1 mainly because the pop up lights are well cool IMHO.

I have learnt quite a lot of about the car and what to look for when buying from

www.mx5ocforum.co.uk

That one you are watching on ebay has a reserve that is quite a bit higher than that current price if my memory serves me right. Although i am not sure what your budget is anyway.

HTH

Cam belt has already been mentioned but the engine is a non interference one so it wont break if the belt goes, but you will be stranded somewhere still.

The sills just in front of the rear arches are where they start to rot, but it is a farily easy job to get them welded.

Rusty arches.

Also crank pulleys can have problems apparently.

I am trying to get a cheap one myself and have driven a few. All 1.6 but they were more than adequate for a bit of fun.

AFAIK there is no difference between the rustproofing on the Jap and UK spec cars. In fact you will probably have less rust on a 90 Eunos that has been imported say five years ago than you may find on a newer uk car. You will get better equipment on a Jap one than a uk but insurance may be slightly higher.

I got quoted £220 for me and the wife on a 91 1.6 eunos.

Re the 1.6 v 1.8, if you are doing motorway miles in the Mazda then the 1.8 cruises better and at lower rpm therefore making the motorway journey better.

But for just having a blast down some twisty roads i reckon a 1.6 would be more than enough.

As for the Mk1 vs Mk2 debate.

Someone on the MX5 owners club told me this:-

The Mk2 is a better car but the Mk1 is the better MX5.

I certainly want a MK1 mainly because the pop up lights are well cool IMHO.

I have learnt quite a lot of about the car and what to look for when buying from

www.mx5ocforum.co.uk

That one you are watching on ebay has a reserve that is quite a bit higher than that current price if my memory serves me right. Although i am not sure what your budget is anyway.

HTH

Thanks for that

Yer the reserve is alot higher but i have a little to play with.

Radio doesnt bother me if it wont tune to uk stations.... Audio fitter by trade

Might have another look as the difference in insurance for an import as apposed to a uk car is in the region of around 300 quid (22 year old no ncb as currently used on vrs)

Thanks john

The right one will come along, then enjoy

watch out for being associated with a career in ladies hair styling

PMSL