MX5 - is it worth the humiliation?
09 October 2010, 07:08 PM
#31
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But the Roadsters are generally better equiped. The V Special I had had Nardi wooden steering wheel, handbrake and gear ****. Air con, leather seats and dash. Speakers (both left and right) in the seat headrests which was really nice and a small boot spoiler. I bought it from an importer in Harpenden, Hertford who had both and the Eunos was streets ahead IMO.
I dont think an odd looking square rear number plate should be a deal breaker.
Having said that, for a grand, most you see will I be Eunos.
Anyway, have you been in one yet?
I dont think an odd looking square rear number plate should be a deal breaker.
Having said that, for a grand, most you see will I be Eunos.
Anyway, have you been in one yet?
09 October 2010, 07:26 PM
#32
Thet are of course exactly the same car made at the same place.
Just very true that the Japanese spec Eunos was much higher especially special editions.
I just liked the total back to basics of the cars.Two seats,speedo,rev counter.Thats about it!
(oh,and you should never lose your grand)
Just very true that the Japanese spec Eunos was much higher especially special editions.
I just liked the total back to basics of the cars.Two seats,speedo,rev counter.Thats about it!
(oh,and you should never lose your grand)
09 October 2010, 08:12 PM
#34
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Avoid the £1,000 ones ... and avoid the Eunos.
Go for a basic (no PAS, no leccy windows, no nothing) .... the 1.6 UK car is massively under-rated .... the 1.8 is a lazy tourer.
I have a MK1 1.6 UK version in amazing condition ..... it's fast enough, but that's not the point with them - the driving thrills are beyond anything else, it really is that good.
As for fatties fitting .... I'm 20 stone and 6' .... and I fit great, and as for being laughed at .... I don't think so
10 October 2010, 09:04 AM
#36
Have to say,my wife has no problem with no PAS on our old mini cooper.
It's actually happy days with no PAS!
It's actually happy days with no PAS!
10 October 2010, 09:05 AM
#37
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But the Roadsters are generally better equiped. The V Special I had had Nardi wooden steering wheel, handbrake and gear ****. Air con, leather seats and dash. Speakers (both left and right) in the seat headrests which was really nice and a small boot spoiler. I bought it from an importer in Harpenden, Hertford who had both and the Eunos was streets ahead IMO.
I dont think an odd looking square rear number plate should be a deal breaker.
Having said that, for a grand, most you see will I be Eunos.
Anyway, have you been in one yet?
I dont think an odd looking square rear number plate should be a deal breaker.
Having said that, for a grand, most you see will I be Eunos.
Anyway, have you been in one yet?
Most Eunos Roadsters came with an LSD, which aids the fun no end. Also £ for £ they will prob be in better condition, the early UK ones can be pretty rotten now.
I bought one at the beginning of the year, 1.6 with a full exhaust system and a load of chassis mods, coilovers, poly bushes, etc.
For £1200 you can't have much more fun.
As for the hairdresser bit, I did have a couple of issues, a multipla driver got all upset when I over took him, but changed his mind when a 16st builder got out of the car!
Just sold it, for £50 less than I paid for it, so incredible value.
10 October 2010, 12:25 PM
#38
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My dad has a mk 1 MX5, he's on his second now and he's about to turn 60! it's also his daily run about, albeit he also has an old Isuzu trooper for when he needs a big car.
These cars are great fun to drive, and I think there is no image problem at all the Mk1's especially are real enthusiasts cars, try one out and after driving it if you still can't get over the percieved image problem then it's not for you.
Just to add don;t be put off by impoorts either they are generally better equiped and can often be slightly cheaper too, just look round for a good one as the market is full of them, probably right time of year to buy too
These cars are great fun to drive, and I think there is no image problem at all the Mk1's especially are real enthusiasts cars, try one out and after driving it if you still can't get over the percieved image problem then it's not for you.
Just to add don;t be put off by impoorts either they are generally better equiped and can often be slightly cheaper too, just look round for a good one as the market is full of them, probably right time of year to buy too
Last edited by Jamescsti; 10 October 2010 at 12:27 PM.
19 October 2010, 03:22 PM
#39
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Deposit down, and pick it up this w/end
UK 1.8is, 85k miles with mega history, sills repaired, paint needs some work, and rear bumper and nose to be painted at worst, mot and tax, all on budget
Let's see what the fuss is about !
D
UK 1.8is, 85k miles with mega history, sills repaired, paint needs some work, and rear bumper and nose to be painted at worst, mot and tax, all on budget
Let's see what the fuss is about !
D
19 October 2010, 03:34 PM
#40
You honestly wont regret it, these cars are SERIOUS fun, for some reason they just make you smile and it doesnt go away no matter how many times you drive it
The amount of time you can keep urself amused in a gravel carpark is unreal
I had one for the summer which is now sold
It was a 1.6 eunos S-Special, no idea why people are saying not to get the eunos ? Most of them have LSD standard FFS !
19 October 2010, 03:49 PM
#41
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The Eunos imports are the ones to have....... imported later the better ( the japs dont put salt on the roads.).... UK spec cars are usually poverty spec , manual windows , no central locking and no air con, and sadly rusty sills and rear arches......
......Fancy 250 BHP 1.6 turbo in something that weighs very little ?....easy peasy
......Fancy 250 BHP 1.6 turbo in something that weighs very little ?....easy peasy
19 October 2010, 04:01 PM
#42
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Oh and a couple of points any prospective MX5 owner should be aware of.... the water drains off the roof and down the inner rear arches and through the sills then out drain holes at the bottom rear of the sills.... these holes block up and the sills fill with water.
The valves dont smack the pistons or each other in the event of cambelt failure thats 1.6 and 1.8 and early MK1 1.6's had more power than later engines 110 verses 88 BHP if I remember correctly
The valves dont smack the pistons or each other in the event of cambelt failure thats 1.6 and 1.8 and early MK1 1.6's had more power than later engines 110 verses 88 BHP if I remember correctly
19 October 2010, 04:40 PM
#43
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Used to have a Jap Mk2 Roadster 9 years ago, 6 speeder with LSD, Bilsteins and Bose. Tremendous fun.
And I've just taken advantage of the seasonal prices and bought an absolute gem from the block yesterday, a Mk2 52 plate Arizona with leather and all the bits, for a song.
It's arrived on the transporter this morning, so was straight out for a blast. I'd forgotten just how good these cars are. Absolutely brilliant.
A "must own one day" purchase for any petrolhead IMHO.
And I've just taken advantage of the seasonal prices and bought an absolute gem from the block yesterday, a Mk2 52 plate Arizona with leather and all the bits, for a song.
It's arrived on the transporter this morning, so was straight out for a blast. I'd forgotten just how good these cars are. Absolutely brilliant.
A "must own one day" purchase for any petrolhead IMHO.
Last edited by Olly; 19 October 2010 at 06:16 PM.
19 October 2010, 05:18 PM
#44
Used to have a Jap Mk2 Roadster 9 years ago, 6 speeder with LSD, Bilsteins and Bose. Tremendous fun.
And I've just taken advantage of the seasonal prices and bought an absolute gem from the block yesterday, a Mk2 52 plate Arizona with leather and all the bits, for a song.
It's arrived on the transporter this morning, so was straight out for a blast. I've had plenty of nice cars since, but there was no need to worry: I'd forgotten just how good these cars are. Absolutely brilliant.
A "must own one day" purchase for any petrolhead IMHO.
And I've just taken advantage of the seasonal prices and bought an absolute gem from the block yesterday, a Mk2 52 plate Arizona with leather and all the bits, for a song.
It's arrived on the transporter this morning, so was straight out for a blast. I've had plenty of nice cars since, but there was no need to worry: I'd forgotten just how good these cars are. Absolutely brilliant.
A "must own one day" purchase for any petrolhead IMHO.
Top car for twisties, roundabouts and long winding scenic drives. Loved the hood down, scarf and hat in the winter. Definetly not hairdresser, a very good drivers car, best 150 bhp car I have ever driven. Even Litchfield did a supercharged version
19 October 2010, 06:36 PM
#47
Great cars and I'm sure you will have fun with it. Had about 4 now, including 2 turbo charged ones. But have to say for the little extra its now costing the S2000 is everything the MX5 should have been.
All the same handling, 2 seater convertible thrills, but with a 240bhp vtec engine. My current ride is an early S2000 and cheapest practical fun you have can have on 4 wheels IMO.
All the same handling, 2 seater convertible thrills, but with a 240bhp vtec engine. My current ride is an early S2000 and cheapest practical fun you have can have on 4 wheels IMO.
19 October 2010, 08:52 PM
#48
don't forget...quite happy to be redlined...in fact its the only way to make them go!
20 October 2010, 02:09 PM
#49
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If people are worried about the hairdresser image.....just stick some black alloys on and decent suspension....that way it looks like a mean track car instead and certainly no girly car, more so if you hanging out the backend around some roundabouts 
I'd love to have a turbo conversion on my wifes mk2 1.8, it just needs that bit more poke at times, just fitted a new mohair roof yesterday and its having a major service ready for the winter this week. I hope it doesn't snow this year, last year was the only time it became unpractical and didn't move off the estate for 2 weeks, it just kept spinning the wheels on the spot everytime we tried to get anywhere lol!
I'd love to have a turbo conversion on my wifes mk2 1.8, it just needs that bit more poke at times, just fitted a new mohair roof yesterday and its having a major service ready for the winter this week. I hope it doesn't snow this year, last year was the only time it became unpractical and didn't move off the estate for 2 weeks, it just kept spinning the wheels on the spot everytime we tried to get anywhere lol!
22 October 2010, 03:22 PM
#51
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Going to pick it up on Sun
(Insured for £195, fully comp for Mrs D and I......thought these were meant to be cheap?)
Rob - don't show me turbos, it'll totally defeat my fun for f*** all mission.
D
(Insured for £195, fully comp for Mrs D and I......thought these were meant to be cheap?)
Rob - don't show me turbos, it'll totally defeat my fun for f*** all mission.
D
Last edited by Dunk; 22 October 2010 at 03:25 PM.
24 October 2010, 09:56 PM
#53
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New toy picked up today......
Slight scrape to one side, otherwise it's in rude health and a good giggle to drive,
just now need to lose some skin replacing the drivers window cable, otherwise nowt to do !
D
Slight scrape to one side, otherwise it's in rude health and a good giggle to drive,
just now need to lose some skin replacing the drivers window cable, otherwise nowt to do !
D
Last edited by Dunk; 24 October 2010 at 09:58 PM.
24 October 2010, 10:19 PM
#56
Mk I, nice!
I'm so happy to be gay! (still not worked out how a 2 seater sports car is gay but hey ho!)
Enjoy
I'm so happy to be gay! (still not worked out how a 2 seater sports car is gay but hey ho!)
Enjoy
24 October 2010, 10:32 PM
#58
Great car,but point is roof off motoring!
24 October 2010, 10:38 PM
#59
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Heated seats, sunroof open, bright dry winters day, fantastic, no need for a hat coat or gloves, you pay your money and make your choice, the bose systems great too
24 October 2010, 10:45 PM
#60
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D