After an 11 year love affair with my trusty VW Corrado, the missuse and I are considering retiring her and getting an MX5. We're thinking £5-7k for something 00-02, low miles, good cond etc. We'd really like a removable hard top for winter.

So, which forum do you guys recommend ? I've Googled a few, but they either can't load up at work due to the net-nanny or seem to have closed shop !

Does anyone know the details of a specialist in the Rotherham area whom deals exclusively in used MX5's ? Someone mentioned it to me a few months back when the idea was in its infancy.

What are the pro's, cons, foibles and known shortcomings of these fun little cars ? Are there any must have mods which greatly enhance their handling and drivability for little outlay, or preferably to watch for already fitted on a potential purchase ?

What are the fuel economy and insurance like ?

Thanks in advance, and I have used the search, and Google, but came up a bit blank so your help would be appreciated

 

I've answered one of my questions

http://www.mx5city.com/Home.htm

 

I've just done a similar thing and picked up a low-ish mile MK2 1.8iS, with hardtop for that kind of money.

Insurance shouldn't be too bad if you are used to a VR6 (or indeed a Scoob), and MPG I've hear will be about 30 in town and mid/high thirties on a run if you're not giving it a lot of right foot.

Not sure myself about mods (even though mine has an aftermarket Jackson Racing exhaust which might sound nice!) and which are "essential". Loads of helpful people over on:

www.mx5oc.co.uk

There seems to be a wealth of mods available to boost performance up to (and in some cases more) 200bhp, turbos and superchargers. I've had a ride in an early 1.6 with supercharger and it was pretty lively!

Good luck hunting for your MX!

 

Owned a few MX5's over the years a including Mk 1 1.6 totally basic but still a great car and finally a 1999 Mk2 1.8is sport.

The only problem we ever had was a missing LSD oil seal which was replaced about 3 days after delivery. Never did any modifications, I would say the 1.8 with LSD is best if you are a keen driver and the later 6 speeds were slightly quicker.

Best thing about ownership was the MX5 club - we went over to the Isle of Man, blasted around Jurby airfield and they closed a 12 mile stretch of the mountain road for about 200 MX5's to play on. Also the first car I ever took to the 'ring a 12 minute lap felt so fast!!!

From my experience I would say buy the best condition/youngerst car you can, join the club do some fun events whether that be track days, runs out or autotests and see if you need any mods. Some of the turbo'd and supercharged cars were a lot of trouble from what I remember.

The MX5 is as much fun as any car I have owned and I think I learned more about driving from these cars than any other - the speeds are reasonable and grip is moderate so safe fun can be had.

Enjoy!!

 

we bought an 03 mx-5 1,8 for just under 10k last year Dave, its a great fun little car for er in doors, she loves it.

fuel economy seems pretty good and insurance is just uder £500 per year for her which includes class one business use, feel free to get in touch if you want to have a look over it

Phil

 

I bought a 1.8i special edition. No problems at all and I absolutely love it.

good fuel sonsumption, and bullet proof mechanicals.

I would go to mx5ocforum.co.uk, great people ad veery helpful.

Would consider selling you mine as I would like a mk3. 1999 brg with tan leather and 40k miles.

 

Great cars, MrsD's had a Mk1 1.8iS for nearly a year now and it's easily one of the best handling, most fun cars I've ever driven.

Point's to note;
A lot of the 'specialists' are just people importing JDM cars and putting stupid mark-ups on them. You're far better off looking for a good UK car as it tends to have had a nicer life, most of them having been owned by women, as ours was.
If your looking at JDM imports, a lot of the 'S' spec cars have been used (and abused) for drifting, meaning first & second gear synchros and the LSD are probably shagged.
If you are intending to have some fun in it yourself, avoid the 1.6, it's just too slow. Make sure you get a 1.8iS, the LSD really does make a difference to the handling.
If you're after a Mk2 model (no pop-up headlights) the hardtop is not really needed unless you live in an area where you think the roof might get slashed. Our roof hasn't been out of the garage yet. Even at this time of year, if it's not raining, the heater is that good you can drive with the roof down
If you're looking for a Mk1, make sure you get one with heated door mirrors, if you aren't using a hardtop, the plastic back window takes an age to defrost
Don't be too worried about mileage, a good service history is more important. Remember, fundamentally it's a Mazda 323 with a posh chassis & body, engines and 'boxes last forever.

 

I used to have a 1.8 is (x reg as my personal car and a classic scoob - same age as a company car). Jumping between the two chalk and cheese but the MX5 won the day for me on pure driver appeal and steering feel. Great cars amazing value for money, cheap to run, mine never dropped below 30 mpg. Ended up getting a supercharger fitted to mine, no problems with it at all, great fun baiting other cars with it. Have a look at http://www.miata.net/ and http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/ and http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/MossUK/ and http://www.donutz.co.uk/


PS know two females that have MX-5 and both thinking of changing for something slightly bigger & newer for those motorway runs (can feel a little small on motorway), one replaced car with a newer version, other has kept it !)
Richard

 

Do a search on here chap - MX5's have been discussed loads in the past too

 

Thanks for all the help and advice guys Mind made up, just gotta find the cash from somewhere now The Scoob may be sold soon, so I need a car suitable for my driving school business and any left will go towards this. All change in the CB household

 

Wifie used to have a 1.6 MK1, now has 1.8 MK2.5.

If you want ultimate drivability go for a late model MK1 1.8, they are a much better drive than the later cars.

If you want more refinement and better build quality go for a MK2/MK2.5.

If it was my choice and my money I'd look for a 1.8 MK1 special edition.

You won't be disapointed with either.

Allan

 

We're about to sell my girlfriend's Anniversary Edition MX-5 if you're interested - and its mint.

This edition was special in that it came with:

Colour coded outside and inside (gear ****, leather seats, trim, etc...)
Air-conditioning
1.8i engine with 6 speed limited edition box and limited slip diff
Colour coded detachable hard top roof
Alloys
CD player

We're based in the NE of England. I'm just busy getting the air-conditioning re-charged and some new tyres before we put it up for sale.

 

Hang on to it for another couple of months and I'll have a look Got a few things to sort out first before we can commit. The Scoob may be sold, dependant on the buyers salary negotiations this week. If it is then we can either buy a car like yours right away and put off buying the car I'll need for my driving school business, or the other way around. It will probably be the other way, as I need to start earning cash from learner drivers to pay for the MX5.

FWIW, how much plus any further details

 

corrado boy, give me a call too, mine is a UK car and I will probably be seriously i the market for something new around that time.