mazda mx5

Cashel Mc

Hi all , thiunking of buying this , what do you guys think?
link below.
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1895545
Thanks in advance

Alanstrainor

Cashel Mc wrote: »

Hi all , thiunking of buying this , what do you guys think?
link below.
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1895545
Thanks in advance

I wonder if it was stolen?

light theft damage

ignition needed and small scuff on p/s quarterpanel

There's no way we can help, especially seeing that they have no pictures of the left hand side.

CabanasBoy

1.6ltr auto??

Slow! zzzzzzzzzzzz.

Don't do it, I'm sure if you're looking for an MX5, the right one will come along.

Cashel Mc

Cashel Mc wrote: »

Hi all , thiunking of buying this , what do you guys think?
link below.
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1895545
Thanks in advance

I think you should go look at the car if you're interested

Alanstrainor

CabanasBoy wrote: »

1.6ltr auto??

Slow! zzzzzzzzzzzz.

Don't do it, I'm sure if you're looking for an MX5, the right one will come along.

The 1.6 wouldn't put me off; the auto on the other hand would!

Cashel Mc

Thanks for all the replys, I think it was stolen by the sound of it, could it of been stolen recovered? as I googled the guys number and he seems to deal in cashed cars and write off? How can this go back on the road if thats the case?

CabanasBoy

Alanstrainor wrote: »

The 1.6 wouldn't put me off; the auto on the other hand would!

Oh I fully agree! the 1.6 with the manual box would be a sweet purchase but the auto box would just kill that car's fun factor.

CabanasBoy

Cashel Mc wrote: »

Thanks for all the replys, I think it was stolen by the sound of it, could it of been stolen recovered? as I googled the guys number and he seems to deal in cashed cars and write off? How can this go back on the road if thats the case?

I'm sure someone will correct me but it may be an economic write-off (the cost of repairing is greater than the value of the vehicle) but perfectly legal and safe to put back on the road if you're prepared to spend the shekels.

jaffa20

It's cheap but probably for a reason as i expect the damage to be substantial.

Automatic mx5 would put me off. Also check insurance as it looks like a jap import which they generally dislike.

Also, that colour for me personally = puke!

Cashel Mc

Ok thanks all I think I will steer clear so and find a car taxed and tested for 2500 Euro. Anyone know what to look out for with these cars ? I personally prefer the mark 1 pop up light cars

MidlandsM

Rust.....Mk1 Mx5's are now approx 15 or 20 years old, and you gotta check for rust on the sills and front and back lower wings.
Sticky calipers and handbrake cables.
Cam shaft oil seals.
Rear engine seals leaking.
Cam cover gaskets leaking.
(all the above seals easy enough done)
Condition of the soft top - but easy to replace if need be.
Electrically and mechanically quite a robost car, with a non interferance engine so if the timing belt breaks, and if it was'nt revving to the redline, valve/piston damage will not occur which is reassuring - but still, check the belts been done or replace as required.
Parts are easy to get and are well priced.
Avoid the autos and the 1.6's if you can. The 1840cc engine is the one you want.
Avoid the mk2.5 as the gear box in them is sh1te.

hope this helps.

101sean

My son over in the UK has an early Mk 1 (despite my best efforts to indoctrinate him in all things Land Rover ) and I was quite impressed when he bought it over for a visit and do some work on it.

His car was a bit of a barn find and had been stood for a long time but after a full service, cam belt change, tyres and new rad it's been sound.
The only major thing we had to do was change all the brake lines which were badly rusted, straightforward with a full Automec kit. Rust wise it had one small patch on a sill. I bought a new mohair hood for his Christmas and birthday, cost £420 fitted at his local Mx5 specialist. Now it's safe and reliable he's busy making performance improvements but leaving it scruffy externally :rolleyes:

As MidlandM says there's good spares support and enthusiastic forums, sure I saw an owners group at a vintage rally here. It's almost a classic sports car butwithout the unreliability and dodgy electrics.

andyseadog

im very very confident i seen this same car in a different donedeal advert a couple of months ago right after it was broken into.

it was for sale for 3 figures not 4, the owner had it up for a 'quick sale' after theft damage, damage to the passenger front quarter window and broken glovebox.

looks like someone bought it, got out of their depth with the repairs, or their plan turned sour somehow and are now looking at turning profit on it anyway.

Henry Ford III

MidlandsM wrote: »

Rust.....Mk1 Mx5's are now approx 15 or 20 years old, and you gotta check for rust on the sills and front and back lower wings.
Sticky calipers and handbrake cables.
Cam shaft oil seals.
Rear engine seals leaking.
Cam cover gaskets leaking.
(all the above seals easy enough done)
Condition of the soft top - but easy to replace if need be.
Electrically and mechanically quite a robost car, with a non interferance engine so if the timing belt breaks, and if it was'nt revving to the redline, valve/piston damage will not occur which is reassuring - but still, check the belts been done or replace as required.
Parts are easy to get and are well priced.
Avoid the autos and the 1.6's if you can. The 1840cc engine is the one you want.
Avoid the mk2.5 as the gear box in them is sh1te.

hope this helps.

Isn't the car in the ad a MkII though? Non pop up lights.

MidlandsM

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Isn't the car in the ad a MkII though? Non pop up lights.

yep, but the OP then said they prefer the mk1 model,so I offered my experience/knowledge on the mk1 NA model.

Think I was a shade harsh on the 1.6 - but if you do get one OP, keep all your hairdressing stuff safely locked away in the boot.:P

Esel

Out of interest, why do people denigrate the auto in this? Is it just because it is a sports car?

MidlandsM

Esel wrote: »

Out of interest, why do people denigrate the auto in this? Is it just because it is a sports car?

yeah, because they've a great chassis, and the auto just numbs the car is all.

merlie

I think you should go and have a look at the car and speak to the people and ask for any documents related to the car. Check chassis numbers and stuff. It is your money that you are spending. But have to say it is fairly cheap price for the car, so make sure you check it out fully.

My ex who lives in England has one of those cars and they are great sporty cars.

MidlandsM

OP, don't bother looking at any damaged or thief damaged mx5's. There is plenty of good examples out there free from any faults to buy and enjoy.