Mazda Mx 5 buying guide

BJC

So I've been dancing around a few cars recently and have always loved the Mazda mx-5. Somebody tell me am I crazy or not?

I'm looking for a daily driver, not a second car; it would be an older model. MkII around 1999 and it will most likely have a soft top, are these totally impractical for the winter?

The pros are, they seem generally well maintained and nct'd, are going a little cheaper now we're coming out of the summer and seem to have relatively low miles, not to mention the engines are bulletproof.

I know to watch for rust, especially about the sills and arches and general fluid leaks and other checks for old cars. Is there a huge amount of difference in fuel consumption between the 1.6 and 1.8 models?

Any other advice?

jimgoose

Lovely back-to-basics two-seater, a proper driver's sportscar with little distracting frippery. You should be able to pick up a little beaut for reasonable money. Enjoy the becheeses out of it. :cool:

power pants

an ad posted on the bangeromics thread today -potentially looks ok

Anan1

As long as you don't need back seats, the MX-5 is about as sensible a purchase as it gets. Assuming it's in good condition, the soft top will be fine in winter. Personally, I wouldn't have one without a/c.

BJC

power pants wrote: »

an ad posted on the bangeromics thread today -potentially looks ok

Link?

BJC

Does the car fall under regular insurance for any 1.6l car or is it more expensive as it's a sports car?

Interceptor

I just bought a 98 Mk2 1.8 and love it. It'll be my daily driver over the winter and I don't have a hardtop. There is a good Irish forum with lots of info over on mx5ireland.com

'c

EazyD

BJC wrote: »

Does the car fall under regular insurance for any 1.6l car or is it more expensive as it's a sports car?

It can be dodgy with a number of insurers as its an open top sportscar. I had to jump from one to another to get a reasonable price at the beginning of the year.

biko

BJC wrote: »

Link?

Maybe one of these
http://www.boards.ie/search/submit/?thread=2056924921&query=mx

BJC

Here she is, in all her glory. Great runner so far. Very tidy and an all around great driver. Unfortunately the roof needs doing. How much would a new soft top with glass rear window be? Or anyone have advise on somewhere else to get it done cheaper, but well! Want to take no risks coming into the winter and not looking to fit it myself.

EazyD

Looks in great shape, is it brilliant black?Mx5parts Uk have the replacement covers with glass for £570. They also sell the factory hardtop at £1000+delivery.

Interceptor

BJC wrote: »

Or anyone have advise on somewhere else to get it done cheaper, but well!

Pm'd you there dude - nice car, well wear. Heres mine:-

BJC

She looks terrific Interceptor. Clearly well maintained. I gave Rob a bell there and he's got nothing for me at the minute but I'm on the waiting list. I'll definitely bell him for any other parts, cheers for that.

@EazyD; she's dark navy blue, the low light in the garage is a bit deceptive. Heading down to give her a polish now!

EazyD

Good luck with her! If your stuck for a top, I may be selling mine from my 05 as I'll be staying with the hardtop for winter. it's black but has the plastic window, no tears and in good shape.

galwaytt

EazyD wrote: »

Looks in great shape, is it brilliant black?Mx5parts Uk have the replacement covers with glass for £570. They also sell the factory hardtop at £1000+delivery.

I bought a hardtop here on DD for €400. Nowhere near 1k for a hardtop. For that money I'd want the car attached to it as well !!

Mx5Ireland as mentioned has a source of really good soft tops for a lot less too.

jimgoose

Interceptor wrote: »

...Heres mine:...

That is a lovely thing indeed. Well-bought, that man. :cool:

copeyhagen

had a mk1 1.8 eunos r limited for about a year, only reason i sold was needed rear seats...

great car, not great on the juice, had the factory lsd in mine, made it good craic in the wet..

roof was fine for winter.. mine came with a torn softop, bought one off donedeal and replaced myself. easy job.

would love another one

EazyD

galwaytt wrote: »

I bought a hardtop here on DD for €400. Nowhere near 1k for a hardtop. For that money I'd want the car attached to it as well !!

DD is an option if you have a fairly generic colour, otherwise options are limited. (Unless of course running two tone is your thing!)

JAMES VTI S

So I've been dancing around a few cars recently and have always loved the Mazda mx-5. Somebody tell me am I crazy or not?

Not crazy at all

I'm looking for a daily driver, not a second car; it would be an older model. MkII around 1999 and it will most likely have a soft top, are these totally impractical for the winter?

This is my (sold) MX5 https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.479456205428910.100267.100000936039694&type=1&l=b705373dc8

Not impractical for winter if the roof is in good shape, in fact they are a fun all year round car if its dry roof down if its wet ..... you know

The pros are, they seem generally well maintained and nct'd, are going a little cheaper now we're coming out of the summer and seem to have relatively low miles, not to mention the engines are bulletproof.

+ easy to work on

I know to watch for rust, especially about the sills and arches and general fluid leaks and other checks for old cars. Is there a huge amount of difference in fuel consumption between the 1.6 and 1.8 models?

Make sure the drains are clear from debris
32 MPG

galwaytt

EazyD wrote: »

DD is an option if you have a fairly generic colour, otherwise options are limited. (Unless of course running two tone is your thing!)

Most hardtops are black- just like the vinyl roof. ...... or get them sprayed in any colour you like. Still nowhere near 1k.

OP- saw a lovely special edition Merlot in Galway lately. Gorgeous car. I still think the Mk1 is the nicest.

EazyD

galwaytt wrote: »

Most hardtops are black- just like the vinyl roof. ...... or get them sprayed in any colour you like. Still nowhere near 1k.

Have you painted or had one painted? It's a genuine pain in the ass, glass and fixings have to come out. By the time you bought it second hand @400 +respray @ 250/300, your not far off the difference, never mind the added hassle this would involve. I contemplated a black one myself, but on most colours it looks crap(bar white/black obviously).

BJC

No hoods of any sort on DD at the moment as far as I can see. I got on to colorglo to see if they could do a good patch job instead. The hood is 90% after all just worn out at the usual spots, above the door and by the seat belts.
Having rooted around on mx5ireland it seems the best place to get a new mohair top fitted is a lad in Swansea. Might make a weekend of it. Here she is again;

Interceptor

I've read that a few people have made temporary repairs with black Sugru - if you are getting water into the car you could try it?

Don't forget adverts, buyandsell, ebay and gumtree - DD isn't the holy grail of all things secondhand.

'c

Silvera

Incidentially...as per the thread title....there is actually an 'MX5 Buyers Guide' book available. I got a copy via ebay.

Full of useful info for buyers/owners.

Link..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-MX-5-Miata-MK1-1989-97-MK2-98-2001-Essential-Buyers-Guide-V4231-/350871805426?pt=Non_Fiction&hash=item51b196ddf2

galwaytt

BJC wrote: »

No hoods of any sort on DD at the moment as far as I can see. I got on to colorglo to see if they could do a good patch job instead. The hood is 90% after all just worn out at the usual spots, above the door and by the seat belts.
Having rooted around on mx5ireland it seems the best place to get a new mohair top fitted is a lad in Swansea. Might make a weekend of it. Here she is again;

You do realise you don't have to go to Swansea ...? He'll post it to you and get into MX5ireland.com and there's a bunch there who can change a hood with their eyes closed.

I did mine with a complete newbie, using a hood I bought for US$199 on the net, and we had it done in about...5 hours, taking it very, very easy......

galwaytt

EazyD wrote: »

galwaytt wrote: »

Most hardtops are black- just like the vinyl roof. ...... or get them sprayed in any colour you like. Still nowhere near 1k.

Have you painted or had one painted? It's a genuine pain in the ass, glass and fixings have to come out. By the time you bought it second hand @400 +respray @ 250/300, your not far off the difference, never mind the added hassle this would involve. I contemplated a black one myself, but on most colours it looks crap(bar white/black obviously).

Yes. We paint GRP vehicles for a living here, so I'm well aware of what it takes.

I have a black one atmo - and it was previously red - and I'm actuallygoing to get it wrapped next time. When I'm bored I'll peel it off and use something else.

If you spend 1k on it it's still black afaik, so I'm failing to see what the point is. Especially on cars of this age.

EazyD

"If you spend 1k on it it's still black afaik, so I'm failing to see what the point is. Especially on cars of this age"

New hardtops are painted any factory colour as part of the price. Were you to buy second hand at 400 euro, decide to have it re-painted properly at 250/300 euro, that is give or take 700 quid vs a new one at 1,000. Buying second hand in this instance would make no sense.

BJC

galwaytt wrote: »

You do realise you don't have to go to Swansea ...? He'll post it to you and get into MX5ireland.com and there's a bunch there who can change a hood with their eyes closed.

I did mine with a complete newbie, using a hood I bought for US$199 on the net, and we had it done in about...5 hours, taking it very, very easy......

I do indeed, but was thinking that the cost of the postage and separate fitting would only come in slightly under the price of the ferry. So why not go for a day of it and enjoy the drive? Lovely part of the country too.

Do you know how much he would charge all in for the roof and postage? I read it's around €300 if you bring the car to him (that's mohair with heated rear glass).

And also, where did you get your hood for $199? I'm guessing vinyl with plastic rear window?

galwaytt

BJC wrote: »

I do indeed, but was thinking that the cost of the postage and separate fitting would only come in slightly under the price of the ferry. So why not go for a day of it and enjoy the drive? Lovely part of the country too.

Do you know how much he would charge all in for the roof and postage? I read it's around €300 if you bring the car to him (that's mohair with heated rear glass).

And also, where did you get your hood for $199? I'm guessing vinyl with plastic rear window?

Oh true, if you have the time, and want to make spin out of it's a great idea.

I'd have to look where I got mine -it was ages ago, from the US, and yes, vinyl with plastic window.

Next time I'll buy one of the Swansea ones - they are a better quality. I'm not too bothered about the glass/plastic window thing really.

galwaytt

EazyD wrote: »

"If you spend 1k on it it's still black afaik, so I'm failing to see what the point is. Especially on cars of this age"

New hardtops are painted any factory colour as part of the price. Were you to buy second hand at 400 euro, decide to have it re-painted properly at 250/300 euro, that is give or take 700 quid vs a new one at 1,000. Buying second hand in this instance would make no sense.

Sure, but that's still 300 more.

That'd insure my '5 for a year and a half.

Just sayin', like.

EazyD

galwaytt wrote: »

Sure, but that's still 300 more.

That'd insure my '5 for a year and a half.

Just sayin', like.

If that's your prerogative, sure who am I to say, I just would never pay 70% of the retail price for a used item, especially on large purchases like a hardtop.