MX5Ireland

Hi,

I'm a new fish and I am looking for some real world advice on buying a mk1 MX5. I have arranged to view a 96' 1.6 mk1 on Friday and need some tips on what to look out for? She has 4 months Nct left on her but owner assures me she is excellant other then some rust on the sills which will need sorting out a year or two down the line. I believe NCT won't have too much of an issue with some minor surface rust? This is common on mk1's?

I never had a two seater before and am really looking forward to getting into one but of course I don't want a lemon! The one I am looking at is a UK import in the country since 2008.

Thanks

Tom

Rusty sillls is common on mx5's especially ones that have come from England. Recent jap imports and Irish cars tend to have less rust due to less use of salt on the roads. That said rusty sills can be fixed but be aware its probably not just surface rust the inner sill will be rusted aswell which means cutting out the bad metal and welding in new. Tbh there are plenty of rust free examples out there so any rust I would walk away. Also later 1.6 models 94 onwards have a lower power engine than the early ones. This was due to release of the 1.8 and the power difference between them not being high enough.

Are rusty sills an NCT failure?

Thanks

What Ash says, be very wary of uk cars and buy on condition. There are plenty about with no rust.JDM (JAP) cars are usually better specced too.If you can arrange for someone knowledgeable from here to look at a car do so. It will save you in the long term.

Thanks for the advice,

Can anyone tell me if late mk1's have an Engine management light?
Do they have airbags? ABS? Power steering?

PM Sent

Tomasso wrote:Thanks for the advice,

Can anyone tell me if late mk1's have an Engine management light?
Do they have airbags? ABS? Power steering?

Mine is a 1997 Irish spec (similar to UK i think) 1.6. No airbag, no electric windows, no ABS. It does have power steering though. As for the engine management light, I don't know.

The later 1.6 engine is a lot better than it is given credit for. Don't forget that 90BHP in a family hatchback is a different prospect to 90bhp in a car that weighs less than your toaster!! There are lots of varying opinions of it on various forums (which almost put me off) but my advice is to drive it on varying roads. Of course it all depends on your expectations.

If you are in the car every day and commuting on motorways, then the 1.8 might be a better option. If like me it's a fair weather toy, then don't look further than the 1.6 as both your tax and insurance take a jump.

If you have any specific questions then don't hesitate

As has been said above ~ Rust. I'd go for the 1.8 theres a big difference between 90bhp and 130bhp in a light car, and its more fun which is what the Mx5 is about

Not all the 1.6 models are 90 bhp. The earlier Mk1's are 114 bhp roughly. I currently have both and whereas the
1.8 feels it has a slight bit more torque low dow, the 1.6 revs a bit better so the difference isn't as big as what
you think. Both great cars. As has been said previously, the 1.6 has the benefit of cheaper road tax but the 1.8
pulls a bit better in the lower rev range.
My advice is to buy on condition and not engine size.