Help cure my addiction...

[muddyfox470]

Originally Posted by Butuz

MX5 is on my to do list I just cant get over the hairdresseryness

Butuz

Thats what one of my friends said

Still I'm tempted to look at one ove the summer and then take it around europe

Shame an absolute awesome went for dirt cheap on ebay the other day, it's always the way! lol

Ian

[J4MES]

Originally Posted by muddyfox470

[1]How easy are they to service* on your own.

[2]Any major problems that I should look out for and where does most of the rust accumulate?

[3]The most annoying thing is, the best priced cars and best condition all seem to be automatic, should this pose a problem, or is there not much difference (I'm used to a manual btw).

Ian

Cheers for the link I'm sure I'll waste a fair bit of my time on there

*Fiddle with as I'm looking for something to do in my summer vacation, and messing around with a good car sounds like a good thing to spend it on

1 - As easy as any other car - parts are easy to get hold of, and easily accessable too. There are a few manuals to choose from.

2 - None. Rust can appear along the sills, this is from the inside out (rain water running off the hood should empty through a tube which runs down through each rear wheel arch. If these get blocked by crud, water will back up and overflow into the sills, which will fill up if their drain holes are blocked! It's rare, but can happen).

3 - Automatics - don't bother. They're supposed to be very good with a responsive kick-down, but the manual is one of the reasons you'll end up getting one - its snicketty-snick action (technical term) and short throw are spot on.

[J4MES]

Originally Posted by herulach

DO the 1.6s actually have any poke? Ive just discounted them previously as they seem to be a bit on teh weedy side. What are they like on the motorway?

The early (1989-1993/4) 1.6 engines had 115BHP, which was reduced to 90BHP from 1994 onwards when they introduced the 1.8.

They're quite pokey enough - the MX-5 has a delicate power/grip/balance er, balance, which I've never come across in any car (including the Elise) since. They're easily tunable (including FI) but have tonnes of fun-to-drive in the basic 1.6. M/Ways are fine - except at 70mph you're doing about 4200rpm in 5th!

[J4MES]

Originally Posted by Butuz

The older 1.6's are alot better than they sound - IIRC they detuned the newer 1.6's to make it actually different to the 1.8's.

I think a 1.8 or a 1.6 you'll love both

MX5 is on my to do list I just cant get over the hairdresseryness

Butuz

^what he said

hairdresseryness is easily overcome by driving one

[herulach]

Originally Posted by J4MES

The early (1989-1993/4) 1.6 engines had 115BHP, which was reduced to 90BHP from 1994 onwards when they introduced the 1.8.

They're quite pokey enough - the MX-5 has a delicate power/grip/balance er, balance, which I've never come across in any car (including the Elise) since. They're easily tunable (including FI) but have tonnes of fun-to-drive in the basic 1.6. M/Ways are fine - except at 70mph you're doing about 4200rpm in 5th!

Hmmm, where do you insure yours? Youve got me intrigued by your promise of reasonably powerful convertible fun, however, the price of the car for TPFT doesnt thrill me.

[J4MES]

My first was with Admiral (it wasn't an import), the second and third were both imports and both with Norwich Union iirc. They're ins gp 12 - for imports dandycars.co.uk have a useful linky to friendly insurers (although most mainstream companies cover both nowadays). The differences to the UK/Jap versions are limited to spec (aircon, lsds, headrest speakers etc.) not parts/spares

[herulach]

True, current favourite for the next car is a MR2 GT, which i can insure for about 250 quid cheaper (according to confused) and i dare say is probably at least as fun to drive.

[J4MES]

Originally Posted by Howard

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tempted, either It'd be nice to finally own a car that's a bit "special"

took you a while

[Jay]

I drive a 1.6 MX5 (its a Jap import Roadster) its nippy and loads more fun than any other car I have driven. The motorway is a bit noisy Though, as said above 70mph is at high RPM

Hold on this is another old thread bumped for no reason!

[Howard]

No reason? MX5s rock, that's a good reason