craig1010cc
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,993
Club RR Member Number: 35
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sub grand MX-5's as a daily?craig1010cc
@craig1010cc
Club Retro Rides Member 35
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Dec 21, 2009 12:47:24 GMT
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Need a new daily (the passat has died  ) whilst cruising the web this weekend, spotted a few MX-5's below a grand (so close to budget). And the tread on her the other week with some rather tasty mod'd versions has got me thinking it could be a fun daily driver (do about 60 miles a day, mix of A roads and M'ways). My mum used to have one as her daily years back, but it was only a couple of years old and naff all miles on it, how do they stand up with 100k or so on the clock and apart from rusty arches and sills, what else is there to be carefull of? Also, what typically does a 1.6 do to the gallon? Cheers Craig |
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Dec 21, 2009 13:01:07 GMT
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Rear calipers are notorious for seizing up, and rust as you mention. Otherwise they're temptingly cheap at the mo.
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1986 Citroen 2CV Dolly Other things. Check out my Blog for the latest! www.hubnut.org |
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Dec 21, 2009 13:32:28 GMT
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My 1.6 has 99k-ish miles on it and runs perfectly. Very, very economical, loads of fun to drive, cheap to run and insure - if you can find a decent one for the money, I say go for it.
Bear in mind if you buy one with a knackered roof that you can pay anywhere from £200 (vinyl) to £400+ (mohair w/ glass window) to replace.
As dollywobbler says, rear callipers can be sticky, but generally only through underuse. Drain holes in the sills can clog up, leading to rotting sills. (If it's particularly bad you'll hear water sloshing about in there.) Check the boot seal is OK or you'll get rain on your battery. Water pumps can be weak and radiators can silt up. Have a look through the history and check out servicing etc - see how recently the diff oil was changed. Make sure that the pop-up lights raise to full height and do so in a synchronised fashion.
You'll probably find that a high-mileage MX-5 engine sounds a bit tappety from cold. They all do that.
Oh, and don't buy an auto - the manual 'box is amazing!
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Dec 21, 2009 13:34:06 GMT
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I do 40 miles a day in mine on a and b roads and its great fun.. like you said check sills arches and ROOF lol a leaky one will drive you mad! My early 1.6 gives me 35mpg to and from work regular as clockwork and I usualy give it some beans on the twistys too.  I say do it.. still love mine despite the fact its a bit leaky the diff is whining (check that and clutch release bearing noise oh and hydraulic tappet noise too.. that said tey are fairly common issues on older mx5's and don't seem to cause any other issues just annoyance) and its impractical, but I still love driving it everyday, not loving the aluminium gearknob at the moment though, actually got freezer burn off it today  Oh and check the electric windows.. they are prone to being slow and stiff, usually just the runners etc needing cleaning and greasing but can kill motors off quicker due to the extra strain I guess. Oh and if you want to try one out give me a buzz.. your welcome to take it for a spin. I'm in Dorset but heading to the midlands for the day weds |
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Last Edit: Dec 21, 2009 13:37:59 GMT by joethefish
Daily: Spazda Mx5
'A52's Fastest steak eater 2010'
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SteveP
Part of things
300 Maniac
Posts: 757
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Dec 21, 2009 13:50:23 GMT
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A sensible choice actually! Extremely reliable, I had a 1.8 and clocked up nearly 15k in 11 months with no problems. Not that great on a long run because of the short gearing but still perfectly capable of doing the job! As said they can rust on the back of the sills, not so sure the rear brakes are that much of an issue... mine were like new when I adjusted the hand brake mechanism. Just thought, my mates selling his at the mo here, more than £1k but has a few extras and the rear of sills have been sorted www.driftworks.com/forum/drift-cars-sale-private-sales/98963-mk1-mx5-1-6-s-special-1300-a.html |
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2003 - Volvo S60 D5 SE (Daily)
1989 - Volvo 360 GLT
1985 - Volvo 360 GLS
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Dec 21, 2009 13:50:55 GMT
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Had an early eunos for a while with an lsd,great fun it was but had the tappet problem from cold also couldn't get anywhere near 30mpg maybe because it was an import? great fun car though.
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Dec 21, 2009 13:53:49 GMT
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That's damn good value, you could make half the money back by flogging the hard top! |
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craig1010cc
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,993
Club RR Member Number: 35
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sub grand MX-5's as a daily?craig1010cc
@craig1010cc
Club Retro Rides Member 35
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Dec 24, 2009 14:57:39 GMT
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well, seeing as everyone kept telling me it was a sensible idea , i am now the proud owner of a 91 silver eunos, still running on the original steels  The shell is a bit beat up on the nose, but it's straight where it counts and sills and arches look fine. and it drives spot on as well  Cheers for the advice and encouragement ;D |
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Dec 24, 2009 15:47:47 GMT
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Great value from all I have heard.
Congrats on getting yourself one mate.
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ezzysi
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,189
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Dec 24, 2009 15:55:54 GMT
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The RR massive require Pictures!!!!!
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1991 Mk2 Golf Gti 8v
2005 Passat tdi (daily)
1971 Mk1 Escort
2004 Touran (her's)
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Dec 24, 2009 23:57:47 GMT
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Hmmmmmm.... Top down, 35mpg, RWD....you've set me off thinking now.....  Drop, clean, enjoy. Further investigation required methinks. ;D |
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hmmm, how much room is there in one of these? I'm a big lad, will i look like i'm driving it or wearing it?
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Remember the days when sex was safe and motorsport was dangerous. Vintage bling always attracts pussy. |
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hmmm, how much room is there in one of these? I'm a big lad, will i look like i'm driving it or wearing it?
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Remember the days when sex was safe and motorsport was dangerous. Vintage bling always attracts pussy. |
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hmmm, how much room is there in one of these? I'm a big lad, will i look like i'm driving it or wearing it?
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Remember the days when sex was safe and motorsport was dangerous. Vintage bling always attracts pussy. |
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hmmm, how much room is there in one of these? I'm a big lad, will i look like i'm driving it or wearing it?
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Remember the days when sex was safe and motorsport was dangerous. Vintage bling always attracts pussy. |
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hmmm, how much room is there in one of these? I'm a big lad, will i look like i'm driving it or wearing it?
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Remember the days when sex was safe and motorsport was dangerous. Vintage bling always attracts pussy. |
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koma
Part of things
Posts: 238
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I'm 5'11 and i only just fit comfortably in mine,
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Dec 25, 2009 17:46:55 GMT
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I'm 6'2" and don't have any problems at all...
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Dec 25, 2009 20:43:36 GMT
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hmmm i'm 6 foot and 26 stone, i'd look like i'm wearing the bloody thing! ha ha ha
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Remember the days when sex was safe and motorsport was dangerous. Vintage bling always attracts pussy. |
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) 
I say do it.. still love mine despite the fact its a bit leaky the diff is whining (check that and clutch release bearing noise oh and hydraulic tappet noise too.. that said tey are fairly common issues on older mx5's and don't seem to cause any other issues just annoyance) and its impractical, but I still love driving it everyday, not loving the aluminium gearknob at the moment though, actually got freezer burn off it today 
Oh and check the electric windows.. they are prone to being slow and stiff, usually just the runners etc needing cleaning and greasing but can kill motors off quicker due to the extra strain I guess.
The shell is a bit beat up on the nose, but it's straight where it counts and sills and arches look fine. and it drives spot on as well 
