Never bought or driven an MX5 but this caught my eye as a classsic for my wife. If I was to go and view what should I look for, problem areas etc. To my untrained eye it looks a bargain. Any help you can give would be welcome.
Thanks in advance
Ric
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261080221988#ht_1658wt_1271
That's lovely. If I bought it I'd be getting the wheels repainted on account of preferring them all silver, but that's just a personal thing. Anyway, buying advice on it...
Rust is the enemy of these cars. Look out for it around the rear arches and along the sills (especially at the rear). The car will need work if there are any bulges along the sills that are soft when you prod them. Try to check the front chassis rails too - a good prod of them behind the front wheels and look (and prod) at them from the engine bay. The boot lid around the number plate lights is another weak point.
I see from the descrition that the cambelt was done at the 54,000 mile service. The 54,000 mile service is a big one that should include cambelt change, coolant change, gearbox and diff oil change - check when all that was done and budget for it being done again 54,000 miles later.
MX-5s are very sensitive to tyres. You need four matching good quality tyres. If they don't match then budget on replacing them and use this as a negotiating point (and bear in mind the tyres are 205/45/16 so you're looking at about £100 a corner for decent tyres).
Apart from that just look for all the usual car stuff.
Good luck - let s know how you get on
hi
I agree with everything that roadster says nothing more to add except that they've had this car for a while now probably because its a little over priced for the year and mileage but if its as good as the pictures then I'd go for it and I bet you drive it more than your wife.Buy it and enjoy I don't regret buying mine it's the best hobby I've ever had ( and the most expensive but what the eck what price fun)
05 Sunlight silver Arctic enjoying top down fun
05 Sunlight silver Arctic
enjoying top down fun
Hi Roadster and Bill119,
Been for a test drive and loved every minute. Looked for rust in all the places mentioned and could not find any. Chassis rails all good and solid. Alloys all unmarked and tyres all match with plenty of wear left. Performance is fine great acceleration and braking. Take hands off wheel still stays straight under power and braking.
My mechanic who has serviced my other rear wheel drive toy (Ford Capri 280) during my eight years of ownership is giving it the once over and changing the cambelt next week. Having owned a Capri I am used to rust and the MX5 I am pleased to say does not appear to have suffered.
The previous owner was a member of The MX 5 Owners Club.
Will let you know when the car is in my garage.
Cheers