About To Go Check Out An Mx5 For My Girlfriend.

[eMsta]

weight distribution 70/30 might be a problem in the MX with the mighty V8 tho... and munkeh if you see blue or black smoke come out of any car you should walk away

what gtr geoff has described is basically the cheaper version of the bullet roadster

[Beer Baron]

what year? how much? i'm about to go see this one now, but will keep in mind. thanks

EDIT: nevermind, have details in PM. cheers.

not sure on exact details as i have a mind like a siv sometimes, but i say give him a ring and get all the exact points, even if you dont end up buying his, at least he can give you some advice having been a mechanic for many years, and an MX-5 owner too.

[Tosh]

he's a nancy boy Richard...

p.s. I like MX5's though...

[wilch]

ask on the MX5 forums...

http://www.aus-cartalk.com/

[GTRgeoff]

Meh, 70:30 sounds too much. Soarer V8's are mostly ally so quite light, but by the time I put in a full cage it will balance again. And it won't cost $100K

Hey Munky, did you see that damaged one advertised on here?

[Munkyb0y]

are you talking about this one?

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/in...c=67878&hl=

lol, i just need a girly sporty daily driver for my gf.

edit: just realised you said damaged. no didnt see it.

Edited September 21, 2006 by Munkyb0y

[Munkyb0y]

Hey, just got back from checking out that MX5.

- no smoke at 4k once the car was warmed up (k emsta?)

- roof in good condition, apparently was new just over 1yr ago.

- paint (red) seemed ok, but the car was a bit dirty/dusty, so its hard to tell how bright it would be when cleaned. also, from what i could see, it looks like it's had a respray somewhere down the line, you can see the edge of the paint at the top of the doors and around the boot sill.

The problem is i've never driven an MX5 before. (not usually the way i do it)

Is this all normal behaviour for an mx5?

-The ride was pretty rough (17"rims?)

-moderate power, as expected

-steering seems to pull around the road a bit

-and of course, fcken tiny inside, i found it hard to get comfortable. windscreen so close my face.

-clutch pedal seemed very high, but then my skyline pedal is very low. owner reckons they had it adjusted that way, why you would i dont know, perhaps a new clutch is not far off?

I think what's turning me off is that it's a '93 model car, and you can tell when u drive it.

I think i'm gonna get my gf to drive it for herself, and make sure it's what she wants.

[eMsta]

Hey, just got back from checking out that MX5.

- no smoke at 4k once the car was warmed up (k emsta?)

- roof in good condition, apparently was new just over 1yr ago.

- paint (red) seemed ok, but the car was a bit dirty/dusty, so its hard to tell how bright it would be when cleaned. also, from what i could see, it looks like it's had a respray somewhere down the line, you can see the edge of the paint at the top of the doors and around the boot sill.

The problem is i've never driven an MX5 before. (not usually the way i do it)

Is this all normal behaviour for an mx5?

-The ride was pretty rough (17"rims?)

-moderate power, as expected

-steering seems to pull around the road a bit

-and of course, fcken tiny inside, i found it hard to get comfortable. windscreen so close my face.

-clutch pedal seemed very high, but then my skyline pedal is very low. owner reckons they had it adjusted that way, why you would i dont know, perhaps a new clutch is not far off?

I think what's turning me off is that it's a '93 model car, and you can tell when u drive it.

I think i'm gonna get my gf to drive it for herself, and make sure it's what she wants.

Hmmm...the 98 model i test drove was rougher than the skyline thats for sure - its the engine. Id expect a 93 model one to be rougher than the 98 model. What did you mean steering seems to pull around? Wheel alignment perhaps? When you reved it to 4k, did u hold it there for like3 seconds and then give it a quick press and release? Id be a bit concerned about the respray - you might have to check the paperwork as to why it was done, or (i dont konw if you can do this or not) but maybe you can get a history for that car from the registration places.

Is there a link for this?

[Beer Baron]

hmm, obivous respray doesn't sound too promising. ask the owner directly about it. also, i would definately take a look at Nathans as his one is fastidiously looked after.

[Munkyb0y]

Hmmm...the 98 model i test drove was rougher than the skyline thats for sure - its the engine. Id expect a 93 model one to be rougher than the 98 model. What did you mean steering seems to pull around? Wheel alignment perhaps? When you reved it to 4k, did u hold it there for like3 seconds and then give it a quick press and release? Id be a bit concerned about the respray - you might have to check the paperwork as to why it was done, or (i dont konw if you can do this or not) but maybe you can get a history for that car from the registration places.

Is there a link for this?

yeah 4k held it, gave it a squirt and backed off. when it was just started, cold, there was grey smoke, but after the car warmed up on the drive, did it again and no smoke.

honestly, for 9k, i could think of better cars to spend the money on. that thing felt like a bare bones go kart.

There's just not much to them.

i asked about accidents, apparently none, but they've only owned it for a year, also sellers arent always the most honest people.

i'd be doing a revs check if i was going that far, but that will only tell you if it's been registered as a repairable write off. this happened to me once when i was looking at a Z32. thank you revs

Edited September 21, 2006 by Munkyb0y

[Adam_RSX]

If you buy it piss the 17's off and bring it back to lightweight 14's or 15's, the extra weight of larger wheels (or non-lightweight smaller aftermaret rims) makes a big difference to ride and handling. Its going to be bumpier than a lardarse new car because theres less weight holding it to the road, plus those 17's would have stupidly low profile tyres.

Drive one on a nice windy road and the cash will jump out of your hand that Bruce Lee couldnt have moved any faster. Just don't expect it to be anything more than spritely in a straight line because umm... they're not

[eMsta]

yeah 4k held it, gave it a squirt and backed off. when it was just started, cold, there was grey smoke, but after the car warmed up on the drive, did it again and no smoke.

honestly, for 9k, i could think of better cars to spend the money on. that thing felt like a bare bones go kart.

There's just not much to them.

i asked about accidents, apparently none, but they've only owned it for a year, also sellers arent always the most honest people.

i'd be doing a revs check if i was going that far, but that will only tell you if it's been registered as a repairable write off. this happened to me once when i was looking at a Z32. thank you revs

Munky - yeah probably not the best car considering its old as well. I mean, the engine sounds ok. In the end though, if your gf is happy with it, then its her decision I suppose. A revs check might be worthwhile if she does infact want it. Usually these mx5's go for around 12 grand if they are in good nic and they hold value - so yeh the fact that they had the car for a year and selling it for 9 grand might hint that there could be some problems with it.

If your gf can afford to spend a bit more, maybe look around for something thats in a better condition (that is if she still wants an mx5).

[Adam_RSX]

Munky - yeah probably not the best car considering its old as well. I mean, the engine sounds ok. In the end though, if your gf is happy with it, then its her decision I suppose. A revs check might be worthwhile if she does infact want it. Usually these mx5's go for around 12 grand if they are in good nic and they hold value - so yeh the fact that they had the car for a year and selling it for 9 grand might hint that there could be some problems with it.

We like to think they pull good money but I swapped my DR30 for my 94 Clubman, and that was in A1 condition with only 114,000km. I don't think I could have sold the DR30 for 9k

[NicsR33]

these cars are awsum! i used to work at a dealership and didn't know they were RWD till they started stepping out in the wet hehe.

basically, look for the roof ensure it closes properly and no leaks and make sure the windows close all the way up when the roof is closed. Also does this one come with the metal head frame? u know in case the car flips? always a good idea to get a pair of these.

[Munkyb0y]

I think what i'll do is take her to a few car yards on the weekend, and drive a couple of overpriced ~93 MX5's.

Then if that's what they drive like, and she's happy with it, problem solved.

Otherwise we can find another car she likes.

You know what (most) girls are like, she saw one on the street, pointed at it, and said 'i want one of those'. lol.

[siksII]

the speedo cables always shit themselves on the older cars (pre98) thats all i know about the old ones so make sure the speedo doesnt jerk around etc.

other than that, i have driven a 2002 and it had amazing steering, brakes and balance. you do feel a bit like a nancyboy but trust me when u cane it u wont care.

after your gf gets one, try and get her to let u take it to a skyline track day, and you will be pleasantly surprised