Buying tips.

Ian Chapman · Post by **Ian Chapman** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 12:10 pm

Craig

I'm not a guru like some on the list but can offer the following:

They are generally very reliable little cars - look out for the usual
stuff, ie damage repairs. Also be aware that some heavily modded ex-Jap
cars may have had a hard life. Do some research so you get a feel for $
and value. If you can get someone who knows a bit about them to have a
look over one you are keen on that can be very valuable. I would be
happy to help if you are in Wellington.

km will generally be getting up (probably at least 100,000km and most
around 140 - 150) in an early 90's but this is not much of an issue if
it's been maintained (oil changes etc).

Things like softtops may need replacing on older cars and are about
$800+ for new depending on window material etc - factor this into one
that is looking shabby. If it's got a bad back window but the rest of
the top is good you may be able to just put a new window in.

Batteries do seem to suddenly play up and are expensive - but it
appears that in a lot of cases a slow trickle charge for days may
rectify.

They really are as simple and reliable as most small Japanese hatches -
but loads more fun!

There are usually good second hand parts available through people like
Ross at MX5 Mart some off cars that have been in the greenery if you
need to replace a few things.

Obviously there is usually a good selection in the 'for sale' section
of the website and members are such nice people they won't knowingly
sell you a dud!

Good luck and enjoy the experience and fun.

Ian

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 1:01 pm

Excellent reply Ian!

The only thing to add is that these days none of the NA s (the ones with pop-up headlights) are really expensive. Avoid the dealers, they want prices which are over the top, and on a private sale you should be able to get an excellent little car for well less than 10K. For that price they are the bargain of the century.

As an example, my '94 had 61,000 on the clock, is in showroom condition and I paid $9500 for it. It just takes a bit of looking round, I found it through Autopoint. My point being that you can get a really good one for very little more than you might pay for a rough one.

But what ever you buy, you will find that nowhere can you have any more fun than this with your clothes on. (As for the fun you might have in an MX5 with your clothes off, I am really not in a position to comment)!

Regards

Eric

nmr · Post by **nmr** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 1:27 pm

(As for the fun you might
have in an MX5 with your clothes off, I am really not in a position to
comment)!

Now that would be uncomfortable wouldn't it ;^)

Janet & Jeff Curtin · Post by **Janet & Jeff Curtin** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 1:49 pm

The earlier 1989 to mid 1991 had the small nose crankshaft of which a small % have failed, so for your own peace of mind check its got the stronger crank , 1994 on were the 1800 cc motor with more torque and chassis bracing, but were a bit heavier than the pre 94 with 1600cc motor which are more rev happy, performance is so close as not to matter,bracing can be bought off Ross at mxmart for about 120$.

Have fun choosing and drive as many as you can, beware they are very addictive,LOL.

Cheers jeff.

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 2:07 pm

Mate, I'm 6ft 2, and 220 lbs, it doesn't bear thinking about!

DBM58 · Post by **DBM58** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 9:54 am

Hi Craig
I was looking at an NB model recently in a car yard (the one without the pop-up head lights) and I noticed that the two underbody chassis braces and wind blocker had been removed. As far as I know these are standard items on this generation of MX5 but the dealer professed to knowing nothing about their whereabouts. Perhaps something that you might like to consider in your buying project is a list of parts that should be on the model that you are interested in. Some you could decide to do without, but I think that the three that were missing on the car I was looking at would be considered as fairly important.

Hope this helps

Regards

David Moughtin

MX5PWR · Post by **MX5PWR** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 11:35 am

Which car yard was it on David?

From: "David Moughtin" <Davidm@Snackmate.com>
Date: 2004/03/31 Wed AM 09:54:16 GMT+12:00
To: "MX5List" <mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>
Subject: RE: Buying tips.

Hi Craig
I was looking at an NB model recently in a car yard (the one without the pop-up head lights) and I noticed that the two underbody chassis braces and wind blocker had been removed. As far as I know these are standard items on this generation of MX5 but the dealer professed to knowing nothing about their whereabouts. Perhaps something that you might like to consider in your buying project is a list of parts that should be on the model that you are interested in. Some you could decide to do without, but I think that the three that were missing on the car I was looking at would be considered as fairly important.

Hope this helps

Regards

David Moughtin

DBM58 · Post by **DBM58** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 11:53 am

This was one on Great North Road, New Lynn, Auckland, across the road from the National Bank, and on the same side. Also, a more accurate description of recently would be several months ago.

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