You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I don't need a car. We have a family wagon for boring stuff and I walk everywhere on a daily basis. But... I can't stop bloody looking at them. I haven't had a fun car for years. Maybe when you don't need a car it's the perfect time to buy something pointless and impractical. I won't be relying on it every day and if it's out of action for a while it doesn't really matter.
I want a mk3 (NC). The unpopular one. The NA's and NB's are just too old, rattly and fragile now and at 6'2 they were always a tight fit. A late model 2012-2015 NC is a fairly modern retro car that can still be found in good condition for a fair sum of money. They're also a great base for upgrades and improvements. I've also seen lots of pictures of them with bikes strapped onto DIY racks and mounts so that might be fun.
I don't love MX-5's in particular. I've never had one before. I just keep landing on them by process of elimination. I don't want anything too big, too complex, too expensive, too powerful, too conspicuous. That doesn't leave much choice in 2025. Apart from our Octavia an MX-5 would be the only car in my street that isn't a gigantic SUV or a white Audi.
I haven't been in one yet. The whole time I've been looking nothing has came up close to home. I've requested pictures and videos from dealers all over the country and all but one has looked like the Titanic underneath. I'm in no rush though. I've got plenty of Youtube videos for now.
If you're selling anything like this in good condition let me know. Or if you're in South Yorkshire and want to give me a passenger ride that would be appreciated.
Yeah, I'm probs selling mine in a few weeks, going to look at a Panda 4x4 for bike carrying duties instead, the couple of times I've put my new ebike in the boot of my main car have been a pain so I want something I can put a tow bar on. It's only been a second car (third to be truthful) and it might be a bit tattier / older than you want. But probably cheaper too! Little bit of rust coming through on the rear wheelarches but apart from that it's been amazingly reliable. We've done a few long trips over the years - NC500, Spa for the F1 etc, wouldn't hesitate to do the same again. We're up in Co Durham so not a million miles away from you. There should be a beautiful pic below of my son and I having a lovely time zipping around the track at Blyton but it won't seem to upload..... KD06WDM.
I've never had one but almost did a few years ago but the rusty chassis put me right off
Go for a 6cyl Z4, if you are on a budget you can pick up a cheapy 2.0 4cyl loads about and ok I suppose but you will hanker for a 3.0i maybe a 2.5si or 3.0si
Maybe not got an LSD like some mx5's but look so much better
Buy Northwind's, I think he's planning to sell it. I'm 6'4" or so and I fit into the passenger seat fairly well.
If I was looking for a track car I'd buy an early NC and dabble in Autosolo or Targa rallies. But I've thought about it and I really want a late as possible, clean as possible NC3 to keep for a while and just use for long road trips. I want to go the Alps at least once in a car that isn't weighed down with a tonne of camping gear.
I'd also love a Panda 4x4 because the UK off road club have loads of fun. It's one of my favourite YouTube channels.
Really not into the Z4, sorry. Just does absolutely nothing for me.
I had a Mk3 2.0 sport for roughly 2 years pre kids
TBH even if child hadn’t come along it would have still gone. To sum it up it just had no character, it was dull. Get in a mk1 or 2 and they feel different / special . The Mk3 drives and feels normal ie like a Mondeo etc
I even had the suspension sorted n mine which made the handling impeccable, but it didn’t stop it being underpowered, drivers seat too high, or no way to fully turn traction off .
I’ve not driven later mk4 models but apparently they are much more of a sports car again
Depends what you want. If you want something that ticks the boxes of a sports car but feels and drives like a boring car then get a mk3. If you want a sports with character , get something else !
My wife wants one, and I would just like a roadster of any type. Would probably get an SLK because they're automatic and you can get them with V6s. Not that I need mega power, but more than four cylinders is also something I fancy. But it won't happen for a long time.
We've had ours since 2020 - and if I was looking at one now I'd be interested in the latest shape too, prefer the look of the headlamps and front bumper. And you're right, if you want an MX5 you don't want a Z4! There are loads about, go and have a look at a few. The NC is definitely the roomiest inside of the MX5s and has the best equipment even if it's not nearly as pretty as the NA. We do a tiny mileage in ours these days and only insure it / tax it over the summer so it's laid up over winter. Jump start it and it always goes first turn. The brake calipers are prone to seizing and the anti roll bar linkages need doing every couple of years but we haven't had any other issues. Doesn't use any oil etc. And on a sunny day with the roof down it's one of the best places you can be. Thoroughly recommend, just buy the one that's nicest underneath that you can find.
Love mine - got it 6 months ago. Real fun car to drive. Paid to get it fully under sealed as they have a reputation for rust.
very comfortable too……. I’m only 5’ 8” tho 😂
We had one for nearly 3 years so between about 2015-2018. Wheels were in poor condition when we bought it, hence having them refurbished. Also had some rust on the roof/boot cover which we had resprayed. Apart from one broken spring, no other issues body or engine. Ours was the 1.8 but made a nice noise and was fast enough for me.
Sold it as we didn't really use it enough and we were buying a car for the 'kids' to learn to drive. I did really enjoy taking it out on a sunny day tho. Also much preferred the hard top even tho it didn't go out in the rain much.
Early 2.0 NC here, had it about 3.5 years. Our 4th mx5 and tbh least favourite. Never really gelled with this one like we did with the 2 mk1s or the MK2. It's on coilovers so at least it doesn't have the hideous ride height, but despite geometry checks it's never felt right. Still dread easy to work on though.
My mum has a late NC and loves it, but her frame of reference is Spitfires, Heralds, and an MGTF, so it's an easy win.
A nice NA/NB will, IMHO, drive better, and hold value better. Get one that's had a lot of work already done and you're in a good place. The JDM 1.6 NB is a peach of an engine, and with just a filter skins lovely as well.
Stealth ad for a cheap cosmetically tatty NC in the Midlands though 😀
Daughter has a 1991 Eunos turbo. 230+ hp.
She is just finishing off a full nut and bolt restoration and it will fully finished by September. Long job but it will be worth it
For years my wife had a MX5 NC 2.0 with electric roof, nothing went wrong on it and it was simply good fun. Only downside was that it was noticeably noisy after 10-20 miles at motorway speeds with the roof up (or down 🤔), then it was replaced by a box on wheels 🙁
I've had an NB for 6 years. I'm 185cm (6ft2 ish?) and other than the steering wheel being a bit low I fit fine enough that I've kept it all that time, even drove it to Lake Como and back. It's not rust free (none are) but it's far cleaner than most and has the removable hard top. Has needed nothing more than brake pads/discs and an alternator in all that time. Was thinking of selling later in the summer once I've done one last track day, if you were interested in taking a look - I'm in Sheffield.
It seems free users can't upload a picture else I'd show it carting my Cotic through the mountains.
My wife wants one, and I would just like a roadster of any type. Would probably get an SLK because they're automatic and you can get them with V6s.
God no. Quite rapid cars, but thats about it, although the blowing warm air on to your neck thing is nice. Autobox is awful and takes an age to change, and again you cant even turn traction down on them, let alone off!
If you want a nice soft top then IMO its the Porsche Boxster with its stunning flat 6 engine and amazing PDK gearbox. They have a very nice comfy ride too.
However I imagine a Boxster is probably about twice the price of a SLK... and with good reason.
I have a ND RF - the hardtop so the felt doesn't go mouldy in winter.
Love it.
I'm 6'2" and fit fine.
It's a 2018 and there's no rust at all underneath (had it up on a ramp 2 weeks ago to have a look).
Being a 1.5, it's not the fastest, and there's a lot of gear changes, but that's the appeal.
Well specced, and when driven by my wife it returns 50+mpg. It doesn't when I drive it.
Paid to get it fully under sealed as they have a reputation for rust.
Underseal or cavity wax?
Underseal won't stop them rusting from the inside out (which is what they do) it can even make it worse if the drain holes aren't kept clean. It's just a tough bituminous paint. Cavity wax or waxoyl is injected into the seams and sprayed into the cavities to coat the inside of the various panels that rust.
Full underseal and cavity wax. Car was in for a week - all trims and wheel arch liners removed and everything given coats of Dinitrol Clear.
I don't want anything too big, too complex, too expensive, too powerful, too conspicuous.
I'll pop my head up again with my MG TF!! 🤣 I bought this two years a go on a whim and it's been bloody great - just simple, basic, top down fun. Done 7000 miles in that time. (They do rattle though!). It's my fun car and pretty much my daily driver in summer months, but it gets driven all year round and not garaged.
Lot's of spares, lots of experts and can be modded if that's your thing.
Good ones can be had for only a few £k, 'project' ones virtually given away and even minters aren't stupid money (unless you go to Trophy Cars!)...
We (well the wife) has an ND roadster, had an NC roadster (Electric hard top) 2.0l
The NC died because of rust.. if the wheel arches are going externally then they are almost certainly buggered internally!
Subframe rusted really badly as well, and she did have it undersealed, just not very well it would seem.
Absolutly brilliant fun. heated seats for winter topdown driving. just enough noise and drama to make you feel you're going a million miles an hour, whilst still being under the speed limit!
The current ND has been cavity waxed (Peesbee, was it a place in Ivor near heathrow that did yours?) Poly bushes and decent tyres.
Word of warning the ND's seem to eat gearboxs Hers is a 20000 mile car and has had the box replaced which is poor.
If you want one there's enough around!
Was done by Chris at CSK Automotive in Buntingford (Hertfordshire) Martyn. Agree with you - heated seats and roof down is a great way to travel on a frosty morning.
My wife has a Merc SLC. Quite nice to drive around in and nothing has gone wrong in 9yrs of owning it. MX5 are a bit simpler and handle a bit better but the SLC/SLK are quite underrated.
Another NC here, love it. It's the worst at being an MX5, less character, less smolness, but it's a better car for it, like most people I started out wanting an NA but the bigger engines and better livability of the NC just won out every time (and I can't afford an ND)
The PRHT adds a ton of practicality, you can park it anywhere, it doesn't leak, and it doesn't get slashed or need constant annointment with holy oils. Plus it never gets old pressing the transform button. It needs a rack or a wing or <something> on the bootlid because it has no arse at all and looks like a tired of soap otherwise.
The 2 litre is imo much better than the 1.8, it's not just about chasing power, it's got much better drivability as well, the 1.8 just feels weak to me and undermines the car , the 2.0 is still not powerful but it's adequate, and just makes it much nicer driving the things around at all times, not just when going quick. But getting a prht 2 litre adds a lot of cost to be honest.
Yes they rust. Mine was probably one winter away from needing welded, and fixing that was a big job. Not difficult, just a huge amount of time, to do it right, needs all the underside removed and the whole thing taken back to bare metal. It's not a "this bit rusts" car, everything does. Bootfloors were going to go, sills were surprisingly good except the backs, but parts of the main floor were super thin, basically everywhere there's a bolt or a mounting point there was trouble rust.
Honestly buying a nonrusty MX5 of any type is incredibly difficult, I think in the end I'd rather buy a rusty treatable one than a "rustproofed" one where you have no idea what's behind all the underseal, knowing what I know now I reckon very few people actually will bother to do this right and certainly hardly anyone pays for it AND at the same time get someone trustworthy who really does it properly to do it (some people do, it's just rare). There's a really good case for just dealing with it- spraying a rust slower over the existing rust, going all in on the cavities, and then just handling holes as and when they happen, it'll kill it but it'll take a long time and honestly the work it takes to properly handle it takes forever to recoup. Even a scrap 2 litre has value, people always want the engines.
All the bushings where completely shagged too (at 90000 miles). Weirdly it actually still drove well despite some being completely torn apart, I've no idea how that works.
Oh yeah and beware of engine rattles and smoke. I mean, that's obvious in any car but specifically the duratecs can have ring issues that cause oil consumption, and in the longtitudinal fitment they've no tolerance of lowish oil and eat bearings very quickly if it ever runs even slightly low (quite a lot of cornering oil movement and not much oil control in the sump). Mine came to me having been "fixed" and had the mains replaced but they'd not refreshed the engine and it lost a little end very quickly. Hence it was cheap!
So I did this
2.5 litre out of a mazda 6, with cams and an exhaust, cheap and easy and took it to a hair over 200, plus miles more torque.
Also fully polybushed it and put Meister R coilovers in it, because the Bilsteins were rusting apart. So it's a crashy noisy thing now but handles superb. It's still not fast, it's slower than my bike wagon but on the road who needs more than 200bhp? Nutters basically. And on track it'll keep up with most things, it's just a wee bit of a handful trying to get it out of corners fast.
As ChrisL mentioned I'll be selling it soon. TBF I made it too nice, I'd be better served by a cheap wee nugget I can crash into tyre walls without crying. But tbf it's not a normal person's MX5, it'll go to someone that really wants the performance and doesn't mind the noise and slammyness and rattles, so I'm not sure it's for you!
If you're selling anything like this in good condition let me know. Or if you're in South Yorkshire and want to give me a passenger ride that would be appreciated.
Not south Yorkshire I'm afraid (based in Worcester) but just about to advertise my BBR tuned NC for sale... It's a 2009 car, 2L Sport, BBR180 tuned (with optional exhaust back box and dynoed at 183bhp), on coilovers, uprated RX8 anti roll bars etc... Rare highland Green too... Very clean underneath too (no tin worm at all)... 58k on the clock from memory and sailed through its last MOT with a clean bill of health... PM me if interested.
Agree with pretty much everything Northwind says about the NC to be fair... Aside from the PRHT that is... It's a 2 seat sports car, embrace the lighter weight and how easy it is to drop the soft top rather than the whole person worth of weight that the PRHT adds (and up high too!)... But as the "unloved" version of the MX5 amongst the MX5 purists, it is absolutely the best version of the car for anyone who just isn't into MX5 idiosyncracies for sure...
Only selling mine as I bought it when I couldn't ride a bike at all (cycle or motor, had bowel cancer and couldn't ride for over 18 months!) and needed something to cheer me up... Now I'm back riding again, the MX5 just doesn't get used sadly... I don't want to sell it but also I have no need or use for it, and would rather someone else enjoyed it.
I will get some more pics of it soon, but meanwhile, here's me enjoying it on track at Donington on the one and only time I have taken it on track...
[img]
[/img]
Son has an NB, he bought it with eyes wide open and it did have some rust. We're based just over the border in NE Derbyshire. So rides at Wharncliffe lots and handily Deepcar autos are based just down the road. They seem to be the goto people for fixing rusty MX-5s and their prices are very reasonable. And let's be honest all MX-5s are rusty somewhere.
Based on your requirements, the place to look for one is the MX5 owner's club forum classifieds.
Here’s mine, although it’s not for sale. NC 2ltr Roadster Powershift. Just turned 30,000 miles, garaged in the winter so totally 🤞 rust free. Bought it for foreign trips to replace the motorbike, love it. 
I am 42, the average life expectancy is now mid eighties (I believe) so, I am mid life...
I am going to look at a 2016 MX5 next week (someone I know has offered it to me)
This would make a perfect 3 car house (a van, a practical hatchback and a sports car) come true for us....
Only thing is I am very tall..... will see if I fit.
We have a 2001 1.8 with the first of the SVT engines.
Bought it new to go on honeymoon, toured through Spain and back up through the Pyrenees.
Great car. It just makes you smile when you drive it.
Generally garaged so it hasn’t rusted yet.
Hopefully go on another road trip for our 25th.
Only thing is I am very tall..... will see if I fit.
Dunno go and sit in one and see?
NC 2ltr Roadster Powershift.
🤣 I didn't realise that they had released an automatic version, why didnt they just call it automatic? Other than automatic, thats the same spec, colour etc as mine was. Is it on lowered springs too?
Not that I’m aware. It’s a ‘bit’ more than just an automatic, 6 speed tiptronic & paddle shift, or regular auto for lazy guts like me.
This one popped up yesterday. Dream spec for me. It's more than I wanted to spend originally but if it was local I'd definitely go for a look. There's no way I can get down to Maidstone any time soon though. I wish one of these would could up in a private sale for a few grand less.
https://www.maidstoneautocentre.co.uk/used/cars/mazda-mx-5-20i-25th-anniversary-2dr-10482
I liked this one in Scotland but they sent me lots of picture of the underside and it's rough as a badgers arse. Subframes and inner wheel arches are bright orange all over. So this one is off the list.
https://www.renfrewcarsales.com/used/cars/mazda-mx-5-20i-sport-graphite-roadster-euro-5-2dr-10328/
This one is within easy reach in York but it's had 6 owners and a BBR upgrade so it's definitely lived a full life so far. I'm on the fence with this one.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18583862
Nearly £14k for an 11 year old car! Have these reached VW bus levels of fandom now!? 😬
If you're into that sort of money get a Honda S2000.
1. That's how much they are. Just because. I can't do anything about the prices. Also, I'm not spending 14k, I'm avoiding dealers if possible.
2. An equivalent condition S2000 is not as cheap as you think it is and they're much older.
3. I don't want an S2000
I’d assumed our 30k miles, nice condition 2001 one was worth about £500.
Not that I’m aware. It’s a ‘bit’ more than just an automatic
All modern automatics do that 😜
Mine was £600 🙂 It's just that it took about £2000 and a million hours of work to un**** it. There's a lot of cheaper NCs about, you just have to be more careful (and if the ad doesn't say which engine it is, it's a 1.8, it's the law)
Just to add an extra option, have you considered a mk3 MR2? My sister has had a couple of MX-5s (a radically lowered and butchered NB, and a stock NC) and I wanted a "fun" car as I'd never owned a convertible or anything less sensible than our Octavia estate.
I did some research on www.mr2roc.org and paid £1900 for a stock 2001 MR2 and I flipping love it. It's better balanced, better handling and more fun than my sister's MX-5s (even she said this after driving mine). They're really reliable, nicely designed and have near-perfect front / rear balance from the factory (I prefer the look and feel of the pre-facelift models, and you can fit body braces if you want them stiffer). But it's a very flexible choice for a track / performance car if you want to go down that route.
They're a lot less common than MX-5s, in a "wave when you see another one on the road" sort of way. The forum above will give you much much more information!
I have an 07 1.8 PRHT, Stormy Blue, over in Doncaster, you’re welcome to come have a spin (although we treat our cars with cultured neglect). Had it more than a decade, and no drama or big bills until last year when the sills rotted through, so £1200 of work for the MOT. It’s the base model and stock apart from swapping the seats to the leather heated ones from the Sport. (You can’t swap between early and facelift models, wiring loom is different.)
Bear in mind it was over a decade ago, but I test drove loads before the Mazda: MR2, MGF, GTi, SLK, Boxster, TT, Smart, Keis, all sorts. The Mazda is the Goldilocks for me. Peppy enough off the lights or onto the roundabouts, the hardtop goes away while you are putting your belt on and is rarely up on ours unless parked. Important for us is the relatively high seats and lower window lines, it really feels open and like you are outside, you don’t get that when the window lines are at your shoulders, we test drove the Mk4 RF when it came out and just couldn’t like it. On the road it’s friendly, people let you out at junctions etc.
We’ve considered what to replace it with, and other than a 50s or 60s classic which I would allow to rot away, don’t see much beyond a late model Mk3 facelift, 2 litre for a little bit more oomph.
Tuning the Duratec isn’t easy, there are very few little things you can do to add power incrementally, so the BBR route with a turbo, manifold, exhaust etc all sorts of needs doing together to get the results, so you have to jump in with four figures. Hence engine swaps are nearly as popular as turbos.
Agree with an earlier post, Facebook owners group is the place to find a good one pre-owned by an mx-5 nerd. That's where I got mine. I'd definitely try an older one before spending £14k on a late NC though, you could buy the rustiest ever NB, weld and turbo it with enough left over to buy a couple more for that price!
Nearly £14k for an 11 year old car! Have these reached VW bus levels of fandom now!? 😬
If you're into that sort of money get a Honda S2000.
I'm asking less than half that for my BBR180 tuned car...
I'll even deliver it to South Yorkshire for you @sharkattack 👍🏻
I know people just skim the words but I've already said I have no intention of spending 14k. I'd rather spend less than 10 but I'd really like a red one and they only come in Graphite or 25th Anniversary special editions which are always more expensive.
I'm already on all the FB groups waiting for the right private sale to pop up. I've missed a couple of very reasonably prices cars so I know they're out there.
I'm asking less than half that for my BBR180 tuned car...
I'll even deliver it to South Yorkshire for you @sharkattack 👍🏻
Depends how sexy it is.
I missed out on 2 cars at the weekend. Both 25th anniversary models being sold through the owners group. Both private sales at way lower prices than the dealers. Both got snapped up.
I couldn't get away to look at any cars because it was Juniors birthday.
They are out there I'm just going to be patient. Crucially I've got nothing booked for the next 3 weekends so I'll be ready to pounce.
we need some pics mboy!
Apologies, been busy sorting other stuff out... Just took some pics this evening and created an ad for it...
Here's some pics...
?stp=dst-jpg_s960x960_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=aa7b47&_nc_ohc=9rGJ7v7-MZ4Q7kNvwHoCUD8&_nc_oc=AdnUdhs4eUdYEZnMwnLuUnLgP0daTQ44aaBZ75SDRzlY9a__UPh2EbFa88wbL-zgEcPYtbK1NLwtNtWtYtzGcwmk&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr6-1.xx&_nc_gid=pzDZtdPAa67YE-gQltFTQA&oh=00_AfPDIWlW84FSIVU7efc6mUp01IXXfyqTfHUdby6Mi7Otxg&oe=68567885
?stp=dst-jpg_s960x960_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=aa7b47&_nc_ohc=0k7SIBVbI64Q7kNvwHwxk3M&_nc_oc=AdlMlOmZKYhjvXmMPw5VRI-HKH2YtYV7JrVEfRpSbRwwPdS4ZR4LLKOQPhFRGbWHqR6HkHxgr4boBlEFUbt_W6cs&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr6-2.xx&_nc_gid=pzDZtdPAa67YE-gQltFTQA&oh=00_AfOHpFJThjWzVUhgnNIY2PYgBEzUhOpzMn83o1z-k8we3Q&oe=685671F9
?stp=dst-jpg_s960x960_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=aa7b47&_nc_ohc=Jgnc5P6nvJcQ7kNvwFuTE6O&_nc_oc=Adn1Z2NpaF3cFSPl-B0NHd3xQR3pFKX4TiBJpmMUa24zsSQ4MqObcvlBFQaL7aVLNKzqotlkyueS8JNn_-alayyn&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr6-1.xx&_nc_gid=pzDZtdPAa67YE-gQltFTQA&oh=00_AfO4Uqg8dxOqbB4m_GD9oMqz-HOp4wgK8PIDqgwZo9gfVw&oe=685651C2
?stp=dst-jpg_s960x960_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=aa7b47&_nc_ohc=EUol9kcpMXQQ7kNvwGW_xQN&_nc_oc=Admf7cxm2v0-DlvXsIuVzURvHpmh7Lj9AUakHSUgWNYRJrmZu7c-32WD2yCOUYRttQyZL-fdudjFcx53qcTxgi6t&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr8-1.xx&_nc_gid=pzDZtdPAa67YE-gQltFTQA&oh=00_AfMl09Pd6QecoSORRX51-XR_CLnHcsHGgskdUNgoNHwrMw&oe=685670C0
Ad as follows...
Selling my MX-5 as need something more practical sadly... Here's the lowdown...
-2009 NC 2L sport (6spd box, LSD, leather interior, spotlights etc)...
-Highland Green (very rare colour)
-BBR Super 180 conversion including BBR supersport back box (dynoed @ 183bhp)
-Very clean underside... NO RUST!
-MeisterR Coilover suspension -RX8 "yellow" Anti Roll Bars
-17" Ultralite F1 wheels with nearly new Goodyear F1 Asymmetric 6's all round
-Upgraded Pioneer touch screen double DIN head unit with Apple Car Play and DAB radio
-Only 58.5k miles
-Ducktail spoiler
-Loads of history
-Just had a service less than 100 miles ago
I've owned this car for nearly 3 years but sadly haven't had much time to enjoy it and now need something more practical so it needs to go. It is a very sorted car, with the BBR conversion adding 25bhp and a whole chunk of extra midrange torque making it significantly quicker than stock. Also the coilover suspension and uprated anti roll bars (along with grippy Goodyear rubber) make the car corner flat like its on rails! This car isn't like most rot box MX-5's, this car is really clean underneath with no rust... The car sailed through its last MOT with no minors and has recently had fresh oil and filters fitted. I will miss this car thoroughly, it's the best handling car I've owned (and I've owned some much more expensive and more exotic cars in the past) and really wants just for someone with the time to enjoy it... Any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch...
Nice - hopefully the extra 25hp and torque is enough to make it a more enjoyable drive ie over come the grip
Looks like it sits quite high compared to an Eibach suspension car.
Nearly £14k for an 11 year old car! Have these reached VW bus levels of fandom now!? 😬
If you're into that sort of money get a Honda S2000.
What brand of time machine are you using!?
Nice - hopefully the extra 25hp and torque is enough to make it a more enjoyable drive ie over come the grip
This sounds nice and safe?
You're deliberately misinterpreting that, as well you know
180bhp is a long way from turning an NC into a Porsche 930 widowmaker.
Looks like it sits quite high compared to an Eibach suspension car.
Purely set up. Even the base MeisterR units are height adjustable.
Nice - hopefully the extra 25hp and torque is enough to make it a more enjoyable drive ie over come the grip
This sounds nice and safe?
Yep, really safe. Racing beat manifold, some good tyres, lightweight forged wheels, Meister R, stiffer roll bar and the geo adjusted to move the balance back a little and induce some movement from the rear. Its wonderful.
Thats what you mean, isnt it?
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49984102996_a8bdee4154_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49984102996_a8bdee4154_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
This car is for sale if anyone is interested, very very good value. Sold it to my BIL who is now getting rid. Lovely thing.
Sniff.... our old Galaxy Grey NC went to a new home on the 9th. Put it on Facebook marketplace and had the asking price in my bank in less than 24 hours and the happy new owners picked it up later the same day. And had to email a number of disappointed punters. We had enjoyed if for 5 great years, if we could have put a tow bar on it for a bike rack and if the road tax wasn't so expensive we would have kept it.
So on Saturday gone we caught the early flight to Belfast and picked up a bright orange Panda 4x4 Twin Air! Happy days 🙂
I'm still lurking on the owners groups and checking eBay and AutoTrader every day. I can't believe how few cars have come up for sale within easy reach of Sheffield considering I could probably throw a rock out of the window and hit an MX-5. They're bloody everywhere, I saw loads of them over the weekend.
I did go to to see a blue Graphite model near Chesterfield the other day since we were passing the dealer. It looks great online but it's an absolute dog in real life. I didn't even ask for the keys to have a closer look. Nice colour though.
In the old days I'd just travel cross country to see cars I like but it's hard with a child. I don't really want to subject him to a 6 or 8 hour round trip if I can avoid it.
This sounds nice and safe?
Riding bikes offroad is inherently unsafe, only 2 contact points and all that... Yet here we are discussing this on an MTB forum!
We're talking about a car that when stock did 0-60 in 8 seconds and now does it in around 7... The extra power and torque having been liberated purely by a freer flowing exhaust manifold (stock ones are very restrictive) and a remap to take account of the manifold. Engine is absolutely stock internally...
Nice - hopefully the extra 25hp and torque is enough to make it a more enjoyable drive ie over come the grip
Looks like it sits quite high compared to an Eibach suspension car.
It's about 30mm lower than stock iirc, which is about as low as I can get away with. To be honest, I was going to raise it up 10-15mm as there's some pretty severe speed humps round by me that it struggles to clear.
NC's always look tall even if they're not, cos the wheel arches are so big!
And the extra power and torque is superb, but it also has Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6's on which are fantastic tyres so mostly it just results in more forward momentum... Switch the T/C off and it can be provoked a little easier than stock if you want to though... But it's no spiky torque monster that's for sure.
What brand of time machine are you using!?
A hot tub one by the sounds of things! Rose tinted specs and all...
What brand of time machine are you using!?
...well there are x43 S2000s under £15k just on Autotrader - that's without looking on EBay, Pistonheads etc. They may not be concours, but some look very tidy.
So I'm on 2025 time! 😜
We've already established that no one is planning to spend 15k on an MX-5.
I'm trying to stay under 10k. Plus I still don't 'want' an S2000. It's a completely different car.
Are you sure now and if not why not a Z4 perhaps, goan goan goan
How about the the Fiat 124 Spider? Based on an MX-5 but with different body / engine, I like the styling over the MX-5. Plenty of those in budget too.