Anyone got any experiences of these? Son & heir is likely to be off to commence RM training in September and I'm thinking of one of these as a budget classic to send him off with. I like the original as an homage to the Lotus Elan. Any common faults to look out for?
Mk1 MX-5/Miata?
- Thread starter Stuart Truman
- Start date
Paulwirral
Active member
Great little cars , watch for rust on the sills and blocked drain holes . They probably won't lose any more money these days either .
minefields
Member
I had a mk 2.5 mx5 and know someone with a r limted mk1. As what Paul said look for rust, they have pretty thin paint. Especially rear wheel arches, inside and out. Sills can rust as there are drain holes in the sill that if not cleaning will just hold water and slosh around.
Engines are pretty bullet proof. Great thing is they are easy to work on and parts are very cheap for them.
Engines are pretty bullet proof. Great thing is they are easy to work on and parts are very cheap for them.
I had a mk1 1800s special Eunos (Jap import) 1993 but only 30k from new . slow but handled ok . Fuel consumption was worse than the Z due to the low gearing meaning high revs
They are prone to rattling hydraulic tappets but generally bullet proof
Swapped it for the Z as it was a bit too girly for me
They are prone to rattling hydraulic tappets but generally bullet proof
Swapped it for the Z as it was a bit too girly for me
richardjgreen
Active member
had a mk1 yonks ago never let me down the eunos is better than the uk spec and nearly always rust free 
Nelly Welly
Active member
The main areas of concern are the headlight relays which are added to make them uk spec.
The oil must be changed regularly and the valve knock like hell if it's not changed when you start the engine.
Electric windows are always a problem and as always security is a bit of a pain.
Other than that it's fine, I have a manual on disc if you need it.
The oil must be changed regularly and the valve knock like hell if it's not changed when you start the engine.
Electric windows are always a problem and as always security is a bit of a pain.
Other than that it's fine, I have a manual on disc if you need it.
Check lower rear wishbones as they can rust through.They are a pain in the butt to do and are expensive to replace.
I have just helped a friend replace his.
Other weak points are brake callipers and rusty sills as the roof drains into the sill,if the drain holes block the sill fills with water which can soak the carpets.
I have just helped a friend replace his.
Other weak points are brake callipers and rusty sills as the roof drains into the sill,if the drain holes block the sill fills with water which can soak the carpets.
I have had a mk2 and a mk1 eunos in the past few years. Preferred driving the mk1. As others have said, rust is the achilles heel of the mx5/eunos so check sills and arches well. It is often best to look for an import that will have spent less time on our roads and possibly been waxoyled on arrival. They are so easy to work on so are great for a home mechanic. If you can pick one up with a hardtop, these fetch about £450 in the winter months so can be a good investment.
Plenty of info on the mx5nutz forum.
Plenty of info on the mx5nutz forum.
I own a Mk1 Eunos as part of my fleet - it's mainly used for track duty these days - I built it for the other half to learn to drive a rear wheel drive car well.
Bottom line - best fun you can have with your trousers on. Cheap, easy to maintain and mechanically pretty bullet proof. I have a 1.6 - it isn't fast that's for sure but you feel everything through the wheel, your hands, feet and backside.
Mechanicals are good - front ball joints need replacing regularly, rear calipers seize up and rusty sills are an issue as are the electric windows. Parts are buttons to buy and if you are fairly competent they are a piece of cake to work on. Loads of info on forums to help out.
Biggest pain in the backside is insurance 'because it's an import' - FFS. Shopping around here works wonders.
I turn up to track in mine, check oil and water - thrash the living day lights out of it all day long and then check oil and water (none is ever used) and drive home.
Happy days...
Bottom line - best fun you can have with your trousers on. Cheap, easy to maintain and mechanically pretty bullet proof. I have a 1.6 - it isn't fast that's for sure but you feel everything through the wheel, your hands, feet and backside.
Mechanicals are good - front ball joints need replacing regularly, rear calipers seize up and rusty sills are an issue as are the electric windows. Parts are buttons to buy and if you are fairly competent they are a piece of cake to work on. Loads of info on forums to help out.
Biggest pain in the backside is insurance 'because it's an import' - FFS. Shopping around here works wonders.
I turn up to track in mine, check oil and water - thrash the living day lights out of it all day long and then check oil and water (none is ever used) and drive home.
Happy days...
Yes, remember we drive on the correct side of the road 
(knights of the realm passing sword arm to sword arm, hence the horses would be on the left side of the track) so LHD from the USA is an import. However, a RHD car from Japan is also classed as a grey import in England as it comes from outside the European Union. It's all about the type approvals of the car.
(knights of the realm passing sword arm to sword arm, hence the horses would be on the left side of the track) so LHD from the USA is an import. However, a RHD car from Japan is also classed as a grey import in England as it comes from outside the European Union. It's all about the type approvals of the car.ive had 3!!!
STILL one of my fave cars around, awesome handling and just such a FUN package, great cars with great tuning ability, i prefer the mk1 1.8is i had in red, i should have NEVER have sold that car, it was beautiful!!
your son is a lucky boy indeed
jesus did i muck about in those little mx5s, hang the arse out at every chance, just good honest, fun cars. They REALLY respond to some tuning work too, suspension and engine tuning, i always wanted a flying miata turbo setup. my first proper car.
STILL one of my fave cars around, awesome handling and just such a FUN package, great cars with great tuning ability, i prefer the mk1 1.8is i had in red, i should have NEVER have sold that car, it was beautiful!!
your son is a lucky boy indeed
jesus did i muck about in those little mx5s, hang the arse out at every chance, just good honest, fun cars. They REALLY respond to some tuning work too, suspension and engine tuning, i always wanted a flying miata turbo setup. my first proper car.
I looked at one of the very newest versions before buying my Z. Quite nice to look at, a decent enough drive, well equipped but in the end three things put me off:
1 - Pedals way over to the right
2 - Thousands upon thousands of them on the road.
3 - It didn't have 6 cylinders and 265 German thoroughbreds under the bonnet.
However, I've no doubt that one of the early ones and the time/facilities to look after it would be an absolute hoot to own.
1 - Pedals way over to the right
2 - Thousands upon thousands of them on the road.
3 - It didn't have 6 cylinders and 265 German thoroughbreds under the bonnet.
However, I've no doubt that one of the early ones and the time/facilities to look after it would be an absolute hoot to own.
A fabulous fun car for your son to own. Cheap tyres and running costs (though using all the rev range means it's not that good mpg wise) As mentioned check for rust at the seam about two thirds back on the sills as well as arches. The rear calipers do seize. Also make certain the hood's ok as they do wear and get damaged over time - fairly cheap (compared to the Zed (!) to replace though).
Take a look at the MX forums and owners clubs to find a well cared for and cherished example - they are getting to be a classic now and good examples stand out as owned by enthusiasts. We owned a Mk 2 which I think had a much nicer shape and line to it - in British Racing Green (official MX colour!) it looked superb - just the front light shape could have done with sharpening up otherwise a really classic roadster shape and image. It never ceased to put a smile on my face - a great drive and do anything daily driver. Never let us down either in 6 years ownership.
Hope you find what you're looking for - good luck with your search.
Take a look at the MX forums and owners clubs to find a well cared for and cherished example - they are getting to be a classic now and good examples stand out as owned by enthusiasts. We owned a Mk 2 which I think had a much nicer shape and line to it - in British Racing Green (official MX colour!) it looked superb - just the front light shape could have done with sharpening up otherwise a really classic roadster shape and image. It never ceased to put a smile on my face - a great drive and do anything daily driver. Never let us down either in 6 years ownership.
Hope you find what you're looking for - good luck with your search.
I've always had a completely irrational loathing of MX5's. I think it's because I've encountered a disproportionate amount of idiots driving them over the years.
Great way to get into RWD sports cars though.
Great way to get into RWD sports cars though.