Mk1 MX-5/Miata?

[NMC100]

I have a Mk1 1.8S with 50K miles. I've had it for 7 years and although I drive it maybe once a month it's never cost me anything other than an annual service, and consumables. Its engine is bulletproof.

Buy one without PAS if you can and the 1.8 engine is obviously better to drive. Subtle mods to help the engine breathe better are recomended. As the engine bay has an under tray it gets pretty hot under the hood. There is a little flap in the under tray that can be opened and a cold feed attached to. I have run mine with a K&N induction, cold feed and full Larini exhaust system (sadly no longer available) for years and it makes a huge difference to throttle response and the aural experience.

Great little cars.

 

[Mowflow]

I've got a 10th anniversary edition mk2. They were very early mk2's so not a million miles from mk1's. My dad had a mk1 import a few years back. It was a great little car with the only negative being it was an automatic.

As others have said, rust is the biggest killer on any mx5 no matter what the mk. It can even be found on mk3's now. Any rust you see on the surface will guaranteed be 10 times worse behind the panel so if you aren't prepared to get it fixed properly (chopped out and welded) or scrap it in a few years then don't buy anything showing rust (won'tt be easy finding a cheap one that doesn't have any). Also don't trust anyone selling that labels it "surface rust". There's no such thing. All the other issues are easily fixed and relatively cheap. I've replaced all the brake discs and pads, a seized calliper and all 4 tyres on mine for Michelin PS Exalto 2s in the last couple of months and it's cost me less than £500.

As for the driving experience. I never really "got it" when my wife owned hers. I was all about having the car with the biggest engine, most power, lowest 0-60 etc then. I don't get to drive mine that often but when i do it always without fail puts a smile on my face. I've not owned many cars that have been capable of doing that every time I drive them. They are not fast cars but they are very responsive which makes them feel quicker than they are. The back will hang out whenever you want it to but everything about the car makes it easy to predict, catch and control.

There's a good buying guide on Pistonheads and MX5nutz is good for info. My 2 tips would be to buy one with an LSD and avoid the post 1994 (I think it was, double check that year) 1.6 as they reduced the power to 90 odd BHP to distance it from the 1.8.