Accidentally sold the MX5...

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Mon 9 Jul 2018 16:44
Accidentally sold the MX5... - johnnyrev
While pondering what to do with the Logan (as explored in another thread- the answer being I have done nothing with the Logan, and probably won’t), I seem to have accidentally sold the MX5.

One of my churchwarden’s husband sadly died a few weeks ago (aged only 48) and their mobility car was taken back within a week or so. As she was without a car I lent her the Mazda to give her some time to shop around for something.

Now, a few weeks later, she has enjoyed the Mazda so much (in turns out her husband had a mk1 MX5 as a company car when he was a travelling salesman!), she wants one. So it only seemed polite to offer her mine, to save her the hassle of shopping around.

Now I quite enjoy shopping around for cars, so am now looking around for a replacement for my cheapie MX5 (very cheap- £1200). Another one perhaps? I have a little more budget now (I’ve been saving up), £2.5k, which might even stretch to a mk3.

There are lots of MG TF’s around, which might be tempting. Or even an MR2. Any other ideas? Ideally a soft top, but not necessarily, as long as it’s small and fun.

Edited by johnnyrev on 09/07/2018 at 16:45

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Mon 9 Jul 2018 17:03
Accidentally sold the MX5... - TheGentlemanThug

I have to say, that was very noble of you. I'd have been reluctant to sell an old car I had history with only to replace it with another old car I don't know the history of.

Nonetheless, the MX5 and MR2 should be plentiful, although the latter is perhaps more hardcore than the former.

Reliability notwithstanding, how about an Alfa Spider?

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Mon 9 Jul 2018 17:08
Accidentally sold the MX5... - SLO76
Only one choice here I’m afraid. The MX5 is by far the best small two seater you could buy for the money. An MG would be a never ending battle to keep it running and in one piece and the Toyota is rare and prone to high oil usage. A very nice Mk II or possibly an early Mk III as you say but watch for rot even on the Mk III.

Edited by SLO76 on 09/07/2018 at 17:08

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Mon 9 Jul 2018 17:21
Accidentally sold the MX5... - gordonbennet

An alternative might be a Honda S2000, though seem to be holding their values better than the Mazda, obviously this isn't the time of year to find one at anything like sensible prices.

The MG is likely to not equal these best of Japanese made two seaters in the reliability stakes.

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Mon 9 Jul 2018 19:02
Accidentally sold the MX5... - Happy Blue!

The S2000 is pretty hardcore and you will need to wear gloves in winter otherwise the gear stick will give you frostbite. But the best engine by a country mile.

The MR2 has the advantage of being mid-engined so a purists car and the Mk1 and Mk3 are the best.

Enjoy the hunt.

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Tue 10 Jul 2018 08:54
Accidentally sold the MX5... - nellyjak
Only one choice here I’m afraid. The MX5 is by far the best small two seater you could buy for the money. An MG would be a never ending battle to keep it running and in one piece and the Toyota is rare and prone to high oil usage. A very nice Mk II or possibly an early Mk III as you say but watch for rot even on the Mk III.

Agree....stay with a MX5...despite being an avid Toyota fan (and owner).!!..the MR2 is a great car to drive...but there are issues that need to be considered.

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Mon 9 Jul 2018 18:59
Accidentally sold the MX5... - Andrew-T

I think in your position I would have offered to shop around for an MX5 for the bereaved, rather than immediately handing over yours, which sounds rather too biblically proper :-))

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Mon 9 Jul 2018 21:02
Accidentally sold the MX5... - SteveLee

Should get a good Peugeot 306CC for the money, it's obviously a much heavier car, but mechanically they're quite robust and a lot of people panic with the first signs of trouble with the roof - which is normally casued by slightly sticky hinges which can be fixed by simply spraying with 3 in 1 (NOT WD40) while someone opens and closes the roof. If any of the motors feel resistance then the system shutsdown, a touch of post winter corrosion is usually enough to trigger this. Don;t buy a 180 bhp one though - all the power is at the top-end, the bogo stock 2 litre is a far better road car.

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Thu 12 Jul 2018 11:37
Accidentally sold the MX5... - johnnyrev
Thanks everyone, another MX5 seems to be the popular choice. I’m intrigued by a 306CC so I will have a browse at those as well. Looking at prices, I think a Honda S2000 is out of my price range (sadly).

There’s an MX5 specialist in Stafford that I might pop over to on Monday (my only day off- unlike popular perception I don’t only work one day a week!). I’m not in any hurry though, I’d rather wait for the right car to present itself.
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Thu 12 Jul 2018 19:08
Accidentally sold the MX5... - johnnyrev
I might consider this one...
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-MX5-convertible-low-milea...9

Edited by johnnyrev on 12/07/2018 at 19:11

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Fri 13 Jul 2018 00:23
Accidentally sold the MX5... - Avant

I wonder, looking at that advert, why the seller is telling you all of this. He bought it only in March and has spent some money on it, but won't be making much of a profit at the amount asked. If it's on SPRN, maybe it hasn't been used for some time.

Is there perhaps something else lurking, which might cause it to fail its MoT in only 4 months' time?There are lots more of them out there, so if you see this one and aren't convinced, take your time - and find one that the seller will let you drive.

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Fri 13 Jul 2018 08:32
Accidentally sold the MX5... - johnnyrev
I’m always suspicious of ads, probably reading too much into what they don’t say! I’ve found another MX5 which might be tempting:

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/mazda-mx5-mk-3-2007/27334289677...c

...but the ad just doesn’t have enough info, I can’t check the mot history, so I am immediately suspicious that something is wrong.

Still, at least the multitude of online ads is better than the days of trawling through the small ads.
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Fri 13 Jul 2018 10:30
Accidentally sold the MX5... - Andrew-T
...but the ad just doesn’t have enough info, I can’t check the mot history, so I am immediately suspicious that something is wrong.

No need to assume the worst - just ask the seller for more details. Any answers should give useful pointers, especially if you don't get any ....

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Fri 13 Jul 2018 19:26
Accidentally sold the MX5... - johnnyrev
I’ve had a chat to the seller of this one and am satisfied about the reason for selling, all seems genuine. And he is putting a fresh mot on it early next week, and if all is okay, I will have it by the end of next week (and the seller is confident All will be okay!).

I got in touch with the seller of the mk3, which is the other link I posted and was told I could come and look, but not drive as it ‘off the road’. Whether that just means untaxed, or something more serious I don’t know!
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Tue 17 Jul 2018 17:10
Accidentally sold the MX5... - johnnyrev
I’m glad I asked for a new mot, as it has failed on emissions. It might just need a good run, but it might be something much more expensive. I now await a message from the seller to see what he has to say!
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Sat 21 Jul 2018 16:51
Accidentally sold the MX5... - johnnyrev
I now have bought the mx5 that had failed it’s mot. The vendor replaced the catalytic converter so it now has its mot. He was very honest with me about what it cost him (£500) and showed me in detail all the work he had done-mainly bodywork and welding. And I’m very pleased, another cheap mx5!
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