-
Cheers for the info.
I just joined a Facebook group and prices on there seem pretty good compared to ebay.
I’d seen a mk3 (I think, it was a roadster rather than a soft top) for like £8k on eBay that I’d thought was alright but seems I could get something useful for a good bit less than that.
Did wonder if having a hardtop would be more secure. Where I live is alright but have heard of people having their soft tops slashed.
M_V-
@mmccarthy sorry meant you but forgot your user name.
Rust wise the sill is in three pieces so a proper repair is not just a patch on the outside. Floor pans rust too.
Hard top is a pain to store, but soft tops do get slashed as easy way in to steal. Get used to leaving glove boxes and cubby holes.
Engine wise @NurseHolliday is the one to speak to.
-
The hardtop is undoubtedly more secure, and provides better noise/thermal insulation. But unless it's pissing it down and I'm driving through town, or I'm doing 60mph+ for a sustained period, I've got the roof down at all times. MK2 (and 1) don't have retractable roofs so you've got to lift it off and store it (which is also tricky as a 1 person job), so I never bother with it.
Looks like the MK3s have retractable roofs which is great, though not sure of the impact on boot space. Last thing I'd want is taking a drive up some coastal/mountain roads for the weekend and not being able to put the roof down because my luggage is in the boot.
Edit: Looks like the MK3 roof doesn't really have an impact on boot space, so that's a big plus. Doesn't quite have the same feeling as peeling off the motorway and popping the roof down at 30mph, but probably works a bit better!
-
I have a Haynes manual for mx-5s I can drop in the post for you. PM if interested.
lynx
mmccarthy
Aroogah
MK2 owner here, not much to offer aside from the usual tips on checking for rust (particularly sills, arches & front chassis legs). There are little drains that have an outlet down by the jacking points that can get clogged and lead to rusting which you need to look out for. Would definitely want a good look at the underside of any MX5 I was looking to buy.
Prices look to have gone up over the past year or two (not sure how much of that is general market and how much is MX5-specific), but most decent looking MK2s that I've seen around still around the £2k mark. Should be able to get most/all/more of that back assuming it's well looked after while you own it.
Also, hard top prices are (pun partially intended) through the roof at the moment. So if you buy one with a hard top and aren't particularly fussed on keeping it, you could probably sell it for £500 or so. Though I'd probably recommend holding onto it for car resale value purposes.