So I want another MX5, but which model?

Apu · Postby **Apu** » Thu Apr 21, 2016 9:43 am

If you can push the budget a little bit...I've been contemplating selling Apu (it's been an on and off issue).

NB8C with NitroDann turbo kit. The turbo was brand new (and has since seen less than 5000kms) - it's a Volvo TD04 with WRX wheel. Puts out 182-184rwkW...and that's without tuning the water-methanol injection. Prior to the 3" exhaust, it put out 163rwkW on the 2.5". Dave at Mania tuned it with the water-meth and we got 176rwkW.

Car has 15x8 Buddy Clubs with RS3s, has T2 LSD, MX5+ twin hoop rollover bar, Weitec (KW) coilovers and a bunch of other bits (oil cooler etc).

It doesn't have a hard-top, aircon and power steering.

Dann knows this car well.

SKYHI · Postby **SKYHI** » Thu Apr 21, 2016 10:15 am

Yes, ausboy's 10AE does tick the turbo box at the right price. However, the NB8A is my least favourite MX5 model, and the 10AE interior is, lets say interesting

. There's also a few exterior bits and pieces I'd change, but I do like the colour.

As for the steering wheel, I'd be happy enough changing it for a standard NB8B one I guess, to retain the airbag. I assume there's no airbags in the NB8B seats, so changing the seats over for some ADR approved "Sparcos" or similar shouldn't be an issue?

SKYHI · Postby **SKYHI** » Thu Apr 21, 2016 10:17 am

Apu wrote:If you can push the budget a little bit...I've been contemplating selling Apu (it's been an on and off issue).

NB8C with NitroDann turbo kit. The turbo was brand new (and has since seen less than 5000kms) - it's a Volvo TD04 with WRX wheel. Puts out 182-184rwkW...and that's without tuning the water-methanol injection. Prior to the 3" exhaust, it put out 163rwkW on the 2.5". Dave at Mania tuned it with the water-meth and we got 176rwkW.

Car has 15x8 Buddy Clubs with RS3s, has T2 LSD, MX5+ twin hoop rollover bar, Weitec (KW) coilovers and a bunch of other bits (oil cooler etc).

It doesn't have a hard-top, aircon and power steering.

Dann knows this car well.

Thanks Apu, but since i plan on running a hardtop and I live in QLD, air con is a necessity for me

SKYHI · Postby **SKYHI** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 4:48 pm

So, I've sent a couple of PMs and emails to ausbuoy regarding the 10AE. It's still a possibility, but he and I both have other things at play at the moment that might dictate the outcome.

If for whatever reason that does'nt eventuate, I'm pretty certain I'll end up purchasing an SE. Pros and cons to both, but wondering if anyone knows this car? PM me if you'd rather not post publicly

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/deta ... 5782/?Cr=0

Postby **Boyracer** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 8:31 pm

Get an NC, the dynamics of the brakes and chassis more than make up for the extra weight, just some bolt on bits and a reflash and you get a fast, reliable, comfortable car

Postby **NitroDann** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 8:33 pm

Dont buy an SE with an SE turbo kit.

SKYHI · Postby **SKYHI** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 9:04 pm

Thanks guys. Been through the pros and cons of NA vs NB vs NC and still can't decide. Only have 10K to spend right now, so either NA or NB8B, or save for an NC or something turboed.

Ted · Postby **Ted** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 12:23 pm

Just yell out if you want to drive a road NB Paul. May help you make up your mind.

SKYHI · Postby **SKYHI** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 4:28 pm

Thanks mate, I forgot you had a NB

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 10:49 pm

You could consider my car capable for the $10k budget.

NB8B's in good condition can be bought for as little as $6-$7k. (Mine owed me less than $5k by the time I sold all the bits I didn't want, and had the MS3 and cheap Coilovers already in it) SE standard turbo bits cost next to nothing, nobody wants them. Throw the oem SE turbo, manifold and downpipe on it, basic tune on an MS3 ECU, and an eBay radiator and fans. Budget $2k for all that. 2.25" basic exhaust $300. $2000 would be needed eventually for wheels, tyres and cheap coilovers. Cheap seat, harness and roll bar can be bought second hand ~ $1k or less.
Basically I am describing a replica of my car. You can offset the cost by selling off the oem bits you don't need. But $10k would get you mostly there, and buy the last few bits when you can.
Not many people will beat you for the money. No NC will come close, sorry Lou. Not for around the $10k budget. Maybe double or even triple for the NC to keep up.

SKYHI · Postby **SKYHI** » Wed Apr 27, 2016 10:19 am

I read through your entire post on PF yesterday, as I was considering following the same path, but god damn, you've either had some bad luck or are paying the price for trying to do some things on the cheap, given your run of reliability issues at the track.

At this point, I seem to be leading towards an NB8B. Plan would be to pick up one with as many of the wish list items (hardtop, coilovers, wheels, roll bar, seat) for my 10K budget and then turbo down the track once I'm bored with NA.

Was talking to Chris Gough on the weekend at QR, and the NCs do make a lot of sense if I wasn't considering FI down the track, but even then you're at 12-13K for initial purchase.

Ted · Postby **Ted** » Wed Apr 27, 2016 11:02 am

I forget I have one most times too. I think its done 1000km in 18months.
Going on what you want to do, I reckon the NB is the choice. You get a few niceties for very few dollars more than an NA, and they can be 10 years less abused. Let me know when you want to have a steer.

Have been considering whether to keep this or not, given it has all the bits I think any MX5 should have (diff, rollbar, suspension, brakes, exhaust) and the luxuries of a limited edition. Recently got the seat re-bolstered and wheel re-trimmed, and then had this brainwave of cranking in a "different" wheel alignment given how little its dríven. I love how responsive the chassis is to little tweaks, and every rare time I drive this resolves me to keep it.. But my garage is running out of room for the next toy and I don't want to move yet. Might get some quotes to grow my garage a bit more.

SKYHI · Postby **SKYHI** » Tue May 03, 2016 12:25 pm

I've decided I'll get an SE. I know they have their shortcomings, but they make a good base for what I'm looking for.

I've sold one car, so there's some money in the kitty, but I'll need to save a bit more or sell my last toy to have the required budget for a good one.

The hunt begins

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Tue May 03, 2016 12:40 pm

TCR wrote:I've decided I'll get an SE. I know they have their shortcomings, but they make a good base for what I'm looking for.

Good choice, but then I'm biased..... :mrgreen:

Despite the detractors the SE is a good base to start with and has a well defined path to liberate the power the factory skillfully hid on release.
Also from a comfort perspective the SE came with pretty much every bit of 'fruit' they ever offered for the NB bodyshell.

Good luck with the search, hopefully you can find one where someone has already some of the work for you. :wink:

SKYHI · Postby **SKYHI** » Tue May 03, 2016 1:05 pm

Nevyn72 wrote: hopefully you can find one where someone has already some of the work for you.

That would be ideal, as I know how quickly things can add up when you start with a standard car, but then again I'm not know for my patience when it comes to buying cars, so we'll see what comes up for sale