mx5cartalk.com

Hi all,
Doing my best to buy an NA6, almost had one but the seller pulled out at the last moment. I'm now trying to find alternatives, but I'm not sure what I should be paying for one. I've found a stock 1990 model with hardtop and about 157k on the clock, asking price of $8200. It's been looked after while it was in use but lately it has been garaged for quite some time. It had a major service just before its garage life, any potential issues that could have occurred during this down time? It's been started every so often to keep it going, the battery had been replaced as it did go flat at one point. I see a lot of people seem to be buying them in the lower thousands, but I believe those are usually in worse condition(not perfect paint, scraps/scratches?)
Regards,
Alex.

there was one available recently for $16K. with 36k km.....

for 8K Id want it to be spotless though with hard top air con PS & so on, perhaps even a Torsen conversion thrown in and maybe some quality suspension bits. Paint would have to be original & all the stickers present without any repainting of any panels.

I thought 4-5 would get you a very respectable NA6. Plenty of hacks around for 2-4K.

personally I wouldn't bee too concerned about it having been in storage. Air con (if fitted) might be problematic. Oil seal in the engine may have gone hard & start leaking a bit when you start tracking it.

It all depends on what you want the car for.

thats a fairly expensive NA6 and would want to be in very good condition for that price.
have you considered an NA8 as you are in the price bracket, i believe this NA8 CLUBMAN is still for sale in your budget and being a special edition could be a good option.
viewtopic.php?f=73&t=67646
either way best of luck

That's NB money, and early NC money, even for private sale. You'd weep if you knew what wholesalers would offer for that NA.

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/mooloola ... 1114244576
This is the one I am looking at, it does look like it's pretty spotless. I've heard that the NA6 feels better than an NA8, even though the NA8 is faster. Also a lot of people mention going for stock cars over modified when looking for cars to buy. I'm only after this as my main car, I take public transport to work so it's just a weekend car and occasional use in between. I'm not looking at racing it.

Found the ad - $8.2k is at the high end, but it's ADM & you get hardtop, 157k kms, two owners, black leather seats, & 16" wheels, although I prefer 15", AC, but no PS, some service history, & fairly original (if that's important to you).
However, early NA6 white paint did have a nasty habit of peeling.
And how long was it garaged/stored for? Regardless if I was buying it I'd be doing a total service to baseline the car (except for timing belt & water pump as long as there was proof they were done around 100k kms). Btw, how old are the 16" tyres according to the manufacture date on the side of the tyre? How much rego left? Is the owner supplying an RWC or equivalent as they are legally required in the state in which it's for sale as soon as they advertise it? So all this could easily add up to $10k plus quite quickly. And as Davekmoore says, you'd weep if you knew what you'd be offered, if after buying it you took it to a wholesaler.

I can't remember exactly how long he said now, quite a few months at least. I planned on having a service done after buying to make sure. The tyre's have had up to a couple of thousand done on them, but not sure of the age. I'd imagine the RWC would be included as it's required and it's registered until the end of the year.
I also had been eyeing this one http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-view-detail ... 1114243602.
Looks to be visibly in alright condition, the rear window looks like it needs replacing as it seems very hazy. It also has no head unit or speakers, and no service history. I was going to try to negotiate the price down on this but I still feel the other car adds a bit more value in it (from the hard top, has been serviced although he was checking if he has paperwork/log book).

Few months of storage not a problem, but years can be a problem.
Tyre rubber becomes fairly hard after about 6 years from manufacture & loses grip regardless of wear.
Needless to say, inspect very carefully & ask lots of questions. Don't rush & make a holistic assessment, ie owner, car, home etc.

The mariner Blue

wheels are incorrect
suspension looks standard height
Never came with a CD player unless it was optioned at the dealer.Standard was radio & cassette. doesn't appear to have a hole where the radio is supposed to be.
Missing the Madza sticker on the front bumper & Madza sign at tghe rear beaver panel which may suggest a respray or collision
Non standard gear knob

Engine bay looks great very tidy & clean. No appernt mods as suggested.
Top looks like its the original......wow!!!! but appears to have a tear.
Radiator looks OK too.

overall looks tidy. If you're happy with the way the engine sounds & the way it drives See if you can squeeze him for 4,500 then work your way to 5 K.

what about an NA8. Much better car if you're not modding it.

I haven't ruled out the NA8, just mentioned that from what I've read people found the NA6 more fun. To be honest my main issue is availability, locally there isn't really that much going and extending further isn't that much better. I google checked the ad/person and found that it's owned by someone who works at an auto service centre, and who's fiancee owns it. On one hand this would give me confidence that it may have been looked after, but the description and having no service history (plus I'm sure the RWC was self supplied) makes me think there must be a reason they don't want to put their name to it.

The NA6 revs a little more freely . Keeps up with an NA8 until about 3rd gear.
Foe a weekender. The NA8 has more bracing, bigger brakes, stronger driveline.
Most of those with around 150 on the clock will perhaps also be up for a new clutch if it is still the original.

NA6 is great for those modding heavyly. As they would take all those extra bits on the NA8 off anyway.

Not saying the NA6 isn't fun. NA8 is a better mx5 out of the box. And you don't seem to intend to mod it heavyly.

Drive both make up your own mind.

Unless you are an enthusiast for an NA or a Victorian and wanting to put a car on Club Plates ( if you are in a Club) then buy a later model MX5 .Later cars lower with similar or lower mileage have safety advantages e.g. airbag which can be a life saver etc. A Hard top good to have as a bonus worth about $1000 but if you want open top cruising check the soft top.As suggested drive a few cars and get the car checked.

I think you are seeing evidence that good NA's are worth more than lots of NB's and in some instances high klms NC's,despite most people here not really seeing it.However if you don't want an NA other for the fact that it is an NA then the advice on here re other alternatives is relevent.

If you want good gearing and performance and a bit more safety in your price range I would buy the best NB8A you can,it has the 5 speed with 4.1 diff and the softop with glass window that is much easier to operate than the plastic windowed NA (although lots of NA's have this retro fitted).

You really cannot go wrong with any MX that has a good service history and drives well.Good luck with your search!

Peter.

I do like the look of the NA but would go for another generation, unfortunately my height will only likely allow me in the NA.

Mine is worth a bazillion dollars!
But seriously, well maybe not, red goes faster and that blue one is owned by a sisi (that's the owners name!)
I'd say you'd find a good one with hardtop for 6k in VIC. You don't need power steer and quite a few came with air conditioning but no power steering.
I agree that if you're not going to modify then start with a Na8, preferably a clubman for a bit more dosh.
NA6 is fun to rev out but Na8 clubman has more and will hold value a little better.
Best of luck