mx5cartalk.com

I know nothing about MX5's other than what I read up on last night trawling forums but an opportunity I couldn't refuse has resulted in me buying one. I was actually in the market for a Ford Cortina or Escort but this happened...


The Good
- Sept 1990 built manual
- Blue in colour
- 152,000km on the clockj
- Two owners. One from new until 1999 when the previous lady owner picked it up and had it since.
- Soft and Hard tops
- Completely stock - recently had tyres and brakes replaced!

The Bad
- No service log books although I've spoken to the local mechanic who looked after it for 15 years who said the lady never had the books but had everything replaced as required.
- Body needs a little bit of love, small scrape on the rear quarter and the bonnet is slightly out of alignment. Maybe $300 worth of repairs.
- Vinyl roof is not original, has a glass rear window with demister that isn't connected an unfortunately a 10cm rip in it.
- Needs a really good tune and major service. Revs are cutting out sometimes when revving it out in first or 2nd. Mainly when giving the car a hard time...

I paid $1200 for the car with a few weeks rego on it. Should owe me about $2500 with 12mths rego and RWC.

Will get some pics up in the next few days. Car is going off to the detailers so it at least looks the part...

For $1200 you got a bargain! The hardtop alone is worth around $1000.

Welcome!

Welcome ... and ... Wow! Bargain!

Need photos ...

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Anyone know why the revs suddenly cut out in first and 2nd gear only sometimes? The couple of times I've noticed it was when the car was hot after sitting in traffic or when driving the car hard...

Oh and it's got ice cold air con!

Welcome to the obsession!
1200 -I'm jelly!!!

Rev cut could be few things. Maybe fuel filter or pump?



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Just a quick update with a pic. Haven't actually done anything to the car as yet but have put about 400km on it. Travelled to the All Ford Day today in Geelong for something to do (I am a ford man at heart).

Drove it in the storms on Friday night in Melbourne and god damn all the car wants to do it oversteer like buggery when given a hard time. It is incredibly fun and controlled though!
Here is a pic;


My to-do list so far, all should happen in the next two weeks.

Oil Filter
Air Filter
Fuel Filter
Fuel Pump
Timing Belt Kit
Rocker Cover Gasket
Spark Plugs
Ignition Leads

Repair and paint rust A-Pillars
Repair & Paint rear bumper/quarter panel
Align Bonnet
New Windscreen
Full Professional Detail

It's off the panel shop first for the rust and paint repairs, I'll get the windscreen done while it's there.

The main mechanical issue is that it loses power and coughs and splutters after driving it for a while. At first the few times I noticed it was after sitting in traffic and the fuel sitting around 1/4 tank. I quickly cleaned out the fuel filter which was filthy and it seems OK but I didn't really drive it a long distance or in the heat. After sitting on the freeway for an hour in todays heat it started doing it again... Struggles to rev over 3000rpm. The temp gauge doesn't move past half way.. Not sure what the issue is but hopefully replacing everything sorts it out.

Loved the feel of driving it today though with the roof down and sun shining!

Oh and the centre console/shifter surround gets quite warm after driving for a while, is this normal?

llmoose wrote:Oh and the centre console/shifter surround gets quite warm after driving for a while, is this normal?

They do get warm and warmer still if the rubber has perished. Lift the console and check if it's still in one piece ;)


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Well done on your purchase. You beat my $2000. Reading hot console, perhaps the gear shift boot below the console is shagged as was mine. Replaced mine which also made the cabin quieter

Going to get the car roadworthied and into my name first and then I can park it in the garage. It's then I'll pull apart the interior. Hoping to tidy it up a little but I'm wary of changing too much as I want to keep the car fairly original.

Thought bugger it and the car is now at the detailers and panel shop. Getting some rust cut out of the a pillars, new windscreen, rear bumper painted and then the detailers are doing a number on it. Last I heard everything including the carpet was out of the car and getting steam cleaned... Can't wait to get it back!

It is finally finished! (Aesthetically anyhow)
All up with roadworthy, 12mths rego and the rust and some bodywork repaired it owes me $2500...Happy with that I reckon!

llmoose wrote:It is finally finished! (Aesthetically anyhow)
All up with roadworthy, 12mths rego and the rust and some bodywork repaired it owes me $2500...Happy with that I reckon!

Seems cheap considering you had rust cut out of the a pillar. Hopefully for your sake it's not a bog repair.

Looks good


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Nope it's a benefit of being in the industry. Few favours were owed!