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Hi guys,

I'm still searching for an NA8 MX5 and it got me thinking, how many KMs are considered too many on these cars?

I suppose the answer is related to how well they've been maintained, but in general is there a common consensus?

Eg. Is a car with over 200,000 KMs on it still likely to be reliable and run well? Would a car with this mileage perform any differently from one with say, 100,000 KMs or 150,000 KMs?

I've heard that most people seem to simply replace the motors when they go, rather than fix the existing one. Is that true?

Also, is there anything else to be concerned about with higher mileage examples such as the gearbox or other areas?

Anyway, I'll keep searching for the right car, but thought I'd ask the question.

Thanks,

Usually there is a substantial difference in suspension bushes between 150 vs 200k is km. E go e & gearbox are usually fine provided lubrication has been done religiously. The reason they used to just change engine is rebuilding engines is not cheap. Generally speaking a usednu factory engine is a better & cheaper choice to a rebuilt one. However depending who is building the engine i would consider one now over a factory built one . The engines are very strong . Mine has been raped & pillaged over the years has spent 40 k km in production sports and dríven like ive stolen her. She still runs with over 300 km on her. Normally aspirated engines will keep going unless they get coocked on the regular basis and it runs out of oil. On turbo you really only need to run lean for A few seconds before they the potential to self distruct

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Having said the above mine is a 1.6 But the 1.8 is every bit as strong

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Ekliptix wrote:suppose the answer is related to how well they've been maintained

Yep, answer is related to how well they've been maintained (& repaired or refurbished), but also how they've been treated, ie how they've been dríven & in what type of conditions, as well as location & conditions of parking for things like rust. Kms relate to use, & use relates to wear. But the answer can also be an individual one, ie you're not averse to high kms, as long as condition is acceptable to you, & the vehicle is priced accordingly. One forumite on here, who also happens to be a mechanic, has had an NA6 for many years, which now has well over 400k kms on the original motor.

Thanks guys, will keep this info in mind then.

Still on the look out for the right one...

My '89 Mazdaspeed NA has 231,000km - last year I had all the boots, bushes etc replaced by Automotive Plus Brisbane - now the car rides like new! It was NOT what I consider expensive at around $450

Minor soft top noises on rough surfaces when the roof is down otherwise just like a new one!

My next door neighbour went for his first ride in it yesterday and couldn't believe it was almost 28 years old

That's cheap for bush replacement zero00 - you did well!

Ive just sold mine at 375k. Suposedly overhauled at 330k but I took that on trust. It ran ok and 3k without a roof was a good deal for both me and the buyer. Having said it ran ok was still a car with 375k km so everything was just that little bit loose. Now on my way to Brisbane to pick up my new SP with 100k km. Itl have another 5 by the time we get back to Perth