Smacca's Clubman

[Smacca]

Hey Guys,

Thought I might start a garage thread of my recently acquired Clubman... Smacca's Re(Intro)

The same arvo I picked it up from the dealer, I took it for a cruise around Cronulla where I live and snapped a few quick photos. The following day an early blast up Putty Rd was the perfect opportunity to see what she was made of. First and lasting impression - Brilliant! I definitely missed the power of my previous SE, but I feel the Clubman may actually handle better (it's been a while between MX-5's for me, so maybe I've just forgotten how good any MX-5 handles). I immediately fell in love with the rawness of the NA and the oldschool feeling of no power steering. And thanks to the previous owner, brand new Michelins glued the car to the road. What impressed me the most though is how tight the car feels for its age!









Thanks to work, uni and travel, the Clubman has been tucked away in the garage since my first spin. But now I've finally got some time off and can't wait to get stuck into all things MX-5. My plan for the car is simple: ownership for life! I purposefully looked to buy an older MX-5 so it can become my weekend / track / project car with relatively low financial impact (for now). So I'll have to take good care if it.

First stop is my mechanic up in Newcastle (any excuse for a highway run) for a full inspection to make sure no repairs are needed before I start spending on mods. I've noticed a slight whirring engine noise just above idle (disappears after 2000rpm) and the gearchange seems a bit notchy. My experience with NA's is very limited so I might also drop in to Mania and see what David thinks.

As you can see, the Clubman is stock standard, but my dreams for the car include improvement and customisation in every area and detail, with a view for maybe competing in a targa rally one day. I'm currently saving for a house deposit, so for the foreseeable future all mods will be limited to small DIY projects. Which I think is great, because it will help me learn the car and bond with it.

Tomorrow I'm throwing in my red Sparco Sprint seat from the SE and I've got a Mongoose central locking kit to install before I look at alarm system options to make sure the car doesn't go missing. I haven't owned any cassette tapes since 1995 so I'm looking at a Kenwood KIV-700 to install in the coming week too. And if there's any spending money left in the budget, then I'd like to get an exhaust system also.

Either way, I look forward to updating the thread as the mods progress.

Cheers,


Smacca

[marty085]

I'm currently saving for a house deposit

Well THAT plan just flew out the window lol. Don't ask me how I know!

Ps your car currently looks almost identical to mine (white na8 with nb8a wheels) but mine ain't a clubman, plus other little differences such as mine having no power windows.

Also I am in oatley (schooled in Caringbah) you should join in a southern drive one wkend.

[Kev05]

The car appears extremely good condition for it's age.

Good buy.

[Kev05]

The car appears extremely good condition for it's age.

Good buy.

[Bizi]

Add me to the fan boy list.

White NA8 Clubman '94, but with aftermarket 15s currently.
Was this one noted here on the forum a few months ago? Seems you did very well with this purchase!

The lifters may be a little noisy, too. Do you know if the car has its original engine? How many kilometres?

Aside from this weekend (which will likely be quite wet), if you're heading up OPH, post it on the forum!
Sat or Sun morning drives with a few people here can be fun.

Keep an eye out in the NSW events subforum for the Fish n Chips (FnC) runs from Milsons Pt on occasional weeknights and the Max Brenner St Ives meets (wed nights), if you can get to them.

Cheers,
Ben

[PaulF]

Good stuff Smacca. Enjoy. If you're willing to travel to Newcastle to use a mechanic, maybe you can join us for our next monthly meet.

[Smacca]

Thanks for the comments guys, I couldn't be happier with my purchase. It was the first NA I looked at (which I know is breaking a golden rule in car buying), but it just popped up at a dealer close to home and I knew being a Clubman in original condition, it wouldn't stay on the market for long. I did heaps of checks on the car's history and this forum was invaluable in helping me know what to look for. And when I inspected the car I just became more and more impressed.

The dealer had $8,900 on it with 11 months rego, new tyres, full log books, a recent service, and I got him down to 8k. Happy days!

Also I am in oatley (schooled in Caringbah) you should join in a southern drive one wkend.

For sure Marty, count me in! I love disappearing into the RNP for a spin and then cruise down the coast so I'll def tag along on the next one.

The lifters may be a little noisy, too. Do you know if the car has its original engine? How many kilometres?

Because of its age I was expecting some noisy lifters, but nope, not a rattle or tap (I was stoked about that). The engine is the car's original and it's done 215,000km with a timing belt and water pump changed at 200k. Best of all, the engine bay is completely stock (except for a strut brace) which was an important factor for me when buying.

Aside from this weekend (which will likely be quite wet), if you're heading up OPH, post it on the forum!
Sat or Sun morning drives with a few people here can be fun.

Well I will be driving up to Newie in 2 week's time on Sunday, 3 June if anyone wants to come for a spin. Only catch is I'll be leaving when I finish work in the Sydney CBD at 3:30am...

If you're willing to travel to Newcastle to use a mechanic, maybe you can join us for our next monthly meet.

Cheers Paul, I use Streamline Automotive at Warners Bay and couldn't recommend them enough, so the drive is worth it for the job they do. But I grew up in Newie and try to get back there for at least one weekend each month. So If the timing's right I'll def meet up with the Newie crew and say hi!