Brendan's '89 Roadster

Crooz · Postby **Crooz** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 11:53 pm

Hey guys. Thought I may as well share my story and the progress of my roadster so far.

After working all through high school and saving religiously I bought my first car, an '06 Impreza with 50k kms. Being young and having my own car I was pretty stoked. It wasn't long before I wanted to get rid of the horrific 15inch steelies so I bought a set of Rotas and had them put on the car with some decent tyres.

After three years of owning it, heaps of great times, being reversed into twice (once by a friend) and paying way too much on insurance every year I decided it was time to move on and find a different car. It sold on carsales very quickly and for way above the market value which I was happy with; but also sad to see it dríven away.

I then started looking for another car. It had to be relatively cheap, easy on fuel and insurance and have good aftermarket support. Naturally I looked at cars like Civics, Corollas, Lancers and obviously MX5's. I ended up getting set on buying an MX5 and after looking around for a few weeks had a look at a Mariner Blue '89 Roadster with 130k kms owned by a old lady (who also owned an NC). After test driving it I was instantly addicted to the rawness and the handling of these little cars. I looked over it for about an hour, with the use of the 'what to look for when buying a used mx5' thread, and it looked to be in good condition. Two weeks later I went back and bought it!

Here's the Smurf as I bought it (minus the offset number plate bracket)

I was really happy with it and spent the next few weeks just enjoying the roadster life.

And then modifying bug hit...
I took off the Eunos badge, took off the mudflaps, bought new headlights and a blox mini antenna to clean it up a bit.

Then a hardtop with a roof spoiler.

I then decided to focus a bit on the interior
- roadster scuff plates (picked for $30 at a wreckers)
- mrpham's roadster door pulls
- mrpham's billet gear knob
- mx5 floor mats
- new handbrake and gear boots
- broadway rear view mirror
- visor blanking plates
- black dash mat to cover the cracking dash
- Kenwood head unit

Had a leaky boot as well which was fixed with a new set of tail light gaskets. The smurf also developed a nasty misfire, so I took it to MX-5 Plus for a service. The spark plugs, leads and rear brake calipers (leaking brake fluid) were replaced and also a general service. Got the car back and it felt 100% better.

Next up was wheels and suspension. I ended up going with Enkei Apache 2 wheels, 15x8 +25, with 205/50/15 Federal 535SS's.

Mmmm, fresh wheels.

Also ordered Yellowspeed coilovers, some horrible Blox wheel nuts and bought another rear finish panel to be painted black.

W/O coilovers

W/ coilovers (thanks to Michael - the darkside), guards rolled and wheel alignment.

Mountains with Pham

Plan is to slowly build it up to keep me sane through Uni. It's been great fun so far as well! Met some good friends and been on numerous long drives through the mountains.

Anyway that's my roadster story so far.

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 12:07 am

Nice colour, the same as mine I think. Hopefully our cars will be at the same run and not be the odd colour out

Silver and red seems to be the going colours on the runs I attend.

Enjoy the obsession.

Kev05 · Postby **Kev05** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 8:48 am

About time you started a thread on your car.

The car looks to be in extremely good condition for it's age and this kid can drive.

Keen on another run next Friday night?

zero00 · Postby **zero00** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 9:34 am

crooz

Very nice example - I'm impressed!!

Crooz · Postby **Crooz** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 11:19 am

Thanks guys.
Always keen on getting up into the mountains Kev.
I'm going to get an MX-5 plus roll bar in the near future to replace the style bar. Does any one know the legality of having it chrome plated? I still want to keep the shiny combo of my wheels and bar.

zero00 · Postby **zero00** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 11:49 am

crooz

Go for the 'CAMS approved' one from MX5 Plus, I got that in my NB, either Danny or Richard will be able to answer that for your, give them a ring or call in, also Jason may know the answer

Will still look great in black and that blue when polished is a great NA colour

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 11:50 am

zero00 beat me to answering your question so I will just add that I have the CAMS approved one in black (powder coated) in mine and it contrasts well the blue and silver 6UL's.

Crooz · Postby **Crooz** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 11:59 am

Yeah, I would go for the CAMs single diagonal tall boy. Looks so tough.

zero00 · Postby **zero00** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 12:19 pm

crooz

Mine is the 'lowboy', tall reduces the amount of legroom as the seat can't go back as far, but if you're not a real tall guy that's great, see if you can have a sit in one with the 'TB'

Are you coming along to the track day 23 July to either have a run or at least watch us having fun?? Magpie did his first at QR back in May, I know he had FUN!!!

Crooz · Postby **Crooz** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 12:58 pm

I've sat in Johns car, with the double diagonal tall boy and sparco sprint v seats and it was fine. Seat was a bit squishy around my shoulders but leg space was fine.
Won't be able to make it out for the track day. University starts back up that day and I have work as well

I do want to get out on the track one day though!

Kev05 · Postby **Kev05** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 1:15 pm

There is run organised by the_darkside for next Saturday night (30th of June) in your area (GC). Details in the event tab.

Here is the link. viewtopic.php?f=49&t=41539&p=669760#p669760

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 2:55 pm

My son and I will be at the Gold Coast run on the night of 30/06/12 so if you want to try out a blue NA with the tall boy and sparco V seats you are more than welcome to try mine.

Yes I enjoyed my first track day, it was worth every single cent. The best part is that you are competing against yourself, therefore you can go as hard as you want or enjoy the ride with no pressure. Plus drivers are grouped according to times and new people get to run with each other. After a few runs the group organises its starting lineup so that nobody is really held up (at least in the slower groups) I can't speak for Group 1

Also look at the Morgan Park training session booked for 4 August if you want to learn how to drive on a track.

Crooz · Postby **Crooz** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 5:02 pm

Kev05 wrote:There is run organised by the_darkside for next Saturday night (30th of June) in your area (GC). Details in the event tab.

I was really keen to go to that but it turns out I have work both Saturday night and Sunday morning so its a no go. I live in Brisbane by the way haha