No Really...whats the process for keeping her 'showroom cond

[Duj]

If your that concerned about stone chips dont drive Adelaide to melbourne,
You simply wont enjoy it.
Airfares are quite cheap these days....

Why dont you just sell it now...?
just rent one...

[Red Dragon]

1/ Forget resale value keep the car and drive it (we all try to keep our cars looking clean and neat).
MX5's are meant to be dríven not just to look at.

2/ As Matty said sell it and put the money in the bank.

3/ Hope you keep it and enjoy it

[crzymx]

Who cares, give him/her a break. If this person is concerned with its resale then good on him/her. Obviously this car is going to be cared for a lot, which is good to see because i know a lot of people can relate to the feeling you get when you see an old run down 5, and all you want to do is take it home, wash it and restore it. People get way too touchy, obviously this thread was started to bring about a discussion on maintaining an mx5 for someone who is new to the community, regardless of future plans for resale or whatever. Lets keep it at that and stop trying to defend the mx5's honour by suggesting this person should get rid of it just because he/she is concerned with the resale value. Gosh, im just as concerned with the resale value, but instead of intending on selling it, im always thinking about what it would fetch if i was to sell it, and try to make it as high as possible by replacing everything that is old, or worn. Yes this process is very expensive..

Lets play nicely

Keeping to the original questions in the first post:

- Yes, car bras are ugly, but they do protect. You decide, ugly, or no stone chips.

- I think most people will agree meguires is quite good, however you should try different sorts and choose the best one.

- As for your interior, the best way to avoid sun damage is to block it. If you know its gonna be sunny or hot, just throw a reflector thing under the windshield or windows to keep the inside cool. Also, if you want to keep you dash scratch free.... dont let autobarn touch it :D

[TieNN89]

3) Soft top - What is the best method to protect & look after these?? I was going to also buy a security cockpit cover for when the roof is up to keep out UV's etc and protect the interior too I suppose...Any experiences I can take advantage of with this??

Aerospace 303 make a soft top cleaner and protector.

there are different stuff for a cloth roof and a vinyl roof as well

[TieNN89]

My need for help is with regards to the paint, interior and general maintenance...
Exterior -
1) I know she needs regular washing, good chamois, polish and wax (or sealant??) I've looked at Meguirs, Blackfire (US) and AutoGlym and I'm just not sure which to get & stick to!

I use Meg NXT Car wash
I don't use a chamois I use a Waffle Weave Drying Towel

I clay my paint if shes not smooth
Clay Magic Blue is what I use
then use Menzerna Final Finish 85RD on a Pad using Bosch PEX400
but if I'm attacking swirls and want to bring the paintwork to life then I use Menzerna Intensive Polish 3.01 also on a Pad using Bosch PEX400 before the Final Finish

I use to wax with P21s but now I've discovered OCW which is so easy to use just spray away and wipe it off

and to finish it off I give my tyres a bit of a shine using Meg NXT Tyre Shine
and Meg NXT Metal Polish to polish my exhaust tip :]

Interior
1) Leather Leather Leather...How to keep it looking & feeling soft & supple and protected from the sun ?!? ANyone anyone..bueller bueller Seats, steering wheel, gear knob...and then just the dash & general plastic I want to maintain and ensure it doesnt fade or dry out & go crappy...

I use 303 Aerospace Protectant on the dash and centre console ...

3) Soft top - What is the best method to protect & look after these?? I was going to also buy a security cockpit cover for when the roof is up to keep out UV's etc and protect the interior too I suppose...Any experiences I can take advantage of with this??

I have a 303 Vinyl Top Care Kit which has 303 Convertible Top Cleaner & 303 Aerospace Protectant
If you have a Cloth roof then you'll be looking at a 303 Fabric Top Car Kit which has 303 Fabric Guard instead of the 303 Aerospace Protectant


I've linked most of the products I've said above incase you wanna get some more details and how much ....

and If you live in Melbourne well I'd just ring up Final Inspection and get them to detail your car cause WOW they do some good job

Heres 2 of the MX-5s they did (I think you have to signup to view tho)
NB Black - http://www.finalinspection.com.au/forum ... php?t=2779
NB Red - http://www.finalinspection.com.au/forum ... php?t=2925

Or have a look at this RX7 they did (don't think you have to signup to OMC to view this tho)
Blue - http://www.ozmazdaclub.com/forum/final- ... heavy.html

*drools* *droooooolllssss* reflections, gloss, shine , oh shinyy shinny shineeeeee

Also Detail Addiction (Final Inspections Forum) is a great place to ask about car detailing products etc very helpful people there

btw..does anyone think a 2007 model mx-5 with 20,000km's after two years (i.e. when I go to sell her if she has that much mileage) is still very low miles???
I want to drive her but want to keep her low miles to help sell her & have advantage over others in a year...again..if you're interested she will be very looked after & as new if you'd be keen in 10mths time. She is only 6mths old now effectively as I got her brand new from Mazda:D

20,000 after 2 years is low

15,000-20,000 is the avg per year


just enjoy the car how can you not drive it

I wacked on 32,000+ km in my first year of owning mine

[Lolo]

Thanks for those who defended me...

I am not highly concerned with just selling her..I have amazingly enjoyed having her the last 6months and have raked up 5000 km's in that time..

I did do the Great Ocean Rd over NY's and came away unscathed I was shocked even!! ha ha

However it seems it was intended to be shortlived r/ship for personal reasons.... I have now just posted her officially ..'For Sale'...

She has been highly loved, I used a lot of everyones ideas and opinions..Grump can go jump for all I care...and I just hope she can bring the next person as much joy and grins whilst driving as she has done for me!

She is a lovely example and has been fastidiously looked after and maintained...I am an avid car enthusiast and apprecaite those taking the time to respond to my queries on cleaning/maintenance as she was my first and knew their paint is soft and needed a little extra TLC
So thanks for the genuine responses guys!!


Lo

[grump]

Well I personally think this is a sham Lolo, I think you joined this forum to try and promote you photography business, or sell your car. but with no sucess are bowing out. anyone that proports to buying cars and selling for a profit, dosen't post about the best way to keep a car in showroom condition. Its the way you make money ,as you say you have never lost out. Maybe craig would like to benefit from your business proweress. The dates on your posts don't add up. you bought the car on Dec 8th 2008 and are selling on Jan 9th 2009. you have only owned the car for 1 month. In your last post you said you you have enjoyed owning her for the last 6 mths. in your post on Dec 8th you said that the car has 2500km on it , in your post you on Jan 9th you said you have clocked up 5000 km in her, that would put 7500 km on the clock. But you have it advertised at 5500 km. you also added that it is owned by an enthusiast.
I'm not sure what you are enthusiastic about? Did you actually go for a run with the crew in SA. Perhaps you did own the car for 6 mths and saw the forum as a good place to sell your car, so made up a story to hopefully get a buyer. I must add that this is my opinion only , and I could be way off track, but always remember, don't try and hump the Grump

[IB1ZA]

You won't get $41, 550 for it.

[Red Dragon]

I tend to agree with Grump, there are to many inconsistencies.

[Lolo]

well Grump hasn't got all his facts straight anyways...and the fact he is going through every single detail..

omg

Im not going to justify what I've done, when, how, what or where ...

Go take you're nitpicking elsewhere...

All I will say is I certainly didnt join this forum just to sell a car or promote photos ...I was after advice & some are actually just plain helpful...some just plain rude.
Im dont care whether you think I'll get it sold or not, I dont care what you think about me or how I've said something and then said something else...I havent planned anything and your facts aren't straight anyways...and I dont care to explain myself to you.
I am just a human being who wanted the chance in life most don't have, to have a nice car just purely to enjoy and life hasn't allowed me the opportunity to continue it for as long as I would like, and for that I am truly sad.

Perhaps I were naive in thinking that these forums are there to help & gain advice from one another, not to be judged or attacked with what was said when or why and as a newbie, well you've really made this a sour experience. I clearly am not welcomed.

I apologise to anyone who thinks I am using this forum for anything as has been said above and should anything not 'add up' then by all means...call me and I am happy to clear it up directly!!

As for Grump....try smiling.

[green_comet]

Im not going to justify what I've done, when, how, what or where ...

I havent planned anything and your facts aren't straight anyways...and I dont care to explain myself to you.

Not being rude, but what are the facts? When did you buy the car, how many km's are on it? etc etc... I can understand other people on this forum looking at your posts funny. If you are wanting to sell your car, potential buyers want to know the cars history, and what you have been doing with it. With the amount of inconsistencies in your posts of course others/potential buyers are going to say something...

If you are serious about selling your car to other enthusiasts you will need to get your facts straight, otherwise people here touch it..

good luck with your sale.

[Lolo]

She is only 6mths old now effectively as I got her brand new from Mazda:D

This is in my original post. I posted this in Dec but did that mean thats when I bought her? I mean, who even ever said I have just this one? Should I scan the paperwork as evidence and & put a copy of the mileage too perhaps?? I have all the paperwork and she is as she is..what more can I say. I mean come on..what do you want? I feel I need to clear my name to get approval from you all...thats just horrible.
I've loved her more than any car I've ever owned as Ive not had one brand new before...but the oldies are just as good for sure. Some have read my posts & some have made assumptions taking only parts of them and twisting it to make me sound terrible That upsets me. Thats the way these things go though; but how can anyone make judgement from not knowing the full story amazes me. If you don't understand something then ask surely?!....not merely attack. Again I will say, I do not like feeling as though I need to justify myself...

I'm not too sure why I even checked the responses cos all I've felt is wound up and upset all night and maybe that's my own fault...I didn't realise I'd be hassled by randoms as to what I said and when...its funny how people feel it ok to lash out at people on a forum when in real life they probably wouldnt do the same in person; face to face...

The way this car's life has gone with me hasn't gone as I would have really liked...but that's life and I had the cash to do it and now I can't keep this one due to unforeseen circumstances.

I will know better in future I guess regarding such forums...

[Mr Morlock]

lolo forums can be a bit tricky and sometimes "we" can say the wrong thing because we had a bad day or we burnt the toast or got fired or missed Top gear. But for goodness sake do not worry yourself over these things. If you were not welcome people would not have posted their favourite methods of detailing the car.

[grump]

She is only 6mths old now effectively as I got her brand new from Mazda:D

This is in my original post. I posted this in Dec but did that mean thats when I bought her? I mean, who even ever said I have just this one? Should I scan the paperwork as evidence and & put a copy of the mileage too perhaps?? I have all the paperwork and she is as she is..what more can I say. I mean come on..what do you want? I feel I need to clear my name to get approval from you all...thats just horrible.
I've loved her more than any car I've ever owned as Ive not had one brand new before...but the oldies are just as good for sure. Some have read my posts & some have made assumptions taking only parts of them and twisting it to make me sound terrible That upsets me. Thats the way these things go though; but how can anyone make judgement from not knowing the full story amazes me. If you don't understand something then ask surely?!....not merely attack. Again I will say, I do not like feeling as though I need to justify myself...

I'm not too sure why I even checked the responses cos all I've felt is wound up and upset all night and maybe that's my own fault...I didn't realise I'd be hassled by randoms as to what I said and when...its funny how people feel it ok to lash out at people on a forum when in real life they probably wouldnt do the same in person; face to face...

The way this car's life has gone with me hasn't gone as I would have really liked...but that's life and I had the cash to do it and now I can't keep this one due to unforeseen circumstances.

I will know better in future I guess regarding such forums...

you posted in the SA events section on Dec 2nd that you pick up the car on Saturday and it is your first MX5, you sure have me confused

[Lolo]

Oh for pete's sake..

If you must know (cos I doubt you will leave this until you do and you're seriously p**ing me off) I have had her 6mths, I collected her after having several major operations & recovering and that is why she has such low miles, that is why I have had her 6mths sitting and have simply made use of the last couple of months to get out and really enjoy her, drive the great ocean road & look after her as I didnt get the chance to drive previously!!This is also therefore part of the reason I am now selling her.

I am sincerely sorry for misleading anyone and for not detailing my whole life story in the first place and for not making sure my posts 'added up'....
I was stupidly excited in the moment of having recovered and just wanted to get out and drive again whilst looking after her and who better to ask than everyone on here??
I was also looking at buying more than one at a stupid moment of nothing better to do and having recovered; One to drive for longer distances and for photography journeys should I be able to do it (hence me querying on other models however I didnt go down that path..just to be clear!) and the second to merely enjoy for 12months as I've said (again for reasons I dont feel necessary to share here).
She has brought me such happiness and thats all that matters to me.

Again apologies for it to seem misleading, never did I expect any of this nor to explain my life and the reasons for saying something instead of puring my heart out to a bunch of randoms with my whole life story... I guess I mentioned I had 'just bought her' to save a bit of detail; I dont know call it wrong fine. As I have said..check my paperwork should you still feel adament with whatever you have an issue with. Im not one for sympathy and figure who would really care to hear it all?!?!! But there you go...I hope you are satisfied to know this now!

As for you for miscontruing the whole damn thing when not knowing the full details...well...for gods sake go and get a life - for some it isnt as long and enjoyable so I suggest you try enjoying it while it's here and keep your gripes to yourself in the future.