It's a 1991 and red of course! No other colour does it for me quite like the red. Didn't seem to for my partner either, I was keen to go a BRG but I got a blank stare and a 'can you see ME in a colour like that??' ooookay better go the red then
Not too many of the mod cons, there's no aircon, and no power steering (doesn't seem that heavy to steer though compared to some things I've dríven).
The previous owner was a young guy who didn't drive it much during his ownership due to travel, and before him apparently it was owned by an MX5 club member, I imagine the stuff this car has was added by that owner. I had been looking at NA8's initially as many threads around the place of 'what to buy?' tend towards recommending the 8. I did drive a few of both though and didn't feel the 6 was lacking and with what I had to spend a 6 meant I have a bit of leeway to add more stuff and fix things. I think the family I bought it off were a bit bamboozled by my pulling on my beanie to drive it home topdown at whatever ludicrously cold temperature it was on Friday night hehe
Its not the most perfect example ever, but it felt good compared to a few I looked at in my search and is quite serviceable, I didn't expect that any car this age would be utterly flawless, and after all, I wanted to leave myself some stuff to do on it
As you can probably tell it was lowered already and has some wheels that I can't identify but don't mind the look of for now. I can't tell exactly what the suspension is but it looks like it may be some KYB shocks and some red springs (technical aren't I!) At the very least I need to replace a few of the rubber boots that are broken on them, but I had factored in a new suspension if needed so I wasn't too concerned if whatever car I got had dead bouncy stuff. Though to be honest I can't tell if its functioning ok or not.
It seems very bumpy over rougher stuff, and the whole car is quite juddery when it does so. On what smooth roads I can find in Brisbane (not many!) its really nice though, maybe its just set for more sportiness. Its not unlivable with, and my partner doesn't see to mind but I find myself concentrating a lot trying to avoid crap since to me it all seems like big hits hehe! Oh and its in dire need of an alignment pronto 
The powerplant was replaced at some point too and runs quite well, its not perfect though and I'll investigate what needs to be done soon. Mostly its pretty random at idle. After you slow to a stop the revs seem to hover at 2000 and drop off quite a bit after you've stopped accelerating, or sometimes stays that high. Or else its moving up and down between 900 and 1200 rpm at idle. A bit weird. There's also a bit of black smoke under acceleration. So its running a bit rich probably, maybe because of sensors or the ecu? At higher revs it all seems to run quite smooth.
Inside its mostly all good, it had seat covers on it that I didn't get a chance to look under when I saw it first time, and underneath it had leather chairs, though not in the greatest condition
The seat covers are loose and annoying and although I wish the leather seats were better looked after I don't mind replacing them, or getting the leather (or pleather?) covers you can get and sew over the seats. Softtop isn't pristine but serviceable and I don't believe it leaks though only real rain will tell. It has had some repairs but seems solid and I wasn't able to get water in it when I washed the car today, so hopefully that's all good. I desire greatly a hardtop and soon.
There's a very small carpark ding in the drivers door, and a slightly indented part of the driver side rear panel that I totally didn't see til today
Since I'd also like to delete entirely the aerial (I have too much music to use radio ) I can get that whole panel fixed up in one hit when time allows. One other scratch on the boot but not deep enough to hit metal.The list of things I'd like to do is long
provided nothing goes bust too soon!I think I am going to have to wuss out and get an aircon in it soon. I can't stand the humidity in Qld and I'll go crazy without it when summer rolls around.
A hardtop of course, there's some wheels out there I like and a second set for splitting up road and the occasional track usage seems a good idea.
Boosting probably won't be any time soon but its in the back of my mind, I'd rather learn to drive it first. Perhaps if I have to get a new engine at some point it will probably happen then.
There's a lot I'd like to try out on the interior and after the mechanicals are all solid I'll start on those projects.
I'd like to tackle DIY gauges and gauge panel. I totally love the Artworks Dewa and other interesting gauges out there and they're close to what I would like but maybe I can put a slightly different spin on it. Also I need to think of an interesting way to set up some interior lighting I'm not digging the little lights either side of the centre console hehe. One of the stock speakers is bust so I think I'll find a nice pair of new ones to put in there shortly.
If you made it this far thanks for reading, man I can ramble on! Don't think the photos made up for all the text but will be taking more.
If you have any suggestions about the idling I'd like to hear what you think.
