Eddies JDM Roadster Log

[edawooda]

Hi Guys and Gals,

Starting a thread to follow my plans for my roadster that I picked up just this Thursday.

The story starts with me deciding that I should get a sports car while I still can (I'm 25). Having only just started my jobs, I didn't exactly have a large amount of funds at my disposal. My current ride
is a 2005 model Accord Euro Luxury. While it is an excellent car that handles very nicely, especially with decent rubber, I'd always wanted a roadster of some description. To get a proper roadster meant that my choices were S2000, Z4 and finally an MX-5.

I'd lusted after an S2000 for as long as I could remember but the fact was I could not afford neither that or a Z4. I finally resolved on getting an NA8 MX-5 on the grounds that it would be cheaper to run, cheaper to service and be more fun than my current Honda.

Thus began my search for a decent example. What I quickly found out is that there aren't many NA8s' for sale. It just so happened that I lucked out and the week I decided to look at the examples, A JDM import came onto carsales for a very good price.

After a couple of weeks getting it inspected and negotiating the price, I am now the proud owner of a 1995 Eunos Roadster R-Limited.

For now I won't get much chance to drive it, what with the weather and a few niggling problems I need to solve. In the immediate future there is:

New leather seat skins, as the current ones are torn and in bad shape.
AWD gauges from MX5 Plus
New Radiator (Cooling Pro or ASI)
New Tyres
Solve the leaking Boot problem.


All in all should be a fun couple of years ownership!

Pics to come when the weather clears up a bit here in Perth

[Okibi]

Welcome to the obsession, make sure you check out the MX-5 club of W.A. http://www.mx5club.com.au (look now as there's a cheap cheap funkharna coming up and may soon be booked out!)

The W.A. members of this forum catch up for coffee occasionally, keep an eye on the W.A. events forum.

[Jeo]

Welcome!

[Hjt]

Solve the leaking Boot problem.

Helpful insights I discovered with the same issue.

1) Check and re-seal the rear tail light surrounds, often they come loose over the years.
2) Check your Radio Antennae is sealed above the battery location for a dripping leak.
3) Check the metal latches above the boot are tight and the seals below them are in working order. (Phillips head only required)
4) Check your drain holes, behind your soft-top, in the corners behind the seats are 2 small drain holes, that often get full of mud and debris over the years, to access this location, un-zip your window and lower it, while leaving your soft-top up. Put your hand in the corners behind the soft-top anchor points and feel for the hole. To clean, either put boiling water down the hole, or use a compressed air gun, or both.
5) Your rain rail that guides water from the parcel area, could be broken. Expensive to fix, but a replacement part I am told is "invincible" maybe a new compound of product with the old design. Worth the investment if the above don't solve the issue.


Anyways, welcome to the community. Nice choice on the NA8

[edawooda]

Just an update:

Still waiting on my awd gauge cluster from mx5 plus. Had a go at retrimming the seats and they turned out alright, not perfect, but not bad for a $250 or so job.
Had a go at finding the source of the leak, turns out there's 2. One large-ish one from the rain rail and a dripping one from the antenna.

Got a new antenna on the way, but I'll have to investigate the rain rail further. The PO put in a new top and I suspect that some shortcuts were taken and thats why there are some leaks.