Intro- soon to be owner of MX5 NB Series 3!

[MX5noob]

HI guys,

Thought I'd say hi and introduce myself Been lurking for a while, deciding which MX5 to get. I was initially looking at the NC, given it was the newest, most modern, safest etc but when I drove it, I felt something was missing. Had a look at some NBs and realised that was what I wanted. I drove one when they first came out in the late 90s and thought they were amazing and that feeling hasn't changed.

Looked high and low for a stock car and managed to find one on the tree of gum, low km, one owner, stock with what seems like a good history (allegedly 6 monthly at Mazda).

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/boambee/cars-vans-utes/2003-mazda-mx-5-convertible/1031013528






The car's in Coffs Harbour so it's a pain as I can't check it out personally (I'm from Sydney). I'm having the car checked mechanically with a PPI from a MTA/Repco mob and if all is good, I'll fly up there and drive it down Only think I've noticed is that the steering wheel hub is quite faded- the elderly couple bought the car as a retirement present and always drive it with the roof down.Hopefully that will pick up with some Armourall type stuff. I don't think I can just replace the cover as it's attached to the airbag. It's strange as some of thepics it looks ok and at some angles it's quite bad.

There's a Snoopy on the dash that is removeable And it looks like it's got an aftermarket shift boot surround and knob although the owner tells me it's dealer-fitted.

Anyway, looking to slowly transform the car- not a track weapon but more street/windy roads but who knows?

Looking forward to ownership and sharing with like-minded enthusiasts

Cheers!

Oh, thoughts on the car are welcome! Not my ideal colour but beggars can't be choosers....Looking forward to washing it every second day

[Mr Morlock]

read the philosophy thread. Seeing as you have not dríven a KM in it perhaps just drive it for a while and absorb what a great car they are as stock vehicles. Best affordable sports car ever.

[Suspense]

Looks like a very early NB8C (series 3) like mine, before they updated the wheels and dash trim - i.e. still visually identical to an NB8B.

The airbag cover looks very faded which seems quite unusual. Perhaps ask the person doing the inspection to check whether the rest of the dash and trim is faded. It would be very strange if it was just the wheel. You could use that as a negotiating point if the interior is a bit faded and sun-worn.

[shuey]

.. a notch more and you can own a Series 4, SE
But really low KMs, that's tops. Hope you can negotiate on the price though cos it does seem like it's a bit on the high side for an early Series 3.

[Mr Morlock]

whatever you pay etc is your business. Low KM car looks terrific and not mucked around with. If a bit of trim is faded - its nothing- external trims can be sprayed with VHT and it does not affect function of the car. Many vehicles of this age have done 150,000.The VIN identifies the birth details of the car- again thats your business.

[hks_kansei]

If a bit of trim is faded - its nothing- external trims can be sprayed with VHT and it does not affect function of the car

True, but odd wear patterns may be a sign of something being wrong.

For example, the steering wheel centre looks very faded in one pic (it may just the the image) but the surrounding wheel and dashboard looks ok.

Perhaps in the past the airbag has deployed and the centre was replaced with a secondhand unit? (unlikely, but I'd certainly be checking under the bonnet for any signs of repair, for peace of mind)
I see that the advert clearly states no accidents...... but unfortunately not everybody is as honest as they should be (I recall a member on here a few years ago who didn't inform the buyer of his car that it had previously had quite severe suspension damage in an accident) his reasoning being "there were no other cars involved, and it wasn;t fixed under insurance so it wasn't an accident"

[shuey]

whatever you pay etc is your business. Low KM car looks terrific and not mucked around with. If a bit of trim is faded - its nothing- external trims can be sprayed with VHT and it does not affect function of the car. Many vehicles of this age have done 150,000.The VIN identifies the birth details of the car- again thats your business.

yes, what ever he pay is indeed his business..but it's always good to make it known to the prospective buyer so he is informed of the market value based on condition when/if he makes an offer for the car.

[peterd]

I reckon thats a good buy. Ive been looking for a low k NB one for a girlfriend and the closest I saw on car sales was $3000 more in black with 45000kms. shouldve looked on gumtree

[MX5noob]

Thanks for all your input guys. I had the car checked out at the MTA/Repco Service Centre. The mechanic gave me a call and also emailed through a report.

It wasn't glowing- an "average" condition car. There's a bubble in the LF sidewall tyre, some stains in the interior trim, a puncture in the L door card and of course the faded steerign wheel- he was confused as the rest of the dash seemed ok. Just the airbag cover was completely faded. It's almost chalk white. He tried putting some armour all on my request and it just stayed white- albeit shinier. I think looking at the wheel every day would irritate me! If it's a known issue that's fine but this is odd. The owner claims he always drives with the roof down and that's why it's like that.I've yet to see one car with a wheel that bad.
Suspension bushes brakes all ok. Brakes are near new.

However, the big thing for me right now is that it apparently is leaking a lot of oil...all down the front of the engine and onto the splash trays-I'm not that mechanically midned but he was saying it could be a bad camshaft leak or something to do with the timing belt- they estimated at least $1000 worth of work was needed.

The oil level was also a bit on the high side. Re the timing belt- that's normally a 100K thing but he thinks it hasn't been dríven enough and hence it's due for a change purely on time. It could be as simple as the apprentice at Fitzroy put too much oil in there and it leaked all over the place and it may look like a leak but I thought an adept mechanic could pick that up on inspection. What's odd is that the car has been serviced 6 monthly at Mazda Coffs (Fitzroy). A service book full of receipts and stamps. I rang them to verify.

I've gotten advice from a mate on here to move on and find a Sydney car.

Sigh, what a disappointment. Not being able to inspect the car conveniently really is a limiting factor and it seems there's no Mazda specialist up in Coffs.

[markwid]

I've gotten advice from a mate on here to move on and find a Sydney car.

Probably for the best.

It is hard to find one in good condition all round but when there are too many issues picked up from pre-purchase inspection, it is time to walkaway.

Would you consider going with NA8 series? Seems there are a few up for sale here recently.

[Mr Morlock]

there are plenty of good cars around. Bear in mind that in States with a RWC system an oil leak which is obvious and tyres which are not safe are items that have to be repaired at the sellers expense. Aesthetics do not matter - its safety that is checked for rwc. Its better to look at cars that you or friend etc can inspect. Photos simply do not pick up what the eye can see. Most also think its important to drive a car- if its been thrashed or dríven by someone with no emapthy it may have a dodgy clutch or worn synchros etc. Don't rule out dealers - these days they often offer good deals and guarantees. Dealers also take care of minor dings etc so that a car presents well.