Introducing Myself + Any Helpful Advice?

CatchyD · Postby **CatchyD** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 9:29 pm

Ahh yes, That southbound BP. I shall have to see if I can make that as I would be a good way to hear more and learn a bit. Shall swing you a PM tomorrow sometime to let you know if I am or not going to be there so you don't have to look out for me if I'm not.

I did notice the engine bay was quite stained and that there was tape covering the frame. Thought it to be fairly odd myself.
I'm also located in the south west of Brisbane. I am a bit iffy on this eunos as well. There was another eunos that sold not long ago going for around the 6k mark, near immaculate condition and well looked after, as well as low km's, only problem being I hadn't made up my mind on getting out a loan or not by that point, so I didn't bother to investigate further into it and it sold not long after.

NMX516 · Postby **NMX516** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 9:33 pm

CatchyD wrote:...but from what I can see it has a short nose crank. I was wondering whether I really should avoid short nose crank MX's cause if I should than I won't even bother with this one, as there's no point wasting the fella's time.

Welcome aboard!

The "short nose crank issue" as it's often referred to, while a problem if it happens to your engine, is not a reason to avoid early 5's completely. The problem arises from timing belt changes being done incorrectly, and will usually then show itself well and truly within 30,000km after the timing belt change, so if a car you're looking at has proof that the timing belt was last changed 50,000km ago for example, there's an excellent chance that the engine/crank is ok. It's also not limited to short nose crank engines (but most commonly seen on them) - I had the problem with a 2002 NB8B and had to get the crank replaced. So what I'm eluding to is that any NA or NB MX5 could* suffer the same problem if the timing belt change hasn't been done correctly, so don't exclude early NA's from your shortlist because of the hysteria that you'll read in various corners of the internet. The problem is rare. Get a pre-purchase inspection done by Automotive Plus and they'll be able to have a close look at the crank nose for you - have a chat to Jason about the issue and get his thoughts :wink:

Good luck with the purchase. Remember you might have to wait a while to find one that meets your standards, but they are out there! Took me 6 months to find the right first NA6 for me

Jeo · Postby **Jeo** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 9:52 pm

Call me a jerk but I'm going to give the helpful advice of not getting a loan to buy a 20yr old car.

Paying interest on a depreciating asset baffles me. If you can't afford a certain car, you can't afford it. Wait a few months and buy it once you have the cash.

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 10:06 pm

Jeo wrote:Call me a jerk but I'm going to give the helpful advice of not getting a loan to buy a 20yr old car.

You're not a jerk. Yours is great advice. If you need a loan to get a 20 year old MX5 get a $1,000 Excel instead for the moment.

emily_mx5 · Postby **emily_mx5** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 10:41 pm

Yeah agree with above posts.
Save save save, don't get a loan.

Or buy a really cheap one and fix it up slowly.

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CatchyD · Postby **CatchyD** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 10:42 pm

You guys aren't jerks, it's an excellent point. The main reason why I am getting a loan is because I am in a family of four and sadly the parents won't have the money to purchase my younger sibling/s a car. Nor will the siblings be able to afford a car as they are more focused on study then a job at their age. So the loan is so I can return my 03 lancer (which did me perfectly fine for the time I used it) to my parents for free so they can give it to my younger sibling who will need a car mid year, and then I purchase my own car.

I was originally planning to just save up the money and purchase the car next year, but due to financial issues on my parents behalf, the situation has changed.

NMX516 wrote:Good luck with the purchase. Remember you might have to wait a while to find one that meets your standards, but they are out there! Took me 6 months to find the right first NA6 for me

Cheers for the tips about the crank issue, I thought it to be a bit overblown by the internet, but wanted to just make sure first.
Yeah, I do find it tough to find one that meets my standard and is in my price range, but that's always been the case when buying cars so waiting a few months trying to find a car isn't really too big an issue.

Jeo · Postby **Jeo** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 11:24 pm

So buy a cheaper car and continue to save for a nicer car, such as an MX5?

Again, if you can't afford it, you can't afford it.

cookie · Postby **cookie** » Fri Jan 10, 2014 12:06 am

Look at astina. Same motor (1.

virtually, cheap! Fun and handle awesomely when done right. You get 4 doors, ac, pwr steering, airbag, cheap insurance (factor in 1500 alone for a mx5!) And no cop trouble. Pay 3k or less. Build the motor, play with an adaptronic. It's virtually the same car in that regard.. I don't regret buying the 5 but my astina will always be there. (fits a single mattress, frame and two people inside too...)

Just how I did things and if I wanted to swap the motors around it'd be a weekend affair to have a turbo 5... Food for thought. Also see the rollover story. Saw it today, made me glad I've got a roll bar. More money...

CatchyD · Postby **CatchyD** » Fri Jan 10, 2014 12:27 am

Guys,
I don't want to seem like an ignorant person who doesn't listen to advice and what not, but I've already made up my mind on how I am going to go about this. For me saving is a huge huge problem. However paying a monthly fee for a couple years is something I can do. Been doing so for my first car (Parents bought it fully and I paid it off with monthly payments).

I myself am happy to pay the extra $$$ due to interest over the payback period for a car that I will use no doubt for as long as I can. I can and do understand your points you are making about not getting a loan, saving up and buying a cheap car for the meantime etc. I really do, but I will be getting a loan of nowhere more than 7k so that way I can comfortably pay it off over 2-3 years.

I really do appreciate all the advice, but its out of my own choice that I wish to do this.

M1474 · Postby **M1474** » Fri Jan 10, 2014 1:29 am

Smaller loan and buy magpies sons "red car"?

CatchyD · Postby **CatchyD** » Fri Jan 10, 2014 1:43 am

M1474 wrote:Smaller loan and buy magpies sons "red car"?

Funny you mention that, as I was actually pondering it not long ago.
For 3k a mechanically A car that has got the parts available to upgrade to power steering and replace AC unit, plus a CAI is a great buy. Even if it does have some exterior imperfections.
Shall be sending Magpie a message about the "red car" actually, cause if I take a look at it and the exterior isn't really that bad, apart from the small holes in the soft top then I don't see a reason why I wouldn't consider it.

EDIT: Could someone kindly tell me where I should be checking for replacement/aftermarket car parts such as a new soft top etc? I have seen MX5 Mania thrown around a bit as well as MX5 Plus but unsure if there is other options as well. Cheers!

Postby **Okibi** » Fri Jan 10, 2014 3:00 am

Welcome !

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Fri Jan 10, 2014 7:05 am

M1474 wrote:Smaller loan and buy magpies sons "red car"?

Already sent a PM with more details on the car. Interesting that my son misses the car even though he now has a 2010 v6 manual commodore. If it does not sell and I do not get defected and turn mine track only, the red car will become track only and suitable for sprint/time attack only! Son also wants to co-drive my car in events where one is needed.

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Fri Jan 10, 2014 7:34 am

CatchyD wrote:
M1474 wrote:Smaller loan and buy magpies sons "red car"?

EDIT: Could someone kindly tell me where I should be checking for replacement/aftermarket car parts such as a new soft top etc? I have seen MX5 Mania thrown around a bit as well as MX5 Plus but unsure if there is other options as well. Cheers!

http://www.prestigetops.com.au/zencart/ ... ath=55_119

MattR · Postby **MattR** » Fri Jan 10, 2014 7:49 am

Also plenty of good cheap second hand bits around on the forum, or throw a wanted ad up. The parts availability for these cars is very good compared to other cars. For example Datsun Zeds parts are getting hard to find and some repro stuff, but engines are scarce now and my other fetish, Valiants, try getting Charger bits, a lot are made of unobtanium. I had to pay $400 for a bare block for my 265 rebuild as my block was already bored too far.