Vat's Orange NB

[Vat]

Yup, another one looking to join the ranks of MX-5 owners - came across this site whilst doing research on the cars and liked the look of the forum.

Bit over 40, working as a technician, been in Brisbane a bit over 6 years after 9 years in Sydney and growing up in Melbourne. Had a big career change when we moved to Brisvegas, leaving the equipment finance game to take up an electrical apprenticeship.

Have had a bit of a 'thing' for MX-5s for some years, have decided to finally get serious (mid life crisis?) and start to put some money away. Not in any particular hurry, and haven't really got a specific model in mind as yet - interest probably lies in the NA6/NA8 area, although if the search continues and the dollars build a second series NB with a 6 speeder might be worth a look. Would be looking to subtly mod, maybe track (but not in a serious way, more a 'club day' sort of thing).

Currently punting a '97 Mitsubishi Mirage (the Halfacar) with anti-dive kit, front strut brace and LCA kit (done by Fulcrum) which in combination with a quick shift kit and small cheap aftermarket steering wheel makes for low-cost, low HP fun. Never been a big HP guy - nice to have, but meh. The 'rage is a leftover from a cheap experiment with going to two cars.

Other car in the garage is a 2011 Merc C-Class wagon which the wife allows me to drive from time to time. Prior to that we've had Subaru Libertys - the last of which was a 2.5i manual wagon that was running anti-roll bars, urethene bushing, an LCA kit and Koni Yellows. She was a pretty good drive, imperious in the wet.

Cheers

[Apu]

Welcome! You're part of the "other" bell curve demographic!

[Jeo]

Welcome! Best of luck in finding something suitable.

[93_Clubman]

Likewise, welcome - you'll have no probs with your approach of familiarising yourself & not rushing. If they suit your taste & purpose, NB8A (1998-2000) are about the best value for money currently. With ND I believe due in 2015, NB8B, amongst others, should also come down in price depending on what the economy is doing at the time.

[Vat]

Well, NB8A it is. Young fella up north was offloading it, got it for a pretty decent price with a little haggle and a few issues I became aware during the test drive, specifically really low clutch take up/hard to get reverse, and no aircon. Trip to my usual mechanic today dealt with the clutch (replaced the master with a suspected push rod issue, and the slave as a matter of course) and the aircon (regas) and we're up and running for the long weekend!

So, here it is, in all its orangey glory...



Bit to do to it:
- decent wash, tossing up whether to do the Mothers paint restorer thing or not. I think the top is a little faded, but it's hard to tell with the colour. A good wash and polish and we'll see how it comes up
- young fella put a pretty decent set of extractors and big exhaust on it, which is much too loud for mine. That'll go
- roof needs a bit of love (and, medium term, replacement), with a couple of small holes, and the latches don't completely properly engage. miata.net has some excellent suggestions for repairs, so I'll try those over the weekend
- the Nardi steering wheel is pretty weathered at the top so I'll check a few places for help on that

First mod is butterfly brace and probably chassis rails, and maybe some Superpro bushings. Bit surprised to look under him and find some Bilsteins looking back at me, not sure of the state of them.

Interior wise I'm going to go with a black and chrome theme, so have been picking my way through a few online sellers getting an idea of what I want.

So....the journey begins.

[Okibi]

Congrats and welcome!

[davekmoore]

Welcome. Nice wheels for the body colour. Might the exhaust go quieter with just a smaller backbox?

[AntHarmer]

Welcome and congrats. Sweet number plate to say it isn't a personalised one!


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[Vat]

Welcome and congrats. Sweet number plate to say it isn't a personalised one!

Uh...bit of MS Paint in that one...

Welcome. Nice wheels for the body colour. Might the exhaust go quieter with just a smaller backbox?

Yeah - the orange (it's orange - let's not kid ourselves about the gold thing) works well with the black. I have the stock wheels and am still working out what to do with wheels/tyres. Agree on the backbox - it's running a 3.5 inch pipe which I think is a bit over the top, so (no expert here) a smaller pipe and backbox will probably deal with it.

It's probably a "guy in his 40s" thing, but I do leave early for work and I know how much loud exhausts tick me off when I'm trying to get a lie in. I'm not chasing every last kilowatt.

[davekmoore]

Good work! It's time someone was honest about the orangeness of this colour. As it happens, I quite like it.

[Okibi]

Vat i've moved this into "Garage Chat".

[timk]

I think I've seen this at the Middle Park shops?

Nice car!

[Vat]

I think I've seen this at the Middle Park shops?

Nice car!

Could be - I was down there yesterday afternoon buying eggs inbetween getting fuel, investigating how leaky the roof was and, uh, wet weather traction...yeah, that's it.

[timk]

Yeah cool! I parked near you in my green NB.

[NMX516]

Looks good, even if it is orange!

Beware of stiff poly bushes such as SuperPro's... For a road car, even with some track use, the OEM rubber bushes are very difficult to beat - much more compliant and comfortable.