NB8B Pre-purchase test experience

[Clan]

Just wanted to share the driving experience I had yesterday when testing a NB8B with over 200k km, in stock form.

Although mileage wise on the high side for an NB, the owner stated that the car has been regularly serviced at a dealer. I went to see it yesterday evening, so I wasn't able to inspect it very closely. I have, however, noticed that most of the engine cooling hoses were covered in some whitish dusty residue (including small ones connected to the heater). The owner mentioned the radiator has been changed 6 months ago, so this might be related.

Engine oil was seeping through the head cover gasket (firewall end) and the lower side of the engine block and oil sump seemed to be covered in oil/dirt residue. Again, some wet spots were scattered below and around the engine - the low lighting conditions made it difficult to determine their source. I found all these quite off-putting from the start...

During the drive test I noticed the clutch engages quite low after lifting the pedal and the free revving nature of the engine just wasn't there. No signs of clutch slippage, though. While driving, there was also a low rumbling noise present, which I assumed it could be from a wheel bearing or even from the driveshaft. OK-ish shock absorbers and steering and nothing to write home about brakes (although very good state rotors and pads) and gearbox.

Oh, and the air con didn't work - it needs a re-gas at least.

All in all, it wasn't the experience I was after and I felt like something wasn't adding up for a car "regularly serviced". I was expecting the car to feel more alive, more engaging, more entertaining, which it didn't. Heck, my Ford Focus Mk II feels miles ahead in terms of driver engagement! I left confused and with a lot of questions in my head...

I'm interested to know your opinions based on the above scarce description. I definitely want to come back to the car and check it again in proper conditions and armed with your advices.

Many thanks!

[speed freak]

Has it had the 200 000 km service done? The rocker cover gasket, cam seals, front crank and water pump gaskets get done in the major service so that would solve all of the oil leaks if there is actually current oil leaks still, apart from the rocker cover. The 'oil' around the sump could just be old and dirt has stuck to it over time.

How much was it? If the service history checks out 200 000 isnt really that bad I mean the B6 motors run to over 400 000 km so Im sure with good maintenance these BP motors will too, just depends on how its been maintained etc.

You could expect the shocks to be worn at those kms, surely they would have been replaced at some point in there time but may be due for replacement again. Clutch also, did it slip or shudder?

In the NB8B when the clutch is getting old it ends up shuddering on take off due to heat and wear, mine did this with only just over 100 000 km on the clock. Brakes if they are in good condition should be very good, the NB8B has the biggest brakes from factory and the stopping power is immense for the size and weight of the car.

Changing the clutch kit and flywheel to one for the B6 motor greatly changes how the NB8B revs and drives. This is the clutch I went with (stock power) and its made a big improvement, the stock flywheel on the nb8b is very big and heavy which is why to some atleast the acceleration feels lethargic compared to the NA6 but changes the clutch and flywheel to the B6 kit and it really livens things up.

[Clan]

The owner states all the services have been done according to the book; he's yet to provide proof for them. I'm afraid that the original radiator failed and the car was being dríven with the engine overheated, triggering other complications (such as burnt head gasket). This is just my assumption - as I said, I'm yet to see detailed service reports of what and what not has been changed on the car.

The description of "lethargic" is best suited to the car behaviour.

[lizard]

Offer him $100

[NMX516]

Sounds like a clunker. Full service history or not, if the owner still doesn't look after the car or care for it, all the dealer services in the world won't replace things like tired shocks or leaking gaskets for example if the owner doesn't agree to them doing so. Move on to a better one, which shouldn't be too hard by the sounds of it.

[Vat]

Walk away - too many other good 'uns out there to take a punt on something that, by the sounds of it, is pretty tired.

I had low clutch engagement on the one I ended up buying but once engaged it took up and gripped without a problem, and was happy to pull from very low revs in fourth and fifth, so I knew the clutch was fine and the issue was most likely a master/slave cylinder (which it ended up being) and priced that into negotiations. I was also pretty confident the aircon was just a regas as the revs behaved as they should have when the AC was turned on and the air was warm and moist, and so it was.

The car itself was in good nick with the motor, gearbox and suspension feeling pretty good - I wouldn't have described the feeling as tired at all.

You can deal with a few shortcomings but the car you're looking at sounds like it needs some pretty significant love to get back to where it should be.

[speed freak]

As others have said you would be much better off looking at a couple more and forget about this one, despite the price even if it seems like a good buy for they money you dont sound too keen on, which is fair enough it doesnt sound like a car which has been looked after, it may have had all or most services done but it still doesnt sound like it runs very well, sounds neglected.

You would be much better off looking for another. Despite what some people say about the NB8B (extra weight, etc etc) they still should put a massive smile on your face, you should feel engaged in the drive, with an engine that likes to rev happily to redline etc.

[hejira]

Why would you bother if it has high kms & lots of problems? There is no excuse for buying an mx5 in poor condition when there are so many of them well looked after.

[davekmoore]

It sounds like this one could be a PIA - and most sellers who can prove a full service history will show you all the books and receipts the first time you go to see the car. There are plenty more to look at.

[Clan]

Why would you bother if it has high kms & lots of problems? There is no excuse for buying an mx5 in poor condition when there are so many of them well looked after.

Well, I've been lured by "unmodified", "only two owners" and "full service history" The reality then hit me between the eyes when I saw/drove it...

[hejira]

Dont worry about cars being modified unless the mods are worth far more than the car is, or the owner seems a bit clueless. And by clueless im not implying young, ive met mx5 owners that were clearly over 40yrs old that didnt know what they were talking about.

In fact I remember viewing an NA owned by an older guy that told me he hadnt changed any of the oil/fluids in the 10yrs he'd owned it.

[taminga16]

MX-5 Pre-purchase, DRIVE SOME! ie; more than 3 and treat it as a joy, even a sh*t box will feel better than anything else. The market is full of good cars and remember 200,000klms is half way to the moon and while they are great little cars, stuff still wears out (bushes, seals, shocks, hydraulics etc).
Greg.

[Clan]

The market is full of good cars and remember 200,000klms is half way to the moon and while they are great little cars, stuff still wears out (bushes, seals, shocks, hydraulics etc).
Greg.

I agree with you, but my expectation was all these to be sorted out in a "regularly serviced" car, even with over 200k km...

[davekmoore]

So what does that say about so called dealer service? Expectations should be set accordingly. And when choosing a mechanic to do any work on your car, don't be foolish enough to believe hype.

We don't know where it's been serviced, if at all, and what instructions were given about replacing worn items. Perhaps this is why invoices weren't offered at the first viewing?

[22Silver]

Dealers are tricky, because they fill the oil and radiator and change the air filter, even if it has never been done before, so the car appears to be well maintained.

Buy private, and check those 3 things. If 1 or more is seriously neglected, it is a bad sign.
Also if it has really, really crappy tires on it, there's a good chance the owner is a bit of a cheapskate and may or may not have cut a few other corners...