Newbie MX5 Buyer

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Sun Nov 15, 2015 9:12 pm

Steampunk wrote:Convertibles as "summer" cars is a misnomer, when you buy one, you'll realise what I mean after driving for hours on a sunny day but yes... because most people who own convertibles actually "convert" it very seldom .....

My use is different, maybe because I live in a milder climate:

Unless it's properly raining the roof on my car is down. Up again if it's parked on the road outside work. Then down again for the trip home. The roof sometimes goes up if it's parked outside on a very sunny day to keep some temp out of the car. Otherwise it's down.

The heater and air conditioning make it possible to have the roof down in most temperatures. You do need clothing suitable for the worst seasons. Beanie, jacket, jacket liner, gloves, neck warmer for the coldest days. Wide brimmed hat and long sleeves or sunscreen for the sunniest days. Also watch the knees if you leave them uncovered.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Mon Nov 16, 2015 10:28 am

Suprella wrote:this is something like what I'm interested in
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Mazda-MX-5-2005/SSE-AD-3502981/?Cr=30

Years you indicated earlier (2001-2006) cover NB & NC.
Possible to get a 2005 or 2006 NC1 with less than 120k kms for $15k or less, but less of them around at the moment. However, release of the ND 1.5L has got some NC1 owners upgrading, & the upcoming release of the ND 2.0L will see more NC1 owners upgrade. Aug 2015 ND 1.5L starting price of just under $31.99k plus on roads etc has seen adjustment of some NC1 prices, but it takes time for all to adjust.

NA=1989-1997 -> NA6=1989-1993; NA8=1993-1997
NB8=1998-2005 -> NB8A=1998-2000; NB8B=2000-2002; NB8C=2002-2004; NB8D=2004-2005
NC=2005-2015 -> NC1=2005-2009; NC2=2009-2013; NC3=2013-2015
ND=2015-

Suprella · Postby **Suprella** » Mon Nov 16, 2015 11:17 am

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Mazda-MX-5-2000/SSE-AD-3662533/?Cr=4

I'm diggin' this one as well.

Suprella · Postby **Suprella** » Mon Nov 16, 2015 11:18 am

93_Clubman wrote:
Suprella wrote:this is something like what I'm interested in
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Mazda-MX-5-2005/SSE-AD-3502981/?Cr=30

Years you indicated earlier (2001-2006) cover NB & NC.
Possible to get a 2005 or 2006 NC1 with less than 120k kms for $15k or less, but less of them around at the moment. However, release of the ND 1.5L has got some NC1 owners upgrading, & the upcoming release of the ND 2.0L will see more NC1 owners upgrade. Aug 2015 ND 1.5L starting price of just under $31.99k plus on roads etc has seen adjustment of some NC1 prices, but it takes time for all to adjust.

NA=1989-1997 -> NA6=1989-1993; NA8=1993-1997
NB8=1998-2005 -> NB8A=1998-2000; NB8B=2000-2002; NB8C=2002-2004; NB8D=2004-2005
NC=2005-2015 -> NC1=2005-2009; NC2=2009-2013; NC3=2013-2015
ND=2015-

I'm totally willing to wait and be patient. I mean, it's been 12 years since buying my first car, so what's another 6 months or so.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Mon Nov 16, 2015 11:43 am

Suprella wrote:http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Mazda-MX-5-2000/SSE-AD-3662533/?Cr=4
I'm diggin' this one as well.

That's one of the limited edition NB8As with a very optimistic owner.

If you've not already, take an NB8B or NB8C & an NC1 for a drive to see if you have a preference. Some info here on the different generations of MX5s:
viewtopic.php?f=76&t=31669

Suprella · Postby **Suprella** » Mon Nov 16, 2015 12:08 pm

93_Clubman wrote:
Suprella wrote:http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Mazda-MX-5-2000/SSE-AD-3662533/?Cr=4
I'm diggin' this one as well.

That's one of the limited edition NB8As with a very optimistic owner.

If you've not already, take an NB8B or NB8C & an NC1 for a drive to see if you have a preference. Some info here on the different generations of MX5s:
viewtopic.php?f=76&t=31669

Thanks for the tip, that's a great thread, do the limited editions have their own 'bugs' or something?

When you say optimistic, do you mean that it's probably worth less? What's a decent offer on something like that?

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Mon Nov 16, 2015 1:03 pm

Talk about overkill. There are simple basics for buying cars. Do some homework- i.e. what MX-5 and what are their features , drive a few , and try and buy locally. Interstate buying has a number of obvious drawbacks- simple ones like feeling under pressure to buy a car that is not quite the good buy you thought and travel costs and differences in legislation between States- i.e. more hassles re registering etc. Anyone on a forum or elsewhere should not be recommending a car apart from saying it's worth looking at.

Plenty of people don't know a lot about cars- high % and thats why you can take someone with you for an opinion or get a warranty from a dealer etc. This is buying a car 101.People can get NRMA checks etc but most don't i.e. based on service records / KLM and appearance etc

Dealer prices are not high- that's a myth in todays market.

A buyer does not need to be hassled either by a dealer.

The driving many cars suggestion is also a bad idea. The more you drive the more confused one becomes often leading to buying the wrong one.There is no perfect car - there are plenty of good MX-5s on the market. Buy the car that ticks the boxes. Personally I could not stand messing about for months buying a car and asking every question.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Mon Nov 16, 2015 1:50 pm

Suprella wrote:do the limited editions have their own 'bugs' or something?
No - most of the limited editions are cosmetic changes.
When you say optimistic, do you mean that it's probably worth less? What's a decent offer on something like that?
It's a 16 year old NB8A with 143k kms. Non-Heritage NB8As with those kms go for half the price. So it depends on what you want to pay for.

Suprella · Postby **Suprella** » Mon Nov 16, 2015 3:29 pm

Mr Morlock wrote:Talk about overkill. There are simple basics for buying cars. Do some homework- i.e. what MX-5 and what are their features , drive a few , and try and buy locally. Interstate buying has a number of obvious drawbacks- simple ones like feeling under pressure to buy a car that is not quite the good buy you thought and travel costs and differences in legislation between States- i.e. more hassles re registering etc. Anyone on a forum or elsewhere should not be recommending a car apart from saying it's worth looking at.

Plenty of people don't know a lot about cars- high % and thats why you can take someone with you for an opinion or get a warranty from a dealer etc. This is buying a car 101.People can get NRMA checks etc but most don't i.e. based on service records / KLM and appearance etc

Dealer prices are not high- that's a myth in todays market.

A buyer does not need to be hassled either by a dealer.

The driving many cars suggestion is also a bad idea. The more you drive the more confused one becomes often leading to buying the wrong one.There is no perfect car - there are plenty of good MX-5s on the market. Buy the car that ticks the boxes. Personally I could not stand messing about for months buying a car and asking every question.

All good advice. I remember about 4 months ago I inquired with a car dealership guy about a mx5 and I received three calls a day for a week (I didn't answer them) and got several emails. I guess it's their job

And part of my homework is coming on here and asking for opinions from those who are experienced like yourself, since I'm not car savvy, or even model savvy.

kalt · Postby **kalt** » Mon Nov 16, 2015 7:19 pm

Suprella wrote:I want to spend money on it as a hobby.

Hi Suprella, what do you mean by that?

Based on the two cars you linked from carsales, they both look like 'sorted' cars that don't need any further $$$, and one would assume they will be reliable workhorses for many years to come.

Did you plan to work on the car yourself, such as replace parts, upgrade parts, fix things?

The great thing about the mx5 is the various Clubs and events on offer for it. Trackday? Motorkhana? Show'nShine? WTAC???

I found that I spend more money on my NB8B in petrol costs because it has worse fuel consumption than my mitsubishi colt (1.5L), similar to your Mirage, even though it has 4 seats and weigh more.

Something to consider.

Suprella · Postby **Suprella** » Mon Nov 16, 2015 9:56 pm

kalt wrote:
Suprella wrote:I want to spend money on it as a hobby.

Based on the two cars you linked from carsales, they both look like 'sorted' cars that don't need any further $$$, and one would assume they will be reliable workhorses for many years to come.

Did you plan to work on the car yourself, such as replace parts, upgrade parts, fix things?

Something to consider.

You're right, I did contradict myself in posting the link to that other car in terms of it looking finished, but I'm also open to upgrading mags, interior, steering wheel, surface stuff like that. I'm probably not open to doing a respray, or anything that serious (I considered it with my Mirage, as it's still working fine, but the cost was worth more than the car).

Suprella · Postby **Suprella** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 8:50 pm

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Mazda-MX-5-2000/SSE-AD-3523071/?Cr=11

I'm taking a look at this car on Tuesday. It's had a lot of refurbishments done like a respray and timing belt replacement, also a clutch box replacement. I've been reading up on the common problems with buying this type of car at this level of km. Any thoughts?

Steampunk · Postby **Steampunk** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 10:11 pm

there have been SE models (last of that series MX-5, with turbo, built 2004 and a heck of a lot more desirable) for only a few grand more, also less mileage.

Fair price for that particular model, with that amount of km would be around $8k mark.

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 10:30 pm

Suprella wrote:http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Mazda-MX-5-2000/SSE-AD-3523071/?Cr=11

I'm taking a look at this car on Tuesday. It's had a lot of refurbishments done like a respray and timing belt replacement, also a clutch box replacement. I've been reading up on the common problems with buying this type of car at this level of km. Any thoughts?

It would give you plenty of scope to do the upgrades you talked of. For instance, add:
6 speed gearbox
LSD
VVT motor
Better seats from NB8B/C
Bigger wheels?
ABS?

Steampunk · Postby **Steampunk** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 10:48 pm

what kind of advice do you call THAT davek?
Buy an overpriced first generation NB, then spend several thousands of $$, and effort, finding, buying, and installing parts from a newer model NB which she could quite easily continue to look around, and buy, for only a couple thousand more?

Did you actually read what she wrote regarding "upgrades"?

Suprella wrote:... I'm also open to upgrading mags, interior, steering wheel, surface stuff like that. I'm probably not open to doing a respray, or anything that serious

Suprella, let's look at this from another angle shall we?

This car: http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=73&t=70033 is an example of a very keenly priced, arguably undervalued, NB8C SE model, the 3rd incarnation of the NB series.

The car in your last link is an NB8A, the 1st generation in the NB series.

If you use the SE as a reference/benchmark, you can get a better understanding as how valuable the older models are.

To put it another way, for around the $11k mark, I wouldn't even consider the NB8A and look for an NB8B (middle child) with less mileage