Hello all and Buying an NB mx5

henryblank · Postby **henryblank** » Wed Dec 16, 2015 1:54 pm

Hello Mx5/Miata/Eunos Peoples.

Thought id make my first post a bit of an intro and askro

I currently own a 2000 Audi TT Quattro 225 - great car, very comfortable, quick in a straight line, but admittedly a bit numb in the twists.
I can no longer afford the up keep of the TT what with the premium oils, 98 octane fuel, haldex servicing, electrical items breaking all the time etc etc.

So im changing to an NB mx5. What can i expect with reliability, maintenance etc...
how durable is everything, what is likely to break.

I know this has been covered before but when i was looking at buying the TT all i got was a positive vibe for reliability, and i ended up with a lemon. So unbiased clear view, are they as good as everyone says they are?!

also this is the one im looking at

- http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/australi ... 1096566493

:NB8A:

LiteIsRite · Postby **LiteIsRite** » Wed Dec 16, 2015 2:35 pm

Welcome to the forum - you're in for a great time!

While I can't give specific advice regarding an NB, as I've got an '90 NA, what I will suggest is you look closely at vehicles being offered for sale by other forumites. That's the way I bought mine, and I've never regretted it.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Wed Dec 16, 2015 4:19 pm

Owned 3 since 1990 - ultra reliable as long as you get a good one to start with.
Maintenance is fairly basic & without really nasty surprises. For example, Mazda recommend replacing timing belt & water pump every 100k kms, which costs about $500 to $1k depending where you go, or DIY for $250-$300.
One you linked to on GT looks ok from pics & is priced well for WA with the kms travelled. Of course what it's like in the flesh will be key. Make sure timing belt & water pump have been replaced or factor that into negotiations.
What to look for when buying a used MX5:
viewtopic.php?f=73&t=18802
In particular: Series 1 NB...What to look for?
viewtopic.php?f=57&t=50977

ManiacLachy · Postby **ManiacLachy** » Wed Dec 16, 2015 4:45 pm

It might have been covered in 93_Clubman's links, but check on the radiator. If it hasn't been replaced yet it will need to be by now.

The car in the link looks OK, other than those 17s - Lokiel will be along shortly to tell you they're boat anchors. But note that there are no shots of the engine bay.

The only problem with MX-5s is it's very hard not to modify the damn things - the aftermarket is awesome and there is a lot of potential :mrgreen:

henryblank · Postby **henryblank** » Wed Dec 16, 2015 4:55 pm

Thanks for the advice guys,
the man tells me the timing belt was done 5 yrs ago at 100,000 KM
he is in his 60's and barely drives it - hence he's getting rid.

It comes with a spare timing belt kit, and new bushes for the rear.
Also agreed those wheels are horrid, I would be changing them for some BBS reps most likely.

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Wed Dec 16, 2015 6:33 pm

If it has to have a dashmat it needs a black one. Otherwise looks ok. Wheels are personal taste. I happen to think the 15x9s now on mine look too small.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Wed Dec 16, 2015 7:16 pm

Its very simple. The MX5 is by far the best choice of sports car for the money and for the fun. MX5's are very robust and really well engineered. People pay a lot more money for sports cars that are not as good but of course not everyone buys just on practical terms i.e. people buy what they like. If one is buying an NB suggestion is buy a 6 speed P2 - plenty info on line to understand differences. MX5s actually don't bring much money and that is probably a very good thing but its not a vehicle that is going to appreciate in the short to medium term- but maybe so what. What people pay for cars often has nothing to do with the way the things drive or last. PS I don't get horrid for wheels on any standard MX-5 but others seem to take it all a bit seriously.

Snowmotion · Postby **Snowmotion** » Wed Dec 16, 2015 8:10 pm

Welcome

I bought a 98 NB8a 2 years ago and it was far from a good example with 199000km. The engine had oil leaks in a few spots and had been daily dríven but far from loved.
After doing the timing belt and cam cover seals myself the car has been very good.
I take it a coupe of times a year to Wakefield for a track day and it does 45 laps no problem with very minor oil usage.
It now has 208000km as it is a weekend car and has been loads of fun.

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Wed Dec 16, 2015 8:54 pm

davekmoore wrote:If it has to have a dashmat it needs a black one. Otherwise looks ok. Wheels are personal taste. I happen to think the 15x9s now on mine look too small.

I forgot to say welcome.
Sorry.
Welcome.

smy0003 · Postby **smy0003** » Wed Dec 16, 2015 9:00 pm

Hahaha Morlock, love it.
Yep, the engine is shared with other, more pedistrian mazda's of the era so it's not much more expensive than keeping an early 00's jananese hatchback.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Wed Dec 16, 2015 9:03 pm

Welcome henryblank!

My first MX-5 was a neglected NA6 that I bought about 4 years ago. Fixed it up (mostly aesthetics) and performed the normal service type mechanical bits 'n pieces. It had high 200K's from memory. It still had the so called troublesome SNC that caused me no issues at all, no oil leaks, quiet engine, ran like a dream - was in fact the most fun engine of all my 5's so far. Changed that for an NB8A with what turned out to be over 300K - however, not a problem mechanically apart from normal servicing. Now have a 2004 SE I picked up with only 36K, supposedly to remain completely stock .. umm, yeah ...

Apart from their virtually bullet proof reliability, these cars are incredibly easy to work on. Parts are cheap and the knowledge bank around the net is amazing. The local MX-5 communities are awesome in stepping in and assisting when needed!

The 17's on that car linked look awful! Agree with davekmoore, 15's often look too small on NB's to me. 16's look best in my opinion, but seem to be a strange size for tyre choices from what I can tell. I really like my SE's 17's but they're a controversial size... **cue Lokiel** :mrgreen:

Look around for the car that looks and feels right for you ... purchase, drive and enjoy .... then be ready for the mod bug to bite ... it's inevitable ....

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Thu Dec 17, 2015 9:22 am

MX5's were basically made from whatever Mazda had hanging around the factory from previous regular car models, and as such, are very reliable and cheap to maintain.

Compared to your Audi it will be dirt cheap.

An NB will run happily on 91ron, but will retard some timing etc to prevent knock, 95 is better there (note, they use less fuel than the Audi, so even using 98ron will be cheaper)

Engine oil is regular old 10w40, $40 a bottle and you'll have a litre spare once it's done.

Diffs need no servicing other than oil eveyr 80,000km or something (regardless of open or LSD) *note: LSD referring to the OEM Torsen diffs, aftermarket clutch diffs etc might be different

Tyres on the early NB are 195/50/15, common as muck and cheap.

Basically, maintenance on them is about the same costs as a Mazda 323. The only weird part is the softtop which is about $1000 to replace once it eventually tears (the OEM ones last well though, 16 years on mine and I only have 2 pinholes which are from it rubbing on my old rollbar)

Reliability is great, engines will last a LONG time if you service them often (400,000km on my GF's NA, engine untouched but serviced regualrly)
Gearboxes last ages if you don't abuse them, diffs same.