MX-5 OC Forum

 Hi all,

As per the title, first post ever, so total noob status for me! 

Bought my car totally blind today, starting a new job in London on Tuesday, and just arrived last night, so wanted to grab something cheap to buy, run and insure that would also provide some fun too. No time to do research, so didnt have a clue what to look out for at all!  Turned up, did all the generic checks (oil, tyres, rust under carpets etc) took it for a quick drive then handed over the cash.

Its a 1992 'J' MX5 1.6 in black with approx 150k miles on the clock and a nice tan interior.  Drives nice and tight, has some lower suspension on as it can scrape the odd speedbump with 2 passengers, and an aftermarket exhaust which gives a nice note.

Owner reckoned on it being a special edition of some sort- if anyone can confirm or deny this please do!

A couple of niggles- oil pressure seems to rise and fall with revs, although it never gets worryingly low, not sure how normal this fluctuating pressure is? 

Car also seemed to be dripping water from sill door area, although I couldnt swear that it was my car- only had it a day!  Is this a common issue?

Other than that, pretty clean for its age and mileage- a couple of little cosmetic dings and scrathches and a tiny, tiny little bit of bubbling on passenger rear arch- very pleased.

Looking for any info regarding a good, trusted garage in the West London area, so any advice is welcome!  Enjoy the pics!

 Looks like it could be...

http://www.dandycars.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions/UK_Special_Editions_%281989-1997%29/Special_Equipment_%28SE%29_Mark_1.htm

And get a paperclip or similar in the drain holes in the sills - have a look in the FAQ to solve all :)

 Thanks PatC, that sounds exactly like mine.  Ill have a look at the FAQs and get my soggy sills sorted.

 Very nice. Welcome to the forum.

Marpar.

Hi dave ..... very nice car !!!

It is indeed a 1992 MX5 SE. So what you've managed to get hold of is quite a rare Special Edition. There was only ever 200 of these made and was the first MX5 available in black.
From the pictures it seems the two main things you have 'missing' are the original alloys and the radio, but other than that it looks all there.
It also has ABS which if I understand correctly is quite rare on a 1992 UK MX5.

As for the oil pressure .... it should go up and down with the revs, so sounds like it's working nicely .... the higher revs, the more oil pressure.
You'll also notice that the pressure when on tick over will be higher when the oil is cold .....this is also normal.
You're quite lucky, because 'most' MX5's with oil pressure gauges are 'dummies' and just read whether you have oil pressure or not.

As for the water running out ..... check that the rain rails and rear drain plugs are not clogged. If they are the water will run into the sills and fill them up.
There is a VERY small 'hole' in the front of the sills that will let the water escape if that happens ..... if the water is coming from the front that is 'probably' your problem.

(I only know so much as I have an SE too) lol.

 Hi and welcome.  Congratulation, buying blind...that's brave

 Thanks for the replies chaps.

The owner said that this was a limited run of 200 cars, I thought he was making it up, but there you go.

The car has had a new roof very recently, its absolutely immaculate. 

There are afew bits Id like to tidy, the leather on the drivers' seat has cracked a bit on the base (had water on it at some point?).  Also, the little surround bit around the base of the roof inside the car looks a little corroded and could be doing with being rubbed down and re-painted.

A tiny bit of bubbling on the passenger rear arch wants sorting too- any ideas how much a bodyshop wants to fix a rusty arch?

For 150k its fantastic cosmetically and mechanically.  The engine is a little ticky at times, this sounds like the HLA clatter that Ive heard mentioned on here.

The car came with its original manual and service book, which is stamped up until 130k, with the last owner doing naff all mileage in it at all for afew years.

What would be the best work to have done now to prolong the engines' life? I see Mk1s going strong with higher mileages than this, wouldnt mind getting afew years from it!

Welcome. Nice looking car. The wheels seem to fit the arches just nicely. Get some better pics up.

Oh, and who's the hottie in the driver's seat in the 4th pic?! 

Hi Dave and welcome to the forum Looks a good little buy! 

 Turns out I was talking nonsense about the cars' last service, it was actually done at 148k miles, so 2k miles ago then.  The cars' history is about as comprehensive as any car Ive had, from the original receipt of sale right up until now.  As well as all the stamps and receipts, its also got lots of previous MOTs, the last two of which having no advisories. Had lots of new bits over the years as well, new brakes including discs, pads, hoses etc. less than 10k miles ago amongst many others.  As I said before, its also had a very recent roof, which is immaculate.  Still afew minor cosmetic bits Id like to sort, we'll see how it gets on at MOT time, then Ill see whats left over for the bodyshop!

Its the first time Ive ever went for a new kind of car without doing thorough research before hand, for the reasons mentioned here already.  I knew the 1.6 mk1 was bulletproof though, and was aware that parts were cheap.  Ive had many jap cars over the years, my last two before this being Supras which again are bulletproof.  Got rid of my 6-speed Supra when I found out the Getrag box for it was £2.5k+ second hand  !  Same reason Ive never owned an RX7- fear of massive bills!

How much (ballpark) are the really big jobs people have done on the mk1? Im talking new engine, gearbox, sill welding etc.

Just some of the history:

Ive yet to fit the matching tonneau cover:

6-speed Do-luck/ Blitz Supra:

Ultra clean stock auto Supra:

One for Rael, the fiance:

More, better pics (of the car!) coming soon.

WOW! What a beautiful car, I love the Supras of that era, such a lovely shape and so ridiculously tuneable. I have always had a "thing" for the F&F Supra, I know it's probably lame to some people but I think it's awesome.

Oh, and I think it goes without saying that you a a very lucky man

 Dont be fooled mate, she moans like the rest of them (apologies to all the female owners on here, but come on, its true!).

Seeing as Ive hijacked my own thread, heres another previous car of mine which I miss more than any of the others, year 2000 JDM Superstrut Celica SS-II with full 'Mechanical Sports' option pack:

Best handling car Ive ever owned, although the little Mazda is growing on me quickly... Speaking of which, I T-Cutted her today, and were heading off for a country drive tomo seeing as were new to London and all, some more pics to follow soon!

DaveofEdinburgh:

The engine is a little ticky at times, this sounds like the HLA clatter that Ive heard mentioned on here.

Give her an engine flush, oil change (full synthectic oil) and oil filter, this may help to quieten her a bit on the HLA's, but to be honest you will never fully get rid of it, mainly at start up and if left for some time, it's just something we live with.

Has for engine life just keep her well serviced , and she will go on forever, there are a few trates with ownership ...... http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/336.aspx

There is not much that you should not be able to tackle on her, these are a dream to work on, and if you do get stuck ....just ask, that's what we are here for

http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/270.aspx ....this may help with the water problem.

Kind regards

Am I the only one to notice......

DaveofEdinburgh:

scrape the odd speedbump with 2 passengers

..... And have a mental image of muffled sounds coming from the boot saying "OK, I've changed my mind, I don't want to tag along anymore..... Can you let me out now?"

 Hehe, makes it feel even more planted in the corners with a chick in the boot for ballast! That reminds me, really must go and let her out...