Mazda MX5 NB (2003)

  • Thread starter JB434
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J

JB434

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JB434
Well, today is a great day for me.
I picked up an MX5 :)

3359hqs.jpg

I am really happy to have got it, especially as I only paid £1800 for 1 metric tons worth of 2003 Mazda MX5 1.6 which is an amazing price. It is also in fantastic condition.

What can I say after that? I've only been driving for about 10 months at this point and in the time I've spent behind the wheel I already love it so much more than the Renault Clio 1.2 I've been driving for that time period. To put it simply, it just feels so much nicer to drive than the Clio.

Another couple of pictures I took after getting it home.
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A rear view of it, remarkably the car is pretty rust free, there's a few spots underneath the boot lid and in the wheel arches but otherwise it's fine.


wvrfv4.jpg

The best view I've ever had of the road. Enough said.

Plans for the future? Well I'm only going to start using it in Feb when my current insurance runs out because I need the year of NCB I'll have gained to afford it, I'm also going to change the rear tyres (Sunfull's apparently, never heard of them, definately chinese and so they're gonna go) and hopefully get the rust fixed and rustproof the car so it won't gain anymore.
 
Thanks guys :D

mattythedog
Nice! How much was the insurance?
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It's not insured at the moment, going to insure it in feb. Got a few quotes and the cheapest was £2400 fully comp, it's a lot of money but it's only a few hundred quid more than insuring the Clio I have for another year.

-JB
 
Not as much as I was expecting. I'm looking at MX-5s as a first car for me when I reach the correct age.
 
I second the opinion that you should get some Toyo T1R's 👍

What I've found (with the set on my NA) is that they can withstand a fair bit of punishment and will grip amazingly well in the dry conditions. I do however personally find them to be a bit useless in the rain or cold temperatures (I ran my car through winter), I have 15" wheels and run 195/45 tyres :)
 
Tiddy
What I've found (with the set on my NA) is that they can withstand a fair bit of punishment and will grip amazingly well in the dry conditions. I do however personally find them to be a bit useless in the rain or cold temperatures (I ran my car through winter), I have 15" wheels and run 195/45 tyres :)
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The winter thing is where I can lend a hand. I often hear T1Rs for the MX5 too, but when I still had mine I fit Toyo Proxes 4s (PX4s I think they might also be known as).

Without comparing back-to-back with T1Rs I don't know how much better the T1Rs grip, but I found the Proxes pretty good in the wet, and more than happy in the snow we had back in the 2009/2010 Winter. I was running 195/55 R15. They were fairly inexpensive too - I think Toyo tyres work well in general on the MX5.
 
homeforsummer
The winter thing is where I can lend a hand. I often hear T1Rs for the MX5 too, but when I still had mine I fit Toyo Proxes 4s (PX4s I think they might also be known as).

Without comparing back-to-back with T1Rs I don't know how much better the T1Rs grip, but I found the Proxes pretty good in the wet, and more than happy in the snow we had back in the 2009/2010 Winter. I was running 195/55 R15. They were fairly inexpensive too - I think Toyo tyres work well in general on the MX5.
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I did manage the snow one day :P but I don't know, maybe I just expect more grip to be around than there is when conditions are like that. I just get the feeling the tyre isn't cutting the water as well as it should, the car seems to move around a fair bit on the surface. However when it's dry and hot they are really rather impressive I find.
 
I bought a 90 Miata and think it's the greatest car I have ever had. I was going to swap the motor for a V8 but I fell in love w/ the car and will keep it mostly stock givin the cost of fuel these days. I found a bunch of Miatas for half of what I paid for my clean 90 because they were salvaged titles and now that I am an experienced owner I will pick up one of those to chop up for the v8 because I can't imagine tire roasting at freeway speed so I just have to go there since I can't afford a Cobra.

Good luck w/ your new ride. I wish I could have had the money to buy a newer one because there so much better looking but at least I have one to feel the wind trying to blow my hat away as I cruse the roads listening to the sound of a great exaust note 👍
 
LeftyWright69
I bought a 90 Miata and think it's the greatest car I have ever had. I was going to swap the motor for a V8 but I fell in love w/ the car and will keep it mostly stock givin the cost of fuel these days. I found a bunch of Miatas for half of what I paid for my clean 90 because they were salvaged titles and now that I am an experienced owner I will pick up one of those to chop up for the v8 because I can't imagine tire roasting at freeway speed so I just have to go there since I can't afford a Cobra.

Good luck w/ your new ride. I wish I could have had the money to buy a newer one because there so much better looking but at least I have one to feel the wind trying to blow my hat away as I cruse the roads listening to the sound of a great exaust note 👍
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Am I the only one that doesn't prefer the NB to the NA?

Also, anyone on here done a turbo conversion to the '90 1.6? I'm thinking of attempting it this coming summer now I've got the handling all sorted out (aside from maybe getting some more under chassis rails)
 
Tiddy
Am I the only one that doesn't prefer the NB to the NA?
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Me. But I'm biased, as I've owned an NA and not an NB. That said, my next MX5 may be an NB, as I expect they're slightly better as daily drivers than the NA.

Also, anyone on here done a turbo conversion to the '90 1.6? I'm thinking of attempting it this coming summer now I've got the handling all sorted out (aside from maybe getting some more under chassis rails)
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Not done it myself, but they're apparently quite good fun and since the MX5's engine was originally designed for turbocharging anyway, it remains pretty reliable as long as you don't run crazy boost.
 
homeforsummer
Me. But I'm biased, as I've owned an NA and not an NB. That said, my next MX5 may be an NB, as I expect they're slightly better as daily drivers than the NA.



Not done it myself, but they're apparently quite good fun and since the MX5's engine was originally designed for turbocharging anyway, it remains pretty reliable as long as you don't run crazy boost.
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How would/could the NB be a better daily driver?

I've ran my NA as a daily driver for over a year now and not suffered any issues (aside from one interesting moment when something flicked up from the road and managed to jam one of my accessory belts).

The main thing I'm really concerned about is rust, in the winter a heck of a lot (sometimes unnecessary) salt is thrown onto the roads and it's already started to eat the new anti-roll bar linkages I put on and some other areas, I plan on getting the car undersealed before it's next winter and all the sills and main structural areas are all still solid so it should be ok.

My turbocharging plans have been put on hold (for now at least) as I'm hopefully acquiring a turbo'd AE86 at the end of this week so that should be able to satisfy my desire for more power.

I really need to get a thread up here actually, I might have a go at it during the weekend.
 
I think this thread could do with an update.
Essentially since my last post I've.
  • crashed my car.
  • repaired my car
Oh and I need to sell it now because I've only gone and purchased this;
2v1699z.jpg

:hehe:
1.8 1995 California edition
Completely rust free, Momo steering wheel and 16" OZ Superleggera's all for £1250.

Yup, I went and bought a older version (and to most people, worse) of the car I already have.
 
NA > NB, yes I'm biased :P but still, pop-ups over fixed lights any day. So what's the plans for the NA then?
 
Tiddy
So what's the plans for the NA then?
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Uh, essentially restore it to "as new" condition by sorting the roof out, fixing the radio, the passenger side window winder and then swapping the seats for a nice set of buckets or something.

Then a subtle lip, a ducktail spoiler and a set of 15" Enkei RPF1's followed by sorting the paint out because it's peeling in a couple of places.

Long term, as soon as I can afford it along with the insurance increases then lower it a couple of inches or so with an upgraded suspension setup, stiffen it up a bit, get a functional rollbar and a supercharger/turbo setup.
I should be able to afford it within the next couple of years, by which time I'll be getting on for 21 and therefore becoming eligible to get classic car insurance which'll be a lot cheaper :sly:
 
JB434
Uh, essentially restore it to "as new" condition by sorting the roof out, fixing the radio, the passenger side window winder and then swapping the seats for a nice set of buckets or something.

Then a subtle lip, a ducktail spoiler and a set of 15" Enkei RPF1's followed by sorting the paint out because it's peeling in a couple of places.

Long term, as soon as I can afford it along with the insurance increases then lower it a couple of inches or so with an upgraded suspension setup, stiffen it up a bit, get a functional rollbar and a supercharger/turbo setup.
I should be able to afford it within the next couple of years, by which time I'll be getting on for 21 and therefore becoming eligible to get classic car insurance which'll be a lot cheaper :sly:
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For suspension I'd recommend meister, that's what I'm running on my NA and it's really quite good and a massive step up from standard 👍

Out of curiosity how much are you paying for insurance? I'm 18 and pay £1400 for my NA.
 
Tiddy
Out of curiosity how much are you paying for insurance? I'm 18 and pay £1400 for my NA.
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18, 1 year NCB and £1900 on a MK2.5 valued at £3000.

Also. Today I've been needing to find a new tyre.
Why?
http://i45.tinypic.com/xgct5e.jpg
http://i48.tinypic.com/29mkcw4.jpg
:mad:

I'm planning to swap the wheels on the MK1 for 15" Enkei RPF1's for exactly this type of thing.
£34 each for Toyo T1R's from camskill. (£62 from my local tyre place because he has to order it in from his depot for tomorrow :mad:)
Only has about 3k miles on it as well... :mad:

EDIT: I've just noticed you're only in Stoke, I'm pretty close.
 
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JB434
18, 1 year NCB and £1900 on a MK2.5 valued at £3000.

Also. Today I've been needing to find a new tyre.
Why?
http://i45.tinypic.com/xgct5e.jpg
http://i48.tinypic.com/29mkcw4.jpg
:mad:

I'm planning to swap the wheels on the MK1 for 15" Enkei RPF1's for exactly this type of thing.
£34 each for Toyo T1R's from camskill. (£62 from my local tyre place because he has to order it in from his depot for tomorrow :mad:)
Only has about 3k miles on it as well... :mad:

EDIT: I've just noticed you're only in Stoke, I'm pretty close.
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Nice that's not too bad 👍 Much better than paying an ungodly sum for a clio/corsa/aygo/etc.

£62 for a T1R? When I got my full set from Demon Tweeks I think they were around £40 each, could you not just order a tyre and get it fitted at your local garage?

Oh I see, where about's are you? If you see a white NA with a front lip and black wheels it's probably me, I've yet to see another one similar around stoke.
 
Tiddy
Nice that's not too bad 👍 Much better than paying an ungodly sum for a clio/corsa/aygo/etc.
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Would have been about £1500 on a clio 1.2 :crazy:

Tiddy
£62 for a T1R? When I got my full set from Demon Tweeks I think they were around £40 each, could you not just order a tyre and get it fitted at your local garage?
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I could have but I needed the tyre ASAP, heading to Wales next weekend and it'll take about a week for it to scrub in with my usual mileage and running around with the spacesaver on for a couple of extra days wasn't very appealing.

Tiddy
Oh I see, where about's are you? If you see a white NA with a front lip and black wheels it's probably me, I've yet to see another one similar around stoke.
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Over Stafford way, I tend to stick within that area.

Took advantage of the weather today to take a couple of quick pictures as I pulled the NA out of the garage to give it a little check over and make sure the battery is fine. I took the front plate off as I want an offset one.

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