Wanting to purchase an MX5

R LTD · Post by **R LTD** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 8:35 pm

Hi
My wife and I have decided to have some fun now the children have gone. We are
looking for a good quality 91-93 MX5 - the pop headlight model. Our preference
is one with leather seats, electric windows, etc but will look at a car that
has been well maintained and has a service record.
Any advice on what we should check for would be appreciated. There doesn't
appear to be an active MX5 Club in Wellington. If we are incorrect can someone
provide a name and contact number.

Tony Gavin
14 Wantwood Grove
Churton Park
Wellington 6004
NEW ZEALAND
EM: gavint@actrix.co.nz
PH: +64 4 4773579
MOB: +64 29 2492157

Michael & Kate Cooper · Post by **Michael & Kate Cooper** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 7:47 am

Wellington: Mike Pearson
970 9709 or 021 631 731
wellington@mx5club.org.nz

Kapiti Coast: Lawrie Copp
904 3343
kapiti@mx5club.org.nz

There is also an events page on the NZ MX5 Club website with upcoming events
for all regions that you may wish to check out. You could probably join in
one of them in your "other car" (just stay at the back!) and you will get
everyone's different opinions on what to look out for in a prospective MX5.

Happy shopping!

Kate

Michael & Kate Cooper · Post by **Michael & Kate Cooper** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 7:47 am

Wellington: Mike Pearson
970 9709 or 021 631 731
wellington@mx5club.org.nz

Kapiti Coast: Lawrie Copp
904 3343
kapiti@mx5club.org.nz

There is also an events page on the NZ MX5 Club website with upcoming events
for all regions that you may wish to check out. You could probably join in
one of them in your "other car" (just stay at the back!) and you will get
everyone's different opinions on what to look out for in a prospective MX5.

Happy shopping!

Kate

R LTD · Post by **R LTD** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 3:34 pm

Thanks Steph. A useful site. Did you purchase a MX5 - any useful conclusions
from surveying the NZ market.

Tony

poison · Post by **poison** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 6:59 pm

Hey Tony you will not regret it. Best toy I have bought in ages. But for
heavens sake don't get a green one...

Although if I was buying again I
would get an 1800cc as they are that little bit more peppy (except for
zorruno's one) and if I had the money a MKII (the non-pop up headlight model)
with air bags etc just for safety's sake.

Gazza
"PO1SON"

poison · Post by **poison** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 6:59 pm

Hey Tony you will not regret it. Best toy I have bought in ages. But for
heavens sake don't get a green one...

Although if I was buying again I
would get an 1800cc as they are that little bit more peppy (except for
zorruno's one) and if I had the money a MKII (the non-pop up headlight model)
with air bags etc just for safety's sake.

Gazza
"PO1SON"

Mikkels · Post by **Mikkels** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 7:42 pm

Drop an 1800 in Gazza

It is not hard and a lot of fun.

Don

_____

From: e-admin@mx5club.org.nz [mailto:e-admin@mx5club.org.nz] On Behalf Of
Gazza
Sent: Saturday, 2 April 2005 6:59 p.m.
To: MX5List
Subject: Re: Wanting to purchase an MX5

Hey Tony you will not regret it. Best toy I have bought in ages. But for
heavens sake don't get a green one...

Although if I was buying again I
would get an 1800cc as they are that little bit more peppy (except for
zorruno's one) and if I had the money a MKII (the non-pop up headlight model)
with air bags etc just for safety's sake.

Gazza

"PO1SON"

Mikkels · Post by **Mikkels** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 7:42 pm

Drop an 1800 in Gazza

It is not hard and a lot of fun.

Don

_____

From: e-admin@mx5club.org.nz [mailto:e-admin@mx5club.org.nz] On Behalf Of
Gazza
Sent: Saturday, 2 April 2005 6:59 p.m.
To: MX5List
Subject: Re: Wanting to purchase an MX5

Hey Tony you will not regret it. Best toy I have bought in ages. But for
heavens sake don't get a green one...

Although if I was buying again I
would get an 1800cc as they are that little bit more peppy (except for
zorruno's one) and if I had the money a MKII (the non-pop up headlight model)
with air bags etc just for safety's sake.

Gazza

"PO1SON"

MX5PWR · Post by **MX5PWR** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 10:11 am

Hi Tony,
Here is an article I did for Topdown Mag last year that may be of help. I have
driven alot of MX5's and milage is no indication of how good then car is. I
have driven cars with 50km on the clock thet were absolute dogs, and cars with
over 100km that were sweet to drive.

Hope the following helps and happy hunting.

Nigel

BUYING AN MX5 some helpful hints.

Having spent the last month or so trying to find a replacement MX5, I began to
realize how frustrating it can be to try and find the right car. (All my
previous MX5s have turned up when I wasnt really looking)

Having decided that a series II would be the car for me I went out hunting,
caryards, Trademe, Local Newspaper etc.

During the hunt I found several cars that at first appeared to suit my needs
but on further inspection, turned out to have problems of one sort or another.

Apart from the normal wear and tear relative to the mileage, the main area of
concern that showed up was crash damage or repair work and there are signs to
look for as well as at least two web sites that can be of help.

When checking for signs of damage take particular note of the following:

1.. Do all panels look straight, have any of the bolts holding the panels in
place been removed. A sure sign of this is paint scratched off from bolts,
bolts that do not line up or even have a different color of paint on them. A
good place to check first is inside the engine compartment where the front
guards are attached.
2.. Are there any painted numbers on parts of the car such as guards or
suspension components. Wreckers tend to mark parts with an identifier or part
number by using a marker pen or similar.
3.. Is there any sign of a different paint color anywhere in the car.
4.. Is the vehicle identifier sticker (white with details of the car model)
still on the inside of the drivers door by the door latch. If this is missing
it may indicate that panel repair work has been done on the drivers side.
5.. Does the Chassis number stamped into the fire wall match the chassis
number on the aluminum plate that is reverted to the fire wall. One car I
looked at had no chassis number at all stamped onto the fire wall !!

If you know the registration number of the car you are looking at and just
want to do a quick check as to whether the car was imported into NZ as a
damaged vehicle you can go to
http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/importing/imported-damaged.html do CTL F then type
the Registration number in the box that shows up and then enter. If the car is
noted as a damaged vehicle then the Registration number will be found.

This only works for cars imported as damaged vehicles, not cars that have been
in accidents in NZ but at least it will show if the car has been repaired for
sale in NZ.

If you are seriously interested in the car, ask the owner to provide a copy of
a VIR (Vehicle Information Report) or at the least get one yourself. They cost
$25 and can be obtained by going to www.motorweb.co.nz .

The report is very comprehensive and will show if the car has;

Been imported damaged, deemed as flood damaged, deemed to have unreliable
odometer has any financial interest registered on the PPSR.

It also has all the details of ownership, warrant due date and registration
due date

Even if you get a mechanical inspection done on the vehicle and that is clear,
it pays to check the above registers because once a vehicle is noted as having
been imported that notation stays there forever.

Thank fully I have found a replacement MX5 and can now continue to enjoy the
driving now that the frustration of searching is over well at least till
next time.

Nigel

MX5PWR · Post by **MX5PWR** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 10:11 am

Hi Tony,
Here is an article I did for Topdown Mag last year that may be of help. I have
driven alot of MX5's and milage is no indication of how good then car is. I
have driven cars with 50km on the clock thet were absolute dogs, and cars with
over 100km that were sweet to drive.

Hope the following helps and happy hunting.

Nigel

BUYING AN MX5 some helpful hints.

Having spent the last month or so trying to find a replacement MX5, I began to
realize how frustrating it can be to try and find the right car. (All my
previous MX5s have turned up when I wasnt really looking)

Having decided that a series II would be the car for me I went out hunting,
caryards, Trademe, Local Newspaper etc.

During the hunt I found several cars that at first appeared to suit my needs
but on further inspection, turned out to have problems of one sort or another.

Apart from the normal wear and tear relative to the mileage, the main area of
concern that showed up was crash damage or repair work and there are signs to
look for as well as at least two web sites that can be of help.

When checking for signs of damage take particular note of the following:

1.. Do all panels look straight, have any of the bolts holding the panels in
place been removed. A sure sign of this is paint scratched off from bolts,
bolts that do not line up or even have a different color of paint on them. A
good place to check first is inside the engine compartment where the front
guards are attached.
2.. Are there any painted numbers on parts of the car such as guards or
suspension components. Wreckers tend to mark parts with an identifier or part
number by using a marker pen or similar.
3.. Is there any sign of a different paint color anywhere in the car.
4.. Is the vehicle identifier sticker (white with details of the car model)
still on the inside of the drivers door by the door latch. If this is missing
it may indicate that panel repair work has been done on the drivers side.
5.. Does the Chassis number stamped into the fire wall match the chassis
number on the aluminum plate that is reverted to the fire wall. One car I
looked at had no chassis number at all stamped onto the fire wall !!

If you know the registration number of the car you are looking at and just
want to do a quick check as to whether the car was imported into NZ as a
damaged vehicle you can go to
http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/importing/imported-damaged.html do CTL F then type
the Registration number in the box that shows up and then enter. If the car is
noted as a damaged vehicle then the Registration number will be found.

This only works for cars imported as damaged vehicles, not cars that have been
in accidents in NZ but at least it will show if the car has been repaired for
sale in NZ.

If you are seriously interested in the car, ask the owner to provide a copy of
a VIR (Vehicle Information Report) or at the least get one yourself. They cost
$25 and can be obtained by going to www.motorweb.co.nz .

The report is very comprehensive and will show if the car has;

Been imported damaged, deemed as flood damaged, deemed to have unreliable
odometer has any financial interest registered on the PPSR.

It also has all the details of ownership, warrant due date and registration
due date

Even if you get a mechanical inspection done on the vehicle and that is clear,
it pays to check the above registers because once a vehicle is noted as having
been imported that notation stays there forever.

Thank fully I have found a replacement MX5 and can now continue to enjoy the
driving now that the frustration of searching is over well at least till
next time.

Nigel

poison · Post by **poison** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 7:24 pm

A couple more good places to look for MX5's, are of course our club web site
http://www.mx5club.org.nz/forsale/forsale/ and there are always a lot on
TradeMe www.trademe.co.nz

Gazza
"PO1SON"

Sorry all, too many posts today...

poison · Post by **poison** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 7:24 pm

A couple more good places to look for MX5's, are of course our club web site
http://www.mx5club.org.nz/forsale/forsale/ and there are always a lot on
TradeMe www.trademe.co.nz

Gazza
"PO1SON"

Sorry all, too many posts today...

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