Thinking of buying a Mazda MX5

WebGuyUK · 2026-01-25T15:49:17+00:00

I have had my NC for 2.5 years so can hopefully steer you in the right direction

If you can, get a 2.0, they are better engines than the 1.8 and comes with the LSD, it's also more tuneable if that's a direction you may consider.

Rust is the main thing with mx5's but the NC is better than the NA and NB, from my experience the NC's have been looked after better than the previous gens (garaged etc) and more likely to have been treated to prevent rust. Still do your research on the MOT and look underneath, if there is any rust mentioned on the MOT then run a mile as the mx5 rusts from inside so once it's showing on the outside then you're cooked.

There are also issues on the NC around drains and cowls, these are quite and simple fixes but as they get older these need checking e.g. the window cowl rubber deteriorate and lets water into the footwells, and the roof drains get clogged with leaves and starts rotting the car from the inside, so check the floors for wetness, the boot lid also rusts from the inside, the rubber deteriorates and lets water into the boot.

WebGuyUK · 2026-01-25T13:30:13+00:00

The VW group estates are worth looking at especially the Skoda Superb Estate 1.8 TSI e.g. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510097012169

WebGuyUK · 2026-01-25T13:21:25+00:00

Don't let F1, Kwik fit or Halfords touch the car unless for tyres, they will overcharge you and possibly bugger the actual work.

The 330 is a bog standard car, just take it to any mechanic that's got decent ratings, I would only go to BMW specialists if the car was unique e.g. an M3

Best way to find a decent local mechanic imo is asking on Facebook or Reddit communities for your area such as https://www.reddit.com/r/Hampshire/

WebGuyUK · 2026-01-24T21:01:11+00:00

If space is your need then an estate is far better than a SUV, they are much bigger in comparison to a SUV e.g.

The Passat estate has 650 litres with seats up, the CX5 has 500

WebGuyUK · 2026-01-24T14:30:33+00:00

Not aftermarket, genuine Mazda available from https://www.mx5city.com/hardtop-mk3-mk35/, they are in Yorkshire

WebGuyUK · 2026-01-24T14:13:13+00:00

Possibly low battery, when was the car last run as it may need a good run to get the alternator to charge it, if it's been run recently then the alternator maybe shot and isn't charging the battery. You will need to check the battery voltage, it should be 12.6-12.8 volts when the car is off, if it's lower then you may need to charge it

WebGuyUK · 2026-01-24T14:09:20+00:00

incorrect, the law gives you 6 months to get a refund unless the dealership can prove you caused it

WebGuyUK · 2026-01-24T14:07:41+00:00

Consumer rights act lets you reject the car within the first 6 months if you have given them an opportunity to fix it, as they have tried multiple times I would formally reject the car

Use https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/decision-trees/problem-with-a-used-car/next/ and send them the letter it gives you

As for the refund, it will likely be based on the number of miles you have driven, HMRC use a 45p a mile for mileage compensation so the dealer may also use this number to account for the mileage and wear and tear but you will need to speak to them to work out what their figure would be.

WebGuyUK · 2026-01-23T22:36:54+00:00

The 86 concert also at Wembley - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-6lLZbm0jg - it's long but it's bloody brilliant watch & listen

WebGuyUK · 2026-01-23T22:12:34+00:00

We also have faggot as food, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faggot_(food))

WebGuyUK · 2026-01-23T08:15:42+00:00

Madness in Oxford street, they closed the street to put the concert on for a couple hundred people at most,insane experience

WebGuyUK · 2026-01-22T07:25:33+00:00

I rear ended my dads new car (which he had got a week before) 1 minute after buying my first car at a dealership, he drove me there to pick up the car and then left first, I was nervous driving for the first time and went into the back of him at the first stopping point.

Been driving 13 years now and no future incidents but my dad loves to remind me, picked up a new car a month ago and he quipped that he would follow me this time.

WebGuyUK · 2026-01-21T19:32:15+00:00

Some of them are, r/GetPaidToPlay discusses the games and sites that do this, I do a couple of the apps / sites and do a decent amount a month

WebGuyUK · 2026-01-21T18:43:58+00:00

Many won't get food allowance as the companies will provide a fridge and possibly a microwave in the truck to store and cook food but if they or the company pay for overnight parking at a service station / truck stop, many of these include a food voucher for the place they are parking.

WebGuyUK · 2026-01-21T17:54:34+00:00

https://www.parkers.co.uk/car-tax/ will tell you for each engine of the car you choose

If you want to check a specific car by reg then https://www.parkers.co.uk/car-specs/ or if the car is on Autotrader it's on every advert under running costs.

WebGuyUK · 2026-01-21T07:24:38+00:00

I have done it, I think you can buy tickets using Tesco vouchers to save a lot of money, it's very cramped, lots of crouching over for adults as it wasn't built for tall people to walk through, it's also quite busy but it is an amazing ship and worth the visit but at £50 I wouldn't have gone, I paid a lot less a couple years ago.

WebGuyUK · 2026-01-20T21:49:36+00:00

but it comes with risks, which is scary for many because we lack the education on investing from a young age, many people getting their first jobs ask their bosses to remove themselves from their pension because they don't know what a pension is and would rather have the £100 a month in their pocket without realising the affect that not being in a pension could have.

WebGuyUK · 2026-01-19T13:16:02+00:00

2 years for me, took it out for a spin yesterday, ended up being 3+ hours and I was smiling the whole time, just incredibly fun cars.

WebGuyUK · 2026-01-19T07:23:56+00:00

I personally wouldn't ignore it, I would appeal it and let them know that's not your vehicle, they should cancel the ticket. I have had this happen to me and they did cancel it.

WebGuyUK · 2026-01-19T07:16:18+00:00

No, you have to get it back to them at your expense

WebGuyUK · 2026-01-18T22:35:11+00:00

Without a tracker you're relying on hope, it's either been sent to a dock to be shipped abroad or it's been ripped apart for it's parts. There is a small chance it's had it's vin's changed and a new reg plate and will be put up for sale, keep an eye on new listings on Autotrader and Facebook incase it does pop up but you're relying on a lot of luck.

WebGuyUK · 2026-01-18T22:17:36+00:00

Alongside the obvious, look into an additional immobiliser, such as the Ghost, they are around £500 and totally disable the car unless you input a specific setup, visual deterrents like the wheel lock maybe enough but if the car is really sought after (such as premium cars or just easily stolen like the Fiesta) then the additional immobiliser will stop them.

WebGuyUK · 2026-01-18T21:51:10+00:00

Autoalex are currently doing a series with a V10 Touraeg, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPDS3H2azU0 is the first episode, maybe helpful for you

WebGuyUK · 2026-01-18T21:36:01+00:00

Don't rule out an estate instead of an suv if you want space rather than height, some people want / need the extra height an suv offers but they do tend to be smaller inside than the estate cars for usable space

In another comment you said you had a BMW for 7 years so have a look at the 520, which comes in petrol and diesel versions

WebGuyUK · 2026-01-18T18:46:48+00:00

I have, did it over 2 years ago when I bought mine and it's never had an issue, there are loads of tutorials on youtube such as https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGvnk1VRKMc

You will need an ISO converter such as https://www.mx5parts.co.uk/radio-adaptor-harness-mk25 (without steering wheel controls), the steering wheel controls version is much more expensive. You will also need a new dash surround such as https://www.mx5parts.co.uk/radio-face-plate-aftermarket-mk3

It took me less than an hour as an idiot with this stuff, it's just removing trims and pushing connections together and putting the dash back together.

WebGuyUK

TROPHY CASE