I think my MX5 is jealous

MalcW · Post by **MalcW** » Mon Dec 12, 2016 11:40 am

I recently decided that it was about time to address the PPI situation, so I started the ball rolling, the credit card company agreed I had a case, and in due time I got a modest payment. Whoopee, I thought; just in time for Christmas AND I can now afford to get the wheel arches done on my Freda.

A couple of days later I went to get my MX5, which hadn't been used for a few weeks, out of the garage to give it a decent run driving up to collect our daughter who was coming to visit, only to get a horrendous noise when I turned the steering. A look underneath revealed a pool of power steering fluid, and the noise was from the (dry) pump.

It's back home now, having had a new steering rack fitted, steering tracked etc. I've already had the rear sills/arches done on it, and they now tell me that there's a fair amount of corrosion on the front subframe. On the Freda I've had the front crossmember fixed and need to do the rear arches. There seems to be a bit of a theme going on with Mazda. Let's hope the Freda's steering doesn't get ideas...

George217 · Post by **George217** » Mon Dec 12, 2016 1:50 pm

Timely warning Malc (at least for me). We also have an MX-5 in the family, so I will definitely keep an eye on that.

Cheers

Mike

Post by **Bob** » Mon Dec 12, 2016 3:28 pm

And us.

Red MK I, 1992.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Mon Dec 12, 2016 3:39 pm

Strange. If i was to get a 2nd car, for summer days, i'd most likely get an mx5. Had already gathered they were not immune to corrosion issues so interesting to read these posts. I think Bob's corrosion problems started when a large bottle of scrumpy he had on the backseat leaked and soaked all through his bodywork

MalcW · Post by **MalcW** » Mon Dec 12, 2016 4:55 pm

mikeonb4c wrote:Strange. If i was to get a 2nd car, for summer days, i'd most likely get an mx5. Had already gathered they were not immune to corrosion issues so interesting to read these posts. I think Bob's corrosion problems started when a large bottle of scrumpy he had on the backseat leaked and soaked all through his bodywork

From my experience of scrumpy that seems entirely likely.

Mx5s have a tendency to rot around the rear sill/arch area, but unlike Bongos repair panels are readily available. The front chassis rail problem is becoming more widely known with Mk2/2.5 cars (like mine) as the rails are double skinned and the rust starts between those skins. Mk1s are apparently single skinned.

It's the same 'problem' as with a Bongo: if you regard it as an expendable vehicle you sell it for spares or repair and buy something else. If you regard it as a modern classic you maintain/restore it. I'm in the second group. And it's all a matter of perspective I guess; pick up any classic car magazine and see the state of some vehicles before being restored, with no hope of recouping the expense, and it puts the work into perspective.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Mon Dec 12, 2016 4:59 pm

The MX5 is a little gem and (to me) the latterday mgb - definitely not a car for just using and discarding. I'm minded similarly to you, and feel the same about the Bongo (as do an increasing number of others it seems). Great cars both.

Post by **Bob** » Mon Dec 12, 2016 5:00 pm

mikeonb4c wrote:Strange. If i was to get a 2nd car, for summer days, i'd most likely get an mx5. Had already gathered they were not immune to corrosion issues so interesting to read these posts. I think Bob's corrosion problems started when a large bottle of scrumpy he had on the backseat leaked and soaked all through his bodywork

Could be.

Bongolia · Post by **Bongolia** » Mon Dec 12, 2016 5:27 pm

mikeonb4c wrote:The MX5 is a little gem and (to me) the latterday mgb - definitely not a car for just using and discarding. I'm minded similarly to you, and feel the same about the Bongo (as do an increasing number of others it seems). Great cars both.

I have always thought of them as the modern day Lotus Elan. Very similar in lots of ways, including how they corner as if on rails.
I would like one but the wife has said she would leave if I bought any more cars!
Hmm...

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Mon Dec 12, 2016 6:38 pm

Bongolia wrote:
mikeonb4c wrote:The MX5 is a little gem and (to me) the latterday mgb - definitely not a car for just using and discarding. I'm minded similarly to you, and feel the same about the Bongo (as do an increasing number of others it seems). Great cars both.
I have always thought of them as the modern day Lotus Elan. Very similar in lots of ways, including how they corner as if on rails.
I would like one but the wife has said she would leave if I bought any more cars!
Hmm...

Yes you're right really (especially in looks) but the mgb was more of a mass produced and less of a specialist car and perhaps more of a pretend sports drivers car and i guess all of that is a bit how i see the mx5. Bob is definitely not Fangio

Post by **Bob** » Mon Dec 12, 2016 8:07 pm

More like Carlos Fandango.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xX__PlOda0E

Except I don't smoke.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Mon Dec 12, 2016 8:14 pm

Bob wrote:More like Carlos Fandango.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xX__PlOda0E

Except I don't smoke.

Ha ha love that - takes me back

Bongolia · Post by **Bongolia** » Mon Dec 12, 2016 10:55 pm

Yes tickled me too.
I liked the one just below it with Rab C. Nesbit in the photo booth. Hamlet ad.

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