Got myself a new banger

[[XC]thewildblue]

Well with the Summer being over and spending the last 6 months on my 2 bikes I decided to get a cheap car to go to work in and use as a track day hack.

Didnt want anything big due to parking constrants, nor anything juicy as I do ALOT of miles. But I did want good handling, 50/50 weight distro, RWD and most importantly an LSD.

So Ive had a change of career and become a hairdresser !

Yes I bought the ultimate hairdressers car the mazda mx-5. Its a Mk2 1.8 RS limited edition in "pimp gold" colour. Bilstein shocks, strut brace, 6 speed, AC and an LSD as standard. Got it on 70k miles on a 99 plate. The bodywork is superb and its mint inside and even got a new roof. Paid 3150 for it.

Needs 4 new boots and a 4 wheel alignment to get it sorted. Ive recharged the AC, done new plugs, filters and oil. Doing diff and gearbox oil this weekend and then its all nearly sorted.

Even out of alignment its great fun and goes sideways easily and is a piece of cake to control.

Next on the list is a rollcage and a cheap turbo conversion I reckon !

So now Ive got no torque and no power but super handling and balance oh and a nice pair of scissors if anyone fancies a trim !!

[Asylum1]

Sounds nice.
Hope you get it hooked up like you want it.

[[XC] riptide]

I bet people call you awful names going down the motorway.... with your 120 quid haircut and blowdry and raybans. Even though you have no hair.

[LaMpiR]

I bet people call you awful names going down the motorway.... with your 120 quid haircut and blowdry and raybans. Even though you have no hair.

@thewildblue, any pics?

[[XC]thewildblue]

Funny thing is if you actually saw my haircut you would notice I have no hair !!! I will get some pics up soon.

[Shaz]

*must.... restrain.... self....*

[[XC] gomeler]

Need to get yourself an LS3 into that car asap

[Shaz]

Why didn't you go the whole hog and get a Eunos?


Also, US guys, he bought a Miata.

[[XC]thewildblue]

No its a Roadster, the Eunos is the Mk1, the roadster is the Mk2 import. It appears that the RS model has a higher output as well it seems, closer to 160bhp rather than the 142 as standard.

LS3 is tempting but Im also looking at whacking in a 2/2.3 duratec in there maybe as my friend races a Tiger and says that the engine in it is superb.

I havent bought this car for speed, nor for style (if you can call being a hairdresser stylish), just for a bit of fun and to get me through the winter and do some track days. If I want to go fast I can just jump on the hooligan ZX10R for some ton up wheelies...

[LaMpiR]

Why didn't you go the whole hog and get a Eunos?


Also, US guys, he bought a Miata.

[SoddemFX]

Do you have any more specs on the Mk2 Roadster?

I haven't heard of it but from the specs you listed it sounds similar to mine (SE '02 Mk2.5 1.8) although yours has slightly more power. I don't put too much faith in the Torson LSD, it works, to a point but if you floor it hard out of a corner the inside wheel will break away with the other completely planted, i think the Torson has a lower max. torque distribution than other LSD's i.e. Quaife.

I don't know how you like turbos but at least on the Mk-1's a turbo makes them interesting, maybe not in a purely good way, i know two people through our OC with supercharged Mk-2's who swear by them over turbos for daily-drive cars. I drove a Mk-1 turbo a few months ago and it scared the sh*t out of me...

The cars aren't anywhere near as bad for rust as some people (usually non owners) make out but there are two areas on the the car that need to be seen to if you plan on keeping the car for long, both can be inspected by removing the front wheel arch cowlings. These are the sils and the part where the two beams at the side of the engine bay join onto the beam that runs behind the bumper which can rust pretty badly if not looked after.

Apart from that the car is very reliable and everything you use is pretty cheap, it is a very fun car which is awesome in the wet and challenging in the snow / ice. You got paid a good price for it too, right time of year to buy a convertible

Tom

[Dave_Sz]

Also, US guys, he bought a Miata.

yes, we all know...

[[XC]thewildblue]

Do you have any more specs on the Mk2 Roadster?

I haven't heard of it but from the specs you listed it sounds similar to mine (SE '02 Mk2.5 1.8) although yours has slightly more power. I don't put too much faith in the Torson LSD, it works, to a point but if you floor it hard out of a corner the inside wheel will break away with the other completely planted, i think the Torson has a lower max. torque distribution than other LSD's i.e. Quaife.

I don't know how you like turbos but at least on the Mk-1's a turbo makes them interesting, maybe not in a purely good way, i know two people through our OC with supercharged Mk-2's who swear by them over turbos for daily-drive cars. I drove a Mk-1 turbo a few months ago and it scared the sh*t out of me...

The cars aren't anywhere near as bad for rust as some people (usually non owners) make out but there are two areas on the the car that need to be seen to if you plan on keeping the car for long, both can be inspected by removing the front wheel arch cowlings. These are the sils and the part where the two beams at the side of the engine bay join onto the beam that runs behind the bumper which can rust pretty badly if not looked after.

Apart from that the car is very reliable and everything you use is pretty cheap, it is a very fun car which is awesome in the wet and challenging in the snow / ice. You got paid a good price for it too, right time of year to buy a convertible

Tom

The site I found this info about the 160bhp is on my work puter favorites, finding info on the RS is like finding Hens teeth.

Well the LSD works and leaves 2 black lines, the tracking is all out the moment and the tyres are pretty pants so it slides nicely with both wheels at the moment.

Turboing is cheap and if it makes it scary then bring it on, I like a bit of fun !!!

[[XC] gomeler]

I've considered an MX-5 myself, they are cheap cars but so agile. They make great autocross vehicles, I think I'd buy one solely for that aspect.

[[XC] riptide]

The site I found this info about the 160bhp is on my work puter favorites, finding info on the RS is like finding Hens teeth.

Well the LSD works and leaves 2 black lines, the tracking is all out the moment and the tyres are pretty pants so it slides nicely with both wheels at the moment.

Turboing is cheap and if it makes it scary then bring it on, I like a bit of fun !!!

Ya... but it'll still be a banger, by long agreed definitions of "banger" here on XS.

[[XC]thewildblue]

Deffo a banger... ;-)
Here is the sticker on the side with the RS details.It also redlines at 7500 and pulls all the way there, Im sure Ive read that the normal 1.8 are limited to 7200rpm.



Pimp Gold....mmmm

[Judaeus Apella]

Banger.... I thought that meant sausage... you're driving around a sausage? hehe Does banger mean the same thing where you are?

[[XC] riptide]

Banger.... I thought that meant sausage... you're driving around a sausage? hehe Does banger mean the same thing where you are?

Yes.... but in car terminology Banger means a car of a certain vintage, and price point... Its an esoteric term. See the US show pimp my ride? Well you can say here "Pimp my Banger"... or as these fine gentlemen said "Skanger me Banger"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGpcKu7kLuY

[SoddemFX]

Here is the sticker on the side with the RS details.It also redlines at 7500 and pulls all the way there, Im sure Ive read that the normal 1.8 are limited to 7200rpm.

Off the top of my head i don't know what the normal Mk-2's will red line at, but the Mk-2.5 (SVT) 1.8 red lines at 7000. Power comes in at about 3000 and scales up to the limit.

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/9687/picture011o.jpg

That is a rare MX-5, i've searched for a good 15mins and i can't find much about it, looks in great condition too, nice buy

Tom

[Dave_Sz]

why does the speedo go to 180mph?

[Splave]

looks clean OP!

I own this car as well....in gran turismo 4

[Judaeus Apella]

Yes.... but in car terminology Banger means a car of a certain vintage, and price point... Its an esoteric term. See the US show pimp my ride? Well you can say here "Pimp my Banger"... or as these fine gentlemen said "Skanger me Banger"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGpcKu7kLuY

Yay! I learn something new every day.

[[XC] Lead Head]

No its a Roadster, the Eunos is the Mk1, the roadster is the Mk2 import. It appears that the RS model has a higher output as well it seems, closer to 160bhp rather than the 142 as standard.

LS3 is tempting but Im also looking at whacking in a 2/2.3 duratec in there maybe as my friend races a Tiger and says that the engine in it is superb.

I havent bought this car for speed, nor for style (if you can call being a hairdresser stylish), just for a bit of fun and to get me through the winter and do some track days. If I want to go fast I can just jump on the hooligan ZX10R for some ton up wheelies...

How hard is it to find LSx engines in the UK? I don't suppose you find them growing on the side of the road like you do here.

[[XC]thewildblue]

I would imagine they are like hens teeth over here, its prolly easier to get hold of a 20b than an LSX engine.

The speedo goes to 180 as thats the Japanese limit, well 180kph is, this is an import as stated but has had a MPH conversion. Ive only had it round to 105 so far but its got plently left it just wanders a bit at the moment due to the crappy tyres and the alignment being out.

http://www.japanvehicles.com/newcars...dster/main.htm

Thats the link to give the 160bhp for the RS model and the lower ground clearance.

[reberto]

It's sad that the Miata gets a rep as a girls/gay mans car, its a wonder to drive! Cheap to run & repair as well