The new adventures of Brownnova! Another Saab joins the fleet… 13/10/24

[brownnova]

So the specialist sent me pictures this morning... and the news wasn’t good. 

 

Lots of rot there... 

Mark (the specialist) said that it needs inner sills, bits on the floor and that the rot has spread to the chassis legs and he’s concerned it may even have spread as far as the bulkhead once the under seal is removed.  In all honesty it probably needs most of the bottom end rebuilding.

Which leaves me at decision point. The cost of all this will outstrip the value of the car. But MX5 prices are rising... on the other hand project MX5s are selling well and maybe someone with the skills may want to put it back on the road in time... or break it for spares. 

The kit car angle is one worth considering, but I need another project like I need a hole in the head!

What pisses me off the most is that this is really my fault for leaving it standing so long... 

[Ghosty]

The prices are mental now, if you sell it you're unlikely to find anything better without pushing £2000. 

[Fumbler]

Sell it as a project and make a nice bundle of cash. Think of all the parts you could procure for the brown Nova and Yugo!

[brownnova]

12 hours ago, Fumbler said:

Sell it as a project and make a nice bundle of cash. Think of all the parts you could procure for the brown Nova and Yugo!

Current thinking is this... 

Or more likely sell as a project and buy something else to have fun in! 

[gm]

that's not great news about the corrosion, sadly it seems to be inevitable when it comes to mx5s  

20 hours ago, brownnova said:

The kit car angle is one worth considering, but I need another project like I need a hole in the head!

just choose a nice easy one - this one was a piece of piss* - nothing to worry about !

if your car is mechanically sound, it could be worth investing in getting the welding done, mk1's are becoming scarcer and prices starting to creep up - I'm glad I held onto mine. I think yours may be an early "short nose' crank engine which the mx5 racers seem to like, could be an avenue to explore ?

good luck, whichever way you decide to go

 

[Mr Laurence]

It’s a shame, but as @gmsays, they all go like that. It’s definitely worth saving. Early unmolested Mk1s are rare now, and most will need the same work doing as yours sooner or later.

[Dick Cheeseburger]

22 hours ago, brownnova said:

So the specialist sent me pictures this morning... and the news wasn’t good. 

 

Lots of rot there... 

Mark (the specialist) said that it needs inner sills, bits on the floor and that the rot has spread to the chassis legs and he’s concerned it may even have spread as far as the bulkhead once the under seal is removed.  In all honesty it probably needs most of the bottom end rebuilding.

Which leaves me at decision point. The cost of all this will outstrip the value of the car. But MX5 prices are rising... on the other hand project MX5s are selling well and maybe someone with the skills may want to put it back on the road in time... or break it for spares. 

The kit car angle is one worth considering, but I need another project like I need a hole in the head!

What pisses me off the most is that this is really my fault for leaving it standing so long... 

Wow. That's pretty galloping. Unless you've a huge sentimental attachment sack it off and let someone else break it for parts. Once the grot has set in like that, it'll only keep rearing it's ugly head when you least expect it. 

Eunos are still plentiful and cheap enough to be able to source a solid mk1 and have a much better starting point.

[Tickman]

The running issues certainly don't help the save it case.

[brownnova]

4 hours ago, Dick Longbridge said:

Wow. That's pretty galloping. Unless you've a huge sentimental attachment sack it off and let someone else break it for parts. Once the grot has set in like that, it'll only keep rearing it's ugly head when you least expect it. 

Eunos are still plentiful and cheap enough to be able to source a solid mk1 and have a much better starting point.

This is my thought. Although this bit will be done, the next bit is only round the corner. The other issue is when we start cutting away who knows how far we’ll have to go to find good metal... 

Current mood in the brownnova house is to cut losses. Anyone want a cheap MX5 project.... ? 😆😆

[brownnova]

3 hours ago, Tickman said:

The running issues certainly don't help the save it case.

New ECU and fuel filter seem to have solved this apparently... but a good run is what is needed to prove this, and sans MoT there’s no way of knowing. 

[brownnova]

“Fancy some croissants for breaksfast”

”Yeah, that sounds nice”

”Ok I’ll nip to the shop, anything else we need?”

”A baguette for lunch if that’s ok?”

Genuinely didn’t realise the cliche until I was walking out of Tesco towards the car. 😆

 

In other news I treated the 9000 to fresh oil and air filters and spark plugs yesterday. Taught the 12 y o how to do it, so it took a bit longer, but he was proud as punch that he changed the spark plugs! 

[Cord Fourteener]

5 hours ago, brownnova said:

“Fancy some croissants for breaksfast”

”Yeah, that sounds nice”

”Ok I’ll nip to the shop, anything else we need?”

”A baguette for lunch if that’s ok?”

Genuinely didn’t realise the cliche until I was walking out of Tesco towards the car. 😆

 

In other news I treated the 9000 to fresh oil and air filters and spark plugs yesterday. Taught the 12 y o how to do it, so it took a bit longer, but he was proud as punch that he changed the spark plugs! 

Merde de l'auto! Ooh la oui oui, there's a certain je ne sais qua mon ami.

Did you go on to have Meatballs and Kopparburg? And listen to Scandi Techno-folk or Abba, or the Cardigans?

You totally should.

[brownnova]

So.... 

Following the demise of the white MX5 I am in trouble at home. The lad was a big fan of the MX5...

It also leaves me a hole in the something fun and sporty for occasional use category. Another 5 seems inevitable.

Even in these covid times I now have two loca-ish viewings booked in.

a) a very nice looking mark 1, very straight, has had the required welding done and is very clean and honest. It’s a late UK car. Viewing tomorrow.

b) a Mark 3... With no MoT and in need of some minor fettling. Silver... but I’m intrigued to see if I’d get on with a mk3... 

It will cost me roughly the same to buy the mk1 as to get the mk3 road ready. 

Hmm what should I do AS massive? Do I want the raw- nature of the mk1 with its pop up headlights and basic approach or the slightly safer bit more powerful Mk3 which is less shite... but might be more fun? I don’t know...

Advice welcomed. 

[Dick Cheeseburger]

12 minutes ago, brownnova said:

So.... 

Following the demise of the white MX5 I am in trouble at home. The lad was a big fan of the MX5...

It also leaves me a hole in the something fun and sporty for occasional use category. Another 5 seems inevitable.

Even in these covid times I now have two loca-ish viewings booked in.

a) a very nice looking mark 1, very straight, has had the required welding done and is very clean and honest. It’s a late UK car. Viewing tomorrow.

b) a Mark 3... With no MoT and in need of some minor fettling. Silver... but I’m intrigued to see if I’d get on with a mk3... 

It will cost me roughly the same to buy the mk1 as to get the mk3 road ready. 

Hmm what should I do AS massive? Do I want the raw- nature of the mk1 with its pop up headlights and basic approach or the slightly safer bit more powerful Mk3 which is less shite... but might be more fun? I don’t know...

Advice welcomed. 

I looked at a ropey mk3 ages ago. Potentially cheap cars now. It felt surprisingly good to drive, albeit lacking the character of the mk1. Don't the early ones have engine issues though, as well as rot problems? The one I looked at had a really worn driver's seat too, so I guess the materials used are a bit on the cheap side of things. I ended up sticking with the MR2 as it's such a fun car and it continued to behave itself. 

If I bought an MX5 again, I'd still look for a mk3 I think, despite having owned several mk1s including a turbot. It would definitely require some playing with to liven things up though. 

[Mr Laurence]

I’ve never driven a mk3, but the general consensus is that they’re more liveable than earlier cars. Ignore any ‘comedians’ calling them boats. They’re barely any heavier than Mk1s or 2s. I think that the engines in a mk3 are more prone to failure though. On the flipside, you’ll get a newer car without as much rust to contend with.

I personally don’t like the idea of buying a car as an investment, but Mk1 prices are rising fairly quickly without any sign of slowing down. Even rusty MOT failures are starting to make actual money now, so a solid one might make you a profit when you come to sell. Mk3s don’t quite seem to have reached the bottom of their depreciation curve yet. They’re still comparatively quite a modern car.

Take a look at both and see which you prefer before commiting to buying either. In many ways they’re very similar cars, but depending on what you’re planning on using it for both have their benefits.

[LightBulbFun]

59 minutes ago, brownnova said:

mk1 with its pop up headlights

said it yourself m8  

[New POD]

My understanding, and it may be wrong, is that the engine issue with the mk3, related to high coming forces, combined with low oil levels. 

The engine has oil baffles designed to stop the oil from surging in a front we've car, and then they turn the engine 90 degrees and the baffles do nothing helpful. Okay if oil is at max, but not okay if oil in below min. 

Personally, I'd go for a mk3, because you've had a mk1.  

That reminds me. Must get the mk1 out for the garage soon. Before it becomes a restoration project. 

[wuvvum]

Hate to say it but I agree with Dez.  If you have a choice between a car with pop-up headlights and a car without, it's really a no-brainer.

[brownnova]

I fear that a mk3 would just be an car to me... but the Mk1 is a lot less powerful and as has been said I’ve been there... although I did love it (when it worked!) 

In terms of rust this mk1looks immaculate (I’ll truly tell tomorrow), whereas the mk3 will need a small amount of welding for its mot... 

[brownnova]

I do slightly wish I could buy both, run them side by side for a month and then decide 😂

[Ghosty]

A clean mk1 is a good prospect, charming, engaging to drive, appreciating classic, pop up lights, etc. 

If you're thinking about another MX5, get the mk1. That, after all, is what you're missing, and long term, I reckon it's a lot better prospect.

Do keep in mind however that mk1 and 2 MX5 aren't approved to run E10 fuel according to gov.uk. 

[Cord Fourteener]

Firstly,  I'd go with the one that's least fucked. If it's because your lad likes it then get one that runs already. It sounds like you don't need more unknown projects. 

Secondly, don't you have two sporty fun open top cars,  the 2cvs? 😂

[Cord Fourteener]

7 hours ago, Ghosty said:

Do keep in mind however that mk1 and 2 MX5 aren't approved to run E10 fuel according to gov.uk. 

My '89 Volvo runs best on ethanol-free 98 octane fuel,  which basically means going to Shell in Denbigh or Betws Y Coed because they're are no other that I'm aware of near Ruthin.  But then if you've already had a mk1 you ought to know where to get fuel!

[brownnova]

3 hours ago, Tim_E said:

Firstly,  I'd go with the one that's least fucked. If it's because your lad likes it then get one that runs already. It sounds like you don't need more unknown projects. 

Secondly, don't you have two sporty fun open top cars,  the 2cvs? 😂

That is a consideration... the Mk1 is tested for a full year (clean pass) whereas the Mk3 needs instant work to get it roadworthy, and has been stood for a few months. 

But that’s reflected in the prices, and I have a tame mechanic on standby to do the MoT work next week... 

Ooh it’s a quandary!! 

[gm]

somewhat predictably, the mk1 gets my vote - if it's in good condition, you and the young 'un can get out and enjoy driving it, safe in the knowledge that it will sell easily and maybe at a small profit when it is time to go. a needy mk3 could spoil the fun and end in resentment. 

being a late uk car, is it 1.6 or 1.8 ? remember this is when the 1.6 got de-tuned my Mazda to make the 1.8 appear more impressive  (more likely for insurance costs or to target folk who just wanted a pretty convertible and weren't planning to hoon) 

but, most importantly, as has been said : pop up lights ! 

[leanycan]

I could sell you a 180bhp diesel passat estate? I think the answer may be no on that lol.

[gm]

no contest, really  

[Minimad5]

Have you binned the Mk1 off ?

[Six-cylinder]

MX5s became more civilised and faster as time when on, but at the same time became less raw to drive and more ordinary.

I am sticking with my pop ups!

[brownnova]

56 minutes ago, gm said:

somewhat predictably, the mk1 gets my vote - if it's in good condition, you and the young 'un can get out and enjoy driving it, safe in the knowledge that it will sell easily and maybe at a small profit when it is time to go. a needy mk3 could spoil the fun and end in resentment. 

being a late uk car, is it 1.6 or 1.8 ? remember this is when the 1.6 got de-tuned my Mazda to make the 1.8 appear more impressive  (more likely for insurance costs or to target folk who just wanted a pretty convertible and weren't planning to hoon) 

but, most importantly, as has been said : pop up lights ! 

Yeah it is a detuned 1.6... but tbh straight line speed isn’t as important to me as cornering... and you’re right.... pop up headlights.... 

To add to the mix someone has now offered me a very tidy looking NB for similar money... 

However I’m looking at the NA first, so if that’s tidy that will probably be the most likely.