1997 Mazda MX5 1.6 - UK Car
This is a lovely example of an original UK dealer supplied 1997 Mazda MX5 1.6. In fact I actually advertised this one a couple of months ago but things went wrong…
It turns out that it was both burning and leaking oil probably as a result of a faulty PCV valve along with seized piston rings, all caused I think by the fact that the car had not been used for quite a few years.
This was annoying as the bodywork had already had a huge amount of attention with high quality sill repairs carried out by our favourite MX5 bodywork restorer. I reckon its also had quite a bit of paintwork, again to a very high standard. In fact the car was now the opposite of most MX5s in that it had an excellent bodyshell but a very tired engine. Most MX5s have an engine that substantially outlives the body…
There was only one decent plan of action and that involved cranking open the wallet. We tracked down and fitted a low mileage replacement engine. Obviously this was serviced with new spark plugs, new ignition leads, new oil and filter but we went further: it had a new water pump, timing belt and tensioners, new front crank oil seal, new alternator, new clutch and various coolant hoses were replaced with new silicon items.
This lot was expensive (into four figures) but I reckon it was worth it as we now have an excellent car and one that drives beautifully. Its covered an indicated 107300 miles and as this is the ‘no-frills’ model, this means it has no power steering, no electric windows or air conditioning; the good news is that none of this detracts from the MX5’s great driving experience.
Bodywork is very good indeed with rust-free sills, wheel arches and wings. The only bodywork issues I can see are that it has a number of very small pin dents on the odd panel, mainly the passenger door (usually caused by someone not being careful when they open their car door onto yours). In reality these are hard to spot and its a terrific looking car. Its also very good underneath with good solid floors and reasonably clean subframes etc – its in way above average condition.
Inside its in nice condition and everything works as it should. There is some wear to the driver’s seat bolster and a little wear to the steering wheel in line with its age. Dashboard, door cards, carpets and plastic trim are all in good clean condition. Its fitted with a decent JVC stereo which sounds good. Its fitted with a black vinyl soft top and while this has some wear on its outer edges, its water tight and looks good. Its also been fitted with a Mk2 glass window which is a nice bonus.
To be frank, the car drove absolutely beautifully before this lot anyway. In fact I drove a good 300+ miles in this and it drives as well as any MX5 out there and arguably, better than most. There are no rattles, no squeaks and ride quality and handling are very good indeed. Its happy sitting on the motorway at daft speeds but even happier on a country lane.
I have two keys (with immobilisers) and a big collection of old receipts and paperwork including the original handbook and pack. Its MOT tested until June 2026. One of the nice things about this one is that its in completely standard condition – no big exhausts or rock hard suspension and I think it drives all the better for that.
The car is ready to be used and enjoyed and given the work just carried out, I reckon its a bargain at £5500.
*Status: Available now and a deposit secures it.
It turns out that it was both burning and leaking oil probably as a result of a faulty PCV valve along with seized piston rings, all caused I think by the fact that the car had not been used for quite a few years.
This was annoying as the bodywork had already had a huge amount of attention with high quality sill repairs carried out by our favourite MX5 bodywork restorer. I reckon its also had quite a bit of paintwork, again to a very high standard. In fact the car was now the opposite of most MX5s in that it had an excellent bodyshell but a very tired engine. Most MX5s have an engine that substantially outlives the body…
There was only one decent plan of action and that involved cranking open the wallet. We tracked down and fitted a low mileage replacement engine. Obviously this was serviced with new spark plugs, new ignition leads, new oil and filter but we went further: it had a new water pump, timing belt and tensioners, new front crank oil seal, new alternator, new clutch and various coolant hoses were replaced with new silicon items.
This lot was expensive (into four figures) but I reckon it was worth it as we now have an excellent car and one that drives beautifully. Its covered an indicated 107300 miles and as this is the ‘no-frills’ model, this means it has no power steering, no electric windows or air conditioning; the good news is that none of this detracts from the MX5’s great driving experience.
Bodywork is very good indeed with rust-free sills, wheel arches and wings. The only bodywork issues I can see are that it has a number of very small pin dents on the odd panel, mainly the passenger door (usually caused by someone not being careful when they open their car door onto yours). In reality these are hard to spot and its a terrific looking car. Its also very good underneath with good solid floors and reasonably clean subframes etc – its in way above average condition.
Inside its in nice condition and everything works as it should. There is some wear to the driver’s seat bolster and a little wear to the steering wheel in line with its age. Dashboard, door cards, carpets and plastic trim are all in good clean condition. Its fitted with a decent JVC stereo which sounds good. Its fitted with a black vinyl soft top and while this has some wear on its outer edges, its water tight and looks good. Its also been fitted with a Mk2 glass window which is a nice bonus.
To be frank, the car drove absolutely beautifully before this lot anyway. In fact I drove a good 300+ miles in this and it drives as well as any MX5 out there and arguably, better than most. There are no rattles, no squeaks and ride quality and handling are very good indeed. Its happy sitting on the motorway at daft speeds but even happier on a country lane.
I have two keys (with immobilisers) and a big collection of old receipts and paperwork including the original handbook and pack. Its MOT tested until June 2026. One of the nice things about this one is that its in completely standard condition – no big exhausts or rock hard suspension and I think it drives all the better for that.
The car is ready to be used and enjoyed and given the work just carried out, I reckon its a bargain at £5500.
*Status: Available now and a deposit secures it.
