Selling a car that needs work on it?

iolanthe07

It's a non-interference engine

Only up to 4000 RPM. Above that (and what's the fun of driving an MX5 below 4000 RPM?!) and you could be in trouble. Cam belt change is fairly quick and cheap on an MX5.

BeenThroughItAll

iolanthe07 wrote: »

It's a non-interference engine

Only up to 4000 RPM. Above that (and what's the fun of driving an MX5 below 4000 RPM?!) and you could be in trouble. Cam belt change is fairly quick and cheap on an MX5.

How? Please explain that one to me.

The conrods and valves don't get magically longer at high RPM. The valves don't have more lift at high RPM. There's no logical mechanical reason for suggesting high RPM changes the interference state between pistons and valves. We replaced the belt in the pits on a mate's Mk2.5 1.8 (the 146BHP VT) which let go on the main straight at Croft, and it was definitely doing more than 4K at the time.

iolanthe07

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

How? Please explain that one to me.

The conrods and valves don't get magically longer at high RPM. The valves don't have more lift at high RPM. There's no logical mechanical reason for suggesting high RPM changes the interference state between pistons and valves. We replaced the belt in the pits on a mate's Mk2.5 1.8 (the 146BHP VT) which let go on the main straight at Croft, and it was definitely doing more than 4K at the time.

I have an MX5 and I'm just going by what I read on the owners club website. Some advise that the limit is 5000 RPM, but I agree with your point about there being no mechanical reason why this should be. Just owners' experience, maybe?

BeenThroughItAll

iolanthe07 wrote: »

I have an MX5 and I'm just going by what I read on the owners club website. Some advise that the limit is 5000 RPM, but I agree with your point about there being no mechanical reason why this should be. Just owners' experience, maybe?

I suspect it's just misinformation spread. I've read many threads where people have trotted out that same point, only for others to make the same point I have.

Personal experience says its complete cobblers - and there is absolutely no mechanical explanation for it that stands up for me. Non-interference is the same at any engine speed.

wazza99

£99 starting bid ebay......a rusty MX5 is a money pit sill and arch repair £1000 (FOR A PROPER JOB), if its not a limited edition, get what you can and be gone.

System

kmb500 wrote: »

It is a Mazda MX-5 so they are desirable cars with plenty of enthusiasts who can do them up. In fact I posed the same question on an MX-5 forum yesterday and within a couple hours someone had actually messaged me saying they would be interested in buying it. I'll pursue that obviously but if it doesn't work out - I think it can be done, but I've never sold a car before let alone a car that isn't in full working condition and just wondered if anyone had some thoughts on this.

:j:j:j

MX5 owner here. Sell it on the Facebook MX5Nutz page, MX5Nutz forum or the owners club. Lots of people looking for a cheap MX5 and happy to take one that need work. Be honest with the description of what is wrong with it. Those of us who have them and those interested in them know the MK1 and MK2 rust like a sod and rusty rear arches and sills are pretty much guaranteed for a UK car. We buy them because we like working on them as much as driving them so buying one with faults isn't a problem however we'd at least like the seller to be upfront about what needs doing.

iolanthe07

Tarambor wrote: »

:j:j:j

MX5 owner here. Sell it on the Facebook MX5Nutz page, MX5Nutz forum or the owners club. Lots of people looking for a cheap MX5 and happy to take one that need work. Be honest with the description of what is wrong with it. Those of us who have them and those interested in them know the MK1 and MK2 rust like a sod and rusty rear arches and sills are pretty much guaranteed for a UK car. We buy them because we like working on them as much as driving them so buying one with faults isn't a problem however we'd at least like the seller to be upfront about what needs doing.

Absolutely agree with this. They are easy to work on with a traditional engine/transmission layout and space in the engine bay. Parts are relatively cheap. Mechanically, they just seem to go on and on, and the corrosion issues can be dealt with