I’ve been around a few mk1 and mk2 MX5s over the years as friends have used them for track days and motorsport events, and I’ve been really impressed about how competitive they can be with little to no work, whilst also being pretty hardy to abuse. A few trips to the Nürburgring and some passenger runs round Kirkiston had me decided that I needed to get more involved in local track days, but up until now I’d been scared of breaking, damaging my cars or felt they were just useless for the track.
Over the past few months I’ve been half looking around for something to track; the usual small Clio/Fiesta/Civic hatches or an MX-5.
A couple of months ago a friend bought a mk3 MX5 off Facebook and when I realised how cheap they can be got for these days I set out to find one of my own. They aren’t that much heavier than mk2s, a bit more comfier/refined, bit more power to start as a base for more tuning and I always quite liked the fat round arches on them. They can also be got now for less than some mk2s are being advertised for.
This one appeared on eBay of all places and only down the road, so I went out to take a look at it. These are a few pics from the advert.
It’s a 2006 2.0 (160bhp), based on Fords Duratec (I believe), 16” Enkeis and an LSD as standard. It’s Galaxy Grey, which is probably one of my favourite mk3 colours and I think it has an option pack (few fancy trim pieces just).
It’s a bit rough round the edges, needs a deep clean and is starting to get a wee bit crusty in the usual places, but I didn’t want a minter as I know I’d just not want to abuse it. It also has had a cornucopia of chrome added which will need to be removed asap. There’s chrome indicator surrounds, tail light surrounds, a chrome centre brake light and chrome covers over the seatbelt guides. The rally-spec mudflaps have to go too.
Funds will be very restricted on this but short terms plans are to tidy it up a bit, engine, gearbox and diff service, and sort out the exhaust which is blowing out. New set of pads, replace the budget tyres and just get it out on the track. There's a rip in the driver seat bolster so a quick repair or just find a replacement.
Medium term plans are to lower it and free up the exhaust and manifold. A remap after this can get the mk3s to about 180bhp. I really should think of getting a cage for it, although a very quick hoke about online gives me an impression that it’s awkward enough getting one for them that doesn’t require the roof removed.
If I manage to keep it much longer than that then I think it’d be nice to make it quite motorsporty looking. Coilovers, different light-weight wheels, and a bucket seat. A 2.5 litre bottom end gets them over 200bhp which could be fun.
Over the past few months I’ve been half looking around for something to track; the usual small Clio/Fiesta/Civic hatches or an MX-5.
A couple of months ago a friend bought a mk3 MX5 off Facebook and when I realised how cheap they can be got for these days I set out to find one of my own. They aren’t that much heavier than mk2s, a bit more comfier/refined, bit more power to start as a base for more tuning and I always quite liked the fat round arches on them. They can also be got now for less than some mk2s are being advertised for.
This one appeared on eBay of all places and only down the road, so I went out to take a look at it. These are a few pics from the advert.
It’s a 2006 2.0 (160bhp), based on Fords Duratec (I believe), 16” Enkeis and an LSD as standard. It’s Galaxy Grey, which is probably one of my favourite mk3 colours and I think it has an option pack (few fancy trim pieces just).
It’s a bit rough round the edges, needs a deep clean and is starting to get a wee bit crusty in the usual places, but I didn’t want a minter as I know I’d just not want to abuse it. It also has had a cornucopia of chrome added which will need to be removed asap. There’s chrome indicator surrounds, tail light surrounds, a chrome centre brake light and chrome covers over the seatbelt guides. The rally-spec mudflaps have to go too.
Funds will be very restricted on this but short terms plans are to tidy it up a bit, engine, gearbox and diff service, and sort out the exhaust which is blowing out. New set of pads, replace the budget tyres and just get it out on the track. There's a rip in the driver seat bolster so a quick repair or just find a replacement.
Medium term plans are to lower it and free up the exhaust and manifold. A remap after this can get the mk3s to about 180bhp. I really should think of getting a cage for it, although a very quick hoke about online gives me an impression that it’s awkward enough getting one for them that doesn’t require the roof removed.
If I manage to keep it much longer than that then I think it’d be nice to make it quite motorsporty looking. Coilovers, different light-weight wheels, and a bucket seat. A 2.5 litre bottom end gets them over 200bhp which could be fun.
Last edited:
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Got myself an eBay key blank and got everything transferred over. Still need to get a second key soon.
