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My daughter and I went in together and bought a small item earlier this week. New hobby? I'm not sure but the first few drives have been fun. Original 1989 MX5 in excellent condition, owned by an old fella just down the road who basically has kept it in his garage for years. Not too bad for around $4000!

MX5a by Ozimax, on Flickr

MX5b by Ozimax, on Flickr

MX5d by Ozimax, on Flickr

MX5e by Ozimax, on Flickr

Nice one Ozi.

Be wary though as I have a tale to tell.

My first car was a mini 850 (yes, the original) bought in circa 1967. It had been garaged for around 5 years and was owned by a doctor who had put around 600 miles on the clock. The problem was the time it had been garaged. It literally fell apart within a year. Because it had not been used everything had decayed. I remember that it used to conk out at the lights so I dismantled the carbbie, cleaned it and put back together only to find out later (from a mechanic) that some idiot had put the gasket on the wrong way (hehe, me!). Decided to take it to Italy but when I tried to start it on the ferry it would not start so I was push started by some nice people. All through France and Italy I had the same problem every time I stopped and tried to restart. After 3 weeks I arrived back in England and found out it was the battery (doh!). I remember that piece of sh*t with great affection.

sirhc55 wrote:Nice one Ozi.

Be wary though as I have a tale to tell.wo week

My first car was a mini 850 (yes, the original) bought in circa 1967. It had been garaged for around 5 years and was owned by a doctor who had put around 600 miles on the clock. The problem was the time it had been garaged. It literally fell apart within a year. Because it had not been used everything had decayed. I remember that it used to conk out at the lights so I dismantled the carbbie, cleaned it and put back together only to find out later (from a mechanic) that some idiot had put the gasket on the wrong way (hehe, me!). Decided to take it to Italy but when I tried to start it on the ferry it would not start so I was push started by some nice people. All through France and Italy I had the same problem every time I stopped and tried to restart. After 3 weeks I arrived back in England and found out it was the battery (doh!). I remember that piece of sh*t with great affection.

Funny story Chris. We went on our honeymoon circa 1983 with an HK station wagon, loaded to the hilt with guitar, tent, camping gear etc. We returned from our el cheapo two week holiday in a 1975 LS Mini, with all our gear stuffed into the back seat. Great little car but we could never get the brakes to work correctly. No matter how many brake specialists we took it to, it always pulled violently to the left. It was a fun car to drive though.

The old bloke who owned the MX5 thankfully didn't neglect the car. I think he drove it every few months to keep things working. It only has 160k on the speedo and is in very good condition for it's age. I've changed oil, filter, plugs and leads and it drives a million times better than when I first drove it.

Most probably the biggest difference between English and Japanese cars is that the latter actually work...

We might sell it off later and try and make a few pesos, but it should be a fun drive this coming summer around the windy hills behind Coffs.

Cheers.

Lovely car and good photos. Have you thought of taking advertising?

All for the cost of a Nikon 800. Nice one!

I know the feeling to have the wind whip through your hair (although in your case Ozi that would not apply lol). Although I no longer drive I still have dreams about my MGF and Mercedes SLK230 thundering through the country side.

Oz,

Welcome to the wonderful world of drop-head driving. That's a great buy, and don't even think of selling it: the fun that she can give you will well and truly outlive the dollars you might recoup.

Being winter, it's time to head down to the snow, top down and heater on.

Looks like heaps of fun...no stories of old cars from me...my first car...just a 2012, Japanese built Suzuki Swift that gives me heaps of fun when I drive it to wherever I go to take photos etc. Bought new in early 2013, thankfully dodging the later Thai-built 2013 model that lasted less than 9 months before they switched back to the Japanese built Swift.

I envy your Miata!

sirhc55 wrote:I know the feeling to have the wind whip through your hair (although in your case Ozi that would not apply lol).

At least I never have to worry about combing my hair every morning. I just polish the bonce & I'm right to go.

gstark wrote:Oz, Being winter, it's time to head down to the snow, top down and heater on.

I'm keen but not that keen.

Targa Tassie!

PiroStitch wrote:Targa Tassie!

T'would be fun Piro.

What about WRC next month in Coffs?

ozimax wrote:

gstark wrote:Oz, Being winter, it's time to head down to the snow, top down and heater on.

I'm keen but not that keen.

I live in Canberra and drove an MG Midget for 16 years, always with the top down except in heavy rain. When I retired I sold it and got an MX5. Yours would be a bit small for me (though the Midget wasn't) and for that reason I got a more recent one with a slightly larger body (and a folding metal roof). I got it second hand but it cost just a touch more than yours. Driving with the top down is fine in the Canberra winter. You just have to dress to suit and the heating works fine (much better than the Midget's did). Mid summer is more of a problem when it gets to 40 or more because that is inescapable.

This is why I've always preferred winter. You can only take off as many clothes before you get arrested.

Murray Foote wrote:

ozimax wrote:

gstark wrote:Oz, Being winter, it's time to head down to the snow, top down and heater on.

I'm keen but not that keen.

I live in Canberra and drove an MG Midget for 16 years, always with the top down except in heavy rain. When I retired I sold it and got an MX5. Yours would be a bit small for me (though the Midget wasn't) and for that reason I got a more recent one with a slightly larger body (and a folding metal roof). I got it second hand but it cost just a touch more than yours. Driving with the top down is fine in the Canberra winter. You just have to dress to suit and the heating works fine (much better than the Midget's did). Mid summer is more of a problem when it gets to 40 or more because that is inescapable.

I figure that mid Summer here in Coffs I will engage soft top and air conditioning, at least during the hotter parts of the day. As the heat dissipates, then it's open top again.

I've been having a blast over recent days. Any chance I get I'm hooking through the twistys literally 3 minutes drive from our unit. I have a 45 minute circuit via Bruxner Pk, Bucca Rd, Eastbank Rd and Coramba rd back to Coffs. Beautiful dairy scenery, rolling hills and tight corners. The MX5 loves to be revved hard. The 18" low profiles, while not exactly designed for this type of car, grip like rails. The gear box is smooth as butter and well, it's a heap of fun.

Murray Foote wrote:

ozimax wrote:

gstark wrote:Oz, Being winter, it's time to head down to the snow, top down and heater on.

I'm keen but not that keen.

I live in Canberra and drove an MG Midget for 16 years,

I used to have a B, and before that, a Mini Moke, even. When I lived in California, I had a '74 Alfa Spider, which came with me when I moved to Texas. We enjoy a great climate for topless driving ...

ozimax wrote:I figure that mid Summer here in Coffs I will engage soft top and air conditioning, at least during the hotter parts of the day.

I've needed to do that just a couple of times in the SLK.

Ladies and gennlemen, I believe that Mr Ozimax is now infected.

gstark wrote:Ladies and gennlemen, I believe that Mr Ozimax is now infected.

To quote the Goons, "Run for your lives, it's the Lurgi....!"

Up until a few weeks ago, I needed a new hobby. I've tried golf, and fishing. Nope. Hopefully, photography will always be there. (I did a paid shoot last night in Coffs). Motorcycling is my #1 choice as a hobby but the missus of 31 years doesn't like them, so I have to keep the peace. (OK, I do sneak a ride now and then on borrowed machines, but I don't tell Robyn until AFTER I've returned etc). Exit motorcycles. Enter the Mazda MX-5.

I am a newbie in the Miata/MX5 world. I did a lot of research for 3-4 months and drove some for-sale vehicles, settling on a 1989, well kept, fairly low km red NA. We are incredibly blessed to be literally 3 minutes drive from some of Australia's most beautiful country roads. Waiving at the dairy cows on the deserted roads, wind blowing past my hair...er..um..ears.

Initial impressions? The Mazda 1.6 needs to be revved. The harder you work it, the better it feels. The 18" low profiles, though not ideal for a smooth ride, grip like rails. The non-powered steering is great. Work the gearbox, touch the brakes, pick a corner apex, hit the throttle and away we go. My son drove the thing last Saturday and he, Holden man and Mazda skeptic, was very impressed. "Dad, it's just like a go-kart." "Yes son, and keep your mitts off it!"

It's a barrel of fun to drive. I spend 8 months of the year away from home, and a little bit of fun when the opportunity arises is good therapy indeed.

Ozi.