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Location:
Launceston, Tasmania
Registered:
May 2002
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1989 MX5, opinions
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Wed, 27 August 2003 05:49
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Hi, I am looking to change cars sometime within the next 6 months. I have had a bit of a look on prestigemotorsport.com.au and I really like the look of the 1989 MX5's, I know they arn't toyota but i still like them. Under the 15 year rule they seem to go for between 8k & 10k.
Has anyone driven or been in one before? anyone know where i can find some specifications such as kw, torque, 0-100km times etc?
how would the mazda 1.6 twincam found in the mx5 compare with a smallport 4age 16v as found in my current sx rolla?
Last of all, does anyone have any tips when dealing with prestige motorsport? what other kinds of thing do i need to do in order to get it on the road apart from the obvious rego for my state & approx $1000 worth of compliancing like mirrors, tyres, sun visor etc?
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Location:
Cabramatta, NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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 Re: 1989 MX5, opinions
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Wed, 27 August 2003 06:12
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Awesome car. It's a great little package, just needs a turbo.
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: 1989 MX5, opinions
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Wed, 27 August 2003 07:45
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Yeah, those things are really lacking power. I know straight-line performance isn't what they're all about, but still, they're so slow it's embarassing. Even my RA23 Celica would blow it away!
They're definitely fun to drive in the twisties though. A real drivers car.
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Location:
Launceston, Tasmania
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: 1989 MX5, opinions
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Wed, 27 August 2003 09:25
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sounds good so far  so i take it an sx rolla (4age) would shit all over it then? o'well, i guess it'd be worth it for the looks and style of the mx5 
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Location:
Cabramatta, NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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 Re: 1989 MX5, opinions
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Wed, 27 August 2003 23:25
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If you're buying it for the looks and style, you don't deserve the car.
The MX-5 is one of the sweetest handling cars I've driven. It communicates so much to you and is just so easy to drive at the limit (lack of power contributes here, but the front/rear balance is awesome too).
It's not that tardy. The '89 model had about 100kW from what I remember. Lots of weight due to being a convertible though.
If only it came in a turbo hard top..... 
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: 1989 MX5, opinions
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Thu, 28 August 2003 00:26
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The 1989 model had 85kW. They weighed 940-990kg depending on their options. Thats not heavy in my books!
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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
June 2003
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Re: 1989 MX5, opinions
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Thu, 28 August 2003 03:43
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buy a bullet.
Mazda mx-5 body and chasis
4.2 supacharged V8
aussie design apparently......just a hybrid designed by aussies
solves the prob of power
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Location:
Cabramatta, NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: 1989 MX5, opinions
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Thu, 28 August 2003 04:02
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| justcallmefrank wrote on Thu, 28 August 2003 10:26 |
The 1989 model had 85kW. They weighed 940-990kg depending on their options. Thats not heavy in my books!
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Oops, I'm thinking of the new one then.
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Location:
Canberra
Registered:
September 2002
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Re: 1989 MX5, opinions
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Thu, 28 August 2003 04:13
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From what I've heard the old MX-5 handles like shit. The Newer ones are supposedly a lot better. They're not that heavy either. Around 1000 to 1100 kgs??. I'm pretty sure they don't have a motor to fold the roof up, so they shouldn't have extra weight for the soft top much at all.
Trent
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: 1989 MX5, opinions
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Fri, 29 August 2003 01:39
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The MX5 was universally praised by the motoring press for its nimble handling when it was released, so I'm not sure why you think it "handles like shit".
As for the weight thing, soft-top cars are generally heavier than their hard-top counterparts because the chassis needs heaps of strengthening to compensate for the missing roof, which is an important structural member. Getting any sort of torsional rigidity out of a convertible is a difficult job, and it generally involves thick steel beams under the floorpan (ie heavy).
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Banned user
Location:
ADELAIDE - The Drift City
Registered:
July 2002
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Re: 1989 MX5, opinions
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Fri, 29 August 2003 01:46
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they handle awesomely... if i were to get a car it would be a newer MX5 with a hardtop roof
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
June 2003
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Re: 1989 MX5, opinions
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Fri, 29 August 2003 04:03
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The mx-5 is one of the better handling cars for that price out there. It really is a joy to drive. Bit slow though, but a lot of fun.
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Location:
Victoria
Registered:
September 2002
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Re: 1989 MX5, opinions
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Sun, 31 August 2003 22:21
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The over 15y/o rule has changed to a month/year system. You will have to wait until after July next year to import an MX5 as they only came out in mid 1989. Unless you want your car rusting in Japan for 9 months I would wait until March/April next year before buying one. If you are interested I can help you source one then. For more info visit www.sricar.com
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Location:
Launceston, Tasmania
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: 1989 MX5, opinions
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Mon, 01 September 2003 03:21
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yeah the day i started looking seriously in to getting a car under the 15 year rule, it changed  it had been the same for 11 years till that day. I guess i will have an extra 6 months to make sure that i have more than enough money together.
mcboom, your offer sounds interesting. i'm off to have a look at that page now!
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Location:
Launceston, Tasmania
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: 1989 MX5, opinions
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Mon, 01 September 2003 03:27
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your page is interesting, seems quite similar to prestige motorsport. I guess your prices would also be quite similar? I am expecting to have an mx5 on the road in australia for between $10k and $12k, does this seem about right? when it comes close to the time i will look in to it a bit harder. it's a pity that i have to wait an extra 6 months now
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Registered:
May 2002
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Re: 1989 MX5, opinions
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Mon, 01 September 2003 03:35
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i hear engine conversion !!!
no one will call ur miata a ladies car when 18" rims decked on its guts with a front mount ic !!!
this car is actually one of the cars that i am considering as my next project..
4agze miata or
vr4 miata
can someone verify if the 89 models came as hard top + soft top or just soft top ?
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: 1989 MX5, opinions
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Mon, 01 September 2003 04:15
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Engine conversions aren't really practical in an MX5 since the engine and transmission form an integral part of the chassis. You're in for some fairly serious engineering work if you want to put a different engine in there.
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Location:
Cabramatta, NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: 1989 MX5, opinions
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Mon, 01 September 2003 04:26
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Get the engine from the 323 GT-X. I've seen that done.
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Location:
melb
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: 1989 MX5, opinions
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Mon, 01 September 2003 06:14
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chassis cannot be faulted - steering so direct.
in my opinion theres not much of a difference between the 89 and 2002 models (have driven both) - typical magazines like wheels and modern motor always over exagerate every new model that comes out.
89 model = ae86 4age for performance. - very poor by todays std.
my bosses 2002 model doesnt fell that much quicker but the close ratio 6spd is good.
major prob of car - its just not comfortable. too bloody cramped inside - im 6'2 and I dont fit. visability with roof up is shit also - a quite taxing car to drive in the city.
mazda 1.8 turbo 4 cyl from the tx3 is an absolute necessity to provide the car with the performance it deserves.
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
November 2002
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Re: 1989 MX5, opinions
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Mon, 01 September 2003 08:40
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belive it or not, MX5 were originally designed to have rotors.
but I guess they thought that it wouldn't sell as well, so they came up with a more practical engine.
That said, Chuck in a 13B, a t04. Big FMIC, and boost up the bitch .
It's a lot of work, but the car will run soo sweetly.
Plus, it'll look better than a S4/5 convertible.
rock on.
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Location:
melb
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: 1989 MX5, opinions
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Mon, 01 September 2003 10:04
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yeah u cooould put a rotor in it - but it would pretty much cost u the price of the car again or spend 3-4 grand and put the turbo 1.8 in instead.
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