Do It Up: MX5: A practical Guide to Renovation on a Budget
The Mazda MX-5 was single-handedly responsible for the revival of the sports car market twenty years ago. Second hand models are now plentiful and affordable, and this practical guide provides expert advice on how to breath new life into a used example of this modern-day classic. From preventative maintenance, to the renewal of worn components and details of known problems and how to fix them, the clearly written, comprehensively illustrated text provides all the information required to enjoy an MX-5 on a budget. You can get the super MX5 Do It Up guide, published by Haynes, very cheaply from Amazon.
The first thing to do before starting a restoration project is to join the MX5 Owners’ Club which has a host of useful information. Start by taking a look at their excellent buying advice forum, or just click on the logo:
April 14th, 2010
Categories: MX5, MX5 Restoration . Author: Fast Car . Comments: No Comments
My car was a showroom demonstrator for the launch of the latest model in April last year and it had lots of extras fitted, including chrome door handles, indicator bezels, quarterlight pillars and windscreen surround. Now, chrome is a very sensitive subject for many MX5 drivers, with the purists howling in horror at the thought of any adornment not fitted 
as standard. However, I think that, in moderation, a bitof the shiny stuff looks good. There is a huge range of high quality chrome fittings on sale at your local Mazda dealer and even more at MX5 Parts, the hard thing is to know when to stop. I was sorely tempted by the Mazda manufactured fuel filler cap, but a stern look from my friendly salesman told me it would be a step too far. However, I still wonder if it might look great…
Really you can do whatever takes your fancy, apparently MX5 owners buy more accessories for their cars than any other make or model and whilst I would personally draw the line at chrome washer jet covers, hey, if it feels good, do it!
February 27th, 2010
Categories: MX5, MX5 Accessories, MX5 Restoration . Author: Fast Car . Comments: 1 Comment
One of the most terrifying tasks to face MX5 owners is cleaning the hood. It looks so easy to ruin and probably is! The best bit of advice is in a Mercedes handbook, don’t wash the hood every time you wash the car – it often doesn’t need it and a gentle brushing may suffice. When required use a lukewarm, diluted, soft fabric detergent like Stergene and apply with a sponge. Leave for a couple of minutes then rinse thoroughly with clean water. Remove the excess water with a dense sponge and allow to dry; do not lower the roof until it is completely dried out. You should not need to re-proof the hood for at least a year but when you do you can get the proper Mazda kit from MX5Parts.co.uk.
February 15th, 2010
Categories: MX5 Restoration . Author: Fast Car . Comments: No Comments
