I got the settlement figure for my car the other day, though I can't be bothered with the hassle of swapping cars at the moment (The car is worth more than the figure but It would be a hassle getting it, plus the time it takes to find a decent ar on budget and everything) So I'll leave it for awhile. What I really want is an MX5 so I had a look online after getting the figure just to pass the time and noticed something strange, there were alot more forsale than in febuary which makes sense, but also they seemed to be cheaper so I was wondering, is the old adage about buying convertibles in summer being a fools game true or will they actually be cheaper in Winter?

I need an auto so I'd have to buy an Import, would that make any difference to the above? Or maybe we're not far enough into summer.

On a related note I noticed alot of cars for between £1000-£2000 on auto trader both trade and private for fairly decent looking cars (Though most with scratches, dents. bad paint etc) but for £3500 I could get one from a specialist with a years warranty, MOT and all the assurances. Would I be better off buying cheap and taking the risk (I don't do many miles and work is only and hours walk away) or would it better to buy from a specialist? and would you get much of the extra money spent back when you sold it on?

If something went wrong, would it cost the difference between specialist and private, 1500 ? I doubt it. You can also buy warranties privately for around £500. That's my 2 pennys I never buy from traders!

I've looked at cars at a dealer over the last few weeks. Out of all of them, I found only ONE car in the condition which is actually as described, and that was a Part-ex rover to clear. All the others I wouldn't trust with my money at all!!! And all had a substantial premium over a similar private sale car.

mx-5's are fairly hardy. Auto boxes tend to be cheaper, but yes, they do go up in price when the sun comes out! (auctions ending in a sunny week will finish higher than when it's pissing down).

Just look for one with no rust, a watertight roof and no modifications and you should be okay. They tend to survive anything (including cambelt failure). Rear brake calipers tend to seize at times.

I wouldn't get any warranty, just set £500 aside for repairs. If you need them, you tap into it. You won't need to spend much more than that without writing the car off.

If you don't have issues with insurance on an import, then get a Mk1 Eunos - they are properly well specced - leather, wood wheel, LSD etc. etc. As imports they also happen to be a bit cheaper!

Not sure if it will suit you but I will be selling the wifes car soon. White Mx5 Eunos. Good condition with a few good accessories.Uprated adjustable suspension loads of chrome bits. Did a track day in feb and was great. Only problem is its a manual box. U2U if interested .

Has the myth about used car salesmen been debunked?

Aftermarket warranties do not cover anything BTNP

I asked a garage to quote me on px on my XK8 last week.... he said £1000 - £1500 greedy bast@rd, they had a similar one for sale at £10,000, he then said he let one go last week for £5,750 when I suggested mine was worth £6000 against a £20,000 DB7.

Get one private....... MX5's are cheap now, I much prefer the look of the MK1's BTW.

My brother had a MK1 Eunos import, no rust auto with aircon and leather seats which was much better than UK cars he had looked at, insurance was a little more though.

I'd prefer a late Mk1, I like pop up head lights.

Thanks for the offer Macc man but it deffinitely has to be an auto for medical/legal reasons.

Thanks for the replies, it did sort of confirm my thoughts on the matter, and I probably will wait till later in the year now. From looking on ebay I'm guessing that short of completely destroying one it would have a lot of salvagable parts if it did die so I might look into it more.

Did they make any auto's for the UK market, I read something that said they only sold mk2's with auto's in the early 2000's and a Mk3 is well out of my pricing (The overall plan was originally to save some money, or at least break even in turms of monthly out goings).

How easy are they to work on and service because I'd like to have a go at doing my own servicing and get my hands dirty which is why I was leaning towards the cheap end (No point paying double for a pristine full service history car if I'm going to go under the bonnet, as then it becomes one of the cheap ones).

one more question, how are they in bad weather, particulary snow? Until my Brother gets a lisense we've got no other transport and I work nights so although it's only a matter for about 2 weeks a year, It's something I need to consider. Practicality isn't an issue as though I'd miss the spacious (By Comparison) interior of my panda I barely use it, other than when I give more than one person a lift. My Shopping usually rides up front with me (My Ice creams melt in the boot.)

I drove a mk1 MX5 through tje winter a cpl years back, you really have to be driving like a bit of an arse to get a 1.6 out of control, so an auto one shouldnt prove too bad at all imho...

Don't know about your other questions, but just to add:- lots of good advice above, and if your unsure, ask away on hete as I know quite a few guys have/had mx5's!

Whenever they're mentioned, I want another!

Get yourself on the MX5 forum, they'll answer all your questions and there's always some well looked after cars in the for sale section.