FWIW, the rust issues are down to blocked sill and hood drains...all due to owner neglect.

I predict the same issue occurring in numbers with the S in the next 2 years...there are many out there who simply do not understand the importance of cleaning the drains every 3-4 months. Spraying a mix of waxoyl and WD40 inside the sills also significantly extends their lives, by protecting them from the inside as well as the outside...hence why I did this to my S.

Adding a turbo does not transform the car...a well thought out supercharger does however; Jackson Racing would be my choice.

I'd avoid UK cars like the plague unless you've had a good look on the underside...they are much worse than earlier JDMs in 95% of cases.

If it's a Mk1 you're interested in, the '93 1.6 is the best option. In '94, the 1.8 was introduced, and the 1.6 was detuned to make the 1.8 appear faster. Post '94 models also gained ~ 150kg, nigh on nullifying the power increase. UK Models do not have power windows, air con, and an electric aerial as standard...JDMs do. Upgrading the 1.6 brakes to the 1.8 variant is a good move IMO.

The Mk 2.5 Sport is also a very good model...the VVT engine is superb and extremely 'strong', and whilst a PITA to fit to a Mk1, is well worth it. 6 Speed gearboxes are difficult to come by though.

Mark - Gaz coilovers are a good bet on the MX5. I wouldn't bother with changing the bushes, but I can let you know where to get newer, second hand wishbones if you'd like...along with a whole load of other new and used spares.

I only got the S as I got pi$$ed and went on eBay The extra leg room/boot space/refinement/power is welcome though

 

Just to bolster what Loftust said, as already mentioned my friend has mk1 mx5.

He has a m65 (i think) superchanger with EMS fitted to a late 1.8 with 6 speed gearbox, 1.8 brakes, coilies, torsen LSD, full mark 2 dash and all the trimmings.

It's very well put together and very very quick. He has a magazine feature one the car, I'll put a pic up once the article is released

I drove a supercharged S2000 for the first time which he bought recently, his MX5 has instant boost at any revs and if I'm honest I was disapointed with the S2000 as it drove like a turbo in comparison to his mx5. Probably down to the tune/spec but thats how I felt at the time.

 

I bought mine on a bit of an ebay whim, went on with a 'theoretical' £1500 and.......

I was thinking of Gaz, MX5 Parts do a kit for under £500 with Gaz fixed height coilovers, they lower the car by 30mm but as far as I can tell, that's not going to spoil the handling too much. Why don't you think the bushes will help, I'd have thought after 14 years they must be in a pretty ropey state?
We have AK Automotive MX5 breakers up here in Co. Durham, not far from me - he runs a car in the same race series I'm in so I was thinking of getting a set of wishbones from him, replacing the bushes and fitting them to my car, then selling on my wishbones to another owner to do the same, if you can convince me it's not worth doing though, I'll be more than happy.....

 

BBBB - it was just a lighthearted giggle - wind your neck in!!
I'm mst definitely not sniping at others - I'm sure that the guy with the XKR convertible parked next to me could have been telling his mates on the Jag forums the same about my S2000. Do you think I'd get so wound up? No.

I know the MX5 is a good car - there's a million+ of them out there!!