Mazda MX5

Omega28

Hey

I'm considering one these, 1.6 03/04 model. I heard there a great car, best selling roadster in the world apparently?

Just wondering if anyone has ever had one? what are they like on juice? reliability etc

I'm 6ft 1 so that's my concern, are they really small inside? I don't wanna feel claustrophobic in it

anyway any advice/feedback appreciated!

650Ginge

I am assuming you have seen one since you say you are going to buy one. They are a sports car, not a very fast one, in fact not fast at all but they don't have much room inside. But they have more than enough and you won't feel claustraphobic.

Great little car, sorry I sold mine. But no space for a dog.

Alanstrainor

You'd have to sit in one to make sure you'd be comfortable inside. I'd imagine you'll fit, but it may not be the most comfortable of driving positions. But everyone on this board raves about them.

Omega28

Yeah I've seen one. I've heard there slow alright, how slow though?

Also what kinda mpg would u get from the 1.6 model?

Esel

I've read about some of them having major rust issues....

Neilw

Esel wrote: »

I've read about some of them having major rust issues....

True, jap import car would be a good buy.

I had facelift mk2 1.8rs, according to some forum experts it was rare enough.
Great handling car, not too fast but it was a car that felt like you could never break it.

Jimbob 83

Why not stretch for the proper 1.8 model ?

dr.fuzzenstein

Forget the 1.8 AFAIK the extra cc was achieved by a longer stroke, it's a lazier engine, the 1.6 is very nice and preferred by most.
True it doesn't have a million billion horsepower, but the car weighs so little, it is lively enough.
My GF has the MX5, she's had it for a good few years now and it's been fairly reliable.
As for fitting in, I'm 6'3 and I fit, though I wouldn't want to have to drive across Europe in one, I think they're made for local B route blasting and for that they're great.
Issues we've had:
Drainage channels blocked, leading to parcel shelf flooding. Cleared out drainage channels with wire.
Be careful doing this! I managed to rip one of those channels loose and I cannot see how to possibly get at it, managed to re-attach it using bits of wire, it was a bit like keyhole surgery.
Cat went in it once, due to coilpack packing up. Once you start the car, warm it up, turn it off for 15-20 minutes and it misfires, get a new coilpack, the resulting misfire will burn a hole in your cat.
It's very easy to detect, car will start, run on three cylinders and be down on power. This will start small and get worse. Once it does that, replace pack.
Rust: None. But the car is garaged, the reason many Irish complain that modern cars still rust is because no one has a garage here, or they do and they stuff it full of crap and let the car rot in the drive.
If you have an MX5 you should consider a garage, it's a soft top after all and not meant to be parked in the Irish weather.
Or get a hard top.
I think the MKII is a great car, later ones are starting to get heavy, soft and bloated, the purity is gone.

Ferris

Searched for one of these for a friend lately. Found a peach ('04) after a lot of searching, the rest were all rotten. Do not buy one without looking (or getting someone to lok) underneath for rust. Jap import models can be rust free when they come in but unless the underbody was treated they'll rust quicker than irish cars.

I'm 6'3" and i found it comfortable enough, if a little claustraphobic. Good fun to drive tho.

dr.fuzzenstein

Just back to the rust and the drainage (not in the lower field)
When the channels fail or disconnect, the sill fills up with water, this could explain a lot of the cases. This can also rot your parcel shelf, boot and floorpan.
Make sure the roof is in good nick, saw an episode of Wheeler Dealers with an MX5 and it's a huge pain to replace.

galwaytt

Well my 5 is now 22 years old, and I've stripped it for paint, and there's no rust.

Soft top replacement is cheap and straightforward.

Mpg not great, about 30mpg. There again nobody drives them for economy, and hooning is standard driving mode

Reliable is too small a word.

If you fit in it, you'll never regret buying it.

dr.fuzzenstein

galwaytt wrote: »

Well my 5 is now 22 years old, and I've stripped it for paint, and there's no rust.

Soft top replacement is cheap and straightforward.

Mpg not great, about 30mpg. There again nobody drives them for economy, and hooning is standard driving mode

Reliable is too small a word.

If you fit in it, you'll never regret buying it.

Have you replaced one? Hers is getting a tiny bit tatty round one or two corners and the only thing I saw about it was Wheeler Dealers where Ed stated it is a huge job that takes ages and costs big time.
Just want to know for future reference.
It's the '00 MKII.
I though fuel economy was OK if driven sensibly.

Omega28

I've been on the fence about buying this car all weekend

I can get an 04 model with service history, low miles, timing belt an all done, mint condition and i mean mint for 4,600euro

Omega28

LIGHTNING wrote: »

DO IT! You only live once

I'm a student, its took me a while to save up 4k plus im getting a loan of 600 from my ma, i wanna make sure im getting the best deal possible cause i'll be a long time saving up another 4k!

donal666

Have one, am 6ft 2" and love it beyond belief - great fun to drive. Buy it!!

Omega28

is it a good price though for an 04 model, 4,600?

NotaShadow

OSI wrote: »

Give ShadowHearth a PM, he's a failry large guy (by his own admission, I've never actually seen him) and owns an MX5 so would be a good guy to answer any of your questions.

i heard he is not a nice person and he got banned too!

anyway OP, i got myself a 99 mazda mx5 emm.... green color... and it is in use daily for last 3 years. Its a 1.8 model, but keep in mind you will pay for 1.9 as it is 1840cc if you go for one.
1.6 and 1.8 are both great engines, some like it to be a wee bit more powerfull, so they go for 1.8, others like it to be more Revy, so they go for 1.6. no matter which one, you will go, it will be a lot of fun. MX5 is not made to be a drag car, but it is very fast and a lot of fun on bends and back roads. i have another car, which has 3 times more HP, then little mazda, but mazda was always way more fun. even now, mx5 stays in family and the huge hp monster is gone for sale on donedeal.
now i am tall fella, but i am on heavy side too. i am a fat bastard at 115kg ( is it 18 stones? ). i can fit in perfectly in mk2, have plenty of space inside too. Drove it every day to work, shop etc. When people see me outside of my mx5,they just go: how the feck do you fit inside there?! I always let them sit inside of it and see for themselfs, how roomy inside it is.

now the older mx5, you go, the more raw fun it is, the newer they go, the more comfortable and easyer to live on daily bases they are, but you pay the price - they get heavier. I would no go with anything past mk 2.5 as they became fatter and losts the charm of easy to handle, light roadster.

Omega28

I'm 6ft 1" and weight 11 1/2 stone so I'd be slim enough for me.

2004 model for 4,600euro what do u guys think?

they seem a great little motor, what kinda mpg would u guys be getting from them?

650Ginge

Dylanmc111 wrote: »

Yeah I've seen one. I've heard there slow alright, how slow though?

Also what kinda mpg would u get from the 1.6 model?

There are slow but feel so fast. The 0-60 numbers aren't great in todays terms, but you will think you are flying and look in the rear view and there will be some girl driving a mini right over the top of you.

They are great fun to drive, speed is not everything.

35mpg less if you're aggressive.

Omega28

I suppose my next question is if 4600 is too much for an 8 yr old mx5?

Brian

They do seem to hold their value pretty well, huh? This one looks nice to my inexpert eyes http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3265809

ShadowHearth

Brian wrote: »

They do seem to hold their value pretty well, huh? This one looks nice to my inexpert eyes http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3265809

this is the same mx5 i own. 10th anniversary edition. i payed 5k for it 3+ years ago and this one is going for 4250eu.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mazda/MX-5/10th-Ann/201204206766045/advert?channel=CARS

If i would be looking for mx5 again, i would be going for same one. these are the only ones that are non jap imports, which came with LSD as standart. gas koni suspention. half leather blue seats, 6 speed gearbox and very light chrome wheels.

Brian

But aren't cars in British Racing Green scientifically proven to be faster? :P

ShadowHearth

Brian wrote: »

But aren't cars in British Racing Green scientifically proven to be faster? :P

Too manly!