What to look for in MX-5

DriveSkill

Hi,

Going looking at some 2nd hand MX-5s and just wondering if anyone has any advice (apart from the usual 2nd hand car buying advice).

Ideally was looking for a 2009 as I believe there was an updated version with a 6-speed box that year but difficult to find so more likely 2008 or 2007 - there appears to be only one 2010 advertised in the country and no 2009 at all. I'm sort of guessing this may be down to the low numbers sold as the recessions kicked in!

Actually if anyone has more definite info on models, years, specs etc it would be great.

Anyone using an MX-5 as their everyday car ?

Thanks,
D.

ZENER

A 22 year old blonde ?!

galwaytt

DriveSkill wrote: »

Hi,

Going looking at some 2nd hand MX-5s and just wondering if anyone has any advice (apart from the usual 2nd hand car buying advice).

Ideally was looking for a 2009 as I believe there was an updated version with a 6-speed box that year but difficult to find so more likely 2008 or 2007 - there appears to be only one 2010 advertised in the country and no 2009 at all. I'm sort of guessing this may be down to the low numbers sold as the recessions kicked in!

Actually if anyone has more definite info on models, years, specs etc it would be great.

Anyone using an MX-5 as their everyday car ?

Thanks,
D.

Try over on www.mx5ireland.com

My own is old and no longer a daily car for me now, but it was for many years, with zero problems. I would love one of the later ones as Im sure they're more refined.

markeymark

I have a late 06 mark 3 (the 5 speed version) soft top. See here :cool:
I love the car! I think the 5 speed is a great box (better than the 6 speed) and a lot of the enthusiast sites seem to concur. I've had the car as a daily driver for a year and a half with perfect reliability thus far. You will definitely get the odd squeak and rattle from the interior, it goes with the territory with these. Real world fuel economy is about 10-11 litres per 100km, I spend a lot of my commute in traffic.

Brian

What's the insurance like on an MX-5 for a young male (<25) driver? It's RWD, and a convertible, but it's also underpowered and very popular.

MidlandsM

Brian wrote: »

it's also underpowered .

then get a BBR turbo

DriveSkill

Thanks for the replies. Not sure I can manage the 22 yr old blonde as my wife may object given that she will be driving this most of the time :-)

However the positive side of that is that insurance is not really an issue (quote around €350 on a 2010 sample car).

Going to try get to see a few this weekend if possible and hopefully decide, ideally would like a red one but black is also an option. Cant be too choosy I guess as very few around.

Brian

MidlandsM wrote: »

then get a BBR turbo

The low power in a Miata is half the fun, no?

monkeypants

Brian wrote: »

underpowered

I found the 1.8 version nippy enough.

porsche959

DriveSkill wrote: »

Anyone using an MX-5 as their everyday car ?

I used a Mk1 MX-5 as a daily driver between '98 and '03. It is entirely practical except of course for the inevitable space limitations - though even at that, you'd be surprised how much can be crammed into the boot.

Supergurrier

Hehe

Ferris

The 2.0L is a fair bit quicker than the 1.8. Both are ford units I think. Also the 2L will defo have a LSD and traction control and probably better seats and stereo.

Good info on honestjohn: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/mazda/mx5-roadster-coupe-2006/?section=road-test

Also knowing mazdas, check them underneath for corrosion. Other than that you'll never regret owning one. My brothers girlfriend has a lovely mk2 and its the business, the steering is unreal, much better than on my rx8.

DriveSkill

What do people think on hardtop v's softtop ?

Personally I sort of prefer the look of softtop - especially something like a black top on a red car - but I guess hardtop has better security...

Is a hardtop less likely to leak and perhaps be quieter when up ?

How about boot space between the 2 - is there any difference depending on whether its a hardtop or softtop ?

I believe in the years I'm looking at 2007+ they all have glass rear window as standard - anyone confirm ?

markeymark

My MX-5 is the first soft top I ever had that doesn't leak at all, and I've had a few convertibles! I might be a lucky one but not a drop gets in. The hardtop looks very odd to my eyes. My 2006 (poverty spec) model has a glass rear window. It's pretty noisy on the motorway at the legal limit.

I believe the top spec model has leather, aircon, a Bose stereo and larger alloys. Comparatively speaking, It's surprisingly practical, you can get a decent amount of kit into the boot!

Brian

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PmuREXa9Mo

stakey

Owned an NB and now a 2007, 1.8 litre NC. Using it for as an every day driver, great car, 100,000 km on it now and not a day of trouble.

Only things to keep an eye out for I found was the drop links on the NC model tend to be the first thing to go, but they're cheap enough to replace and not a major job.

As one poster mentioned here already it's not a quiet cabin, can be a bit noisy. I've the built in retractable hard top model which doesn't reduce the noise by very much at all but does add an extra level of security (if you feel you need it) and perhaps reduced maintenance cost on the hood later on down the road. The boot isn't compromised by the hard top as it tucks in behind the seats themselves in a very smart system devised by Mazda.

If you go for the soft top you can get an attachable hard top later on down the road, but they're in the 1500+ price region so just be aware of that.

Massive benefits is the amount of aftermarket products available for them from the likes mx5parts.co.uk. Maintenance costs are low as a result.

Great car and will put a smile on your face as an every day drive!

DriveSkill

stakey wrote: »

If you go for the soft top you can get an attachable hard top later on down the road, but they're in the 1500+ price region so just be aware of that.

Thanks - that was actually one question I meant to ask! May be an option for the winter months.

stakey

DriveSkill wrote: »

Thanks - that was actually one question I meant to ask! May be an option for the winter months.

No worries! I had a detachable hard top for the NB, only thing I should mention about the detachable hard tops is that a) you need storage for them (obviously) and b) you need about two people to take it off again (and put them on in the first place).

In the case of b) can be a pain in the ass if all of a sudden you get great weather in a week like this and you want to drop the lid. Nowhere to store the hard top apart from the side of the road

BrensBenz

stakey wrote: »

Great car and will put a smile on your face as an every day drive!

Completely agree. Daughter had a '98 1.6l ragtop import. I took every available chance to test drive it for her. "Oh, new bulb? Better test drive it for you. Back in an hour."

Of course it's a little basic (newer models have a lot of creature comforts) but that's part of its appeal. Japanese (+ Ford) reliability, great handling, excellent value for money, easy to work on, 50 feels like 80 so any lack of power from the 1.6 engine went unnoticed.

It's also very pretty and, as said above, there are lots of aftermarket sources for parts and accessories to make it even prettier and more comfortable at a reasonable cost.

Owners seem to either cherish their MX-5s or, because they are so reliable, perform no maintenance at all so, if you can find one for sale, it won't be hard to tell whether it's been looked after or not.

Alas, my daughter moved out and later sold the car. Sad day - I still miss that car!

DriveSkill

Well it all seems very positive - now I just need to find the car that meets the budget.

ShadowHearth

I own 99' mx5. It's going to be 4 years soon as I own it. Used as daily driver since day one.
Only once it gave trouble. Coil pack, which is a weak spot in 99' mx5. Costed around 200eu to sort it out that's to awesome awesome mx5parts.co.uk.

OP, you are looking for mk3, which will be a lot better for daily driving. It has a lot more space inside and a lot more comfort, so daily driving won't be an issue.

In the end of the day, if you can live with more road noise and 2 seats, then mx5 is a perfect car. Fun, cheap to run and all hair dresser benefits you can ever dreamed off.

Tea 1000

I don't think Ford have anything to do with the MX-5 (thankfully!). It's Mazda's own engines they use.

ShadowHearth

Tea 1000 wrote: »

I don't think Ford have anything to do with the MX-5 (thankfully!). It's Mazda's own engines they use.

Dunno about mk3, but the original 1.6 and 1.8 were from 323 turbo. That's its beauty and weak point.

Beauty - it's a turbo forged engine with no turbo on it. These engines can take **** loads of abuse. That's why it's so easy to turbo or supercharge them. Older mk1 has still spots for turbo oil feed and return on the block. You can get about 220hp safe on standard internals. I always wanted to turbo my one, but unfortunately Celtic tiger ran away...

Weak point - engine was designed for fwd and AWD in 323. So in mx5 they had to put it straight. That means everything is all over the place. The air intake is above manifold. So it is constantly choking on hot air. Standard manifold is a lot of cock too. If you want to keep n/a and get good few hp, then the first thing you should do is to swap manifold for 4-2-1 setup.

Ferris

Tea 1000 wrote: »

I don't think Ford have anything to do with the MX-5 (thankfully!). It's Mazda's own engines they use.

You're right and I was wrong ;-)

Looking it up it uses the mzr range of engines which Mazda developed and ford own the rights to calling it duratec.

I wonder if there was a was of fitting the mzr engine out of an mps to an mx5. That would be a Boxster s beater. Q google search......

Wicklowandy

I drove an 99 later shape a few months ago, a neighbour bought it in dublin and I drove it back.

Its a 1.8, some sort of special edition in blue with half leather / half alcantara and it definitely has a 6spd box. Drove it home over the long hill to roundwood, and was actually surprised; had heard they were underpowered, but this really pulled and sounded very well. Was fitted with a hard top too.

I'm certain this car has the 6spd, so there must be a special edition available from an earlier year with it. (irish car, i think by reg, have to check)

Felt a lot more modern than the mk1, and felt extremely modern to drive by the standards of a 99

Tea 1000

Ferris wrote: »

You're right and I was wrong ;-)

Looking it up it uses the mzr range of engines which Mazda developed and ford own the rights to calling it duratec.

I wonder if there was a was of fitting the mzr engine out of an mps to an mx5. That would be a Boxster s beater. Q google search......

Surely someone has it done? You can tune those MPS engines to well over 300bhp easily enough too.

Ferris

Tea 1000 wrote: »

Surely someone has it done? You can tune those MPS engines to well over 300bhp easily enough too.

Had a look there and there are bulkhead issues that make it difficult. The straight 2.3 has been done and there are turbo kits to fit.

BrensBenz

Tea 1000 wrote: »

I don't think Ford have anything to do with the MX-5 (thankfully!). It's Mazda's own engines they use.

Sorry folks, my reference to Ford was because I thought Mazda gearboxes had Ford genes. I'm open to correction but I seem to remember, during a Six Sigma training course, an anecdote about Maxda working to (well-respected) Ford gearbox drawings but imposing much tighter tolerances on the machined components and, as a result, Mazda gearboxes went together first time, had much reduced (if not eliminated) running-in time and usually outlived the vehicle.

The '98 MX-5 gearbox certainly felt Fordish and was a big plus in that car.

ShadowHearth

Wicklowandy wrote: »

I drove an 99 later shape a few months ago, a neighbour bought it in dublin and I drove it back.

Its a 1.8, some sort of special edition in blue with half leather / half alcantara and it definitely has a 6spd box. Drove it home over the long hill to roundwood, and was actually surprised; had heard they were underpowered, but this really pulled and sounded very well. Was fitted with a hard top too.

I'm certain this car has the 6spd, so there must be a special edition available from an earlier year with it. (irish car, i think by reg, have to check)

Felt a lot more modern than the mk1, and felt extremely modern to drive by the standards of a 99

Did it looked like this? :P



Its a 10th anniversary edition. 7500 ever made. Came with Chrome lightweight wheels, 6 speed short shifter gearbox, bilstein suspension. Special blue colour and half leather interior.

Unfortunately one of my wheels is in very bad shape so had to switch all of them, so it looks like this now:

Wicklowandy

Thats it exactly, was very impressed by my drive in it over great roads with changeable surfaces. Lovely cars that dont feel dated (lot of road noise, even with hard top though, but maybe tyres to blame)

Would love one

galwaytt

Ferris wrote: »

Had a look there and there are bulkhead issues that make it difficult. The straight 2.3 has been done and there are turbo kits to fit.

There's a 200bhp Turbo'd Mk1 in my garage atmo.... (not mine).....so it's entirely doable. ....

dharn

ShadowHearth wrote: »

Did it looked like this? :P



Its a 10th anniversary edition. 7500 ever made. Came with Chrome lightweight wheels, 6 speed short shifter gearbox, bilstein suspension. Special blue colour and half leather interior.

Unfortunately one of my wheels is in very bad shape so had to switch all of them, so it looks like this now:

Beautiful car

Brian

What's the insurance like on your AE, Shadow?

ShadowHearth

Brian wrote: »

What's the insurance like on your AE, Shadow?

I have misses shadowhearth to insure Mazda and I am a named driver on it. It's about 900eu now. She is 29, but few years ago she crashed Merc and there was a claim. 75k eu for dislocated wrist to other party.
So I guess we are lucky to get her insured only for 900eu.

These AE are the easiest to get insured. Then go normal ones and then jap imports. I heard already some insurance companies, which don't want to insure older mk1 mx5 duo to their age.

galwaytt

ShadowHearth wrote: »

These AE are the easiest to get insured. Then go normal ones and then jap imports. I heard already some insurance companies, which don't want to insure older mk1 mx5 duo to their age.

Not so, my Mk1 is on classic insurance already - cost me....... €80 on top of my other classic, last year.

EazyD

I bought a 2005 mk2.5 just 2 weeks ago, it's do-able as a daily driver if your the type who puts the drive>practicality, the mk3 your looking at actually has a bit more cabin/boot space and have got great reviews since first manufactured in 2006, 50/50 weight balance and plenty of power, not too sure about the residuals on the current models but older tidy models keep their value reasonably well.

DriveSkill

Well the deed is done (at least verbally!) - bought a 2008 Black soft top version. Hope to pick it up next week sometime but unfortunately garage was closed by the time I got back to them today at 2pm so have to wait till Tue to make it official!

Once it arrives may have more questions but have to say really enjoyed the test drive, its supposed to be for my wife but I have a feeling I may want to drive it a bit

Thanks for all the replies.

Brian

I also need to get into an MX-5 at some stage to see if I'll even fit.

Y'know, I'm around Mallow the odd weekend :pac:

dharn

DriveSkill wrote: »

Well the deed is done (at least verbally!) - bought a 2008 Black soft top version. Hope to pick it up next week sometime but unfortunately garage was closed by the time I got back to them today at 2pm so have to wait till Tue to make it official!

Once it arrives may have more questions but have to say really enjoyed the test drive, its supposed to be for my wife but I have a feeling I may want to drive it a bit

Thanks for all the replies.

Best of luck, I have been dreaming that dream for a while, dont know if ill ever do it though, already running 2 cars and thats 1 too many !