MX-5 Mk2 or Mk3?

Alun · 09-10-2013 1:02pm #1

Before moving here we had a Mk-1 MX-5 which we loved but sold as it was LHD, and went with a 'sensible' car in the meantime. However we are thinking about getting another MX-5 to be my wife's daily drive, and (hopefully!) my weekend one

At the price we're looking to spend we're on the cusp of the switchover from the Mk2 to Mk3 model, and I'm wondering if there's anyone here who's knowledgeable enough about the main differences to sway us one way or another.

As far as I can see, apart from the cosmetic stuff like more flared wheel arches on the Mk3 (which I must say I prefer), the main differences are a different engine (effectively a Ford engine vs older Mazda lump, timing chain vs. belt, and less BHP) and the Mk3 has stability control and traction control as well as a different rear suspension setup.

For myself I'd probably go for the Mk2 just for the extra power, but for my wife I'd tend more towards the slightly less powerful Mk3 together with the driver aids, although having said that she never had any trouble with our Mk1 1.8, and that was on Dutch back roads (think cobbles in the rain)

Tea 1000 · 09-10-2013 1:13pm

The 1.8 in the Mk3 is a bit less powerful than the 1.8 in the Mk2, but the 2 litre in the Mk3 is more powerful.
Also they're all Mazda engines. Ford bought the rights to manufacture them for their own cars, but mainly because their own 1.8 was a ball of dung and they needed a replacement, so their big share at that time in Mazda helped them buy the rights for the MZR engines, but they are Mazda engines, and built by Mazda in Mazda cars, built by Ford in Ford cars.

EazyD · 09-10-2013 1:25pm

I own a late MK2.5. It is effectively no bigger/smaller than the MK1. I've test driven an early MK3, and while I found it to be an excellent car(same 50/50 balance, larger interior/boot) I didn't find it as engaging as the earlier cars.
Granted it will be more practical and can be got for decent money now.

As a MK1 owner, your probably aware of rust issues from MK1-2(sills, boot, drain holes etc). Either way they are both brilliant cars in their own right and a well kept one will serve you well.

Alun · 09-10-2013 1:27pm

Tea 1000 wrote: »

The 1.8 in the Mk3 is a bit less powerful than the 1.8 in the Mk2, but the 2 litre in the Mk3 is more powerful.
Also they're all Mazda engines. Ford bought the rights to manufacture them for their own cars, but mainly because their own 1.8 was a ball of dung and they needed a replacement, so their big share at that time in Mazda helped them buy the rights for the MZR engines, but they are Mazda engines, and built by Mazda in Mazda cars, built by Ford in Ford cars.

Thanks for that, I'd always thought it was the other way around! We'd probably be going for the 1.8 also, not too many 2.0's about on the second hand market.

Alun · 09-10-2013 1:31pm

EazyD wrote: »

I own a late MK2.5. It is effectively no bigger/smaller than the MK1. I've test driven an early MK3, and while I found it to be an excellent car(same 50/50 balance, larger interior/boot) I didn't find it as engaging as the earlier cars.
Granted it will be more practical and can be got for decent money now.

As a MK1 owner, your probably aware of rust issues from MK1-2(sills, boot, drain holes etc). Either way they are both brilliant cars in their own right and a well kept one will serve you well.

Yes, I'd also be happy with a really nice example of a Mk1 to be honest, if I could find one, but the missus wants a later model basically due to the heated glass rear window on the soft top. We had a hard top with a heated rear window for the winter for our old Mk1 but have nowhere to keep one now.

Tea 1000 · 09-10-2013 1:38pm

You can get the hard top convertible Mk3 also actually. Mk3 has a much improved interior also. The Mk1 and 2 are supposed to be that little bit more engaging to drive, but chances are you won't notice unless you're within a few days of driving the other one!

Alun · 09-10-2013 1:41pm

Tea 1000 wrote: »

You can get the hard top convertible Mk3 also actually. Mk3 has a much improved interior also. The Mk1 and 2 are supposed to be that little bit more engaging to drive, but chances are you won't notice unless you're within a few days of driving the other one!

Yes, I've seen one of those for sale but it isn't cheap. Plus I'd imagine there'd be even less boot space than on the soft top version and I'd like to at least be able to fit in enough for a weekend away now and then

I have to admit I've not seen either a Mk2 or Mk3 interior in the flesh, only on photos on the web, and can't see too much a of a difference. Not doubting there is one when seen in real life though.

EazyD · 09-10-2013 1:48pm

Alun wrote: »

Yes, I'd also be happy with a really nice example of a Mk1 to be honest, if I could find one, but the missus wants a later model basically due to the heated glass rear window on the soft top. We had a hard top with a heated rear window for the winter for our old Mk1 but have nowhere to keep one now.

Heated glass hoods can be had on the MK2, plenty around online and 2nd hand, some of the later MK2's may have them anyway. If your going the MK2 direction, I'd also advise to consider one of the spec editions(icon,arctic,), they come with colour matched leather heated seats, kick plates, 15" alloys

09-10-2013 1:48pm

First MX5 was an MK2, for the past 3.5 years I have an MK1, upgrading to an MK3 with electric roof at the weekend

Just hope the MK3 is as reliable.. and I'll be happy..

The MK1 I had hardtop but nowhere to store (was in the middle of the sitting room floor this summer)...

The MK3 interior is nice, and the electric roof is cool..

Alun · 09-10-2013 1:53pm

EazyD wrote: »

Heated glass hoods can be had on the MK2, plenty around online and 2nd hand, some of the later MK2's may have them anyway. If your going the MK2 direction, I'd also advise to consider one of the spec editions(icon,arctic,), they come with colour matched leather heated seats, kick plates, 15" alloys

I thougt all the Mk2's had heated rear windows? Something to look out for if they don't though, thanks.

One of the cars we're thinking of taking a look at is a 2005 Mk2 icon, but it's in a colour that I'm not keen on, metallic grey, i.e. 'road' coloured, and in a low car like an MX-5 I think I'd prefer something a bit brighter and more visible.

JohnBoy26 · 09-10-2013 1:56pm

One thing to look out for in mazdas is rust. They are prone to it.

The mk2 mx5 has severe rust problems particularly in the sills, underbody, arches and also in the front chassis rails. http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1169343

Alun · 09-10-2013 2:01pm

Ouch! That looks awful. Never realised that was such a big problem on the Mk2's. Does the Mk3 have the same issues?

EazyD · 09-10-2013 2:03pm

Alun wrote: »

I thougt all the Mk2's had heated rear windows? Something to look out for if they don't though, thanks.

One of the cars we're thinking of taking a look at is a 2005 Mk2 icon, but it's in a colour that I'm not keen on, metallic grey, i.e. 'road' coloured, and in a low car like an MX-5 I think I'd prefer something a bit brighter and more visible.

I know the car, it's up on Carzone and few others. I bought mine up North just past Belfast. Factoring in VRT and whatnot, it didn't exactly yield a massive saving, but I got a great deal on a 2005 Arctic which I couldn't get down here. It might be worth having a nosy on NICars, decent selection on there.

biko · 09-10-2013 2:04pm

The ol' roof race

Alun · 09-10-2013 2:05pm

biko wrote: »

The ol' roof race

It goes down even quicker if you're driving along at the time

OwenM · 09-10-2013 2:06pm

Alun wrote: »

Yes, I'd also be happy with a really nice example of a Mk1 to be honest, if I could find one, but the missus wants a later model basically due to the heated glass rear window on the soft top. We had a hard top with a heated rear window for the winter for our old Mk1 but have nowhere to keep one now.

My last car was an MX5 Mk2. It had heated glass in the soft top. They can be fitted.

You should reconsider buying an MX5 as a 'year round' car if you are not going for a hardtop. The soft tops get condensation on the inside in cold weather, not nice when driving to work on a frosty morning.

Alun · 09-10-2013 2:09pm

Dry frosty mornings are perfect roof-down ones in my book

Nothing a thick coat, scarf, gloves, a silly fur hat and the heater up full blast can't cope with.

JohnBoy26 · 09-10-2013 2:11pm

Alun wrote: »

Ouch! That looks awful. Never realised that was such a big problem on the Mk2's. Does the Mk3 have the same issues?

Im not sure about the mk3 as I have no experience with them but I have read online that they do suffer from some rust. I don't know if it's as bad as the mk2 though.

Mazdas in general tend to have poor rust protection though. Models such as the 323, mazda3 and 6 all have rust issues.

EazyD · 09-10-2013 2:19pm

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Im not sure about the mk3 as I have no experience with them but I have read online that they do suffer from some rust. I don't know if it's as bad as the mk2 though.

Mazdas in general tend to have poor rust protection though. Models such as the 323, mazda3 and 6 all have rust issues.

You do have a very valid point, however it's mostly dependant on both age/usage. I was wary of it back in March when I got mine, however with only 26,000miles on the clock, completely rust free, it goes to show that 8-10 year old examples can hold up very well if they are cared for.

MX-5 Mk2 or Mk3?

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