How to replace a Mazda MX-5?

markeymark

I'll be looking for a new motor to replace my beloved 2006 Mazda MX-5 mk3 over the next few months and I was wondering if you could help my out!

What I'm looking for:
-Must feel 'special'
-Great to drive
-Reliable. It will be my daily driver
-Will go up or down the years
-Outright performance is less important than driving experience
-Practicality is irrelevant!
-Budget: 15,000ish

I have no problem with above average expenses but nothing too outrageous. I would be happy to pay any tax less than top whack on the cc system. Fuel economy under 10l/100km would be good. I won't pay supercar parts prices.

Top of my list atm is a post 2005 Porsche Boxster like this one
I also like the BMW z4 coupe

Was also thinking Lotus Elise but they are very scarce in Ireland it seems. What else? Alfa Brera? Scirocco? BMW 630i?

I would be grateful to hear the experience of others with these cars, or if you have any other suggestions :cool:

bazz26

Would a Honda S2K fit the bill?


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Honda/S2000/GT-FACELIFT/38013862647937710/

sawdoubters

do you want to be able to pull birds

noelf

Mercedes slk 05 on carzone E13950 definitely not practical !!

Moneymaker

+1 to the S2000. Took one for a spin one time, amazing car.

BMJD

If I bought a 630i, I reckon I would immediately regret not going the extra mile and going for a V8

650i

Littlehorny

Porsche Boxter?

RandomAccess

BMJD wrote: »

If I bought a 630i, I reckon I would immediately regret not going the extra mile and going for a V8

650i

Might that not fail the parts prices condition?
Not sure but I should think its likely.

dharn

Buy another mx 5 ?

markeymark

bazz26 wrote: »

Would a Honda S2K fit the bill?


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Honda/S2000/GT-FACELIFT/38013862647937710/

Good call on the S2K, I'll need to add that to my list! How would it compare to the MX-5, is it in a different league driving-wise?

sawdoubters wrote: »

do you want to be able to pull birds

Nah, I want a car for driving not for pulling

noelf wrote: »

Mercedes slk 05 on carzone E13950 definitely not practical !!

Don't really like the look of the SLK, maybe a bit 'soft' to drive? Good suggestion tho

RandomAccess wrote: »

Might that not fail the parts prices condition?
Not sure but I should think its likely.

I don't think I have the resources to stretch to the 650i; the 3.0 is supposedly a great engine and it's under the top rate of tax. Probably cheaper parts wise as well

dharn wrote: »

Buy another mx 5 ?

I love the MX5 but life too short and there are lots of cars to try :cool:

porsche959

The Boxster is the one I'd go for or ideally a Boxster S.

JohnBoy26

markeymark wrote: »

Good call on the S2K, I'll need to add that to my list! How would it compare to the MX-5, is it in a different league driving-wise?



Nah, I want a car for driving not for pulling



Don't really like the look of the SLK, maybe a bit 'soft' to drive? Good suggestion tho



I don't think I have the resources to stretch to the 650i; the 3.0 is supposedly a great engine and it's under the top rate of tax. Probably cheaper parts wise as well



I love the MX5 but life too short and there are lots of cars to try :cool:

imo The s2000 is the better car, much the better car. Not only has it got a much more rewarding engine than the Mazda, it's also better looking and better built too imo.

Moneymaker

markeymark wrote: »

Good call on the S2K, I'll need to add that to my list! How would it compare to the MX-5, is it in a different league driving-wise?

JohnBoy pretty much covered it.

Well built, great to drive and those vtec engines are simply sublime. It's a nice place to sit too. Get a hard top.

Get the 2.0, 237bhp. It is a bit thirsty but you're not buying it for economy.

markeymark

porsche959 wrote: »

The Boxster is the one I'd go for or ideally a Boxster S.

The newer shape 987 S is probably out of my league as regards price. I could afford a top of the line 986 S, but the 987 seems to me a much better and more modern car even in 2.7 format. The interior in particular is like night and day. There's some good debate about this on Pistonheads

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

imo The s2000 is the better car, much the better car. Not only has it got a much more rewarding engine than the Mazda, it's also better looking and better built too imo.

Interesting, a cursory look on Donedeal suggests that decent unmodified example are holding their value very well considering their age. This one would leave cash to spare but I prefer the facelift

bazz26

Speak to TestTransmission on here, he had a S2K. I think someone else had/has one on here too.

A S2K is a different kettle of fish to a MX-5. While the MX-5 is a nice affordable roadster, the S2K I'd imagine has the performance to match the looks and is a lot more raw than the MX-5. Running costs would probably be higher than the MX-5 too but probably a bit lower than the Z4 or Boxter. Finding a clean S2K could be challenging though.

noelf

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

imo The s2000 is the better car, much the better car. Not only has it got a much more rewarding engine than the Mazda, it's also better looking and better built too imo.

The best looking Honda since the nsx new stuff ain't great design wise . jeremy
Clarkson loved it on top gear some time ago . Just check the servicing costs especially on boxster before you take the plunge...

markeymark

OP here, I'm taking a look at a Scirocco today, I know it's not as exciting as the S2000 or Boxster but I have a sentimental attachment to them as my first car was a mark 1 Scirocco and I have had a couple of mark 2s. I still have a 79 mark 1 sitting in my driveway in an awful state of disrepair :pac:

pajo1981

350Z/370Z are a meaty drive.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Nissan/370Z/2DR/201344219366205/advert?channel=CARS

markeymark

pajo1981 wrote: »

350Z/370Z are a meaty drive.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Nissan/370Z/2DR/201344219366205/advert?channel=CARS

I thought about the 350z alright, that 370z in the ad is a beautiful car but I don't think I can justify paying the top rate of tax and I would expect the running costs to be a step above the Boxster/S2000/Z4 Coupe level

BMJD

markeymark wrote: »

I thought about the 350z alright, that 370z in the ad is a beautiful car but I don't think I can justify paying the top rate of tax and I would expect the running costs to be a step above the Boxster/S2000/Z4 Coupe level

running costs are surprisingly low in a 350Z (I assume the 370 is the same-ish), apart from fuel and tax of course, I had a 350Z and then a Murano (when the babies arrived), servicing costs were cheap even at a main dealer, pretty much bulletproof reliability as well

the low purchase price of a 350Z would cover a lot of tax and petrol too!

EazyD

RX8(231ps)would be worth considering, nice post 06/07 ones are going for half your budget, running costs will be high but a portion of your remaining budget would cover this and maintenance.

Ferris

I'd buy a 335i with decent spec.

The rx8 isn't a huge leap from the mx5 (apart from thirst :eek:) and you sound like you want something different. Likewise an S2000.

tw0nk

yey, love threads like this, thanks OP, hoping to start my own soon.

Some feedback...

I own a 04 Z4 2.2, great fun, low enough tax, straight 6, had so much fun with it over the previous summer driving around the windy country roads with the roof down. I would recommend it as a fun car, but here are lots of impractical things that might put you off, even with the coupe version.

- Boot is barely big enough for 1 set of golf clubs, cant fit buggy too
- Not many comforts, no cruise control etc, but its a drivers car, meant to be driven
- Very low to ground, long journeys can be sore on the back
- Can be expensive to service
- Run flats are awful
- When battery goes, so does starter, so make sure they are replaced before you buy, or buy low mileage one

After all those negative points, its still a great car and great fun, I have never driven the coupe but it looks better than the convertible imo.

markeymark

EazyD wrote: »

RX8(231ps)would be worth considering, nice post 06/07 ones are going for half your budget, running costs will be high but a portion of your remaining budget would cover this and maintenance.

The RX8 is a lovely car. I'd get over the maintenance overhead but I just think the fuel costs are a bit scary for a daily driver. If it was a weekend car it would be near the top of my list!

tw0nk wrote: »

yey, love threads like this, thanks OP, hoping to start my own soon.

Some feedback...

I own a 04 Z4 2.2, great fun, low enough tax, straight 6, had so much fun with it over the previous summer driving around the windy country roads with the roof down. I would recommend it as a fun car, but here are lots of impractical things that might put you off, even with the coupe version.

- Boot is barely big enough for 1 set of golf clubs, cant fit buggy too
- Not many comforts, no cruise control etc, but its a drivers car, meant to be driven
- Very low to ground, long journeys can be sore on the back
- Can be expensive to service
- Run flats are awful
- When battery goes, so does starter, so make sure they are replaced before you buy, or buy low mileage one

After all those negative points, its still a great car and great fun, I have never driven the coupe but it looks better than the convertible imo.

That is some good feedback there, the negative points aren't really a big deal for me as most of them also apply to the MX-5

It would definitely need to be the coupe tho, I'm not mad about the look of the convertible!

I had a look at a Scirocco 2.0T this weekend. It was a quick car compared to the MX and handled well but it was a bit too close to my mother's Golf for comfort so I think I'll pass on it (nothing wrong with a Golf, just not what I'm looking for right now!).

Hoping to see a 987 Boxster at the end of the week, good times

Supergurrier

Would ya not get a daysul OP for da cheep tax like ?

markeymark

Supergurrier wrote: »

Would ya not get a daysul OP for da cheep tax like ?

I'd prefer to walk

farna_boy

A few other suggestions that tick a few but probably not all boxes:


Jaguar XK



Nissan Silvia Spec R


Porsche 911 996


Mitsubishi Evo 9 FQ-320

Notch000

that silvias a shocking price. Doubt they cost that new in Japan 12 years ago ! a neighbour of mine coudent sell his for 5k a couple of years ago

farna_boy

Notch000 wrote: »

that silvias a shocking price. Doubt they cost that new in Japan 12 years ago ! a neighbour of mine coudent sell his for 5k a couple of years ago

Really? I have never seen a Spec R for anything lower than about €9k. Looking at the owners club in the uk they are still at least £9k over there, so with VRT it probably wouldn't be far off €12k to get it on the road here.

Not sure if that one is worth €13k, but if it is good as they say, it's not an outrageous price.

BMJD

Notch000 wrote: »

that silvias a shocking price. Doubt they cost that new in Japan 12 years ago ! a neighbour of mine coudent sell his for 5k a couple of years ago

yeah but

Not Your Usual Dirt Box Like Others For Sale On DoneDeal

and it's not gay either

Straightest S15 In Ireland

MetzgerMeister

How does this strike you..

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/335-335I/201406221571422/advert?channel=CARS

The S2K would be a good choice too but more potential for more power with a turbo (or even twin turbo at that).

markeymark

Just to update on this, today I took delivery of my 2005 Porsche Boxster :-)

Over the weekend, I also tried a BMW Z4 3.0si coupe and the Honda S2000. I know the S2000 got a lot of support on the thread but I have to say that I wasn't very impressed with it. It might have been my driving style but it felt like you needed to rag it to get anywhere! Also, the handling didn't inspire confidence for me. The interior was a class below the BMW and Porsche, although it was clearly very well built.

The BMW I liked, plenty of effortless power and the interior had all the goodies. It wasn't on runflats, so the ride was surprisingly compliant. It was an auto with paddles that I thought was a bit clunky tbh. The engine was good, but the Boxster's had more character I thought!

The Boxster for me excelled in many areas, it had the best sound, sufficient power for me (compared to the MX-5 anyway!), most delicate handing and best looking in my opinion. It definitely has that 'special' feel that I was looking for. Here are some (very poor) pics.

Thanks for all the useful suggestions on the thread!

BMJD

sweet, best of luck with it;)

tw0nk

Congrats OP, looks v.fresh a real drivers car! It will be great craic driving around country roads, Avoca is a lovely drive during the summer for a car like that.

Owning a Porsche is on my bucket list, the engineering that goes into them are incredible.

650Ginge

Nice car good luck.

Littlehorny

Best of luck with it markeymark, now what do i win seen as it was my idea for the Boxter first ha ha!

markeymark

Thanks for the best wishes on the new car

tw0nk wrote: »

Congrats OP, looks v.fresh a real drivers car! It will be great craic driving around country roads, Avoca is a lovely drive during the summer for a car like that.

Owning a Porsche is on my bucket list, the engineering that goes into them are incredible.

Yeah it's very clean in fairness. I always wanted a Porsche tbh, I'm hoping it's the first of many

Looking forward to some sunnier days for a good drive. Had a brief top down blast today, the heater is a lot stronger than the MX-5!

Littlehorny wrote: »

Best of luck with it markeymark, now what do i win seen as it was my idea for the Boxter first ha ha!

Haha, there's a bag of cheese & onion Taytos waiting for you in Cork!

unkel

markeymark wrote: »

Just to update on this, today I took delivery of my 2005 Porsche Boxster :-)

Well wear

The birds are singing, I bet spring will be around in the next week or two. Make sure you update your thread with some pics with the roof down!

markeymark wrote: »

I also tried a BMW Z4 3.0si coupe and the Honda S2000. I know the S2000 got a lot of support on the thread but I have to say that I wasn't very impressed with it. It might have been my driving style but it felt like you needed to rag it to get anywhere! Also, the handling didn't inspire confidence for me. The interior was a class below the BMW and Porsche

I'd say people recommending the S2000 over the other two cars don't have the comprehension of what other cars can deliver on top of it. Great car and all, but it's only a small 4-pot with low torque in a very basic package. Your MX-5 was much better smiles / euro than an S2000

markeymark

Quick update on this, I've had the Boxster some weeks now and I'm getting some surprisingly decent fuel economy, I'm getting in and around 9-10l/100km (28-30mpg) which is almost identical to that of the MX-5 in 25% city 75% open road driving with a pretty heavy right foot.

Sometimes it makes sound financial sense to have a less stressed larger engine :pac:

noelf

markeymark wrote: »

Quick update on this, I've had the Boxster some weeks now and I'm getting some surprisingly decent fuel economy, I'm getting in and around 9-10l/100km (28-30mpg) which is almost identical to that of the MX-5 in 25% city 75% open road driving with a pretty heavy right foot.

Sometimes it makes sound financial sense to have a less stressed larger engine :pac:

I'm in the garden today ..hope your out (with the roof down) enjoying your car today. Have you found out the price of servicing yet ?

markeymark

noelf wrote: »

I'm in the garden today ..hope your out (with the roof down) enjoying your car today. Have you found out the price of servicing yet ?

Yeah, had a chance to have a good top down drive today, no need for a radio it produces a great sound!

In terms of servicing, I know that a minor service is e275 at Specialist Cars in Chapelizod. I've also been recommended Des Golden here in Cork, I'll have to check out the prices with him, hopefully I can do a bit better!