Mazda MX5 RF or equivalent

Sea The Starz

Hi

I'm considering buying a used 2017 MX5 RF and was wondering if anybody had any experience or feedback? They seem to be pretty rare haven't seen any on the road ever. I need to test drive as the cabin looks very compact.

Other cars I'm considering are the Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ and also a Fiesta ST200.

Any opinions on what I should consider are welcome. The main thing I am looking for is a car that looks good and is fun to drive without breaking the bank in terms of price and also insurance/running costs. It will be my main car driven day to day, but I have no wife or kids or anything like that so practicality (space & back seats) is a bonus not a pre-requisite.

Cheers

Nuw

Would you consider a drop-top? Like the MX-5 (non RF) or the Fiat 124 (same underpinnings, but the fiat has the 1.4 turbo engine which is supposed to be a cracker to run).

Sea The Starz

Nuw wrote: »

Would you consider a drop-top? Like the MX-5 (non RF) or the Fiat 124 (same underpinnings, but the fiat has the 1.4 turbo engine which is supposed to be a cracker to run).

I had considered the drop top. I personally preferred the look of the mx5 over the spider and most of the reviews I've read comparing the two generally gave the nod to the mx5 although there didn't seem much in it (I think there manufactured at the same facility and are very similar?). Personally I preferred the look of the RF over the soft top, it's just me but I think soft tops look a bit flimsy, was also wondering how practical a soft top would be in Ireland.

Nuw

Sea The Starz wrote: »

I had considered the drop top. I personally preferred the look of the mx5 over the spider and most of the reviews I've read comparing the two generally gave the nod to the mx5 although there didn't seem much in it (I think there manufactured at the same facility and are very similar?). Personally I preferred the look of the RF over the soft top, it's just me but I think soft tops look a bit flimsy, was also wondering how practical a soft top would be in Ireland.

You're correct both Fiat and Mazda are pretty much the same car (not sure they come from the same assembly lines though) but the engines are very different, making for a very different experience altogether. I wouldn't prefer one over the other until I gave both a good try.

If it was me, I wouldn't trust anyone (including professionals) review over my own feeling when buying this type of car, I'd get in for a good test run and see which one gives me the most feeze ;) I'm not sure you can rationalize this type of buy, otherwise we'd all buy a golf as it's pretty much every car you'd ever need, it certainly isn't every car you'd ever want though...

If the RF is the one putting the biggest smile on your face (and I can certainly see how it could), go for that!

Ryano87

Heya, I'm looking at one of these myself at the minute - are you considering 1.5 or 2.0 ltr? I have driven both roadster and rf and I actually preferred the roadster! I found the RF a little tight for head space!

I didn't think the sound insulation was much improved in the RF personally.

Did you know there is a facelift coming this year. Only a minor one I think

Sea The Starz

Ryano87 wrote: »

Heya, I'm looking at one of these myself at the minute - are you considering 1.5 or 2.0 ltr? I have driven both roadster and rf and I actually preferred the roadster! I found the RF a little tight for head space!

I didn't think the sound insulation was much improved in the RF personally.

Did you know there is a facelift coming this year. Only a minor one I think

I was leaning more for the 1.5 just for tax and insurance purposes. Do you mind me asking what height your are? Haven't test drove the RF but am worried about head room as I'm a bit over 6ft. Did you get to put the roof down on the RF?

Alun

Sea The Starz wrote: »

Personally I preferred the look of the RF over the soft top, it's just me but I think soft tops look a bit flimsy, was also wondering how practical a soft top would be in Ireland.

In what way do you think it wouldn't be practical? My wife has an MX-5 with a soft top and it's certainly not flimsy. Contrary to popular belief, you can drive with the top down much more often than you might think, they have a fierce heater, which warms up quickly, and basically if it isn't raining, the top goes down, great fun!

Boot space is pretty limited on the soft top, I would imagine on the RF it would be worse but haven't seen one in the flesh to confirm.

Ryano87

Sea The Starz wrote: »

I was leaning more for the 1.5 just for tax and insurance purposes. Do you mind me asking what height your are? Haven't test drove the RF but am worried about head room as I'm a bit over 6ft. Did you get to put the roof down on the RF?

I'm just over 6 foot myself. I've never had any issues fitting in any of them! My first mx5 was a mark 3 (NC) to which I sold Alun who posted above a few accessories I had after I traded in the car (Hi Alun - I saw your wife's car going into Bray last week and looks fantastic)

Since then I've had an NB and currently have an NA!

Soul red looks particularly nice in the new model I think.

Re the roof, yes I put it up and down and took it for an extended test drive, it was the 2ltr model and very impressed with it, I prefer the cloth top myself although I do worry parking convertibles in town still for some reason.

Are you going look at any?

Alun

Ryano87 wrote: »

I'm just over 6 foot myself. I've never had any issues fitting in any of them! My first mx5 was a mark 3 (NC) to which I sold Alun who posted above a few accessories I had after I traded in the car (Hi Alun - I saw your wife's car going into Bray last week and looks fantastic)

Hi Ryan! Thanks, yes, it's still going strong. We put some new anthracite alloys on it after we got the accessories off you which makes it look even better IMO.