Mx5 mk3 NC

Lofidelity

Anybody have experience of the above? Does it live up to the hype?

Im thinking about getting something cheap and cheerful in spring. All the reviews are positive and the fact that its a two seater convertible would give a sense of occasion with every trip. A 2.0 with the 6 speed and bilsteins is what id be interested in.

Alun

We have an '06 Mk3 1.8 which is great. I've never felt the need for any more power to be honest as the car weighs next to nothing and the noise and low stance makes it seem as if you're driving much faster than you really are.

Andrewf20

I bought one last year. Shes a a mark 3 1.8 hardtop. Great car but I found its not that economical - roughly low 30mpgs with mixed driving.

Stock suspension is quite stiff. This + the light weight nature of the car, the short wheel base and low centre of gravity make it super fast through the bends. However the short wheel base and stiff suspension make it is quite snappy at the back. You are also further back towards the rear wheels compared to a 4 seater so you pivot more when the back gets loose, resulting in it feeling a bit more unnerving. However you get used to it. Im happy with the bog standard 16 inch rims. The car is fairly neutral but does feel like it leans towards oversteer with quick direction changes.

Despite the big wheel arch gaps, its surprising low to get in or out. You almost have to crawl out.

124bhp is nippy enough below 60mph with the lowish rearing (75mph = 3600rpm) but above 60mph its less impressive but still plenty for fun.

Id recommend this car alot. I drove Golf GTIs, and copper S's among others but this just felt more special. Having the roof down in the warm months is great also. I even love driving with the roof down when its dark as well.

One strange thing is the sun visor cant be rotated to cover the side window. Not a big deal tbh.

I went for the hard top as I have no garage just for extra piece of mind. Tax is higher on the post 2007 cars. Mine is a 2007 so its 636eu to tax. A 2009 one would be 750eu.

I havent driven the 2.0 (rare in Ireland) but im not convinced it would be hugely quicker. 159bhp sounds much more impressive on paper with this engine has a higher rev limit. Everyday rpms of 2-4.5k probably deliver a moderate improvement. To get the full 159bhp you would have to rev the guts out of it.

Lofidelity

They sit very high as standard so it would have to come down a little to fill the arches. Although i believe the 2.0 sport is a little lower as standard with the bilstein suspension. I could get a mk3.5 from the UK for 5-6 Stg. Most of the mk3.5 seem to be hard top roadsters so thats probably a plus in this weather.

I have a mk5 Gti now and while it does everything well i think id like the rawness of a mx5. Elise/ s2000 thrills for half the price.

Notch000

you need to get the 2.0 with an LSD. there will be no real difference in running costs between 1.2 & 0.0

Sam Russell

I have an MX5 ND and it is fantastic. 1.5 l 139 hp

Motor tax -€280
No extra insurance to swap from my previous SUV car.
Fuel consumption 50 mpg on motorway.
Soft top can be put up or down from the drivers seat.

It has one of the best gear changes I have ever driven, and the car goes where you point it - absolutely stable on corners. The weight distribution is 50-60 front to back. Absolute hoot to drive, while not the fastest sports car I have owned, but the most fun. It puts a smile on y face every time I drive it.

Underneath the bonnet, the car is built like a watch. Incredible engineering - first Mazda, but not my last.

When I looked at the MX5 NC, the road tax on the 1.8l was €560 for 2007, €750 for a 2008, and €570 for a 2009. They reduced the CO2 figure with the Mk 3.5. So I went with the Mk 4 (ND) - Year 2015 onwards. There are very few Irish ones on the market, so a UK import is likely the only option.

Cunning Alias

I got an NC1 with the spec you are looking for from the UK last month. I had been keeping an eye out over here for months and 2.0 hard top models are very rare/overpriced. You would pick up a 1.8 easily enough here.

It's my 2nd MX5 and im loving it.

I wouldn't worry about the bilsteins. Community seems to be undecided on if they were worth it or not (on the NC1 anyway, think they improved on later models). Key thing is that you get a 2.0 as they all have LSDs.

As mentioned, they do ride high for some weird reason but 30mm springs would do the job. You dont notice when you are driving it anyway.

The 2.0 6 speed has a few more niggles than the 1.8 5 speed but some research and good service will sort it (correct oils for the gearbox and diff basically).

As with all MX5s there is a massive global community for parts (that are fairly cheap) and information that I find really handy.

I have had a number of high power cars that put the MX5s numbers to shame but the most fun I have ever had was in my old 1.6 NA. They are just fun!

Unless my needs change, my car after this will be another MX5