Looking at buying a MX5

[16vCento]

I'm thoroughly bored of the 308 now, it's good on petrol, and not much else.

I need something to commute about 40 miles a day in that's reliable, and can fit the car seat in so I can take my boy to his grandparents/nursery in a morning.

I don't want to spend any money if I can help it, so trade in the 308 which autotrader seem to believe will be about £3500 -3750.

I looked at mk1 MX5s a long time ago when I got my first 924 and decided it was a bit small and noisy.

But now mk3s seem cheap, reliable and the 2.0 Sports look pretty decent (to me anyway)

Anyone had any experience of them?

Would have to be a 2.0, 1.8s are a bit slow looking at the stats.

And the BBR kit for 1700 quid for 200hp seems quite appealing as well.

[JLv3.0]

Just buy what you want mate. I recommend, given your parameters, a Mk3 MX5 2.0.

All cars go wrong, it probably won't but if it does you'll look forward to getting it back.

[ / thread ]

[Rich B]

I’d recommend going and test driving one to see if you like it, but no one else does.

[John]

I've got one but don't know much about them

What I do know is that it is much more "grown up" than the mk1/2 in that it is more comfortable and quieter in the cabin area. Motorways are no problem at all although you are obviously lower down than most of the other traffic. Some people say that Mazda went too far in sanitising the mk3 but I'd disagree. It still has the excellent turn in the mx5 is known for, it is quite softly sprung though but that is easily sorted if it bothers you. Unfortunately some of them do still rust but not on the scale of the mk2 . Just have a good look around the rear wheel arches and behind the plastic sill covers if possible.

[16vCento]

Ah cheers John, I bet yours is a bit quicker than a standard one!

I'm liking that they are a bit more refined seemingly and will do for childless weekends away if required and they are obviously a lot safer thank the earlier cars.

Thanks for the advice i'll certainly be having a good look for any rust and make sure if I get one it's fully rustpriofed!

[JLv3.0]

I’d recommend going and test driving one to see if you like it

Why? I don't get it.

[240PP]

Give it a rest JL Do you have to do this routine everyfuckingtime?!

[NotoriousREV]

A mate at work has one and really likes it. I’ve only passengered in it but it seems a lot of fun. His has an aftermarket exhaust on it that my 17 year old self would have derided as too quiet, but as a 43 year old I think it’s perfect: deep tone, no raspiness but sounds purposeful.

If you like them, buy one.

[Rich B]

Did JL delete his response on this thread?

[JLv3.0]

I did - it wasn't worth rising to such a cretinous comment but I woke up a bit grumpy

[Rich B]

I did - it wasn't worth rising to such a cretinous comment but I woke up a bit grumpy

[Sundayjumper]

A chap runs a supercharged and well sorted one in my club. It's very quick indeed.

[GG.]

I know I'm a tedious fanboi and everything but I really don't get the point of spending £1,700 for a BBR kit on a £5k car to get you 200hp when you can buy a 987 Boxster 2.7 with 240hp out the box for £9k ish.

Yes the mazda will be cheaper to run but that's the only thing in its favour really. Maybe if you're going to turn it into a track rat then fine but not as an overall proposition.

[NotoriousREV]

GG makes a very valid point.

[ste]

Yes and no, they're completely different cars really.

MX5 will have an LSD a nicer gearbox. They also drive very differently, not least because they have their engines at opposite ends.

Horses for couirses, I'm glad they both exist.

[Swervin_Mervin]

Didn't Jobbo once have both (albeit a mk1 MX5) at the same time and ended up selling the Boxster because he found he always ended up taking the Mazda as it was more fun?

[240PP]

Didn't Jobbo once have both (albeit a mk1 MX5) at the same time and ended up selling the Boxster because he found he always ended up taking the Mazda as it was more fun?

Yep, something about the Boxster being too capable as an all-rounder and therefore not as well suited as a weekend/second car.

[Rich B]

It’s not as if the OP will actually spend a load to FI it anyway, it’s just a more interesting computing car to replace a 308 after all.

[Sundayjumper]

For clarity - the £1700 kit is not FI.

The supercharger kit is definitely not £1700.....

[16vCento]

FI kit is about 5k, I'd happily pay for the 200hp kit if I gel with the car.

I'm not adverse to modifying cars, the 308 is the only standard car I've ever had.

I thought about a Boxster, but more road tax, higher purchase price, more fuel costs and higher parts costs should stuff go wrong.

I also thought about S2000s but they seem to have gone up a lot in price since I had last looked!