MikeHunt wrote: ↑Wed May 22, 2024 12:01 am
I thought you were buying an Emira?
I do like the Emira but the reality is, it's a lot of money (even if it gets to sub-£60k) to tie up in a car I won't use that often. Half the amount gets me a brand new MX5 which I will probably keep forever - I really regret selling both my previous mk1s now. Got to be the ND3 to get the Recaro seats since I really dislike the colour of the orange special edition.
I don't rule out the possibility that I might get an Emira as well at some point, though chances are I'll be happy with the S6 and MX5 and will add a 992 to them when I can justify it.
The few niggles I have with the Emira that have stopped me checking Auto Trader each day are:
- The manual gearbox is the right choice but I can't help thinking I'd get more from it if I went for an auto.
- It's a special thing but I don't know how much that feeling lasts after a year or two.
- It is refined, plush and useable every day, and that was always something which annoyed me about my Boxster; that takes away the sense of occasion.
The simplicity, lightness and reliability of an MX5 really suit my wants. I can take it out on a sunny day, drop the top and enjoy it even going slowly. The latest one is quick enough (6.2s to 60 I've seen in one test - it is about 180bhp/tonne without driver) but not so quick that you can't find anywhere to plant your foot or wring it out. The manual gearshift is something you do for the fun of it; I did that in the Transit I hired, which I didn't in the Emira despite a decent length test drive. Basically I think there's more simply joy to be had in an MX5, and it's a brilliant antidote to other cars without going properly hard core; I can still go to work in it wearing a suit.