Should I get MX5 and which one?
Discussion
A year ago I would have answered that question with...'Yes, and then cut some hair'.
But now I have decided to look for the best driving experience at a price I can afford. As I am skint, I see there are two options. Do I buy a basket MK1 with MOT and tax for 1 year, or spend a bit more on a mkII and make it last for a few years?
On paper, the mkII with 6 gears looks like something I (260 mls/wk commute) could live with. But, a cheap disposable,'yearly' mk i might work out better.
I'm sorry to sound so mercenary here, but I absolutely hate my diesel estate.
But now I have decided to look for the best driving experience at a price I can afford. As I am skint, I see there are two options. Do I buy a basket MK1 with MOT and tax for 1 year, or spend a bit more on a mkII and make it last for a few years?
On paper, the mkII with 6 gears looks like something I (260 mls/wk commute) could live with. But, a cheap disposable,'yearly' mk i might work out better.
I'm sorry to sound so mercenary here, but I absolutely hate my diesel estate.
There is no easy answer, they all rust like hell and the trouble you'll have is finding one that hasn't been repaired poorly/cheaply or that doesn't have rust on the sills/arches/chassis rails etc.
The Mk2 is more of a risk as the chassis rails rot up front and is dificult to spot as it goes from the inside out, the Mk1 is safer in this regard as it doesn't have this particular issue. Aside from that they all rot on the sills and arches.
Mk1 is more fun, looks better but doesn't feel quite as modern.
I'd say buy a good mk1 that doesn't have rust, it'll take a while to find one and it'll cost a bit more but worth it in the long run as it won't cost you £100's to keep it from falling apart.
The Mk2 is more of a risk as the chassis rails rot up front and is dificult to spot as it goes from the inside out, the Mk1 is safer in this regard as it doesn't have this particular issue. Aside from that they all rot on the sills and arches.
Mk1 is more fun, looks better but doesn't feel quite as modern.
I'd say buy a good mk1 that doesn't have rust, it'll take a while to find one and it'll cost a bit more but worth it in the long run as it won't cost you £100's to keep it from falling apart.
How tall are you? Mx5 are snug for anyone bigger than average (I should know as I have one and I'm 6ft5!).
Although I fit I wouldn't want to regularly be doing long trips in one which it sounds like you do. Not so much a problem if you are, erm, small.
Mk1 ftw. Nothing is cooler than pop up lights. Fact.
Although I fit I wouldn't want to regularly be doing long trips in one which it sounds like you do. Not so much a problem if you are, erm, small.
Mk1 ftw. Nothing is cooler than pop up lights. Fact.
Well, at 5'9" tall/small, I should be ok. The mk1 certainly gets all the love and I can appreciate that. However, will I appreciate that, day in day out, rain or shine, wind or snow, day or night? I agree the mk1 has the classic looks, but, how do the lights hold up to modern motoring at night?
If the mk2 is more refined and the mk1 is more of a purer drivers car, I'd go for the mk2....probably with heated seats too. I'm in my 40s now and through the last 25 years I've developed my ideas of what I like, what I can afford, and what I need.
I suppose I'm being a little contradictory in wanting an MX5, but, also a whole lot of creature comforts in it.
As yet, I've only sat in a earlier mk2. That was yesterday. I liked it although the car as a whole had seen better days.
Thanks for all the advice though. It's much appreciated.
If the mk2 is more refined and the mk1 is more of a purer drivers car, I'd go for the mk2....probably with heated seats too. I'm in my 40s now and through the last 25 years I've developed my ideas of what I like, what I can afford, and what I need.
I suppose I'm being a little contradictory in wanting an MX5, but, also a whole lot of creature comforts in it.
As yet, I've only sat in a earlier mk2. That was yesterday. I liked it although the car as a whole had seen better days.
Thanks for all the advice though. It's much appreciated.
akaRob said:
'Refined' is used quite often when talking about the mk2's. I would never describe my car as 'refined', its nosey, its a bit whiny and its bloody bumpy! Anyone who has been in it or driven it has never said its refined, quite of opposite in fact. There's no doubt its a nicer place to be than a mk1 for a longer period of time, but not that much longer.
Also, the 6 speed box has closer ratio's than the 5. 6th gear only sits about 200rpm less than in my old 5 speed. As the ratios are closer though, it certainly helps it along! Don't buy it for economy or cruising. The gear change in the 5 speed feels better, but the 6 is very similar, although a little less precise feeling in my opinion.
I think it was around 500rpm difference between the 6-speed and 5-speed on the Mk 2's that I have owned. One thing to be aware of is that although they are small engined light cars they're not that great in fuel economy. Mk 2 is more refined place to be, and I have driven long distances in both of the cars I have had (including a 5000 mile trip to the UK and back in around 1.5 weeks by myself). From what you say it would be the better car for you. That said, I don't think there is too much difference.Also, the 6 speed box has closer ratio's than the 5. 6th gear only sits about 200rpm less than in my old 5 speed. As the ratios are closer though, it certainly helps it along! Don't buy it for economy or cruising. The gear change in the 5 speed feels better, but the 6 is very similar, although a little less precise feeling in my opinion.
As mentioned buy on condition. Rust is the big issue on most cars.
Thanks guys. I'm not a stranger to sports cars and 500rpm less on a long motorway journey, or even a 40 minute commute, can make a lot of difference.
The rust issue does worry me though. With reading the various mx5 forums, it seems inevitable that with a budget of up to £2500, I'd be buying a car that would very likely have a significant rust issue. And, there would be little or no way of slowing the rot unless going the whole hog and cut it out and replace with new metal.
I'm still interested, but, I can see myself visiting a fair few cars.
The rust issue does worry me though. With reading the various mx5 forums, it seems inevitable that with a budget of up to £2500, I'd be buying a car that would very likely have a significant rust issue. And, there would be little or no way of slowing the rot unless going the whole hog and cut it out and replace with new metal.
I'm still interested, but, I can see myself visiting a fair few cars.
Straight6DOHC said:
Thanks guys. I'm not a stranger to sports cars and 500rpm less on a long motorway journey, or even a 40 minute commute, can make a lot of difference.
The rust issue does worry me though. With reading the various mx5 forums, it seems inevitable that with a budget of up to £2500, I'd be buying a car that would very likely have a significant rust issue. And, there would be little or no way of slowing the rot unless going the whole hog and cut it out and replace with new metal.
I'm still interested, but, I can see myself visiting a fair few cars.
That is quite likely to be the case. With them being so cheap a lot of people will have run them on budgets and so perhaps delay the costs. But they are also older cars now so there will be a lot of variation depending on previous owners. One advantage if you buy a rusty car is you know how it is done, if you buy another one you don't know when it will come. It's just taking time to look - if you see bubbles in the paint avoid if you are worried about rust. However there are a lot of cars available, so hopefully you shouldn't have to travel too far to look at cars!The rust issue does worry me though. With reading the various mx5 forums, it seems inevitable that with a budget of up to £2500, I'd be buying a car that would very likely have a significant rust issue. And, there would be little or no way of slowing the rot unless going the whole hog and cut it out and replace with new metal.
I'm still interested, but, I can see myself visiting a fair few cars.
akaRob said:
I ended up buying a higher spec mk2.5 with the 6 speed, LSD and Bilstein suspension etc. Despite the mk1's popups (oh the blasphemy), I also think the mk2.5 is a far better looking car.
Have to agree about the looks, but then I've never really got the appeal of pop-up headlights. Maybe I'm too old or too young for that. 
Good to hear your comparison of them - having owned a couple of Mk1's (one close to standard, one really not), if/when I end up buying another one I'm leaning towards trying a Mk2 or 2.5 RS instead.
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