RE: Shed Of The Week: Mazda MX-5
Discussion
BeirutTaxi said:
I want to like the MX5 but it doesn't quite deliver the sensations I want it to. Maybe it's the natural flex in the chassis that let's the side down.
Great engine and chassis balance, but there is something slightly stodgy and loose feeling about the experience.
I'm going to get hated for this, but I actually preferred my Polo GTI (6N2) even though in many respects it wasn't as good. Better engine, felt more 'tight', fantastic brakes and it was a lot more refined and comfortable for every day use.
There is a fair amount of flex - but you can fit roll bars, chassis bracing, door braces... Can cost a few quid once you've done all that mind you.Great engine and chassis balance, but there is something slightly stodgy and loose feeling about the experience.
I'm going to get hated for this, but I actually preferred my Polo GTI (6N2) even though in many respects it wasn't as good. Better engine, felt more 'tight', fantastic brakes and it was a lot more refined and comfortable for every day use.
Edited by BeirutTaxi on Friday 5th August 19:54
I'm really taken with MX5 Mk1s. I was very rude about them for a long time & then put 1 on track where it really came alive & was great fun-
https://youtu.be/uTq90hpS6BI
https://youtu.be/uTq90hpS6BI
ian316 said:
Itsallicanafford said:
ian316 said:
enjoyed mine for the first 4 months then it got very boring wouldn't bother again
Did you track it?Itsallicanafford said:
ian316 said:
Itsallicanafford said:
ian316 said:
enjoyed mine for the first 4 months then it got very boring wouldn't bother again
Did you track it?griffdude said:
I'm really taken with MX5 Mk1s. I was very rude about them for a long time & then put 1 on track where it really came alive & was great fun-
https://youtu.be/uTq90hpS6BI
Which is great and not great. On a track you can explore the fantastic balance of the MX5 (I've not driven a car that makes me feel as confident at higher speed). However on the public highway at 'road speed' I didn't find as satisfying as I wanted it to be.https://youtu.be/uTq90hpS6BI
Has anyone driven the MX5 and MGF back to back? MGFs are going for absolutely nothing these days!
Edited by BeirutTaxi on Saturday 6th August 08:13
At least it's not a Cheapos-Eunos.
The REALLY early models had wheel centre caps with MAZDA imprinted & did not have a chrome bonnet badge.
I had a 1990 model & acquired the factory full tonneau cover that required removing the blanks on the dashboard coaming adjacent to the windscreen & screwing in fasteners. Was great fun solo driving with just the drivers side unzipped. That tonneau is in the loft complete with all the early brochures ready for the day I might buy return to MK1 MX-5 ownership.
The REALLY early models had wheel centre caps with MAZDA imprinted & did not have a chrome bonnet badge.
I had a 1990 model & acquired the factory full tonneau cover that required removing the blanks on the dashboard coaming adjacent to the windscreen & screwing in fasteners. Was great fun solo driving with just the drivers side unzipped. That tonneau is in the loft complete with all the early brochures ready for the day I might buy return to MK1 MX-5 ownership.
As the owner of a 25 year old (I've owned it for over 16) tatty but rust free MX5 (well Eunos Roadster V-SPEC for those who want to be pedantic), I'm actually surprised at the rising values and do not know where they're coming from as they do not make sense to me, there's still lots of MK1s on the road. I've been saying for at least 6 or 7 years that I'd scrap mine if I ever got a bill for more than it's worth - made sense when it was getting down to £500, but now even a tatty one with decent underpinnings can get over a grand (I still get offers from passer-bys at least once a year).
Having said that - great cars, rust can be an issue, especially on the UK ones. The short nose crank shaft was only on the early ones, so 1989 (for imports) to '90. Woolly, uninspiring ride is normally down to old shocks and worn bushes.
MX-5 v MR2 (both MK1s) - both fun, different styles, MR2 accelerates faster and is slightly quicker on the straights, MX-5 handles better on the corners. Both a hoot - shame the MR2 has bad rust issues on the rear wheel arches.
MX-5 v MGB - again both different types of fun and different types of driving experience.
Having said that - great cars, rust can be an issue, especially on the UK ones. The short nose crank shaft was only on the early ones, so 1989 (for imports) to '90. Woolly, uninspiring ride is normally down to old shocks and worn bushes.
MX-5 v MR2 (both MK1s) - both fun, different styles, MR2 accelerates faster and is slightly quicker on the straights, MX-5 handles better on the corners. Both a hoot - shame the MR2 has bad rust issues on the rear wheel arches.
MX-5 v MGB - again both different types of fun and different types of driving experience.
I have a love hate relationship with mine. On times, I'm seconds away from slinging it on Ebay, then the next day I'm frantically researching FI options and coilovers.
Biggest gripe for me, is the lack of power. Which isn't an issue on tight twisty roads, but getting out dragged by a diesel Golf on a dual carriageway is embarrassing!
Mine is one of the youngest Mk1s and it had its first fail for rust on the MOT this year, which was a very small patch on the underside. I had the rear arches replaced and the whole car resprayed in 2013, so it is in pretty good nick, but is a UK model 1.8i, so not as desirable as the special models.
I don't know what the future holds for it, but I'm keeping it at the moment.
This was taken at a PH meet, it was the least valuable car there, but I think I had the most fun out of everyone there that day! Days after, a bin lorry drove into it! It now has Mk2 wheels and have removed the horrid number plate plinth.
Biggest gripe for me, is the lack of power. Which isn't an issue on tight twisty roads, but getting out dragged by a diesel Golf on a dual carriageway is embarrassing!
Mine is one of the youngest Mk1s and it had its first fail for rust on the MOT this year, which was a very small patch on the underside. I had the rear arches replaced and the whole car resprayed in 2013, so it is in pretty good nick, but is a UK model 1.8i, so not as desirable as the special models.
I don't know what the future holds for it, but I'm keeping it at the moment.
This was taken at a PH meet, it was the least valuable car there, but I think I had the most fun out of everyone there that day! Days after, a bin lorry drove into it! It now has Mk2 wheels and have removed the horrid number plate plinth.
dapprman said:
I'm actually surprised at the rising values
Mint mk1 MX5s are getting rare. Supply and demand dictates the prices will rise, just like any other tidy classic. The rusty examples will probably be long gone and scrapped over the next five years.Look how many millions of mk1 Escorts were made. Yet most were removed from the road due to rust or being crashed. At one point they were £200 cars. Every car will hit a rock bottom price, then rarity means they will inevitably bounce back. It is a very well trodden path all cars follow.
I've had my current one for 8, maybe 9, years. Got it with 150k kms, now has 270k kms. In that time it's needed new sills and rear arches, a new hood, and a reconditioned engine. The engine thing was entirely fault. Other than that just service stuff.
Its great. So great that four of my friends have now bought one.
I think the trick with running these, or any old car, is to budget a few hundred quid a year maintenance and spend it every year. There's always something that needs doing, or could do with being done. For instance, I'm just about to pick it up from having its wheels refurbished.
I commuted to East London in it for two years, have driven it to Switzerland (twice), LeMans, LeMans classics, Angouleme, holidays in Wales, and the school run.
If some day it suffers a truly terminal problem, I'll get another one in an instant.
Its great. So great that four of my friends have now bought one.
I think the trick with running these, or any old car, is to budget a few hundred quid a year maintenance and spend it every year. There's always something that needs doing, or could do with being done. For instance, I'm just about to pick it up from having its wheels refurbished.
I commuted to East London in it for two years, have driven it to Switzerland (twice), LeMans, LeMans classics, Angouleme, holidays in Wales, and the school run.
If some day it suffers a truly terminal problem, I'll get another one in an instant.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff