Mk3 Mx5 - Specs and buying tips please
Discussion
Hi all,
I've finally sold my E46 330Ci and now have the funds available for a Mk3 Mx5. My commute is a 30 minute journey on A roads and Motorway. Unfortunately my budget won't stretch to a facelift, am I missing out on much by not getting a 3.5? I know you don't get cruise control which puts me off slightly but that's the only downside I can see.
My budget is £5000 and I'm looking to get a 2.0 sport soft top. Am I right in saying the optional extras are only A/C and Bose sound system? I am led to believe you get leather and heated seats as standard. Also is there any differences between the years 06-09 before the facelift?
Any other tips or advice people can give before I go test drive a few?
I've finally sold my E46 330Ci and now have the funds available for a Mk3 Mx5. My commute is a 30 minute journey on A roads and Motorway. Unfortunately my budget won't stretch to a facelift, am I missing out on much by not getting a 3.5? I know you don't get cruise control which puts me off slightly but that's the only downside I can see.
My budget is £5000 and I'm looking to get a 2.0 sport soft top. Am I right in saying the optional extras are only A/C and Bose sound system? I am led to believe you get leather and heated seats as standard. Also is there any differences between the years 06-09 before the facelift?
Any other tips or advice people can give before I go test drive a few?
Thanks for the link, I've also found some other buying guides so I've now got a list of things to check. One question I did have was regarding the engines going pop. Lack of oil, normally due to not being kept on max.
Should the engines use any oil at all? If they are using it I presume it's a leak. What are the signs or indicators of a bad engine, tapty noise??
I've also found a lovely Zsport near me. 07 plate, 56k miles @ £5900. Seems over priced to me, opinions? It appears to not have Bose system, is it a worthwhile option?
Should the engines use any oil at all? If they are using it I presume it's a leak. What are the signs or indicators of a bad engine, tapty noise??
I've also found a lovely Zsport near me. 07 plate, 56k miles @ £5900. Seems over priced to me, opinions? It appears to not have Bose system, is it a worthwhile option?
Thanks for all the replies. I've been hunting since I've posted and I still haven't found the right one..
Having a real tough time with price/spec options. I keep finding cars which are the right price and in good condition however they lack AC and BOSE. Then I find a good condition car with BOSE and AC but they're asking around £500+ too much. I want the AC and BOSE so cars without are a straight no-go. Also I noticed the driver seat is either in good or terrible condition. Most notable the bolster and side edge being trashed by what appears to be a oversized/lazy person getting in and out. Any idea on how much a new seat or refurbish of the current one would cost; just in case that was the only downside to a car?
To further complicate matters my budget of 5k seems to pick up cars around the 60-70K miles mark in which the major service is due, if I'm correct in thinking, does anyone know what the price is for this? I know the spark plugs are about £80 plus all the fluids to go on top. People, mainly dealers, want top wack for a car which is due or hasn't had its major service.. bloody nightmare!
I'm contemplating upping my budget to get less miles and the facelift version with hardtop, peoples thoughts? Or should I stick to my 5k budget and just hope the right one crops up?
I'm not in a particular rush but my stop gap car, a 1.3 KA, has just cost me a pair of front tyres way too soon. Mind you it's clear the budgets which were on there don't stand up to hard driving on a daily basis.
Having a real tough time with price/spec options. I keep finding cars which are the right price and in good condition however they lack AC and BOSE. Then I find a good condition car with BOSE and AC but they're asking around £500+ too much. I want the AC and BOSE so cars without are a straight no-go. Also I noticed the driver seat is either in good or terrible condition. Most notable the bolster and side edge being trashed by what appears to be a oversized/lazy person getting in and out. Any idea on how much a new seat or refurbish of the current one would cost; just in case that was the only downside to a car?
To further complicate matters my budget of 5k seems to pick up cars around the 60-70K miles mark in which the major service is due, if I'm correct in thinking, does anyone know what the price is for this? I know the spark plugs are about £80 plus all the fluids to go on top. People, mainly dealers, want top wack for a car which is due or hasn't had its major service.. bloody nightmare!
I'm contemplating upping my budget to get less miles and the facelift version with hardtop, peoples thoughts? Or should I stick to my 5k budget and just hope the right one crops up?
I'm not in a particular rush but my stop gap car, a 1.3 KA, has just cost me a pair of front tyres way too soon. Mind you it's clear the budgets which were on there don't stand up to hard driving on a daily basis.
HorneyMX5 said:
chillbill said:
The 2.0 engine, esp. early ones, can use a bit of oil, but as long as you top it up, it's not that bad. Driving wise all of the basics are spot on - excellent driving position, steering wheel and -feel, sublime gearchanges. The boot is OK and the interior pretty spacious for what it is.
For me the major disadvantages of ownership were a) the 2.0 is not that fast as the numbers would suggest, b) the intake-exhaust noise is not that inspiring, c) stock springs are wallowy and not suitable for over 8/10 driving. All of this can be remedied using aftermarket parts, though.
Agree completely. In the first couple of weeks I owned mine it had a remap, backbox, induction kit and 30mm lowering springs fitted. Job jobbed. For me the major disadvantages of ownership were a) the 2.0 is not that fast as the numbers would suggest, b) the intake-exhaust noise is not that inspiring, c) stock springs are wallowy and not suitable for over 8/10 driving. All of this can be remedied using aftermarket parts, though.
Hey all just an update: Once again thanks for the replies, especially the service costs, I didn't realise it was that cheap. Also the advice on the suspension Horney.
I've had a good look into the Mk3.5 changes and the cost of the sport techs currently available and I've decided to increase my budget to 10k. I much preferred the styling of the Mk3.5, NC2, and the fact that they come with cruise control is a big bonus for me. Overall they seem to be better specd and have a fair few improvements. Also they all seem to be RCs which is great as that's something that I wanted but was difficult to find for the Mk3s.
Any idea of the reliability of the hardtop roof and what I should be looking for in regards to faults/problems with them? The potential for a 1k bill is a bit of a concern.
At the moment a 2010-11 plate with 20-30k seem to be around the 8-10k mark depending on private sale or dealer. Will have 7k in January so I can start looking then with a small loan from my grandad.
I've had a good look into the Mk3.5 changes and the cost of the sport techs currently available and I've decided to increase my budget to 10k. I much preferred the styling of the Mk3.5, NC2, and the fact that they come with cruise control is a big bonus for me. Overall they seem to be better specd and have a fair few improvements. Also they all seem to be RCs which is great as that's something that I wanted but was difficult to find for the Mk3s.
Any idea of the reliability of the hardtop roof and what I should be looking for in regards to faults/problems with them? The potential for a 1k bill is a bit of a concern.
At the moment a 2010-11 plate with 20-30k seem to be around the 8-10k mark depending on private sale or dealer. Will have 7k in January so I can start looking then with a small loan from my grandad.
Gassing Station | Mazda MX5/Roadster/Miata | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff