Discussion
Been looking at MX5's on 07-57 plates recently and ive been tempted by a few, so much so id arranged to test drive on at my local mazda dealer the other day until work called in the morning and took over so im yet to drive one which im going to have to do this weekend or next but ive been looking and ive read up a fair bit but would like your guys views/opinions, what Engine do you all recommend? Insurance isnt an issue as i get money back from what ive paid on the TT (My Current Daily Driver!) Which is always a bonus because being Aged 18 its nice not to have to go and spend even more money on insurance! I was reading though was was mainly looking at 2.0i SE and 2.0i Sport Tech and ive been told to always buy one with Option Pack although im not sure what you guys all think of this? Am i correct in saying the option pack includes:
premium cloth soft-top
stainless steel scuff plates
leather steering wheel with audio controls, leather gear knob
leather handbrake lever with silver release knob
16” alloy wheels
two additional speakers
front tunnel storage net
Have i missed anything there?
If you saw a brilliant example without the option pack and the price was right would you go with it or would you say to stay well clear and go out your way to get the option pack? I must be honest and say ive not really considered the 1.8 at all, looking at the spec going from the TT to a 1.8 i dont think id be happy so i think ive made my mind up i want the 2L unless you would all say otherwise? One of the biggest questions i want to know is what you guys all make of the difference between the sport tech with the 6 speed box and the SE with the 5? whats the favorite one? do you notice much difference in economy? What are the major differences between the 2 aside this and the name as on paper they seem pretty much the same? Is there any other engine i should be looking at?
Thanks for all your help and time in advance!
Cheers
Andy
premium cloth soft-top
stainless steel scuff plates
leather steering wheel with audio controls, leather gear knob
leather handbrake lever with silver release knob
16” alloy wheels
two additional speakers
front tunnel storage net
Have i missed anything there?
If you saw a brilliant example without the option pack and the price was right would you go with it or would you say to stay well clear and go out your way to get the option pack? I must be honest and say ive not really considered the 1.8 at all, looking at the spec going from the TT to a 1.8 i dont think id be happy so i think ive made my mind up i want the 2L unless you would all say otherwise? One of the biggest questions i want to know is what you guys all make of the difference between the sport tech with the 6 speed box and the SE with the 5? whats the favorite one? do you notice much difference in economy? What are the major differences between the 2 aside this and the name as on paper they seem pretty much the same? Is there any other engine i should be looking at?
Thanks for all your help and time in advance!
Cheers
Andy
roddo said:
Your right in wanting a 2.0.......
A 5 speed will have standard suspension and 16" wheels
I would go for a 6 speed that has Billies as standard, it also has leather.....
All the best
Paul
Ps once you get one get the alignment done...........
Thanks for the advice, is the alignment common then i take it? I went to Mazda earlier and they refused to let me test drive one because of my age!?! So i went to another Mazda dealership who couldnt believe it but was part of a different group and booked me in for monday morning and said that it wouldnt be a problem at all....hopefully it'll live up to the reviews and its reputation!! A 5 speed will have standard suspension and 16" wheels
I would go for a 6 speed that has Billies as standard, it also has leather.....
All the best
Paul
Ps once you get one get the alignment done...........
Forgot to mention, has anybody on here used or bought through Brindley Mazda/Brindley group?
Below ive pasted a post off one of the Mazda forums which someone who happens to stumble across this may find useful, basically a breif run through of things to check when buying
Uneven tyre wear - probably indicates the geometry needs setting-up. But be aware that even if you do get the geometry done, once the tyres have worn oddly you'll still get some "out-of-alignment" behaviour. Plenty of info on this forum about that!
Damp - lift up the boot carpet, I saw a couple when I was looking around that where the sound insulation under the carpet was damp. Might have been an over-enthusiastic dealer with a pressure hose, but ...
Look at cars on forecourts in the pouring rain, and see if you can see signs of water trickling down the inside of the side windows, so the seals might have been damaged (this can happen if you open/close the roof with the doors shut and the windows fully up). These can be expensive.
Listen carefully to any noises from the clutch thrust - this doesn't seem to be covered by the zoom zoom warranty. Plus all the usual noises of course.
If it's a mark 3 don't worry about cam belt changes - it does not have one.
Don't rely on the oil pressure gauge to see if the engine is healthy, it tells lies! Unless it reads zero of course ...
Look for "sticky" rear handbrake - all that needs is the brakes taking apart and cleaning, but I found this was not covered by the zoom zoom warranty, the dealer had the cheek to ask £50 or so plus VAT. Per Corner!!
The usual tyre checks, plus see if all 4 tyres are the same, either originals or those recommended in various bits of this forum or the MX5 community forum
See if you can check that the softop drain holes are not blocked - pouring a cup of water down each side of the hood just behind the doors should result in a wet patch under each side of the car.
Check the puncture repair outfit - the tube of goo is date-stamped, and they go out of date quick. They cost about £70, and also the tyre pump (genuine one) needs to be included and fully working. I think that's about £200 but you might want to check the prices on www.mx5parts.co.uk
All lights are working - the headlamp bulbs are a pain to replace.
Lift the boot carpet and see if there are holes for a towing bracket that has been removed. Personally I wouldn't buy such a car.
See the digital service record before you buy, better still if its backed up with receipts.
I saw several at car supermarkets where clearly the oil had never been topped-up or changed, a crime on a 2-year old car with 18k on the clock. No, I didn't tell them why I had walked away from the car!
If buying the folding tin-top version, check that the emergency roof-raising tools are present (some bits of wire and string I believe!)
I looked at and made an offer on a MK2 that felt like one of the rear wheels wasn't balanced. They replaced both rear tyres - and it was still the same. I did get a few sharp comments when I walked away, but just maybe there was something serious going on, and maybe the later versions could have the same problem whatever it is!
There was a change to MK3.5 in about 08 or 09, you might want to check out the various versions carefully. Plenty of info if you google "MX5 specifications", one dealer had a full history but I've lost the link!
There are an awful lot of these cars outside of the main dealerships that have a history - doting parents do buy them for offspring that have learnt to drive on front-wheel drive cars, who then go out and get careless in the wet ...
If you hear a buzzing noise driving with the roof up - put the palm of your hand against the roof catch housing, it will probably stop!
The doors, boot lid, practically everything has a sticker with the vin no. on it. This can be useful!
Below ive pasted a post off one of the Mazda forums which someone who happens to stumble across this may find useful, basically a breif run through of things to check when buying
Uneven tyre wear - probably indicates the geometry needs setting-up. But be aware that even if you do get the geometry done, once the tyres have worn oddly you'll still get some "out-of-alignment" behaviour. Plenty of info on this forum about that!
Damp - lift up the boot carpet, I saw a couple when I was looking around that where the sound insulation under the carpet was damp. Might have been an over-enthusiastic dealer with a pressure hose, but ...
Look at cars on forecourts in the pouring rain, and see if you can see signs of water trickling down the inside of the side windows, so the seals might have been damaged (this can happen if you open/close the roof with the doors shut and the windows fully up). These can be expensive.
Listen carefully to any noises from the clutch thrust - this doesn't seem to be covered by the zoom zoom warranty. Plus all the usual noises of course.
If it's a mark 3 don't worry about cam belt changes - it does not have one.
Don't rely on the oil pressure gauge to see if the engine is healthy, it tells lies! Unless it reads zero of course ...
Look for "sticky" rear handbrake - all that needs is the brakes taking apart and cleaning, but I found this was not covered by the zoom zoom warranty, the dealer had the cheek to ask £50 or so plus VAT. Per Corner!!
The usual tyre checks, plus see if all 4 tyres are the same, either originals or those recommended in various bits of this forum or the MX5 community forum
See if you can check that the softop drain holes are not blocked - pouring a cup of water down each side of the hood just behind the doors should result in a wet patch under each side of the car.
Check the puncture repair outfit - the tube of goo is date-stamped, and they go out of date quick. They cost about £70, and also the tyre pump (genuine one) needs to be included and fully working. I think that's about £200 but you might want to check the prices on www.mx5parts.co.uk
All lights are working - the headlamp bulbs are a pain to replace.
Lift the boot carpet and see if there are holes for a towing bracket that has been removed. Personally I wouldn't buy such a car.
See the digital service record before you buy, better still if its backed up with receipts.
I saw several at car supermarkets where clearly the oil had never been topped-up or changed, a crime on a 2-year old car with 18k on the clock. No, I didn't tell them why I had walked away from the car!
If buying the folding tin-top version, check that the emergency roof-raising tools are present (some bits of wire and string I believe!)
I looked at and made an offer on a MK2 that felt like one of the rear wheels wasn't balanced. They replaced both rear tyres - and it was still the same. I did get a few sharp comments when I walked away, but just maybe there was something serious going on, and maybe the later versions could have the same problem whatever it is!
There was a change to MK3.5 in about 08 or 09, you might want to check out the various versions carefully. Plenty of info if you google "MX5 specifications", one dealer had a full history but I've lost the link!
There are an awful lot of these cars outside of the main dealerships that have a history - doting parents do buy them for offspring that have learnt to drive on front-wheel drive cars, who then go out and get careless in the wet ...
If you hear a buzzing noise driving with the roof up - put the palm of your hand against the roof catch housing, it will probably stop!
The doors, boot lid, practically everything has a sticker with the vin no. on it. This can be useful!
Edited by madmover on Tuesday 7th June 16:56
Gassing Station | Mazda MX5/Roadster/Miata | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff