I cant bear to leave... so how about a Mk2?
Discussion
Who's gone from a Mk1 to a Mk2 / Mk2.5?
I've surprised myself that I've only just thought of this, that a Mk2 might be answer to all my desires in my new car. I do a lot of miles in my current Mk1, and I'm into my 3rd year. It’s a GREAT car, I love it so much, but I fancy a change. Nothing I've considered so fars hits ALL the boxes though in terms of total ownership experience.
My thoughts are that I could get something a fair bit 'fresher', get the lovely exciting new car feeling I'm after. Hopefully a less floppy chassis, and a less rattly interior? But still retain all the things I can't bear to lose from my Mk1 - the handling, the value, the great community, my great knowledge of how the cars put together, a whole bunch of spares and bits I have and loads more.
How much of a difference is there in NVH and refinement? How does the driving differ? I have an inkling that really, the Mk2 is probably the better drive thanks to its improved chassis.
Has anyone just bought one/currently looking for one? What kind of car can you get >4k, probably less? Are they all rusty sheds or not?
I also need to work out what the real benefits of a Mk2.5 are (other than that I think they look so much better!).
They also seem very colour/spec sensitive - right colour, right wheels etc - looks like a miniature Dodge Viper. Aquamarine, 14" TSW's, no spoiler - looks rubbish I'm afraid!
Despite being a proper MX-5 geek - I know only a little about the Mk2's...
How will I cope without pop-ups!?
I've surprised myself that I've only just thought of this, that a Mk2 might be answer to all my desires in my new car. I do a lot of miles in my current Mk1, and I'm into my 3rd year. It’s a GREAT car, I love it so much, but I fancy a change. Nothing I've considered so fars hits ALL the boxes though in terms of total ownership experience.
My thoughts are that I could get something a fair bit 'fresher', get the lovely exciting new car feeling I'm after. Hopefully a less floppy chassis, and a less rattly interior? But still retain all the things I can't bear to lose from my Mk1 - the handling, the value, the great community, my great knowledge of how the cars put together, a whole bunch of spares and bits I have and loads more.
How much of a difference is there in NVH and refinement? How does the driving differ? I have an inkling that really, the Mk2 is probably the better drive thanks to its improved chassis.
Has anyone just bought one/currently looking for one? What kind of car can you get >4k, probably less? Are they all rusty sheds or not?
I also need to work out what the real benefits of a Mk2.5 are (other than that I think they look so much better!).
They also seem very colour/spec sensitive - right colour, right wheels etc - looks like a miniature Dodge Viper. Aquamarine, 14" TSW's, no spoiler - looks rubbish I'm afraid!
Despite being a proper MX-5 geek - I know only a little about the Mk2's...
How will I cope without pop-ups!?
The Mk2.5 (can't comment on a 2 as I've never been in one, but I guess it must be almost identical) is definitely vastly more refined than a Mk1. Having done back to back trips in my car (a 1.8 Sport Mk2.5) and a friends Mk1, my car felt better tied to the road, quieter and with less in the way of chassis flex and the VT engine felt much more muscular lower down the rev range.
The Mk1 owner had never driven a 2.5 before and was very impressed.
For me, the 2.5 offered a few niceties over the 2 that I wanted, the integrated headrests look better IMO, the heated seats are great (standard on the Sport and included in a fair few of the 'special' editions) and I preferred the slightly tweaked looks as well.
The Mk1 owner had never driven a 2.5 before and was very impressed.
For me, the 2.5 offered a few niceties over the 2 that I wanted, the integrated headrests look better IMO, the heated seats are great (standard on the Sport and included in a fair few of the 'special' editions) and I preferred the slightly tweaked looks as well.
Thanks, thats kind of my suspicions. I'm interested to feel just how much the later engines are improved.
To be honest its not toys and gadgets I'm bothered by, but ride quality and handling - the stiffer chassis is just going to be a better base to work from.
It also seems to me that once you get above 3K your in to the realms of cars that look in really good nick - low miles, great paintwork etc - not something that hugely bothers me but it owuld be nice.
I've also fallen a little bit in love with this -
http://pistonheads.com/sales/2947507.htm
!
To be honest its not toys and gadgets I'm bothered by, but ride quality and handling - the stiffer chassis is just going to be a better base to work from.
It also seems to me that once you get above 3K your in to the realms of cars that look in really good nick - low miles, great paintwork etc - not something that hugely bothers me but it owuld be nice.
I've also fallen a little bit in love with this -
http://pistonheads.com/sales/2947507.htm
!
Thats just an example first off of what seems to be out there - certainly looks nice.
I need to get a handle on all the different editions though.
S-VT engine I think is gonna be the important bit, and Torsen. (I think these go together).
Brakes not so fussed - std Mk1 brakes are strong and I'd end up sticking discs and quality pads in there.
6spd or 5spd - I hear differing opinions on this! Not sure yet, must try one.
Thinking about it an ideal car for me to land on would be a tidy body in the right spec, but needing loads of service work doing - as I can do it all myself for just the cost of parts. Someone who's just had their dealer do them an eye-watering quote for brakes all round, full 60k mile service, all fluids changed, etc etc, and decided to get shut instead and buy a newer one.
I need to get a handle on all the different editions though.
S-VT engine I think is gonna be the important bit, and Torsen. (I think these go together).
Brakes not so fussed - std Mk1 brakes are strong and I'd end up sticking discs and quality pads in there.
6spd or 5spd - I hear differing opinions on this! Not sure yet, must try one.
Thinking about it an ideal car for me to land on would be a tidy body in the right spec, but needing loads of service work doing - as I can do it all myself for just the cost of parts. Someone who's just had their dealer do them an eye-watering quote for brakes all round, full 60k mile service, all fluids changed, etc etc, and decided to get shut instead and buy a newer one.
That car above looks tastey.
From a personal point of view. The Mk2 is more than upto the job of munching miles. My commute is 60 miles, and I'm more than happy with its refinement. Radio is easily audible, even with the roof down at NSLs. I'm very pleased.
There are really good Mk2sout there for <4k (even 2.5s as you've found), you just need to look for them.
I bought mine last year for £2700 (to cheap to be true), New engine a month later
, so already up to £4k, just had the suspension refreshed at WIM, and needs small amounts of rust sorting come the end of the summer. So circa £4500.
Take your time and buy a good one, and you should easily be able to find one for under £4k.
I do love my Mk2 though.
From a personal point of view. The Mk2 is more than upto the job of munching miles. My commute is 60 miles, and I'm more than happy with its refinement. Radio is easily audible, even with the roof down at NSLs. I'm very pleased.
There are really good Mk2sout there for <4k (even 2.5s as you've found), you just need to look for them.
I bought mine last year for £2700 (to cheap to be true), New engine a month later
, so already up to £4k, just had the suspension refreshed at WIM, and needs small amounts of rust sorting come the end of the summer. So circa £4500.Take your time and buy a good one, and you should easily be able to find one for under £4k.
I do love my Mk2 though.
I will probably wait till Autumn at least If I was getting one.
RE motorways etc - My current car is noisy, low, raw - and I do loads of miles in it, not a problem - so its certainly not gonna be an issue in a newer one.
Theres a good thread on Nutz with lots of great pics - whereas a std Mk1 looks best, I think the newer ones with less 'detail' (like the superb Mk1 chrome door handles) respond well to the mods - I do really like the Mini Dodge Viper look some of them pull off!
RE motorways etc - My current car is noisy, low, raw - and I do loads of miles in it, not a problem - so its certainly not gonna be an issue in a newer one.
Theres a good thread on Nutz with lots of great pics - whereas a std Mk1 looks best, I think the newer ones with less 'detail' (like the superb Mk1 chrome door handles) respond well to the mods - I do really like the Mini Dodge Viper look some of them pull off!
I'm in my first 5, its a Mk1 S Special and i'm driving it for work purposes (as well as giving it some welly in my own time!). I don't have a fixed commute and have to travel around the north quite a bit, and am currently on about 500 - 600 miles a week. I have kind of gambled on being able to 'cope' with the raw feeling of the car and trade the lack of creature comforts (my last car was comfy had cruise etc) for all the ace drving experiences i've had. Yin and yang i suppose. So far its going well and i'm enjoying the driving. Just missing a cup holder 
I think moving to a Mk2 or Mk3 would be a logical step for me too maybe next year.
I think moving to a Mk2 or Mk3 would be a logical step for me too maybe next year.I went from this:
PAS & leather but no electric windows or mirrors, no LSD, no ABS & no AC.
to this:
PAS & heated leather seats, Electric windows & mirrors, LSD, ABS with EBD, AC, 6-speed etc.
As standard cars the Mk1 was more direct and felt lighter & more responsive but the Mk2.5 was quicker, more comfortable, grippier and a nicer place to be.
Personally I think the Mk1 is the better sportscar but the Mk2+ is the better car.
PAS & leather but no electric windows or mirrors, no LSD, no ABS & no AC.
to this:
PAS & heated leather seats, Electric windows & mirrors, LSD, ABS with EBD, AC, 6-speed etc.
As standard cars the Mk1 was more direct and felt lighter & more responsive but the Mk2.5 was quicker, more comfortable, grippier and a nicer place to be.
Personally I think the Mk1 is the better sportscar but the Mk2+ is the better car.
snotrag said:
Am I right in recalling you had your Berkely from new?
What kind of age/miles was it on when you changed?
I did. Bought for £17,610 in Feb 1998, kept for 6 years and sold with 80k miles for £5200. What kind of age/miles was it on when you changed?
Bought the Mk2.5 less than 3 years old with 10k miles for £11k back in 2004.
Thanks, as that obviously has a bearing on things.
Whats the consensus on the 6spd box? The old 6spd in my 306 was a great touch as it fit 3rd/4th/5th into the space where 3rd and 4th would be - no real higher top gear but more acceleration where you need it.
Is the 6spd Roadster a similar case? Is the feel of the box still good?
Whats the consensus on the 6spd box? The old 6spd in my 306 was a great touch as it fit 3rd/4th/5th into the space where 3rd and 4th would be - no real higher top gear but more acceleration where you need it.
Is the 6spd Roadster a similar case? Is the feel of the box still good?
The 6-speed is great. 6th is longer than 5th in a 5-speed but I believe the rest are lower than the 5-speed equivalent. I think the 5-speed might be a touch better but often suffers from being notchy, especially 1st-2nd. The 6-speed feels just like the 5 speed without that notchy 1st-2nd. Actually, reverse can be a bit notchy...
The only time I get a problem with the 6-speed is occasionally on track when I'm changing down the gears in a hurry and "get lost" and end up having to put it in 6th and back down through the gears again to avoid putting it in too low a gear. That's a rare thing though.
The only time I get a problem with the 6-speed is occasionally on track when I'm changing down the gears in a hurry and "get lost" and end up having to put it in 6th and back down through the gears again to avoid putting it in too low a gear. That's a rare thing though.
Dift said:
yup, keep mk2s simple. They look terrible with tat stuck to them.
Very easy to get them good looking.
Bloody hell that's low! Very easy to get them good looking.
My car certainly looks higher than that and I have problems with clearing speed bumps (especially with a passenger!), presumably that's just a track set-up?
LukeBird said:
Bloody hell that's low!
My car certainly looks higher than that and I have problems with clearing speed bumps (especially with a passenger!), presumably that's just a track set-up?
It's at a neutral (optimal) height... it just happens the car is at the bottom of Paddock hill, so fully loaded up.My car certainly looks higher than that and I have problems with clearing speed bumps (especially with a passenger!), presumably that's just a track set-up?
JFReturns said:
I wouldn't bother with a MK2, simply because they lose the pop up headlights and it isn't a big enough 'jump' from the MK1.
I went for an S2000, but I miss the '5 terribly. S2000 is cracking fun, and better than a MK3 '5 IMO.
The perfect halfway house then? I went for an S2000, but I miss the '5 terribly. S2000 is cracking fun, and better than a MK3 '5 IMO.
Not as raw as the Mk1 and not as girly as the mk2.5?
Dift said:
LukeBird said:
Bloody hell that's low!
My car certainly looks higher than that and I have problems with clearing speed bumps (especially with a passenger!), presumably that's just a track set-up?
It's at a neutral (optimal) height... it just happens the car is at the bottom of Paddock hill, so fully loaded up.My car certainly looks higher than that and I have problems with clearing speed bumps (especially with a passenger!), presumably that's just a track set-up?
Regardless, my car is too low and needs to come up!
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