I don't know MX5s - comments on this 2006 2.0 please?

[Pentoman]

Hello MX-5 forum, hope you're having a good bank holiday.

I would appreciate an opinion on an MX5 that a friend is selling, as well as some word on practicality and running costs as well.

At the moment my other half has a 2010 Ford KA which costs £30 to tax and £45 to fill up. I'm going to be changing my Merc 190E 2.5-16, likely for a 911 or early V8 Vantage (lucky me) so my car will be impractical and pricey to run. Her KA was to be the practical cheap alternative for trips to the shops.

Except... we want to change the KA - it's long gearing makes it too slow. We had agreed on a MINI, but a friend has thrown a spanner by selling the car below. I am always one for snapping up a good deal but I'm not up to speed on MX-5 specifics so am unsure how good value this car in this spec is. And then there's practicality - how practical can an MX-5 be? Can you fit a large AND small wheeled suitcase in it?! Then running costs - she is put off by £220 tax. I haven't even mentioned MPG yet.

Details:
2006 (55) New Shape
Silver, 46k miles
2.0 option pack (what is option pack?)
Cloth interior, cloth roof, and no obviously wonderful options
£5000

Any word on taking this instead of a MINI? We only need 2 seats - no kids - but will need to adapt as we've always had hatchbacks.

Cheers

Edited by Pentoman on Monday 6th May 14:43

[matts4]

I'd say that was expensive.
You can get a 2.0 sport for that money, leather interior and lots more as standard.
You'd get an LSD too,

I do think you might struggle with the cases though.

[someday]

All 2.0s have LSDs

[Flying Phil]

Go for the MX but price down to 4.5K. Largish flat suitcase in the boot, wheelie case on the parcel shelf behind the seats - easy peasy!