Incoming, my first ever MX5
Discussion
Having retired, I was tooling round, one day, in my Insignia B, behind a white ND RF and I cast my mind back to when I owned a Corvette, admired the Ferrariesque lines and thought 'If only I could have one'.
I instantly realised I could, so did. A 2019 2.0 Soul Red ND2 RF.
Not the best built car in the world, the interior is practically devoid of storage space and it wasn't long before the dreaded window regulator cable snapped and tangled, leaving the roof half-cocked. Luckily, it was able to close again. Less of a problem on the convertible, of course. Changed all the discs and painted the calipers.
Lovely handling, good headlights that steer, nice drive, poor sat nav.
The biggest disappointment is the noise the engine makes on start up. The 14:1 compression sounds more like a cement mixer but it gets better as it warms up. The paint is also soft and prone to chipping.
Enjoy it, though, such a small compact car. In the US, they seem to be invisible to most drivers, given the FB pages are full of cars that have been backed into...
I instantly realised I could, so did. A 2019 2.0 Soul Red ND2 RF.
Not the best built car in the world, the interior is practically devoid of storage space and it wasn't long before the dreaded window regulator cable snapped and tangled, leaving the roof half-cocked. Luckily, it was able to close again. Less of a problem on the convertible, of course. Changed all the discs and painted the calipers.
Lovely handling, good headlights that steer, nice drive, poor sat nav.
The biggest disappointment is the noise the engine makes on start up. The 14:1 compression sounds more like a cement mixer but it gets better as it warms up. The paint is also soft and prone to chipping.
Enjoy it, though, such a small compact car. In the US, they seem to be invisible to most drivers, given the FB pages are full of cars that have been backed into...
The car is inching ever closer to being on my drive. It is 24 years since I had a new car for myself (I still own that 24 year old car) but still some blockers are in the way. I was booked in to go and see what registrations are available for it on Friday, but have found a DVLA registration that I liked for £250 so got that. Apparently it takes up to 14 days for DVLA to send you the form that has the transfer reference to give to the dealer to register the car on the plate.
So Jaguar gone yesterday, new car in the country but probably best part of three weeks away yet from being on the drive. Still gives me more time to watch ND videos and organise a stubby aerial.
So Jaguar gone yesterday, new car in the country but probably best part of three weeks away yet from being on the drive. Still gives me more time to watch ND videos and organise a stubby aerial.
Well a week on and the car that was "after I have checked, there is a car at Mazda UK dockside" has become "it's still on the boat and Mazda UK can not give me a firm date when the car will be delivered ".
Whatever, still amazingly DVLA have sorted their stuff out really quickly and the car will have an "ND" plate - NICE.
So in reality probably one to two weeks away yet!
Whatever, still amazingly DVLA have sorted their stuff out really quickly and the car will have an "ND" plate - NICE.
So in reality probably one to two weeks away yet!
Hi hellsbuddha (good user name, does this mean you are very wise but stuck in a Danteon world OR very naughty but want to find a righteous path?)
This might be a familiar thought process to you after what you have posted previously about MX5 colours and specs...
I love red cars and the Soul Red however I have ordered it in Machine Grey. A couple of reasons, I think red should have some bright work but the current cars only have black exterior trims including mirror caps, the fake front air intakes where the DRL used to be, the grill surround etc. I think the exterior black trim sits far better with the metallic grey than the red. This will be my everyday car and the red has a different paint system to the grey I believe and can sometimes chip and mark up more than the grey which should be a "harder" paint.
I have ordered a "Homura", the Recaro seats are lovely to sit in and lift the car for me. I wanted the extra power, I wanted the upgraded suspension. I wouldn't have had the car without these three things. I really wanted to order the factory lowering springs but as the roads are so s
tty I have left it standard for now after having confirmed that the springs were a dealer fit option and can come back for them at the same price at a later time. I will live with the car for a little while and then choose.
It's a roadster not an RF, should be great! Should look a bit like this...
This might be a familiar thought process to you after what you have posted previously about MX5 colours and specs...
I love red cars and the Soul Red however I have ordered it in Machine Grey. A couple of reasons, I think red should have some bright work but the current cars only have black exterior trims including mirror caps, the fake front air intakes where the DRL used to be, the grill surround etc. I think the exterior black trim sits far better with the metallic grey than the red. This will be my everyday car and the red has a different paint system to the grey I believe and can sometimes chip and mark up more than the grey which should be a "harder" paint.
I have ordered a "Homura", the Recaro seats are lovely to sit in and lift the car for me. I wanted the extra power, I wanted the upgraded suspension. I wouldn't have had the car without these three things. I really wanted to order the factory lowering springs but as the roads are so s
tty I have left it standard for now after having confirmed that the springs were a dealer fit option and can come back for them at the same price at a later time. I will live with the car for a little while and then choose.It's a roadster not an RF, should be great! Should look a bit like this...
Thanks about your kind words about my screen name. Maybe I feel in hell and want to be a Buddha lol.
Great choice on the seats. I agree the red is great, but my anxiety about keeping the car pristine would drive me nuts. Grey would be my colour of choice too.
I really like theBBS wheels as well.
I have forgotten meat I had written lol.
Good luck when you get your hands on it.
Great choice on the seats. I agree the red is great, but my anxiety about keeping the car pristine would drive me nuts. Grey would be my colour of choice too.
I really like theBBS wheels as well.
I have forgotten meat I had written lol.
Good luck when you get your hands on it.
I love MX5s.
We have an ancient NC that was my FIL’s and had it off him when he said he was getting too old to drive it. Just polished and waxed it last weekend in readiness for the spring and summer. Ages ago we had an NB but it went when our daughter was born.
They’re not super fast. They’re not flashy. But they are so much fun. And we need some fun in our lives
Enjoy OP..!
We have an ancient NC that was my FIL’s and had it off him when he said he was getting too old to drive it. Just polished and waxed it last weekend in readiness for the spring and summer. Ages ago we had an NB but it went when our daughter was born.
They’re not super fast. They’re not flashy. But they are so much fun. And we need some fun in our lives
Enjoy OP..!
Thanks for the kind words and more specifically how good these little MX5s can be.
Good news, the car arrived at the dealer yesterday, I collect it a week Saturday!
Even better news I ran insurance quote today for the first time, looks like I will be legal for under £250, just occasionally it's great being an old codger.
Good news, the car arrived at the dealer yesterday, I collect it a week Saturday!
Even better news I ran insurance quote today for the first time, looks like I will be legal for under £250, just occasionally it's great being an old codger.
Pleased for you.
Good luck for next Saturday, hope its stays dry and warm. As long as it s dry, you can put the hood down!
Just checked, I think its sunny but cold tomorrow, ideal to go for a drive, so pictures afterwards please. Have a great day tomorrow!!
Good luck for next Saturday, hope its stays dry and warm. As long as it s dry, you can put the hood down!
Just checked, I think its sunny but cold tomorrow, ideal to go for a drive, so pictures afterwards please. Have a great day tomorrow!!
Edited by hellsbuddha on Friday 27th March 15:46
Congrats on a lovely car.
I have a MK3 2006 that i bought in 2012. Even now it only has 44k miles on it as it is a bit of a princess and is sorned over the winter, due to be back on the road 1st May.
As already said, not particularly quick, but they turn and brake brilliantly, fantasic on A and B roads.
We did a 3 week trip around Spain and Portugal last September and the roads over there are perfect for an MX5 ( we only saw 3 or 4 out there, but the locals are keen to wave and toot). The Picos du Europa and Duro Valley were exceptional roads.
We are planning at least a 2 month tour in Italy in 2028 which we are really looking forward to.
The only complaint I have with mine was that we could only get one case of wine on the ferry back to go in the footwell with the wife and 2 bottles of nice Port and a decent bottle of wine to bring back!
Please drive it with the roof down if it is not raining, otherwise buy a Yaris
I have a MK3 2006 that i bought in 2012. Even now it only has 44k miles on it as it is a bit of a princess and is sorned over the winter, due to be back on the road 1st May.
As already said, not particularly quick, but they turn and brake brilliantly, fantasic on A and B roads.
We did a 3 week trip around Spain and Portugal last September and the roads over there are perfect for an MX5 ( we only saw 3 or 4 out there, but the locals are keen to wave and toot). The Picos du Europa and Duro Valley were exceptional roads.
We are planning at least a 2 month tour in Italy in 2028 which we are really looking forward to.
The only complaint I have with mine was that we could only get one case of wine on the ferry back to go in the footwell with the wife and 2 bottles of nice Port and a decent bottle of wine to bring back!
Please drive it with the roof down if it is not raining, otherwise buy a Yaris
An update after a week with the car...
I am really enjoying being in a small car again, you have choices over positioning that a large car doesn't allow. I went out with my "bestie" and from the passenger seat he said "it feels like you have two feet to play with everywhere", his current car is an M4.
I wanted to be less obvious so sold the white XK in this thread https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... to get this. I am getting asked about the car and noticed far more than the Jag. The XK it seems was just another big old car for non PH people but they seem to warm to a little roadster that is also "modern" in it's appearance. This has really surprised me dropping down in my mind from a 5L V8 to a small more frugal car.
My last 2 seater was the purple 7 here https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... I drove that car regularly on the road, took it touring and loved it. Already I am using the MX5 as my daily that I just didn't do with the XK.
Compared to the 7, it obviously has more compromise and in comparison could be classed as not as dynamic however compared to what is sold now in 2026 from a mainstream manufacturer it is stupendous. Love it.
I am really enjoying being in a small car again, you have choices over positioning that a large car doesn't allow. I went out with my "bestie" and from the passenger seat he said "it feels like you have two feet to play with everywhere", his current car is an M4.
I wanted to be less obvious so sold the white XK in this thread https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... to get this. I am getting asked about the car and noticed far more than the Jag. The XK it seems was just another big old car for non PH people but they seem to warm to a little roadster that is also "modern" in it's appearance. This has really surprised me dropping down in my mind from a 5L V8 to a small more frugal car.
My last 2 seater was the purple 7 here https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... I drove that car regularly on the road, took it touring and loved it. Already I am using the MX5 as my daily that I just didn't do with the XK.
Compared to the 7, it obviously has more compromise and in comparison could be classed as not as dynamic however compared to what is sold now in 2026 from a mainstream manufacturer it is stupendous. Love it.
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