Does a Mk2 feel a bit more mature?

[Merlot]

I've got a Mk1 'Merlot' Special Edition 1.8 and love it to bits. My only gripe is that it doesn't feel that well put together compared to cars I've had in the past.

I live about a mile a way from my local MX5 specialist, and they have just got a Mk2 'Anniversary' in stock which I quite like the look of. Going to pop along there tomorrow for a gander and a possible test drive.

Has anyone gone from a Mk1 to Mk2 and if so, was the difference noticeable?

[LukeBird]

A quick comparison from my Mk 2.5 (I know a bit different to the Mk2!) and my cousin's Mk1 and it's noticeably different.
my car feels much, much more modern and better put together.

[Jonny671]

From driving the MK1's at work, to my MK2.. The MK1 just feels abit more, raw.. And abit well simply, older.

[Merlot]

Dropped in to see the car today, it's in very good condition but needs a few things touching up here and there. It's only done 29k and looks mostly immaculate inside. I'm going to see the proprieter (old school gent!) tomorrow to have a proper look round, test drive and discuss the cost of change from my Mk1 to this Mk2.

Has anyone tried the Anniversary edition? It has the LSD, Bilstein suspension and the 6 speed 'box.

It looks a lot more grown up than the Mk1, but seems to retain that cheeky character!

[Merlot]

Tried it, liked it, although haven't come to a deal yet.

The Mk2 felt a lot tighter than the Mk1, more grown up and slightly more refined. The gearchange on the 6 speed box was very nice too and the car was a lot flatter around the corners than mine (Bilstein setup).

[RDE]

What was the shift on the 6-speed box like when the car was cold? I test drove a Mk2 with a 6spd recently and was concerned that it required quite a lot of force when cold to change down. It was a short test drive, and I think it was getting better as it warmed slightly, but I felt like I was having to be pretty brutal with it.

[Merlot]

RDE said:

What was the shift on the 6-speed box like when the car was cold? I test drove a Mk2 with a 6spd recently and was concerned that it required quite a lot of force when cold to change down. It was a short test drive, and I think it was getting better as it warmed slightly, but I felt like I was having to be pretty brutal with it.

The shift was beautiful from cold, certainly easier than my Mk1's 5 speed which does require more of a shove on a cold morning for the first half a mile. Mind you, it wasn't too cold outside (10-12c?).

Same 'short throw' as the 5 speed, but felt more slick. I don't know what the ratios are, but it felt similar to the 5 speed except that the ratios were squeezed together rather than a 5 speed + extra gear for cruising.

[cheddar]

I've owned 4 MX5's - an '89 - '90 - 2000 and 2004. None felt any more mature than any other, the 'spirit' was alive and well in all of them.

The '04 had more poke, the '89 had more purity, the best engine (1.6) and I would choose it again over any other. The gearboxes on the 2000 and 2004 were noticeably inferior to the earlier 5 speeds, the year 2000 gearbox eventually failed completely.
All of them suffered significant scuttle shake.

I recently bought a Honda S2000 and it blew me away but lacked the tactility and confidence inspiring nature of the MX5's. It also lacked their scuttle shake.
HTH.