Discussion
Hi Guys,
So, i'm thinking about getting an mx5 to replace the Focus. I do have a few questions though, as i can't decide whether to get a mk1 or a mk2. Budget is sort of flexible; anything from £1.5k to ~£3k. I'm saving for a mortgage so cheap fun is the aim, but in a car useable day-to-day.
As it's going to be my only drive, i will be using the car on a variety of roads. Is there a significant difference in refinement between the mk1 and mk2 when it comes to motorway cruising etc?
Is the LSD worth getting over not having one? They don't seem to exist on the mk1 UK cars, but do on imports and some mk2 UK models.
I can do some work on the car myself if the need arose (have done on past cars i've owned), is the mk2 much more complex than the mk1 for mechanical work?
The car will be kept outside all year round, will one tolerate this significantly better than the other?
TIA
Simon
So, i'm thinking about getting an mx5 to replace the Focus. I do have a few questions though, as i can't decide whether to get a mk1 or a mk2. Budget is sort of flexible; anything from £1.5k to ~£3k. I'm saving for a mortgage so cheap fun is the aim, but in a car useable day-to-day.
As it's going to be my only drive, i will be using the car on a variety of roads. Is there a significant difference in refinement between the mk1 and mk2 when it comes to motorway cruising etc?
Is the LSD worth getting over not having one? They don't seem to exist on the mk1 UK cars, but do on imports and some mk2 UK models.
I can do some work on the car myself if the need arose (have done on past cars i've owned), is the mk2 much more complex than the mk1 for mechanical work?
The car will be kept outside all year round, will one tolerate this significantly better than the other?
TIA
Simon
Given your description of use, a Mk2 would be a better bet I think.
It's a bit more comfortable and plush than the Mk1.
The LSD isn't really a necessity, although it does give stunning traction if you're prepared to boot it!
There isn't much in the way of any difference under the skin, so I wouldn't worry about that.
Get one, you'll love it!
It's a bit more comfortable and plush than the Mk1.
The LSD isn't really a necessity, although it does give stunning traction if you're prepared to boot it!
There isn't much in the way of any difference under the skin, so I wouldn't worry about that.
Get one, you'll love it!
I'd certainly go for an LSD. I drove my brother-in-law's, which doesn't have the LSD, and couldn't get it to slide in a controlled way at all. Inside wheel kept spinning up. Then I got mine, which does have the LSD, and I feel like a driving God.
I'm sure a better driver could get similar results from the non-LSD equipped version, but the LSD in mine certainly makes me look better than I thought I was. First drive out in it I kept it completely sideways for two revolutions of a (private) roundabout, with friend in passenger seat.
Oh, and pop-up lights are best.
I'm sure a better driver could get similar results from the non-LSD equipped version, but the LSD in mine certainly makes me look better than I thought I was. First drive out in it I kept it completely sideways for two revolutions of a (private) roundabout, with friend in passenger seat.
Oh, and pop-up lights are best.
Believe it or not, the actual point of having a LSD is so you DONT spend all your time spinning the wheels up...! As said - From my experience, the biggest benefit is surprisingly high amounts of traction from a standing start, on hair pins, T junctions etc - it launches well in situations where other cars, particularly powerful front drivers tend to sit turning tyres to smoke and noise.
Mechanically - MK1 and Mk2 pretty similar, Im not aware of any reason why a Mk2 might be harder to DIY.
As a Daily driver - my Mk1 is. I've done a lot of miles, and to be fair I think it has recently started to grind a bit if I'm doing a long motorway stint - but only a bit, and Ive cut my miles down a lot recently too (new job). I also think most of the annoyance comes from the rather loud exhaust/decat/manifold/K&N etc... rather than the std car.
Mechanically - MK1 and Mk2 pretty similar, Im not aware of any reason why a Mk2 might be harder to DIY.
As a Daily driver - my Mk1 is. I've done a lot of miles, and to be fair I think it has recently started to grind a bit if I'm doing a long motorway stint - but only a bit, and Ive cut my miles down a lot recently too (new job). I also think most of the annoyance comes from the rather loud exhaust/decat/manifold/K&N etc... rather than the std car.
snotrag said:
Believe it or not, the actual point of having a LSD is so you DONT spend all your time spinning the wheels up...! As said - From my experience, the biggest benefit is surprisingly high amounts of traction from a standing start, on hair pins, T junctions etc - it launches well in situations where other cars, particularly powerful front drivers tend to sit turning tyres to smoke and noise.
Oh yeah, this too. Can certainly put power on earlier in a bend than in a non-LSD equipped car.
Thanks all for the replies.
So, it seems a mk2 with LSD will be the one to go for. I'll be wanting the 1.8 (obviously
).
Which leaves me looking for cars listed with having an LSD on this page: http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/content/specifications.aspx
One more question - how do big mileages treat these cars? Should i be wary of cars that have done north of 100k, for example? I expect the engine is fine, but its things like transmission, suspension i'm concerned about.
Thanks again!
So, it seems a mk2 with LSD will be the one to go for. I'll be wanting the 1.8 (obviously
).Which leaves me looking for cars listed with having an LSD on this page: http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/content/specifications.aspx
One more question - how do big mileages treat these cars? Should i be wary of cars that have done north of 100k, for example? I expect the engine is fine, but its things like transmission, suspension i'm concerned about.
Thanks again!
My mk2 is on about 96k, it was 72k when I bought it last year - the thing feels absolutely no different, but shortly after buying it I did have to sort the usual common glitches: clutch slave cylinder and rear calipers.
Hasn't missed a beat since though.
Having test driven a bunch I'd recommend a Mk2 over a mk1 if it's a daily driver or you'll be using it a lot - they're a bit more comfortable on long trips (I find, anyway).
Oh and LSD is a must - I don't think I could live with an MX5 that didn't have one after mine.
ETA: budget for fitting a Cat1 alarm system too - couldn't believe how many out there have no security whatsoever, and apart from some insurers insisting that you have an immob (depending on your postcode I guess), it also gets very boring opening the door with the key. Remote locking is the way forward
Hasn't missed a beat since though.
Having test driven a bunch I'd recommend a Mk2 over a mk1 if it's a daily driver or you'll be using it a lot - they're a bit more comfortable on long trips (I find, anyway).
Oh and LSD is a must - I don't think I could live with an MX5 that didn't have one after mine.
ETA: budget for fitting a Cat1 alarm system too - couldn't believe how many out there have no security whatsoever, and apart from some insurers insisting that you have an immob (depending on your postcode I guess), it also gets very boring opening the door with the key. Remote locking is the way forward
Edited by Doniger on Tuesday 4th January 17:24
I'd suggest mk2.5, it looks better than the 2 
I can't comment on the LSD as mines a bog standard 1.6 which is ample for me atm. I like it for the way it handles not the power.
Once you get one get the tracking done all round and perhaps some decent tyres, that I would say makes the most improvement
I can't comment on the LSD as mines a bog standard 1.6 which is ample for me atm. I like it for the way it handles not the power.
Once you get one get the tracking done all round and perhaps some decent tyres, that I would say makes the most improvement
Unforunately i don't think a mk2.5 in decent nick is inside my budget. I'm trying to keep my depreciation curve as shallow as possible - so ideally spend 2-2.5k on a mk2 1.8 (with LSD it seems) that has done something like 60-80k miles. That said, a mk2.5 sport would be nice!
I'm not overly concerned about security; i live in a pretty good postcode with a driveway and i believe immobilisers were fitted to mk2 cars? I'll probably invest in a car cover too just to keep the snow, tree sap etc off it. I believe some models have remote locking so i might lookout for that, but i'm not adverse to the 'old-fashioned' way!
I'm looking forward to finding a car that will feel special every time i use it!
I'm not overly concerned about security; i live in a pretty good postcode with a driveway and i believe immobilisers were fitted to mk2 cars? I'll probably invest in a car cover too just to keep the snow, tree sap etc off it. I believe some models have remote locking so i might lookout for that, but i'm not adverse to the 'old-fashioned' way!
I'm looking forward to finding a car that will feel special every time i use it!
Has it GOT to be a 1.8? I bought a 1.6 for lower costs, but mostly because after test driving a load of cars I really didn't feel that there was enough of a difference between the performance of the two to justify the extra cost of a 1.8....not to mention that the 6speed gearbox it comes with has too-narrow gates and ratios and just generally doesn't feel as nice as the 5 speed.
All IMO of course, but just presenting an alternative view.
All IMO of course, but just presenting an alternative view.
Perhaps i'm beig a little closed off wanting the 1.8. I kind of assume that if i get the 1.6 i'll wish i got the 1.8. The 30bhp difference in the mk2 must make some difference, particularly since i'll be using it as an only drive.
You can get a 5 speed mk2 1.8 with LSD (in UK spec) as well, which is what i'm aiming for since i don't think i can afford the mk2.5 sport.
You can get a 5 speed mk2 1.8 with LSD (in UK spec) as well, which is what i'm aiming for since i don't think i can afford the mk2.5 sport.
I think there is more of a difference between the 1.6 and 1.8 in the MKiis AFAIK with a MKi there isn't much to choose between them and the 1.6 has more parts available whereas with the mkii the 1.6 is definitely lower powered.
I'm biased but I'd recommend a MKii 1.8 S, the S isn't a Sport, but comes with LSD, a lovely Nardi steering wheel, ABS etc.
Should easily get a decent one in your budget.
I'm biased but I'd recommend a MKii 1.8 S, the S isn't a Sport, but comes with LSD, a lovely Nardi steering wheel, ABS etc.
Should easily get a decent one in your budget.
When I was looking to buy my MX-5 I drove a few 1.8s, and bought a 1.6 in the end.
I didn't think that there was *that much* difference in performance although the 1.8 did pull better up hills.
I bought the 1.6 because it was in far better nick than all of the 1.8s (a surprising number with rusty sills, even at the 4k mark, not to mention dodgy cloth seats and ropey looking hoods).
I didn't think that there was *that much* difference in performance although the 1.8 did pull better up hills.
I bought the 1.6 because it was in far better nick than all of the 1.8s (a surprising number with rusty sills, even at the 4k mark, not to mention dodgy cloth seats and ropey looking hoods).
genericguy said:
I'm biased but I'd recommend a MKii 1.8 S, the S isn't a Sport, but comes with LSD, a lovely Nardi steering wheel, ABS etc.
Should easily get a decent one in your budget.
This is one of the specs i'm after. Should easily get a decent one in your budget.
I've basically narrowed it down to a mk2 1.8 with LSD. Leather, CD player etc a bonus.
I found a 1.8 S near me but it has 16" wheels on it. They look like Mazda wheels, were 16"'s an option on the S?
Simbu said:
genericguy said:
I'm biased but I'd recommend a MKii 1.8 S, the S isn't a Sport, but comes with LSD, a lovely Nardi steering wheel, ABS etc.
Should easily get a decent one in your budget.
This is one of the specs i'm after. Should easily get a decent one in your budget.
I've basically narrowed it down to a mk2 1.8 with LSD. Leather, CD player etc a bonus.
I found a 1.8 S near me but it has 16" wheels on it. They look like Mazda wheels, were 16"'s an option on the S?
gd49 said:
Just be aware 16" tyres are significantly more expensive than 15" tyres - check a website like Camskill.co.uk to see the difference in prices. May not be an issue depending on how much life the tyres have left.
My Focus has 16"s on it and they aren't cheap! I'm more concerned in the example above about a car having the wrong wheels on it. Speedo will be out, might be hiding other things done to it...I keep hearing there's plenty of examples about (although i'll be damned if i can find them!) so i'll give this one a miss i think.
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