Mk 2.5 Sport 6-speed

[forzaminardi]

Good evening - or morning - gents. I have rarely ventured outside of the General Gassing (whoever he is) room but I find myself here now.

I have been pondering investing in an MX5 while they're winter-cheap with a view to running as affordable wheels until this or next summer (when I hope to get a GT-86). I have driven a few for varying lengths of time before and liked them although when I considered buying one, was put off by the fact that at the time I had a longish motorway commute that didn't really suit the nature of the car. Anyway, those days are gone and I really just need a cheapish, fun car to muck about in.

Point is, I used to have a Celica 190, followed by a Mundaneo diesel, both with six speed boxes and (I'm aware this may sound stupid), whenever I drive a five speeder now, 5th seems short. So naturally my attention has turned to the MX5s with six speeds - officially called 'Sport' so far as I can see.

I wonder if anyone owns one / has experience of them? Does the extra gear add or subtract from the overall experience? Is it worth the added weight? Any particular points to be aware of with these models in particular?

Thanks in anticipatory hope and expectation.

[maser_spyder]

30% stiffer chassis makes a big difference over the standard model, six speed is a bonus, but the heated leather, LSD,, etc is what you're paying for.

It's basically a standard '5, with all of the performance mods you would do yourself!

Mine will be up for sale in the spring, but keeping the Mk1.

[arthurc604]

I've had my Mk 2.5 Sport for about a month now. My previous "car" was a 1989 Transit camper van .

The top gear on the 6 speed is the same ratio as on the 5 speed box. After taking the final drive into consideration, I believe it's about a 400 RPM difference. Not sure if that's what you meant about the 5 speeds feeling too "short".

My 2002 has Torsen LSD instead of the Tochigi Fuji introduced in 2003. Some have reported broken tabs with this diff: http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/19726.aspx?P... I don't think it's enough to completely avoid 2003+ cars but something to consider.

Clutch judder is also a common problem if still on original clutch. http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/p/35175/248287...

Clutch slave cylinders are known to have a short life span, but it's a £15 part an easily replaced.

Those are the only chronic Mk 2.5 problems I've read about.

[forzaminardi]

Thanks for the comments, guys. On the gear thing, it might just be having been used to using 6 gears that 5 felt odd. I daresay its just something to get used to.

I wasn't aware, after my initial research, of the LSD, that's interesting. I suppose the extra gadgets are nice but I'd not be too fussed by them. Would you say its worth the apparent price premium over the standard 1.8? And any guidance on a price for a 2003, 88k miles example? I have found one that looks OK for just over £3k, but it's from a dealer group (presumably a trade in on an Astra or something equally hateful).

Thanks again.

[peterg1955]

For reference, I just bought a one owner Jan 2003 mk2.5 1.8 Sport with 73k miles for £2,700 from a used car dealer

edited to add, nothing much is moving at the moment so push them on price

[arthurc604]

I picked up this one for a little bit less than asking price after searching for 2 months: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/260900343726

I agree, there seems to be a lot of nice Mk 2.5 on the market right now for great prices. I ended up creating an eBay saved search with "6 speed" for years 1998-2002.

For me, the 1.8 Sport model was mandatory as I'm planning on doing a fair bit of autosolo this year. Some find the Bilsteins a tad harsh for road driving - this can be fixed with other dampers or coilovers.

[LukeBird]

peterg1955 said:

For reference, I just bought a one owner Jan 2003 mk2.5 1.8 Sport with 73k miles for £2,700 from a used car dealer

edited to add, nothing much is moving at the moment so push them on price

That looks like a good buy!

Go for it OP, I love mine!

[gd49]

forzaminardi said:

I wasn't aware, after my initial research, of the LSD, that's interesting. I suppose the extra gadgets are nice but I'd not be too fussed by them. Would you say its worth the apparent price premium over the standard 1.8? And any guidance on a price for a 2003, 88k miles example? I have found one that looks OK for just over £3k, but it's from a dealer group (presumably a trade in on an Astra or something equally hateful).

Thanks again.

Different suspension compared to a standard 1.8 - I'd test drive both as different people prefer the different suspensions on offer.

[TVR MAN]

Where abouts in Scotland are you?

I have a mk2.5 Sport in Glasgow that you are welcome to have a look around. It's also for sale

[MaxMX5]

I have had my Mk2.5 Sport for nearly 3 years and I love it. Dont ever plan on selling it no matter how old it gets or how many miles I do in it.

[The Tea Boy]

peterg1955 said:

For reference, I just bought a one owner Jan 2003 mk2.5 1.8 Sport with 73k miles for £2,700 from a used car dealer

edited to add, nothing much is moving at the moment so push them on price

similar here, 3 owner, 2003 03 sport absolutely no rust, £3k in September 2011.

Matt

[forzaminardi]

TVR MAN said:

Where abouts in Scotland are you?

I have a mk2.5 Sport in Glasgow that you are welcome to have a look around. It's also for sale

Not in Scotland any more, exiled south of the border... I was in Glasgow too though - but worked in Edinburgh, hence the Mondeo comments! What's the gen on your Sport then? Looking through your comments, you sure you want to sell it!?!?

[TVR MAN]

forzaminardi said:

Not in Scotland any more, exiled south of the border... I was in Glasgow too though - but worked in Edinburgh, hence the Mondeo comments! What's the gen on your Sport then? Looking through your comments, you sure you want to sell it!?!?

Well I've recently turned 21 so my Insurance costs have fallen quite considerably so I'm looking at getting a VX220. I know I'll miss the MX5 though and the lovely balance it has.

[LukeBird]

TVR MAN said:

Well I've recently turned 21 so my Insurance costs have fallen quite considerably so I'm looking at getting a VX220. I know I'll miss the MX5 though and the lovely balance it has.

Have you test driven one?
I know it's a slightly different car, but I test drove a Boxster with the view to replacing my MX-5 (I was already sure I wanted one and had organised money, insurance etc.) and then discovered it just wasn't as involving to drive; quicker (not that I was really bothered, beyond maybe a bit more overtaking punch), better sound but it wasn't nearly as 'alive' feeling, it felt so competent it didn't need me.
Knocked that on the head and bought the Gaz Gold Pros for my '5.

[TVR MAN]

LukeBird said:

Have you test driven one?
I know it's a slightly different car, but I test drove a Boxster with the view to replacing my MX-5 (I was already sure I wanted one and had organised money, insurance etc.) and then discovered it just wasn't as involving to drive; quicker (not that I was really bothered, beyond maybe a bit more overtaking punch), better sound but it wasn't nearly as 'alive' feeling, it felt so competent it didn't need me.
Knocked that on the head and bought the Gaz Gold Pros for my '5.

Thought about a Boxster too.

I pretty much just want to move on to the next level of sports car as I see it.

So I have considered:

S2000 - can't insure and also have concerns about handling
Boxster - worry about big bills and I would want a facelift 986 which is top end/beyond my budget
350z - just seems a bit lardy and I want a convertible (too expensive/can't insure), also fuel...
Elise - can't afford, not keen on S1
Z4 - not really very hardcore, bit dull perhaps
Mk1 tt - boring
Mk3 MX5 - not really any point in changing I don't think
Chimaera - just a bit before my time really, potentially a bit too focused on GT car muscle rather than handling

So that leaves the VX220 NA.

I haven't driven one and I probably wont be able to before I buy one. I think I'll love it though. I'm certainly not worried about it not feeling involving!

[peterg1955]

[quote=TVR MAN]
So that leaves the VX220 NA.

I haven't driven one and I probably wont be able to before I buy one. I think I'll love it though. I'm certainly not worried about it not feeling involving!
[/quote]

I had a black 03 VX220 NA a couple of years ago but circumstances meant i couldnt keep it and sold it for £1k more than i paid for it.

They are great cars, much more 'pointy' than the MX5, also the NA has a load more torque than the MX5 engine so you can potter about in 5th then plant it without having to change down 2 gears...be prepared for almost no heat from the heater though. I actually prefer the VX220 to an Elise

[LukeBird]

TVR MAN said:

I pretty much just want to move on to the next level of sports car as I see it.

Fair enough.
I thought the same and realised it wasn't for me.

[Trap]

Is the 6speed box in the import Mk2 RS the same as the one on the MK2.5 sport? Same ratios? Same 400RPM lower after final drive etc?

[Risotto]

OP, if you simply want a Mk2/Mk2.5 with 6 gears, the RS model has the extra gear. As does the 10th Anniversary model, which was available from new in the UK and is commonly referred to as the 10AE.

Both should be cheaper than the S-VT.

Edited by Risotto on Wednesday 18th January 14:53

[neon_fox]

It is worth noting that the 6th gear isn't an overdrive, it is the same ratio as the 5th in a 5-speed box, the ratios are shorter, and hence the 6-speed is actually SLOWER to 60 than the 5-speed...

Just saying, there's really nowt wrong with the 5-speed.