First MX5

[coppice]

I hope this is an academic question but fear it might not be. I have had Caterhams for 15 years and adore them. My back doesn't and am curently struggling to drive my wife's Focus..Sevens are actually very comfy I have found but being locked into one position is the problem. Full harness and fat sod in non SV means when I'm in I am very firmly in..

So...if - and with respect to MX5s pray it is an 'if'- I can't drive Sevens any more an MX5 seems to me to be the answer. Love open cars , rear wheel drive and tactile steering.A Boxster- yes , can afford to buy but not sure if I could afford the running costs- because if they go wrong the bills are huge I believe .S2000- hmmm, jury's out on them. Z4s - not in a million years- look daft.

The question to your collected wisdom is quite simply - which MX5 ? Want 6 speed , slippy diff and as much go as possible - but in standard trim , not turbo'd etc. Like them all- and current version looks great - so which should I pick if the sad day ever comes ? Soft top or the folding metal job ? Will be entirely fun car so practicality not hugely important but would be novel to stay dry and warm in bad weather...Sat in a 2010 one- surprised at how seat didn't go as far back as I expected. Am 5-11- problem?

[skinny]

you'll want to get a test drive in the mk2 1.8 RS (import). 6-speed, LSD, with the most go as standard
a mk3 2.0 is the alternative but i don't know which variants have 6-sp and LSD

[Genie Chaser]

Just bought a 10 plate sport tech roadster coupe, cracking drive after years in a civic, has the lsd & bilsteins. Suprised how well it rides, so much better than the civic. Am 5'10, legroom is a bit marginal, bit woried about a 300 mile drive soon, as suffering the dreaded back at the moment.

[Craikeybaby]

I've got short legs and have the seat quite far back in my 2011 car, so it might be a problem if you have long legs. For the mk3.5 (current shape) all 2.0 cars have the LSD, but I believe only the sport had the 6 speed box. If you want comfort the newer shape is much nicer inside. The softtop/folding hardtop is down to personal preference, I prefer the look of the fabric roof and it is quicker to raise up/down, although could be more difficult with a bad back.

[madmover]

Have you considered the likes of a GTM, VX220 and Elise? I think these would be closer to the raw experience you get from a seven (agreeably not all with the spec your after) but give it ago nevertheless. Mx5s are comfy enough when your in as I have no issues and have had some bad back problems. Sevens I find to be more comfy when I'm in (superlight and R500).

Re height I'm 6ft 2 and find it a tight fit but not unbearable. Mk3 i found to be better than my mk2 as I've got no adjustment of the steering column.

Andy

Edited by madmover on Saturday 8th September 11:12

[missdiane]

I suffered with a bad back previously and a bit now, Elise I wouldn't have even entertained getting into/out of,
even the MX5 is a bit iffy, mainly as it was that much lower to the ground than our diesel bus, I was having to pull myself up quite a bit, so I cannot get in and out of it with a bad back nor twist to open roof, however it was comfortable to drive

[madmover]

missdiane said:

I suffered with a bad back previously and a bit now, Elise I wouldn't have even entertained getting into/out of,
even the MX5 is a bit iffy, mainly as it was that much lower to the ground than our diesel bus, I was having to pull myself up quite a bit, so I cannot get in and out of it with a bad back nor twist to open roof, however it was comfortable to drive

I'd agree you have to pull yourself up to get out and it's a drop in - Elise I've found if you do it the right way it's surprisingly easy... Everbodys different.

[missdiane]

I suffer getting in and out of the diesel bus too though, so it's just my back I think

[madmover]

missdiane said:

I suffer getting in and out of the diesel bus too though, so it's just my back I think

Or age

[missdiane]

Ouch!

[tallstevef]

I'm 6ft 6 and (just!) fit in a MK2, there is a bit more lateral (either side of the steering wheel) leg knee room in the MK3.5 (and I'd assume the MK3 too). Had to "duck" a bit going over bumps in the MK2 - Hardtop on Mk3 gives me a spare millimetre or two If you're 5ft 10 or 11 (and not built like a man mountain!) you should be fine!

Very VERY tempted by the current Kuro ltd edition... Seems comfy / compliant enough over urban roads, has the chassis balance and a decent amount of poke. Have been considering Boxster and Z4's too, but like the original poster a bit scared of the "bang" potential of the Boxster.

[madmover]

tallstevef said:

I'm 6ft 6 and (just!) fit in a MK2, there is a bit more lateral (either side of the steering wheel) leg knee room in the MK3.5 (and I'd assume the MK3 too). Had to "duck" a bit going over bumps in the MK2 - Hardtop on Mk3 gives me a spare millimetre or two If you're 5ft 10 or 11 (and not built like a man mountain!) you should be fine!

Very VERY tempted by the current Kuro ltd edition... Seems comfy / compliant enough over urban roads, has the chassis balance and a decent amount of poke. Have been considering Boxster and Z4's too, but like the original poster a bit scared of the "bang" potential of the Boxster.

I've taken out my foot rest which made a massive difference. I can't drive it with one in.

As for the boxster, not sure if i'd buy one unless it had warranty from OPC.

[tallstevef]

Good point about the footrest, I couldn't move my left foot off the clutch in the MK2... It could become v.painful after a few hours drive. MK3 seems to have a bit more space in the footwell if you have big-ish feet, I can take my foot of the clutch and use the rest in the MK3/3.5

Fair comment about the Boxster with OPC warranty, did go to see one last week - tempting but 4 owners made me think a bit about resale time and if it would be hard(er) to shift.

[madmover]

tallstevef said:

Good point about the footrest, I couldn't move my left foot off the clutch in the MK2... It could become v.painful after a few hours drive. MK3 seems to have a bit more space in the footwell if you have big-ish feet, I can take my foot of the clutch and use the rest in the MK3/3.5

Fair comment about the Boxster with OPC warranty, did go to see one last week - tempting but 4 owners made me think a bit about resale time and if it would be hard(er) to shift.

I simply couldn't steer before I took it out! I wouldn't see 4 owners being too much of an obstacle... cars of this nature tend to change quite quickly in general. How long do you intend to keep the car?

[VladD]

tallstevef said:

Very VERY tempted by the current Kuro ltd edition... Seems comfy / compliant enough over urban roads, has the chassis balance and a decent amount of poke. Have been considering Boxster and Z4's too, but like the original poster a bit scared of the "bang" potential of the Boxster.

I think there's a facelift Mk3.5.5 due out soon, you you may want to have a look at pictures and see if you prefer the look of the newer face before buying a new one.

[madmover]

VladD said:

I think there's a facelift Mk3.5.5 due out soon, you you may want to have a look at pictures and see if you prefer the look of the newer face before buying a new one.

Or find out more as to when it's going to happen as the likely hood is you will see a fall in values.