Used Mk3 MX-5 - help me with the options

[Car Diff]

Firstly, a hullo to the forum

I've run a variety of cars over the years but I fancy a change. I've always rather liked the MX-5 but, for whatever reason, have avoided it up until now. Maybe it's the good weather, maybe it's the lure of the twisty roads I now live near to. Anyway...

I'm looking to spend about ten grand on a three-ish year old Mk3. Ideally, in copper red. Beyond that, the only options I'm aware of that I'd be wanting are: 2.0 litre engine, 6 speed box, BOSE sound, leather seats and er... that's about the limit of my knowledge.

So, what I'm after is a bit of general advice over which options I might want to keep an eye out for. I also hear some come with LSD's - is this a rare option? I'm not after a track monster (and it will have to do a reasonable amount of motorway driving) but I may well take it out for a ragging from time to time.

Over to you!

[VladD]

I think if you go for the "Sport" models you get better suspension, so that's worth looking out for.

Then you have the option of Rag top or Hard top (Coupe as it's known).

The Mazda web-site has a car configurator, and it's fairly comprehensive, so you can play with the available options there.

For an extra £5K you can take it to BBR to get it fitted with a Cosworth supercharer too.

[rfn]

Are you looking at a Sport (05-09) or a Sport Tech (09-current)?

In 2006, the 2.0 Sport came with Bilsteins and an LSD as standard, but auto climate control & BOSE was an option. (I previously owned an 06 rag-top)

I have a 2012 Sport Tech RC now and it came as standard with everything, no options available - BOSE, Climate, Bluetooth etc etc...

ETA: Oh, I have a price guide/specification info from 2006 and also 2009 (and 2012 too...) so if you need more info just shout!

[Car Diff]

That's a good point. Is the metal roofed version more highly rated? I'd imagine, aside from being more secure, that it'd be quieter at cruising speeds. I'd also imagine it's heavier and may not be any less leak-proof.

In the meantime, I'll go through the Mazda web-site 'build your MX-5' thing and see what comes up.

In regard to Sport vs. Sport Tech; I suppose the latter if it falls into my rough price range.

[snotrag]

The hardtop version is actually a plastic, not metal roof.

Reviews when it came out where actually that its no quiter than the softop. Its not much heavier.

Softop goes down very very quickly, hardtop not quite as quick but electric. So I guess it depends how lazy/athletic you are!

I've not been in a PRHT (full name - retractable hard top) version so don't know which I'd choose.

[Car Diff]

I'm a big fan of keeping things simple so I'd probably err towards the rag-top. The electric roof on my Boxster used to be great when it worked but, when the joints dried out (which they'd do from time to time), the mechanism would lunch itself and ping off the bracket connectors. Thus leaving me with a wonky roof that wouldn't open OR shut. PITA.

Surprised it's plastic, though. I guess that would keep the weight down but I bet it'd also fade after a few years.

Had a play with the 'build your MX-5' thing on the Mazda site. What's the difference between the Sport Tech and the Sport Tech Nav versions? It looks like it just includes an inbuilt Tom Tom (which'd be nice) but did they offer that option in 2010? If not, I might just go for the standard Sport Tech and buy a roadmap.

[hornetrider]

Car Diff said:

I'm a big fan of keeping things simple so I'd probably err towards the rag-top. The electric roof on my Boxster used to be great when it worked but, when the joints dried out (which they'd do from time to time), the mechanism would lunch itself and ping off the bracket connectors. Thus leaving me with a wonky roof that wouldn't open OR shut. PITA.

Surprised it's plastic, though. I guess that would keep the weight down but I bet it'd also fade after a few years.

Had a play with the 'build your MX-5' thing on the Mazda site. What's the difference between the Sport Tech and the Sport Tech Nav versions? It looks like it just includes an inbuilt Tom Tom (which'd be nice) but did they offer that option in 2010? If not, I might just go for the standard Sport Tech and buy a roadmap.

Nav not a model available in 2010. You'll want a Sport Tech. I think the RC has more stuff as standard than the rag top but I'm not entirely sure. Just check specs on AT and it should tell you.

Don't worry about the roof fading - it won't. The mechanism doesn't break either. It's also the fastest electric folding roof in production. It's 37kg heavier than the rag top, so not much difference.

[Genie Chaser]

Bought a 10 plate RC sport tech 10 months ago, fantastic so glad I got it now, no creaks, rattles or leaks from the roof, personally prefer the looks roof up, & think it looks neater roof down. The specs spot on climate, bluetooth cruise, heated seats etc, definately recomend one.

[Car Diff]

I know it's just motoring hacks opinions (and we know what opinions are like), but there's a few mentions of the Sport Tech package, due to the added grip and grunt, being worse than the SE. It doesn't slip so easy - instead tending towards understeer. Have any of you guys found this?

[hornetrider]

That makes no sense as the wheel size is the same, the power is the same, and 2 litre SE and Sport both have an LSD.

The only difference is spec and bilstein suspension package.

[Car Diff]

Sounds good. So, all I need to do now is find a Sport Tech in Copper Red. If anyone comes across one, do let me know

[Car Diff]

Hello - is this exactly what I'm looking for?

http://www.lookerstradecentre.co.uk/used-cars/sear...

If so, and there's nothing odd about it, I might have to take it for a spin. It's not a million miles away.