Friday 26th October 2007

SOTW: Mazda MX-5

It's the answer to all of the 'What Car' threads.....

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Way back in 1983 some clever people at Mazda were working on a few concepts, one stood out more than most- it was called LWS or lightweight sports car. The LWS concept was chosen for further development and was given to two teams to work on, one in Tokyo and the other in the US. The US team won the battle and unveiled a front engined, rear wheel drive car in 1985, and soon after the first prototype was tested on Californian roads.

At the time the development team would not have known that they were in the process of developing one of the most iconic cars ever, and a PHers favourite. The LWS was to become the MX-5 or Eunos roadster and was launched in 1989 at the Chicago Motor Show.

The car was instantly compared with the 60's Lotus Elan by the worlds motoring press- a great achievement in anyone's book- with easy to read rear wheel drive handling, chuckable chassis and great steering. Early cars had just enough power, but not too much, meaning you had to work the car to get the most from it and with classically small dimensions it felt as if you were a part of the car rather than being just the driver.

My first MX-5 experience was with a red 1991 J reg car back in 1994, I'll always remember it as it gave me my first taste of oversteer, and an insight into driving enjoyment that has stayed with me ever since. Most recently I took a 350Z to Bedford Autodrome for a track day, and later in the session I swapped with a mate for a few laps in his 2.0 '06 plate MX-5. It was a finer track experience than the Z, and gave a real sense of achievement as you kept up with faster cars by working harder on cornering and braking. Fantastic stuff, and if you haven't driven one yet- make sure you do. Soon.

Auto Trader has thrown up this rather cheap example of a 1989 1.6 Eunos. It's only done 60,000 miles, has air con, CD player and is in great condition according to the seller. They have listed it as a diesel which is worrying but we'll put that down the sellers' error...we hope. Seems a shame to call it a shed, but at £999 it certainly costs shed money.

Advert says: 60,000 miles, Silver. 5 Speed Manual. Air Con, CD Radio, V reliable. Lovely condition inside and out. Lady Owner.Baby forces sale. Great fun car. £999. ovno

 

[Frimley111R]

Oh the MX5 lots are going to love this! SOTW ha ha. Still for the money it looks great although there are a lot of details missing.

[RDE]

Like some back doors to kick in?

[mat205125]

Loving the minilite rep wheels

[jdbecks]

great car to have for the price.


ps. ive never had one tho

[clonmult]

I wish I could be in the market for one - lovely little cars. But I need back seats .....

[Timberwolf]

Does this mean the PH admin team have to sinbin the PH editorial team for bringing up the tired old "buy an MX-5" thing?

Or is this one of those one rule for them, another rule for us type of gigs?

I'm confused.

[annodomini2]

As long as the roof doesn't leak and it isn't rusting should be a good car for the price.

MMMMMMM... V8 Conversion

http://www.monstermiata.com/ 

[chaosss]

Great cars. Have had 4 and recently sold my favourite last weekend (due to lack of use).

Not a lot else to combine that much fun and reliability for £999.

My favourite thing is the ability to have fun at sensible speeds. A lot of new cars are so accomplished that to feel like you are pushing it and having fun means 3 figure+ speeds. An MX-5 is fun at 50mph.

[off_again]

I had the chance to drive a 1.8i around Milbrook a few years ago. It was a tight squeeze for my lardy arse, but I was utterly amazed by the drive. It was precise, comfortable, sporty and confidence building. It was a real revelation and bore true as to what the Journos have been saying for ages. It was great...

Only problem is that I just dont fit in it! Head popping out the top of the screen and I just can't get my legs between the steering wheel and the gear stick. Look a berk to be honest. As a result, I won't ever own one. Shame, as they are VERY good.

[J111]

£999 ? Bargain, if it's a solid car. I wonder if it has the (not very) rare optional extra of attractive footwell water features ?

Not really in the spirit of SOTW, but I wonder how much of that could be recouped by breaking it on Fleabay ?

+ + = ?

http://www.westfield-sportscars.co.uk/donorkit.htm...

[hunt_the_fox]

RDE said:

Like some back doors to kick in?

LOL

[MartinMGBGTSV8]

Seems to be on the money in that there's no Mot, its an import and its got a flat battery cos its been stood for the best part of a year. (I called the vendor)

[threespires]

It's nice to hear your positive comments on the MX-5 Garlick, and as somebody said, fun at 50 mph. Sadly it's nickname of 'Hairdressers Car' puts off many macho blokes. I've been lucky enough to own many exotics in my days, but the MX-5 is top of my list for legal fun on todays roads.

I know this is Pistonheads, and we all enjoy our hyper powered cars, but IMO the MX-5's handling, great steering and riflebolt gearchange allow spirited driving, without stirring the scameras. And ain't that the name of the game in this day and age ?

I have a standard '90 and a 200 bhp '91. In many ways, I find the standard car more fun.

[Tony*T3]

link doesnt work for me.

[pdV6]

MartinMGBGTSV8 said:

its an import

I think "Eunos" gave that away...

[stevebedford1969]

I've always fancied one of these as a weekend car but I'm such a tall, big, fat b*stard that I just look stupid in it. Bloody shame as I've never heard a bad story about them.

Edited by stevebedford1969 on Friday 26th October 13:41

[peter pan]

The MX5 is one of those cars you cant help but like, a friend had one and I was impressed by everything about it, including build quality, and reliability. I am not really in the market for one of these cars now, because I have a tin top for everyday use and a slightly more extreme two seater for the fun bits, but if I did need one car that fits both bills it would probably be an MX5. I particularly like the look of the latest one too. The only problem that Mazda have, is how to improve it after each x number of years.

[r5gttgaz]

Must resist buying new work snotter. Must.Resist.

[AdamMX-5]

Not much to add. My name should give away my thoughts really!

Sold ours when we became parents but one of the few cars I've owned (and that's a lot!) that I was sad to see go.

Tempted to sod the back seats at that money. Reliable cars so MOT shouldn't be too much of an issue.

[Diverted]

jdbecks said:

great car to have for the price.


ps. ive never had one tho

Agreed. Best SOTW I've seen in ages.