RE: SOTW Special: Mazda MX-5
Discussion
I used to be rude about these too, was mortified when Mum 'bought' one (initially it was a LHD too - but luckily when I went to see it upgraded to a blue Eunos) - I've got it now as a daily driver (for several years).
Yes it's a 1.6, no it won't win any drag races, dead easy to maintain, like the look, mostly very reliable, and most of all - I can't actually think of anything to replace it with (unless I need more seats or something).
On a good twisty B-road it's as fast as anything else, and as my final statement - it's the car that's taught me the most about car control.
Yes it's a 1.6, no it won't win any drag races, dead easy to maintain, like the look, mostly very reliable, and most of all - I can't actually think of anything to replace it with (unless I need more seats or something).
On a good twisty B-road it's as fast as anything else, and as my final statement - it's the car that's taught me the most about car control.
Dr Imran T said:
I always thought they were rubbish... until I got to drive one!
franv8 said:
it's the car that's taught me the most about car control.
I think those are probably the most frequent comments you'll hear from people who have actually driven them.
Edited by GravelBen on Monday 31st August 10:38
pbirkett said:
Personally, I wouldnt respect anyones opinion of cars if the best criticism they can come up with of an MX-5 is that "its a girls car".
If you would rule a car out on that criteria, then you are denying yourself the pleasure of some of the best drivers cars around, because a lot of the most fun cars are a little bit "cute" anyway.
I certainly didnt buy mine to pose in, but I think it looks quite good in a "classic" car kind of way, but theres nothing "girly" about the way it drives (especially when supercharged )
Love those wheels!If you would rule a car out on that criteria, then you are denying yourself the pleasure of some of the best drivers cars around, because a lot of the most fun cars are a little bit "cute" anyway.
I certainly didnt buy mine to pose in, but I think it looks quite good in a "classic" car kind of way, but theres nothing "girly" about the way it drives (especially when supercharged )
Color wouldn't be my first choice, but nog bad either! (better than washed-off red/yellow)
ZesPak said:
pbirkett said:
Personally, I wouldnt respect anyones opinion of cars if the best criticism they can come up with of an MX-5 is that "its a girls car".
If you would rule a car out on that criteria, then you are denying yourself the pleasure of some of the best drivers cars around, because a lot of the most fun cars are a little bit "cute" anyway.
I certainly didnt buy mine to pose in, but I think it looks quite good in a "classic" car kind of way, but theres nothing "girly" about the way it drives (especially when supercharged )
Love those wheels!If you would rule a car out on that criteria, then you are denying yourself the pleasure of some of the best drivers cars around, because a lot of the most fun cars are a little bit "cute" anyway.
I certainly didnt buy mine to pose in, but I think it looks quite good in a "classic" car kind of way, but theres nothing "girly" about the way it drives (especially when supercharged )
Color wouldn't be my first choice, but nog bad either! (better than washed-off red/yellow)
Mr POD said:
Wifey's friend has just bought a newish MX5 and her 1.6 R reg is now for sale. Value ? Roof leaks a bit, the rear window is yellow and cracked, and the electric windows don't. 12 months MOT. Green. What would be fair ? I might make an offer
I wouldn't: 1.6 R reg means it's one of the last ones and they only have 90bhp which isn't really enough, even for MX5-style basic thrills. Gizmo! said:
Mr POD said:
Wifey's friend has just bought a newish MX5 and her 1.6 R reg is now for sale. Value ? Roof leaks a bit, the rear window is yellow and cracked, and the electric windows don't. 12 months MOT. Green. What would be fair ? I might make an offer
I wouldn't: 1.6 R reg means it's one of the last ones and they only have 90bhp which isn't really enough, even for MX5-style basic thrills. I suppose it's a balance of history vs power. Would my wife rather have a car off a friend of 24 years with a full history and only 2 owners or one with more power from someone else ? Power to weight ratio is going to be better than a 1.8 cav that she's got now (92 BHP I think)
franv8 said:
it's the car that's taught me the most about car control.
Totally agree with this. And on a damp road it all happens so slowly and at low speeds you really get the time to think about how the car is behaving and modulate your inputs accordingly.I bought a Mk1 about a year ago with the view that it would be the first step on the 'sports car as a weekender' ladder. But having made a couple of choice mods I've really fallen for the car, as have the rest of the family. Even though it has dodgy paint, a fake-wood dash it may even be a bit of a keeper due to it being worth so little.
It's a proper no-frills back to basic sports car now set up to handle exactly as I want it to. No PAS, no AC, no E/W, cloth seats. Love it.
Edited by Matt UK on Tuesday 1st September 16:03
sarah warnock said:
hey this is reli random bt does anyone no wer i can get insurance for glanza v!! no wer will insure me cuz im not 21 yet... can anyone help me ? x
Hello, welcome to PH.I suggest that you refrain from 'txt spk' as we prefer it that way on PH. I don't meant to sound unwelcoming, it's just how we do things here and you'll find that you will get an answer to your question a lot quicker and easier.
I owned and loved a Mark 3 Triumph Spitfire for 11 years and vowed that I would never sell it. However, around 4 years ago someone mentioned that I should try a Mk 1 MX5 as its a 'modern day Spitfire'. I didnt believe them but tried one anyway - instantly loved it!!! So much so that I bought one within a week and still have it to this day. What a fab car!! Thing is a good Spitfire is now worth 3 - 4 times more than my Eunos even though its rust & dent free and is 100% reliable! All I can think is that in years to come maybe the MX-5's will start to climb in value again. Anyone out there who is considering signing up for a new fiesta/panda/picanto or any other £5000 sh*te....dont do it. Go and draw a grand out of the bank & get youself a decent Mk 1 MX5/Eunos. You will never look back!
And on the subject of being a hairdressers car then who cares, wheres me scissors??? And for all the other c*cks on here that reckon its for poofs, I've had more birds than I can remember, am a devoted lover of women and had I been single now I reckon it would be a fanny magnet!!!
Fantastic cars...in EVERY respect!!!
And on the subject of being a hairdressers car then who cares, wheres me scissors??? And for all the other c*cks on here that reckon its for poofs, I've had more birds than I can remember, am a devoted lover of women and had I been single now I reckon it would be a fanny magnet!!!
Fantastic cars...in EVERY respect!!!
madtriumphman said:
I owned and loved a Mark 3 Triumph Spitfire for 11 years and vowed that I would never sell it. However, around 4 years ago someone mentioned that I should try a Mk 1 MX5 as its a 'modern day Spitfire'. I didnt believe them but tried one anyway - instantly loved it!!! So much so that I bought one within a week and still have it to this day. What a fab car!! Thing is a good Spitfire is now worth 3 - 4 times more than my Eunos even though its rust & dent free and is 100% reliable! All I can think is that in years to come maybe the MX-5's will start to climb in value again. Anyone out there who is considering signing up for a new fiesta/panda/picanto or any other £5000 sh*te....dont do it. Go and draw a grand out of the bank & get youself a decent Mk 1 MX5/Eunos. You will never look back!
And on the subject of being a hairdressers car then who cares, wheres me scissors??? And for all the other c*cks on here that reckon its for poofs, I've had more birds than I can remember, am a devoted lover of women and had I been single now I reckon it would be a fanny magnet!!!
Fantastic cars...in EVERY respect!!!
Totally right. I have a mate who bought a Fiesta same time I bought the MX5. He has no elec windows, no air con, and in a couple of years the depreciation on his £5k+, which he is probably still paying... is enough to drive you to suicide. And on the subject of being a hairdressers car then who cares, wheres me scissors??? And for all the other c*cks on here that reckon its for poofs, I've had more birds than I can remember, am a devoted lover of women and had I been single now I reckon it would be a fanny magnet!!!
Fantastic cars...in EVERY respect!!!
I paid £1300 and its still worth pretty much that. I have elecs and air con, a top that comes off and a whole lot more fun- for more reasons than i want to list here! (rear wheel drive etc)
Im not the hairdresser... I'm the one sleeping with her!
PaulZR said:
Just a note to concur with those who are dismissing the homo jibes. Me and my ex gf had a red mk 2.5 a few years back and it was amazing (the car, that is - relationship not so much).
Steering and gearbox still the best I've ever had. I've had a 911, Jag XJR, Alpina B3 since then, all with plenty of bhp and excellent cars but none to rival the MX-5 on those two counts. Who gives a c**k what k**bheads who haven't driven one think?
(Sorry, try to avoid bad language on here but this topic really riles me!)
I new this would happen. After the PH acquisition I started noticing all the recent favourable commentary in Evo (incl the £1000 challenge), plus the number of serviceable cars on PH, Autotrader, ebay et al.Steering and gearbox still the best I've ever had. I've had a 911, Jag XJR, Alpina B3 since then, all with plenty of bhp and excellent cars but none to rival the MX-5 on those two counts. Who gives a c**k what k**bheads who haven't driven one think?
(Sorry, try to avoid bad language on here but this topic really riles me!)
Edited by PaulZR on Friday 28th August 21:01
One thing inevitably led to another and, 10 days after my first post, I've agreed to buy a very tidy '93 Eunos 1.8 - red with tan hood (glass screen), electric everything, air con, BBS alloys, nil rust - on the basis it gets through the MOT (no advisorys last time so hopeful there). Paid a bit more than the shed cost but still the cheapest car I'll have had in years. Hurray!.. no, I mean, damn it! There goes the new bathroom (again).
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