Fun, reliable replacement for an MX-5?
Discussion
Hi all,
Yet another 'what should I buy?' question but I guess this is the right place for it!
I'm looking at replacing my 1998 Mk2 MX-5 after 5 years of ownership. I love how it drives but I'd like something a bit quicker and more 'refined', with a budget of up to 12k.
I've got my first child due in October so that's a minor consideration, but my partner has her own car so another 2-seater wouldn't be out of the question.
Any ideas?
Yet another 'what should I buy?' question but I guess this is the right place for it!
I'm looking at replacing my 1998 Mk2 MX-5 after 5 years of ownership. I love how it drives but I'd like something a bit quicker and more 'refined', with a budget of up to 12k.
I've got my first child due in October so that's a minor consideration, but my partner has her own car so another 2-seater wouldn't be out of the question.
Any ideas?
Did a similar thing.
GT86 drives very similarly/just as playful, is more grown up, the back seats are fine for little ones & has ISOFIX etc
Only thing I don't like about it is the engine note is dull as dishwater. There are plenty of exhausts out there but IME they don't improve the tone at all, just make it louder.
GT86 drives very similarly/just as playful, is more grown up, the back seats are fine for little ones & has ISOFIX etc
Only thing I don't like about it is the engine note is dull as dishwater. There are plenty of exhausts out there but IME they don't improve the tone at all, just make it louder.
It's a very difficult one when you look at what the MX-5 offers, rear wheel drive, convertible, light weight. If you can live without the drop top then the GT-86 is viable.
Maybe a Porsche Boxster is probably the nearest thing to what you have with going more upmarket and more refinement?
Audi TT as an alternative?
I had a Mk2 1.8 MX-5 until a couple of months ago but wmoved to something very different, an R53 Mini Cooper S which I have to say I love but its not really comparable.
Maybe a Porsche Boxster is probably the nearest thing to what you have with going more upmarket and more refinement?
Audi TT as an alternative?
I had a Mk2 1.8 MX-5 until a couple of months ago but wmoved to something very different, an R53 Mini Cooper S which I have to say I love but its not really comparable.
I replaced my mk1 mx5 with an mr2 roadster. It handled practically the same, was marginally quicker and probably the same to live with. It was a bit more refined but that difference will be smaller if you're coming from an NB.
If you find one with crap tyres it'll be loads more tail happy too
If you find one with crap tyres it'll be loads more tail happy too
Cheers all for the suggestions!
I ruled out the S2000 because of both the relatively high prices and because I've heard they're fairly uninspiring if you aren't hammering them.
The GT86 is one I hadn't considered so I'll look into that! Boxsters are definitely on the list, although I imagine it'd be a 986 for the budget.
I had thought about turbo charging the mx5 but that won't do anything for refinement and decreases reliability so it's not ideal!
I ruled out the S2000 because of both the relatively high prices and because I've heard they're fairly uninspiring if you aren't hammering them.
The GT86 is one I hadn't considered so I'll look into that! Boxsters are definitely on the list, although I imagine it'd be a 986 for the budget.
I had thought about turbo charging the mx5 but that won't do anything for refinement and decreases reliability so it's not ideal!
Fiat 124 not quite as sharp but refined
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
370Z
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
370Z
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
FA57REN said:
GT86 prices are dipping under 10k now which might not last if rumours about the replacement being turboed are true.
Good time to buy, I think. Under-appreciated now but will build a following.
If the new one is turboed (and i hope it is) it will make the new GT86 more popular, and IMO the gen 1 might fall in value. Most reviewers and critics of the gen 1 said it lacked power so if that is addressed the gen 2 should (in theory) sell like hot cakes. Although in reality most people will still probably go out and get something german...Good time to buy, I think. Under-appreciated now but will build a following.
Jamescrs said:
Maybe a Porsche Boxster is probably the nearest thing to what you have with going more upmarket and more refinement?
I had a similar decision a year or so ago. The problem with comparing the Boxster with the MX5 is that the Boxster is a good step forward in refinement but a very big leap ahead in costs. The fun-per-£ ratio of a Boxster isn't as good as the fun-per-£ ratio of an MX5 (mainly because the MX5 is so darned cheap to buy and run). Jamescrs said:
Audi TT as an alternative?
The TT is a joke compared with the MX5 or the Boxster. And a bad joke at that! 
Le-Mons said:
Cheers all for the suggestions!
I ruled out the S2000 because of both the relatively high prices and because I've heard they're fairly uninspiring if you aren't hammering them.
True but that's their hidden beauty - great mpg can pootle about then unleash the VTEC if you want some fun but some people hate it... I ruled out the S2000 because of both the relatively high prices and because I've heard they're fairly uninspiring if you aren't hammering them.
Maybe try one?
Older 996? Front engined and RWD with two seats/drop top doesn't leave many options. BMW 1 series? Merc SLK/CLK?
No problem here:
A FIAT 124 spider - or else the Abarth version if you could stretch to it. You might think it's just like an MX5 (being built in the same factory, on the same tub) except that happily it's very much not......
Longer, wider and much better looking; complete with Bilstein suspension, slippy diff. and a proper Italian engine. So a ready-made classic, straight out of the box.
Oh, and since it's also turbocharged, altogether more fun than you'd think was still possible - or even permitted - in our world of today. Light, nimble and easily more than fast enough for our British back roads - uncomplicated, too.
To think I didn't even like them when they first came out - but that's because I only sat in (not drove) a (rather over-decorated) white one - and no, I didn't read the brochure properly, either. Under-marketed to a fault.
But there you go - that's life for you. You can live and learn.
A FIAT 124 spider - or else the Abarth version if you could stretch to it. You might think it's just like an MX5 (being built in the same factory, on the same tub) except that happily it's very much not......
Longer, wider and much better looking; complete with Bilstein suspension, slippy diff. and a proper Italian engine. So a ready-made classic, straight out of the box.
Oh, and since it's also turbocharged, altogether more fun than you'd think was still possible - or even permitted - in our world of today. Light, nimble and easily more than fast enough for our British back roads - uncomplicated, too.
To think I didn't even like them when they first came out - but that's because I only sat in (not drove) a (rather over-decorated) white one - and no, I didn't read the brochure properly, either. Under-marketed to a fault.
But there you go - that's life for you. You can live and learn.
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