RE: Mazda MX-5 (NB) Coupe: Spotted

[fernando the frog]

always wanted one of these but £30k is at least £15k too much

they remind me of a mini db7

[griffdude]

Here’s one that you could actually not be worried about driving-

http://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/MAZDA/ROA...

[mikey P 500]

I would also love one of these but not at £30k think £10k ish would be fair price to reflect rareness but for £30k you could have a similar age and miles Cayman easily or a brand new mx5 and change.

[AmosMoses]

BarcelonaLewis said:

A roll bar fixes that, completely transforms the car.

I went down the route of a cabin brace and some solid door bushes which helped, it just the noises it made. Like being on a double decker bus when it hits a particularly large pothole and the shudder goes through the whole cabin

[996TT02]

It is fact that neither "old" nor "rare" necessarily mean highly desirable, and hence expensive.

Seems to be the case here, rare, but not £30k desirable rare. I can think of many far more desirable cars for £30k than an MX-5 that isn't a convertible.

[daddy cool]

As a ex-Mk2 MX5 owner, that was always my dream car. In fact, there are two versions of it, and on holiday in Japan a few years ago we saw both versions on the same day - one at an MX5 meet, and the other purely by chance in a Hiroshima back street!





The red is much nicer, as it doesn't have all the halfords-esque stick-on plastic bits.

[daddy cool]

fernando the frog said:

always wanted one of these but £30k is at least £15k too much

they remind me of a mini db7

[TheJimi]

daddy cool said:

fernando the frog said:

always wanted one of these but £30k is at least £15k too much

they remind me of a mini db7

The Aston angle is exactly what was being aimed for there. From from the front grill to the chrome surround over the windows.

Edited by TheJimi on Wednesday 13th February 10:11

[hondansx]

The people selling it specialise in Japanese rarities; NSX-Rs, and limited edition Skylines and RX7s are usual fair.

A lot of money, but given the rareness you'd imagine - at some point - a collector would want it.

[cookie1600]

Not quite as pretty as an Opel GT, but still nice nonetheless

[BS62]

cookie1600 said:

Not quite as pretty as an Opel GT, but still nice nonetheless

And neither is as pretty as a 246 Dino. What an absurd comparison.

Re: flex, yes the NB flexed more than the NA rusted but it was a brilliant little bit of fun. Couple of struct braces help, and in the winter the hardtop added a lot of stiffness (while adding claustrophobia, and stifling the whole point of the car). Those who bemoan it as 'soggy' miss the point entirely of a modernised MGB (and if you think the MX5 is unpleasant and flexible you should try driving one of THEM in the modern world).
That said the coupe looks very cool....such a shame they didn't offer it as an extra model from new. I suspect at the same price point it would have massively outsold the roadster in colder climates.

Edited by BS62 on Wednesday 13th February 12:00

[blearyeyedboy]

Lovely, but unless you want the rarity, at this price why would you overlook a second hand GT86 for this? (As stated above already!)

Or indeed, a new one?

[Andy JB]

Few observations - why would a 30k mile car on salt free roads require restoration - something doesn't sound right?

Secondly isn't the point of an MX5 is that is roofless which adds to the whole sports car experience IMO and surely the whole point.

Thirdly as stated already I can confirm on my mk1 an engine brace & roll bar transformed it & it was already good as stock hardly scuttle shake city

Finally the hardtop also stiffened it up & provided the coupe look. Pretty as it is i can't really see the point of this esp at 30k

[SpudLink]

Andy JB said:

... isn't the point of an MX5 is that is roofless which adds to the whole sports car experience IMO and surely the whole point.

If they had launched a coupe 2 or 3 years into the life of the original NA, then people would not have the idea that MX-5 only means open top motoring. Instead it would have been about driving enjoyment, with or without the wind in your hair. The open top option would be available for those to whom it’s important, or the coupe for those who want a little more precision in the chassis.
If they really wanted to separate the roadster from the coupe in the public consciousness, they could use the name MC-5, or something alone those lines.

Note:
I should probably clarify my earlier comment about a coupe having a more ‘masculine’ appearance. What I meant was it would be less likely to attract the ‘hairdresser’ comments from those who don’t know any better.