Mazda MX-5

Author
Discussion

lord summerisle

8,138 posts

226 months

Tuesday 9th May 2006
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mxdi said:
Mk 1 was 1991 until 1997/98


thought it was 89 the MkI was introduced...?

Gruffy

7,212 posts

260 months

Tuesday 9th May 2006
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IIRC the Eunos was introduced in 89 but was only officially available in the UK from 90/91.

To answer other points... I'm 6'4" and ran a Eunos as my only car for 2.5 years. No less comfortable than any other car. At 6'2" you won't have any problems.

Other points to consider with the car: check the electric windows. These can start sticking/failing in older cars and are expensive to replace/repair. I'd always recommend the Mk1 as a more enjoyable drivers car. I'd also recommend the Eunos as a more powerful alternative to the 1.6, but insurance will be an issue if you are young/inexperienced. Although the Eunos takes exactly the same parts as the UK model insurances companies get scared and, using elephant's online calculator, I found a £400 loading for the Japanese car - ouch!

To be honest, as a first 'proper' car, a 1.6 will suit you well anyway. The MX-5 isn't about power anyway, but it will teach you how to make the most of the handling. It's a perfect grounding before moving into more powerful stuff down the line.

thegreatsoprendo

5,286 posts

250 months

Wednesday 10th May 2006
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This is looking like a very good value mk1 1.8 with only 4 hours to go...

Gruffy - it's not strictly true that the 1.6 import is a faster alternative to the 1.6 UK car. Until the 1.8 was launched in the UK in 1994, the 1.6's were the same acriss all markets (116bhp). In 1994 when the 130bhp 1.8 was launched the decision was taken in the UK to fit the lower powered 88bhp engine in the 1.6's partly for insurance reasons, I beleive.

mxdi - have you looked into supercharging or turbocharging your 5? If, as I was a few years ago, you're happy with the car overall, but just want some extra performance this is definitely worth considering and retains much of the reliability and cheap running costs of the standard car...

mxdi

13,993 posts

250 months

Wednesday 10th May 2006
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No, I would stick with the MX5 if I was single, but now I have someone else to consider and he doesnt want to go down that route.
We both love the idea of a TVR, despite the reliability/cost issues.