Discussion
The Mazda MX5 seems to be a bit of a PH favourite. Although apparently, Mazda aren't doing so well at the moment, they seem to have the affordable roadster market pretty much to themselves. Everything else has either been discontinued (MR2) or been priced upmarket (Z4). You may still be able to buy a MG TF but I don't really think that it offers much competition. But which is the best MX5?
mk1 MX5 (1.6 or 1.8)
mk2 MX5
mk3 MX5 (roadster or CC)
The only MX5 that I have any experience of is a mk2 which I owned for 9 months. It was a Nevada special edition in Cerion Silver (a lovely greeny silver metallic) with dark blue leather interior and hood and 16" wheels. A lovely car. More spacious (cabin and boot) than the mk1, a nicer interior than a mk1 and more curvaceous. It almost had a mini-Jaguar ambience about it! Some great design features. The hood was simplicity itself and it was so refined with the hood up that you couldn't really tell that it was a soft top (a revelation compared to the hood design on an MGF that I also tried). Needless to say, I had no problems with it in my 9 months of ownership. However in terms of driving, although it was nice to drive, it never felt that fast and there was an excess of grip over power, so not that playful either. Because of this, I always found the drive a bit disappointing.
Now the mk3 has more power, a relatively more macho look (slightly S2000-like) and probably a better quality interior and more equipment. But is it better? Weight gains would probably negate any extra power and I have heard that the handling on the early mk3s wasn't so good. I think that they've sorted this out now and also offer a folding hardtop (but I think this looks a bit ungainly and don't really think this is what the MX5 is all about). Leave this to the Z4s and SLKs of this world!
So perhaps the mk1 MX5 is MX5 perfection. More compact, lighter, pop-up headlamps (cool), less power but less grip. I get the feeling that the MX5 isn't about power and speed but more fun and handling at sensible speeds. So what offers the best driving experience. The earlier 1.6s or later 1.8s? Perhaps the mk2 or mk3 (which I haven't driven) are better? So over to you PH, excluding aftermarket specials (like Turbos etc) which is the best factory MX5?
mk1 MX5 (1.6 or 1.8)
mk2 MX5
mk3 MX5 (roadster or CC)
The only MX5 that I have any experience of is a mk2 which I owned for 9 months. It was a Nevada special edition in Cerion Silver (a lovely greeny silver metallic) with dark blue leather interior and hood and 16" wheels. A lovely car. More spacious (cabin and boot) than the mk1, a nicer interior than a mk1 and more curvaceous. It almost had a mini-Jaguar ambience about it! Some great design features. The hood was simplicity itself and it was so refined with the hood up that you couldn't really tell that it was a soft top (a revelation compared to the hood design on an MGF that I also tried). Needless to say, I had no problems with it in my 9 months of ownership. However in terms of driving, although it was nice to drive, it never felt that fast and there was an excess of grip over power, so not that playful either. Because of this, I always found the drive a bit disappointing.
Now the mk3 has more power, a relatively more macho look (slightly S2000-like) and probably a better quality interior and more equipment. But is it better? Weight gains would probably negate any extra power and I have heard that the handling on the early mk3s wasn't so good. I think that they've sorted this out now and also offer a folding hardtop (but I think this looks a bit ungainly and don't really think this is what the MX5 is all about). Leave this to the Z4s and SLKs of this world!
So perhaps the mk1 MX5 is MX5 perfection. More compact, lighter, pop-up headlamps (cool), less power but less grip. I get the feeling that the MX5 isn't about power and speed but more fun and handling at sensible speeds. So what offers the best driving experience. The earlier 1.6s or later 1.8s? Perhaps the mk2 or mk3 (which I haven't driven) are better? So over to you PH, excluding aftermarket specials (like Turbos etc) which is the best factory MX5?
Mk1 unmolested 
correction, take the standard MOMO wheel off and fit a smaller diameter MOMO Monte Carlo for better steering control.
If you are brave then take the belt of the power steering to free up power and also give better feel at speed. parking is mare though when you do this.
correction, take the standard MOMO wheel off and fit a smaller diameter MOMO Monte Carlo for better steering control.
If you are brave then take the belt of the power steering to free up power and also give better feel at speed. parking is mare though when you do this.
Edited by Pistachio on Monday 8th August 13:30
Completely personal choice. What do you use it for, and what are you willing to put up with? I think the NB is the best looking car, but many would disagree. Not tried a NC, but there was a quick fix for sorting the handling of the earlier cars. I think I remember reading they made the decision not to make the NC much quicker than the older cars, rather than following the usual trend of "more speed/ acceleration is better".
Surely an early Eunos with the higher revving more powerful version of the 1.6?
Stick an LSD in to the equation, standard on some special editions and you are laughing...even without though you can still go mental and bring the back out.
I prefer the Lotus Elan like styling on the MK1 and love how it drives. If you make some tweaks to the suspension and stick in some anti-roll bars too its handles like a dream.
I am biased but I also do not think the MK2 has a nicer interior...they are all pretty bland apart from the gold leather/Nardi import models...but easily brough back to life with a few bits of subtle chrome from MX5 parts.
I haven't driven a MK2 so not sure how it is on the road compared to a MK1 but would hope it still retains its basic 'man and machine' feel where you can feel every little detail on the road and everthing the car is doing at all times.
Stick an LSD in to the equation, standard on some special editions and you are laughing...even without though you can still go mental and bring the back out.
I prefer the Lotus Elan like styling on the MK1 and love how it drives. If you make some tweaks to the suspension and stick in some anti-roll bars too its handles like a dream.
I am biased but I also do not think the MK2 has a nicer interior...they are all pretty bland apart from the gold leather/Nardi import models...but easily brough back to life with a few bits of subtle chrome from MX5 parts.
I haven't driven a MK2 so not sure how it is on the road compared to a MK1 but would hope it still retains its basic 'man and machine' feel where you can feel every little detail on the road and everthing the car is doing at all times.
denniswise9 said:
Surely an early Eunos with the higher revving more powerful version of the 1.6?
Stick an LSD in to the equation, standard on some special editions and you are laughing...even without though you can still go mental and bring the back out.
The viscous diff in some of the Eunos 1.6s is supposedly useless. You need a torsen, plus the bigger brakes/bracing that the 1.8 s-specs offered.Stick an LSD in to the equation, standard on some special editions and you are laughing...even without though you can still go mental and bring the back out.
Or a £500 1.6 on ditch finders
bicycleshorts said:
The viscous diff in some of the Eunos 1.6s is supposedly useless. You need a torsen, plus the bigger brakes/bracing that the 1.8 s-specs offered.
Or a £500 1.6 on ditch finders
I have the viscous diff, and it is true its almost as bad as an open diff...its not brilliant. However you can still bring the back end out no problem, I can prove this. An LSD would be better though as you would be able to keep the back end out for a longer period.Or a £500 1.6 on ditch finders
1.6 brake upgrade is incredibly easy, just get new 1.8 pads and discs and brackets and your done. Callipers don't even need to be changed.
denniswise9 said:
However you can still bring the back end out no problem, I can prove this.
Oh yeah, especially in the wet 
denniswise9 said:
1.6 brake upgrade is incredibly easy, just get new 1.8 pads and discs and brackets and your done. Callipers don't even need to be changed.
True, but if you were going through the hassle, I wouldn't fit standard pads and discs 
Btw, nice 5!
bicycleshorts said:
denniswise9 said:
However you can still bring the back end out no problem, I can prove this.
Oh yeah, especially in the wet denniswise9 said:
1.6 brake upgrade is incredibly easy, just get new 1.8 pads and discs and brackets and your done. Callipers don't even need to be changed.
True, but if you were going through the hassle, I wouldn't fit standard pads and discs Btw, nice 5!
you too - I have a soft spot for racing green MX5s.denniswise9 said:
I have the viscous diff, and it is true its almost as bad as an open diff...its not brilliant. However you can still bring the back end out no problem, I can prove this.
After many years use the viscous coupling will get 'tired' and need re-juvenating ...fluid change etc.You can also change the discs and fluid spec to change the 'lock' characteristics......just as you can with a plate diff
This one?.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZLnrOeu0KE&fea...
Mark
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZLnrOeu0KE&fea...
Mark
Edited by attym3 on Monday 8th August 11:10
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