Smitten with the MX5
Discussion
The Mazda dealership that my company work with have been kind enough to give me their demonstrator to play with for the next few days whilst the weather is nice.
I am absolutely smitten.
I now know why 'MX5' is the default answer to every 'what car' thread on PH. It is relentlessly good at pretty much everything.
So, what do I need to borrow next? Or should I give up now and just buy it?!
I am absolutely smitten.
I now know why 'MX5' is the default answer to every 'what car' thread on PH. It is relentlessly good at pretty much everything.
So, what do I need to borrow next? Or should I give up now and just buy it?!
Indeed. I love our Mk3 2litre. Took it on part of the Tour de France route in Yorkshire the other evening (and then the full loop the next day) - perfect for A/B road fun. It's swift (not fast) in an easy going, I'm going to let you have fun without too much concentration needed, not going to kill you kind of way.
It's no Boxster, there are many faster cars, but it holds it's own in sheer fun against many cars.
It's no Boxster, there are many faster cars, but it holds it's own in sheer fun against many cars.
If you think the mk3 is a good car the mk1 is even better so much difference the lack of weight compared to the mk3 makes. The power is less but the handle is better in my opinion.
Either way all 3 have got there plus points but for me the original is the best just for the lights and if you find the engine a bit low on power then for 2k or so a good super charger or turbo charger can be fitted to around 200bhp+.
Either way all 3 have got there plus points but for me the original is the best just for the lights and if you find the engine a bit low on power then for 2k or so a good super charger or turbo charger can be fitted to around 200bhp+.
It really is a VERY good car.
Two minor irritations. 1) It's noisy in the cabin with the roof up. 2) Petrol consumption seems a little disappointing. Hooning around and achieving 30mpg is fine, but doing an indicated 65mph and getting 37mpg? My 15 year old Toyota Avensis beats it. Maybe the engine is still a little tight, or maybe it's just its way.
All in all, I think you'd have to spend an awful lot more money to buy a better roadster.
Two minor irritations. 1) It's noisy in the cabin with the roof up. 2) Petrol consumption seems a little disappointing. Hooning around and achieving 30mpg is fine, but doing an indicated 65mph and getting 37mpg? My 15 year old Toyota Avensis beats it. Maybe the engine is still a little tight, or maybe it's just its way.
All in all, I think you'd have to spend an awful lot more money to buy a better roadster.
The only thing that lets the earlier ones down is the huge rust issues they have. Rear arches, sills and front chassis rails all corrode due to crap design and quality of materials, Mazda really dropped the ball there. Shame as our one puts such a smile on my face it'd be an epic little car if it wasn't for the limited life span!
radiodanno said:
2) Petrol consumption seems a little disappointing. Hooning around and achieving 30mpg is fine, but doing an indicated 65mph and getting 37mpg? My 15 year old Toyota Avensis beats it. Maybe the engine is still a little tight, or maybe it's just its way.
Does it have the 5 or 6 speed box? I've got the 6 speed in mine and I'm pretty impressed!On a recent trip from Cardiff to Reading I got 47mpg from my MK3.5 with cruise control set at 65mph - that's no A/C and being very VERY bored! The return leg was done at an indicated 75mph and 42mpg (A/C on most of the way).
Just for reference, I average around 32mpg day-to-day, with all of my commuting being stop start traffic and my weekend 'hoons'.
If you're buying one bear in mind that this is the end of the lifecycle for this model so you should expect a nice big discount. The engines are pretty outdated at this point, so prepare yourself to be pretty sad when the new one comes out in 12 months and makes your mk3 look pretty sad when you still have years of paying for it 
Didn't realise mk3's had got this cheap
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
Had a mk1 and loved it, would like the refinement of a newer car.
Hmmmm
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
Had a mk1 and loved it, would like the refinement of a newer car.
Hmmmm
Dan_1981 said:
Didn't realise mk3's had got this cheap
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
Had a mk1 and loved it, would like the refinement of a newer car.
Hmmmm
Wow, that is cheap!http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
Had a mk1 and loved it, would like the refinement of a newer car.
Hmmmm
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