Why didn't I buy one sooner? MX5 of course!
Discussion
Right I'll start with this. I used to hate the MX5, even after being on Pistonheads for years I thought they were cheap looking, girly and generally a bit lame. I drove one a few years ago as a car salesman and began to take them a bit more seriously. It wasn't much of a drive though, I did about 40mph at most for 4-5 miles.
This year though the opportunity arrived to buy something a bit less practical for a change. We have a nice V70 R Design for the family stuff and I absolutely love that car! Another one which I wouldn't have considered 5 years ago, strange how your tastes change when you stop giving cars stupid labels! But I changed jobs and no longer need a van so thought about something fun. I have a sportsbike for speed so that didn't matter too much. I've had a Clio 172 in the past and although I loved it's hooligan way of doing things it was crap. I accept I had a very bad one but it just put me off again. Had an MR2 in the past which I loved but why go there again? With only £2000 to spend your choices become limited so I gave in and started looking at MX5's.
Should I get a Mark 1 or 2 was the obvious question. I decided to just go and buy the nicest one I could find within 2 weeks and take it from there. I went to see a couple, (both mark 2.5's incidentally) and they were quite bad. I didn't even bother driving one of them as it was that tatty and the other just looked like it had a lot hidden under a recent poor respray. The last one I saw was on ebay and looked very nice. It came with a hardtop but was a bit more than I wanted to spend so offered to take it without and pay a bit less.
After going to see it, I struck a deal to keep the hardtop and agree a fair price. It drove perfectly and although the mileage is 141K it felt tight. The body work is very good too (well MX5 good!) with just a slight bit of bubbling around one of the arches. It has 4 x Toyo Proxes T1R on which are my favourite tyre
and an aftermarket double cat back exhaust on which sounds pretty nice!
I just love it! The way it changes direction is like nothing I've ever driven! I've never had anything either with so much feel through the steering and to be fair although it can't be described as 'fast' it has the right amount of power to just use the revs and not be doing 3 figure speeds! I'm probably about the 150,000th person on here to make this realisation. It's pretty obvious that Mazda marketed them badly which is why they are classed as being hairdresser mobiles. I've had a bit of stick from some mates but I just find it funny as I know they would love driving it!
Anyway, I haven't got many pictures as yet just a few below. I won't be doing a lot to it for now as moving house soon so it's just being used as it was intended!
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My 2 year old lad loves it. This is father an son bonding at it's best!
The Volvo:
This year though the opportunity arrived to buy something a bit less practical for a change. We have a nice V70 R Design for the family stuff and I absolutely love that car! Another one which I wouldn't have considered 5 years ago, strange how your tastes change when you stop giving cars stupid labels! But I changed jobs and no longer need a van so thought about something fun. I have a sportsbike for speed so that didn't matter too much. I've had a Clio 172 in the past and although I loved it's hooligan way of doing things it was crap. I accept I had a very bad one but it just put me off again. Had an MR2 in the past which I loved but why go there again? With only £2000 to spend your choices become limited so I gave in and started looking at MX5's.
Should I get a Mark 1 or 2 was the obvious question. I decided to just go and buy the nicest one I could find within 2 weeks and take it from there. I went to see a couple, (both mark 2.5's incidentally) and they were quite bad. I didn't even bother driving one of them as it was that tatty and the other just looked like it had a lot hidden under a recent poor respray. The last one I saw was on ebay and looked very nice. It came with a hardtop but was a bit more than I wanted to spend so offered to take it without and pay a bit less.
After going to see it, I struck a deal to keep the hardtop and agree a fair price. It drove perfectly and although the mileage is 141K it felt tight. The body work is very good too (well MX5 good!) with just a slight bit of bubbling around one of the arches. It has 4 x Toyo Proxes T1R on which are my favourite tyre
and an aftermarket double cat back exhaust on which sounds pretty nice!I just love it! The way it changes direction is like nothing I've ever driven! I've never had anything either with so much feel through the steering and to be fair although it can't be described as 'fast' it has the right amount of power to just use the revs and not be doing 3 figure speeds! I'm probably about the 150,000th person on here to make this realisation. It's pretty obvious that Mazda marketed them badly which is why they are classed as being hairdresser mobiles. I've had a bit of stick from some mates but I just find it funny as I know they would love driving it!
Anyway, I haven't got many pictures as yet just a few below. I won't be doing a lot to it for now as moving house soon so it's just being used as it was intended!
Loyalty badge
My 2 year old lad loves it. This is father an son bonding at it's best!
The Volvo:
Edited by 8potdave on Friday 9th October 22:48
Dave - I am with you on these.
I had a mk2.5 svt (I think) 1.8, 6 speed + LSD and as a package it was great, I did track days in it and it was good package.
Sadly I thought it lacked grunt and sold it. I actually sold it to Ewan Thomas' mum would you believe charming lady, and his dad is a big Alfa fan, ex RAF etc.
Anyway I then bought an S2000 - a car I really wanted and I must say I was really, really disappointed with the drive, build quality and overall the S2k experience.
Mx5 has a hairdresser image but in my experience a great package.
I have an Mr2 Turbo now - also underrated...
I had a mk2.5 svt (I think) 1.8, 6 speed + LSD and as a package it was great, I did track days in it and it was good package.
Sadly I thought it lacked grunt and sold it. I actually sold it to Ewan Thomas' mum would you believe charming lady, and his dad is a big Alfa fan, ex RAF etc.
Anyway I then bought an S2000 - a car I really wanted and I must say I was really, really disappointed with the drive, build quality and overall the S2k experience.
Mx5 has a hairdresser image but in my experience a great package.
I have an Mr2 Turbo now - also underrated...
Fully agree with your summary of the driving experience. I have owned 2 1.8 mk2s. I went back for more as I found it such an easy car to enjoy and access thrilling drives without ever feeling out of control. Sure I have owned faster stuff, but nothing that is this much fun if I am honest. That is after all why we do it isn't it? Good luck and I hope the experience remains a good one for you. There is a good reason these cars are so hard they rated.
Couldn't agree more. I got mine by accident after trying to buy a Clio 182 and stumbling on an MX5 NB by accident. Unfortunately kids got in the way and the requirement to ferry them about meant a 2 seater was out of the question. After some time in a MINI JCW and currently a Golf R, an NC is next on the radar, but will mean I'll have to run 2 cars unfortunately.
enjoy it, had my NB phoenix (grey) for 5 years, and only recently sold up. Keep an eye on the rust, and it should give you much trouble free motoring.
Be warned that the quality mx5 scene has declined in the last few years as young lads can get hold of them now and get all streeto drifto...so unfortunately the owners community isn't what it once was. My tip is avoid the facebook groups and stick to the mx5nutz forum if you want any useful advice.
Be warned that the quality mx5 scene has declined in the last few years as young lads can get hold of them now and get all streeto drifto...so unfortunately the owners community isn't what it once was. My tip is avoid the facebook groups and stick to the mx5nutz forum if you want any useful advice.
I got the same comments and stick from mates when I got my MK1, 5 months down the line and 3 of them are in the market for MX5's now, such a misunderstood car if you never drive one
Sadly mine is getting scrapped in the next few days I think but It'll be replaced with another MK1
Enjoy it mate
Sadly mine is getting scrapped in the next few days I think but It'll be replaced with another MK1
Enjoy it mate
designforlife said:
enjoy it, had my NB phoenix (grey) for 5 years, and only recently sold up. Keep an eye on the rust, and it should give you much trouble free motoring.
Be warned that the quality mx5 scene has declined in the last few years as young lads can get hold of them now and get all streeto drifto...so unfortunately the owners community isn't what it once was. My tip is avoid the facebook groups and stick to the mx5nutz forum if you want any useful advice.
Be warned that the quality mx5 scene has declined in the last few years as young lads can get hold of them now and get all streeto drifto...so unfortunately the owners community isn't what it once was. My tip is avoid the facebook groups and stick to the mx5nutz forum if you want any useful advice.
Just because you don't like the way a few people are going down the drift missile route in no way means the quality has fallen, what a ridiculous statement to make and shock horror people would want to drift a cheap easy to drift rear wheel drive car, whatever next!? People drag racing big american V8s??
In my experience Nutz is the fun, do what you want and give no f
ks MX5 group, they have regular meets/runs and decent stands at showsThe OC is the *cough* elder gentlemen *cough*, 'put chrome add ons on everything but don't you dare modify our precious MX5's in a way the rest of the club don't agree with' club, they also have lots of meets but the driving is apparently very sedate, think more cruise than a run (according to a few people I've spoken to who have been on OC meets)
Thanks for the heads up, it will be going on the ramps this week anyway as a gearbox housing bolt decided to escape the other night and fling itself down the road!
I've not joined any forums yet but I'll look into the nutz. I drive her pretty hard to be fair (how they are meant to be driven!) but when I've got the lad with me things calm down quite a lot so I would be interested in a drive out but would need to know how manic so I can decide whether or not he comes along
I've not joined any forums yet but I'll look into the nutz. I drive her pretty hard to be fair (how they are meant to be driven!) but when I've got the lad with me things calm down quite a lot so I would be interested in a drive out but would need to know how manic so I can decide whether or not he comes along
DannyScene said:
Just because you don't like the way a few people are going down the drift missile route in no way means the quality has fallen, what a ridiculous statement to make and shock horror people would want to drift a cheap easy to drift rear wheel drive car, whatever next!? People drag racing big american V8s??
In my experience Nutz is the fun, do what you want and give no f
ks MX5 group, they have regular meets/runs and decent stands at showsThe OC is the *cough* elder gentlemen *cough*, 'put chrome add ons on everything but don't you dare modify our precious MX5's in a way the rest of the club don't agree with' club, they also have lots of meets but the driving is apparently very sedate, think more cruise than a run (according to a few people I've spoken to who have been on OC meets)
I regularly meet up with the local nutz group. Most of us are under 25. There's a huge amount of variation in the way the cars are modded. Mainly fast road setups with a few drifter/ slammed show cars too. Everyone seems pretty clued up and willing to help eachother out. A great community to be a part of.
This was us on a recent tour around the Scottish Borders:
e21Mark said:
Not quite as bad as you might imagine tbh.
I worked for Mazda UK when the MX5 was released and drove some of the first UK cars. Have a soft spot for them and owned a few. I'm just a bit too tall though and feel a bit daft as a consequence. Hard top is a definite bonus in my book.
There was one locally that looked sound, was up at £500 on Ebay but got no bids, was tempted as a bit of a project but not at £500, it had MOT needed a good polish, hood was ok and it had MOT until next year.I worked for Mazda UK when the MX5 was released and drove some of the first UK cars. Have a soft spot for them and owned a few. I'm just a bit too tall though and feel a bit daft as a consequence. Hard top is a definite bonus in my book.
Dave,
come out with Yorkshire Ridings MX5OC sometime and you won't see it as a cruise as Dannyscene suggests above. Fast, where conditions allow, safe , walkie talkies keep everyone informed, fabulous routes with maps, and immensely knowledgeable and helpful members make it a cracking day out.
On the other side of things, the local Nutz guys have had two runs out recently, mostly Mark 1's, first time @ 20, last time over 50 headed up through the dales. Not as well organized but it was really great to see so many MX5's making their way through the glorious countryside
come out with Yorkshire Ridings MX5OC sometime and you won't see it as a cruise as Dannyscene suggests above. Fast, where conditions allow, safe , walkie talkies keep everyone informed, fabulous routes with maps, and immensely knowledgeable and helpful members make it a cracking day out.
On the other side of things, the local Nutz guys have had two runs out recently, mostly Mark 1's, first time @ 20, last time over 50 headed up through the dales. Not as well organized but it was really great to see so many MX5's making their way through the glorious countryside
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