Z3 or MX5 mk1?

[Zippee]

Having sold my TVR to fund my new daily (RS6) I'm missing a little open roof fun and so am looking at buying a modern classic roadster.
Budget 3-7k and I've narrowed my choice to 2 cars at opposite ends of the spectrum.
Either a Z3 in 2.2, 2.8 or 3.0 form. This gives me a lot more power, gadgets/comfort, electric roof etc.
Or a Mk1 MX-5 1.8 - total back to basics, simple and reliable albeit finding a good rust free example is tough.

I don't want something that's going to lose much in value but do want something fun that will put a smile on your face. Anyone on here owned both that can help?

Prices for both seem all over the place especially the little Mazda. Really clean examples are around 5-6k which seems very expensive given the spreads of prices for them. Z3s are 4-7k.

[Zippee]

Having sold my TVR to fund my new daily (RS6) I'm missing a little open roof fun and so am looking at buying a modern classic roadster.
Budget 3-7k and I've narrowed my choice to 2 cars at opposite ends of the spectrum.
Either a Z3 in 2.2, 2.8 or 3.0 form. This gives me a lot more power, gadgets/comfort, electric roof etc.
Or a Mk1 MX-5 1.8 - total back to basics, simple and reliable albeit finding a good rust free example is tough.

I don't want something that's going to lose much in value but do want something fun that will put a smile on your face. Anyone on here owned both that can help?

Prices for both seem all over the place especially the little Mazda. Really clean examples are around 5-6k which seems very expensive given the spreads of prices for them. Z3s are 4-7k.

[grumbledoak]

I've owned a Mk1 MX-5 1.8 and I borrowed a Z3 2.8 for a weekend. MX-5 by a mile.

[Thats What She Said]

MX5 will be much more fun, but it will be hard finding a good one without any rot for that budget.

[akirk]

Depends what you really want from it - I have a 3.0 z3 and it is a lot of fun - powerful and fast - the Mx5 is better handling but not as fast...

Z3 for an addictive straight 6 engine (go for the 3.0 if you can as prices are holding best on those after the Z3M)

Mx5 for handling and grins

[anonymous-user]

Thats What She Said said:

MX5 will be much more fun, but it will be hard finding a good one without any rot for that budget.

Got my wife a 2008 mx5 18 months ago for 8k from a Mazda dealer, full warranty and service history, immaculate, no corrosion.

Ok it's not a mk1 but to me that's a good thing

[NDNDNDND]

For 5-6k you should be able to find a really clean, rust free MX-5. I've not checked the market, but you might even be able to find something freshly imported from Japan, which will be completely rot-free.

Rust in MX-5s is massively over-stated. They rot only in certain areas and in repairable ways - the only critical thing is to ensure they're repaired by someone who understands how the car is put together and installs the correct drainage. The main reasons why Mk 1 MX-5s rust is because they're old, people forget or don't know how to clear the drain holes, and because they're so robust they don't get molly-coddled like more fragile cars.

[drgoatboy]

I spotted this mx5 yesterday on eBay which answers whether you can get a rust free example for budget (spoiler alert - the answer is yes)
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...

[Zippee]

drgoatboy said:

I spotted this mx5 yesterday on eBay which answers whether you can get a rust free example for budget (spoiler alert - the answer is yes)
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...

That really is quite nice though I'm not a fan of modified cars normally...
The 3 MX5s I'm looking at are;
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133100581723
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-R-Mazda-MX-5-Berke...
https://www.bsmarson.co.uk/used-cars/10319690-mazd...

would appreciate any thoughts on the cars and prices?

[Kawasicki]

I drove my brothers mk1 mx5. At the limit the rear axle was the first to lose grip.

I then drove my best friends 1.9 z3. At the limit the car was in fairly mild understeer.

The mx5 was more agile...the z3 was more stable.

Which has got the better handling?

[CaptainSlow]

See if you can get a 3.5 R/C model for that sort of money. Mk1 MX5s soon get tiring to drive.

[drgoatboy]

Zippee said:

That really is quite nice though I'm not a fan of modified cars normally...
The 3 MX5s I'm looking at are;
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133100581723
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-R-Mazda-MX-5-Berke...
https://www.bsmarson.co.uk/used-cars/10319690-mazd...

would appreciate any thoughts on the cars and prices?

The Berkely looks the nicest but is priced accordingly. Maybe a bit high price on that but you would need to see it up close to see what work it's had done and a good look underneath.
The other 2 look good but both have had some mods in the past. The red one looks like some interior mods have been taken out. The green one has a aftermarket exhaust and possibly an induction kit on there? Plus the horrendous steering wheel! I would wonder what other mods have been taken off that one.

If you are looking for something to hold its price it's probably the Berkely but I would think a hard haggle is in order...

Edited by drgoatboy on Saturday 3rd August 11:10

[kuro]

I've never driven a z3 but once heard someone say they could never drive one for fear of looking like a circus bear in a pedal car.

For me the s-limited is one of the nicest eunos/mx5s. It's a 1.6 but I've had both and there really isn't a lot in it performance wise. I would be looking at this one.

https://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/yaf_postst115150_199...

Edited by kuro on Saturday 3rd August 13:04

[Zippee]

kuro said:

I've never driven a z3 but once heard someone say they could never drive one for fear of looking like a circus bear in a pedal car.

For me the s-limited is one of the nicest eunos/mx5s. It's a 1.6 but I've had both and there really isn't a lot in it performance wise. I would be looking at this one.

https://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/yaf_postst115150_199...

Edited by kuro on Saturday 3rd August 13:04

That does look great, though seems strong money for a 1.6 eunos.

[kuro]

Zippee said:

kuro said:

I've never driven a z3 but once heard someone say they could never drive one for fear of looking like a circus bear in a pedal car.

For me the s-limited is one of the nicest eunos/mx5s. It's a 1.6 but I've had both and there really isn't a lot in it performance wise. I would be looking at this one.

https://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/yaf_postst115150_199...

Edited by kuro on Saturday 3rd August 13:04

That does look great, though seems strong money for a 1.6 eunos.

Less than that awful Berkeley. Doesn't matter if it's a eunos or a UK mx5 these days, decent cars are commanding good money. It's a myth that UK models are worth more

[Mr lestat]

Having had both I would say the MX5 is a better drivers car. The Z3 is a little bit wallowy and suffers from scuttle shake. I had 2.8 and it went quite well but the MX5 handled far better.

[jonny996]

I had a uk mk1 a long long time ago and I remember things like uk windshield was thicker glass

[lowdrag]

I adore the MX5 but everywhere one looks one hears woeful tales of rust, rust and yet more rust. Just a quick google of "rusty MX5" will reveal a host of horrors. I love the car - but - be careful!

[buzzer]

I looked at several Z3's... I dont know if I was unlucky but all three showed signs of the diff mount cracking. One was quite severe, the other two had the tel tale rust marks around the spot welds in the boot under the carpets.

Its a common problem, Difficult to repair property so I gave the Z3 a miss. the bigger the engine, the worse the problem.

have a google on "z3 diff mount cracks"

[Zippee]

kuro said:

Less than that awful Berkeley. Doesn't matter if it's a eunos or a UK mx5 these days, decent cars are commanding good money. It's a myth that UK models are worth more

What's wrong with the Berkley?