Mazda MX5 NC or Mini Cooper S R53

[SFTWend]

A couple of years ago this forum voted heavily in favour of me buying a TVR Griffith rather than a Lotus Elise and I'm glad you did. Absolutely loved the Griff and the only car I've ever got emotional over when I sold it recently.

Now looking for something temporary, say 6 to 18 months, that will be fun to drive and usable year round. Plan is to buy something properly nice when the market sorts itself out in due course. I'm budgeting £3 to 5k ish so that even if the market takes a massive downturn I don't lose loads of money. I'm thinking;

Mazda MX5 NC 2.0 Sport. Buy in winter and hope to get money back in summer. Plenty for sale but finding one that's not rotten underneath, and that has had annual oil changes, not so easy.

Mini Cooper S R53, would stretch budget a bit for a nice JCW tuned example. Even more to choose from but good unmolested examples getting rarer.

Which would you go for, with driving satisfaction and resale being key criteria?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Pete

[clockworks]

Having owned both (albeit the Mini was a convertible and the NC a 1.8), I would go for the Mazda for general driving. The Mini was great when driven hard, but was quite unrefined. The Mazda was fun at all speeds.

Both were pretty tiring on longer journeys though.

[soad]

CTR?

[Nickp82]

clockworks said:

The Mazda was fun at all speeds.

That nails it for me, MX-5 all day long. Plus the roof comes down , in terms of driving satisfaction an MX-5 on a dry winter day with roof down, seat and cabin heater on high is difficult to beat.

[pb8g09]

You’ll be lucky to find an R53 that hasn’t got something wrong with it/oil leak. They like a drink too.

[Jamescrs]

I've owned an NB MX5 and an R53 Cooper S in the last few years, also driven an NC MX5.

I'd definately go MX5 as I assume you can live without rear seats.

The Mini was an absolute blast to own for the 12 months I had it but they drink fuel at a crazy rate, and my daily is a BMW M240i so I'm not unfamiliar with the petrol pump.

For me the MX-5 is more fun to drive and I suppose I do prefer RWD in the main.

I believe you will get a better MX5 for your budget too.

[Ratae]

I've had an R53 JCW and now have an NC MX5, both modified in a similar way - exhaust, filter, springs, bigger rear anti-roll bar, PS4 tyres

Overall driving feel, engagement and handling - the MX5 wins

Character, outright pace and noise - the R53 wins

Both cracking cars, I'd say the MX5 nudges it for me as its just that bit more special with the roof down on a summers evening blast. Its also far more economical (28-30mpg as opposed to 22-25mpg in the R53), reliable, and cheaper to modify and/or fix.

[Jonstar]

Tough one, I've had both.

Stock for stock the mini is the better drivers car, with suspension and bolt ons the mx5 is the better drivers car.

[Ratae]

Jonstar said:

Tough one, I've had both.

Stock for stock the mini is the better drivers car, with suspension and bolt ons the mx5 is the better drivers car.

That's a good point actually - a stock NC is pretty boat like, lots of grip, but lots of body roll

[RazerSauber]

It's universally known that MX5 is always the answer. The R53's are fun when you're hammering along but otherwise, the MX5 will be better more of the time.

[GreatGranny]

Both will be great cars.

A few alternatives:

TT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210291...

Z4 2.5i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211221...

MR2

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211272...

MG TF

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212042...

[rotaryjam]

Also had both and would also go with the MX5

I didn't find the mini that fun to drive but it depends what you want.

The mini is more 'handles like it's on rails' kind of fun. So more like the Elise.

The MX5 is more drifting fun, so more like the Griffith.

As another option for a little more I'd look at for a little more is a 350z. It is also more of a drift type car, bigger and heavier than the MX5 but much nicer engine and a bit more power. So probably closer to your griffith than the mx5.

[Xcore]

If you can get away with 2 seats mx5 all day long.

R53 are good, handle well if abit too well.

[_Yeti]

Currently have an NC which I really enjoy. Even driving to the shops can be a pleasure. Seen a few track days as well and it's completely stock (see my profile). I have the option pack (not a sport) so the 5-speed box and LSD. I also had an R56 Cooper S recently. As others have mentioned, locked on rails, the speed you can take through corners is quite something. But for outright fun at all speeds, the Mx5 wins. Paid £2k for mine between lockdowns but it's definitely rusting out in places. Your budget should get you a clean one with room for mods if you desire.

[Alan16ac]

R53. I may be biased though. Currently on my 5th. Also have an R50 Cooper. The way they drive is just addictive. My R53 is now track prepped and pretty much just a track car. As much as I love them, wouldn't want to go back to daily driving them though. Did drive my old R52 all the way to Slovenia though. Never driven an NC but used to have an NA and the R53 is leaps and bounds better imo. The handling out the box is excellent. Only thing they need are the brakes sorting really. Standard ones aren't up to the job.

They aren't as unreliable as people make out either. It's just most aren't looked after and people ignore problems. The engines will run well into the hundred+ thousand miles and the gearboxes are great. High mileage ones will likely need a few suspension components replacing if not already done. And the rear main seal replacing with the clutch tends to cure the worst of the oil leaks. Brake lines can be an issue too, but not too expensive to sort really.

You can get decent spec on them too for such old cars, and they tend not to have issues with any of the electrics. Heated seats, heated windscreen, auto lights and wipers, xenon, PDC etc... Not bad for nearly 20 year old cars. NC MX5 will have decent spec too though I guess.

I am very tempted to try an NC myself, would like a 25th anniversary one, but it would be in addition to the MINIs I have. If you want the top to come down, you can get an R52 S. Had one of those too. They need some extra chassis bracing and firmer suspension to make up for the loss of rigidity though.

I guess go drive them and see what you think. I do really need to try an NC myself.

Some pictures of mine for inspiration

Current R53

Untitled

Old R52
Untitled

Old R53 with my old NA
Untitled

Edited by Alan16ac on Thursday 22 December 16:46

Edited by Alan16ac on Thursday 22 December 16:47

[SFTWend]

Thank you very much for all the input. Particularly informative from contributors that have owned both.

Looks like MX5 is clear favourite at the moment.

[Ash_]

Out of the two I'd say MX5, however, if it were my money I think I'd go a bit older and get the best MR2 MK2 I can find for the budget, that way, whatever happens you're unlikely to lose much money on it (you may even make a few quid). Just make sure it's been looked after and hasn't been too modified (if at all).

Something like this (I have no affiliation to the advertiser).
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275553047803?hash=item4...

[Jordie Barretts sock]

MX5 every time.

October we went for a tour around the UK in my wife's 1.8NC. Did over 1200 miles and it was fantastic. From motorway cruising to twisty B roads, never an issue and great fun.

[Ecosseven]

MX-5 for me although I haven't drive the MINI.

for what is worth I've owned my MX-5 NC2 Sport Tech for 10 years and it's been the most reliable car I've ever owned.

[ArsE82]

I've had a couple of R53's - first one 10 years ago, and a GP about 5 years. Loved them both and would love to get another at some point.

As has already been said, they are pretty unrefined and basic, but so much fun to drive. There will be a limited selection of decent ones now I would imagine. They sound superb too, especially with a modified airbox

I've never driven or owned an MX5 so can't comment on those.

Your budget might get a nice MK2 RS Megane, or a high-mileage MK3. My current daily is a MK3 Megane with Cup chassis and it feels like a grown-up R53