Megane 265 Cup vs 230 R26 vs MX5 (ND)
Discussion
So I recently bought a Civic Type R (EP3) that I have been returning back to mint. I have had quite a few serious offers to take it off my hand for a decent profit - and crucially, the option to take it for a drive when I fancy. So naturally this is something I will accept in the near future. You may remember my thread on this from before
The EP3 is an incredible car for a Sunday blast especially when gently fettled. But I’ve found I don’t really have the time to drive it as much as I could. I find the one I own to be a little too hardcore to use as a daily. My work commute is deep into inner London and keeping it on the boil is hard work and the old school EPAS is a bit iffy. On a good quiet B road the engine is just a masterpiece though.
So I have been offered a straight swap for an MX-5 1.5 Sport with the bose etc that my friend bought as a non runner for peanuts and has brought back to life (as a Mazda technician). I currently lend him the EP3 which he uses in return for doing all the labour for me (a win win). The only thing is while that’s a great financial deal, the MX5 is surely a bit underpowered. I may take it on a swap trial once I’ve sorted out insurance for it.
But my heart is saying to go for the R26 and the 265 Megs. The 265 is just about in budget but I could buy a cracking R26. The problem is surely these cars are getting a bit old now. I love the Recaro seats in my Civic and I want them in an Megane but finding a 250 or 265 with them is very hard.
What’s the PH consensus
The EP3 is an incredible car for a Sunday blast especially when gently fettled. But I’ve found I don’t really have the time to drive it as much as I could. I find the one I own to be a little too hardcore to use as a daily. My work commute is deep into inner London and keeping it on the boil is hard work and the old school EPAS is a bit iffy. On a good quiet B road the engine is just a masterpiece though.
So I have been offered a straight swap for an MX-5 1.5 Sport with the bose etc that my friend bought as a non runner for peanuts and has brought back to life (as a Mazda technician). I currently lend him the EP3 which he uses in return for doing all the labour for me (a win win). The only thing is while that’s a great financial deal, the MX5 is surely a bit underpowered. I may take it on a swap trial once I’ve sorted out insurance for it.
But my heart is saying to go for the R26 and the 265 Megs. The 265 is just about in budget but I could buy a cracking R26. The problem is surely these cars are getting a bit old now. I love the Recaro seats in my Civic and I want them in an Megane but finding a 250 or 265 with them is very hard.
What’s the PH consensus
If you know your way around a set of spanners and are up for a bit of a challenge, you can bolt a turbo or supercharger onto an MX-5 and seriously wake it up. The stock engine is pretty solid, and with the right setup, you can easily squeeze out a lot more power without compromising reliability too much—assuming you do it properly.
I love my ND MX-5. It’s not quick but it’s fun in a different way. The MX-5 community is great, too, if that’s your thing.
If it’s financially a good deal and you don’t need the practicality of a hatchback, surely it’s worth trying for a bit? You can always move it on if you don’t enjoy it.
If it’s financially a good deal and you don’t need the practicality of a hatchback, surely it’s worth trying for a bit? You can always move it on if you don’t enjoy it.
The value of the EP3 will keep going up, and it’ll probably always be easy to sell (if genuinely mint). The value of the ND will keep coming down, may well never go up, and the crossover point may not be far away. I know which I’d keep, and sell when you can realise its value and replace it with something you don’t need to be persuaded to buy.
Having owned a well sorted EP3 myself in the past, I'd jump out of an EP3 and into an ND in a heartbeat.
In fact, I did actually do something very similar; I jumped out my EP3 and into a Mk3 MR2.
The EP3 was fantastic when you're properly on it, but at any other time, it was just a hatchback with fairly poor ride quality and NVH.
As a weekend / fun car, proper two seat sportscars are far more of an event for me. I'd never have have a hatchback - any hatchback - as a fun car again (beyond a classic, anyway)
I see you already have access to practical cars in your garage. That makes it even more of a no-brainer for me.
In fact, I did actually do something very similar; I jumped out my EP3 and into a Mk3 MR2.
The EP3 was fantastic when you're properly on it, but at any other time, it was just a hatchback with fairly poor ride quality and NVH.
As a weekend / fun car, proper two seat sportscars are far more of an event for me. I'd never have have a hatchback - any hatchback - as a fun car again (beyond a classic, anyway)
I see you already have access to practical cars in your garage. That makes it even more of a no-brainer for me.
Edited by TheJimi on Monday 17th February 09:38
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff