Should I buy a MK1 MX5?

[D18OCK]

Morning



Now I know that the forum is full of should I buy threads so I apologise for adding yet another, however I would appreciate your opinion on this one.



I current use a Honda Civic 1.6 Sport to get to work and back every day and whilst it is a nice and very reliable car it is pretty boring too. I drive a total of 24 miles a day - all on twisty B roads.



My other car is a 1975 Triumph Spitfire 1500 which I absolutely adore and try and drive as much as I can.



Anyway I am thinking of changing the Civic and I am quite taken with the MX5 in the link below. I can insure it nice and cheap and I don't think it'll cost alot more to run than the Civic, however my main concern is that it'll make the Spit seem less special. What do you guys recon? Any alternative suggestions are welcomed.



Thanks



Daz

[trickywoo]

I can't see the point in having a Spitfire and MX5.

I had a Spitfire and apart from on sunny days it was horrible to drive. If you bought an MX5 the Spit wouldn't get driven IMO.

[Riknos]

Possibly agree with the above, although never owned a Spitfire sadly

the Eunos is my only mode of transport. Previously I had a boring car for day to day and bike for fun, but if I had the bike now as well as the Eunos, it would be relegated to being a day to day tool rather than a day to day & fun tool, if that makes sense? So wouldn't get as much use. Having said that, they make a reasonably cheap and reliable day to day car, so you could in essence get rid of both the civic and the spitfire, and replace them with just the 1 car?

Food for thought...

[Munter]

Riknos said:

you could in essence get rid of both the civic and the spitfire, and replace them with just the 1 car?

Food for thought...

That's the only reason to buy one in your situation I'd think.

[snotrag]

Hmm, gotta agree!

Again, don't own a Spitfire but I have been in a few.

If you bought an MX-5 you might well find that it gives you the majority of the 'Thrill' of your Spitfire, except with all the added fuel injected, hot-starting, mass-produced, non-leaking reliability that comes extra with your Civic.

One reason I bought mine was because it falls nicely into a kind of middling period between modern cars, and classics - I.E. having fuel injection and electronic ignition for instance, but still feeling 'alive' and interesting.


As for a nice length B-road commute everyday - it will be perfect!

[Night Runner]

Think of the mk1 MX5 as a modern (relatively!) Spitfire.

Its very reliable, cheap and fun.

I'd go with the opinions above of having just one car...


...a '5.

[TriumphVitesse]

I had a Mark 3 Spitfire for 11 years & totally adored it. However, 6 years ago I bought my current Eunos and vowed that the Spitfire was staying. Guess what? Within 5 months the Spitfire had been sold, as much as I loved it there was no comparison to the Eunos. Although my Spitfire was reliable as I kept on top of it, the Eunos is simply 'service it, wash it & drive it' motoring. They really are that good that I no longer saw the point of points fettling, trunnion oiling, more general fettling, rust blisters, more rust blisters, scuttle shake, leaky hoods, damp floors etc etc hence Spitty had to go!

Can you believe the last Spitfires & first MX-5's were made in the same decade? As an overall package they are worlds apart!

Would I have another Spitfire?? YEAH TOO RIGHT....but the Eunos wouldn't be going anywhere!!!

[Baryonyx]

I think it's a good move. If you like what the Spitfire offers you'll enjoy an MX5, and you'll no doubt find the MX5 is a much better car. And why not enjoy the better car on a day to day basis and keep the Spitfire for old time's sake.

[Riknos]

Munter said:

Riknos said:

you could in essence get rid of both the civic and the spitfire, and replace them with just the 1 car?

Food for thought...

That's the only reason to buy one in your situation I'd think.

If you DO decide to do the above, think of the money you'll save.....?


...I would like 50% of that please, as it was my idea

[D18OCK]

Thanks guys

All interesting points and most are as I expected them to be. I really would love to own an MX5 but I can't bear the thought of getting rid of the Spit, I have only had it since Oct and in that time I have done loads to it and really improved upon it.

I enjoy repairing and maintaining it and I think I would actually miss that! So maybe I need to start thinking about getting something more fun to replace the civic that isnt as similar as the Spit.

Nothing else really grabs my attention though!

Daz

[Gizmo!]

My girlfriend used to have a Spit.

Then she met me and she's swallowed the MX5 thing

Can't argue with a proper traditional lovely to drive roadster that doesn't come with any of the characterful bloody annoying traits of old British cars...

[Marvindodgers]

D18OCK said:

Thanks guys

All interesting points and most are as I expected them to be. I really would love to own an MX5 but I can't bear the thought of getting rid of the Spit, I have only had it since Oct and in that time I have done loads to it and really improved upon it.

I enjoy repairing and maintaining it and I think I would actually miss that! So maybe I need to start thinking about getting something more fun to replace the civic that isnt as similar as the Spit.

Nothing else really grabs my attention though!

Daz

As you are clearly very attached to your Spitfire (great little cars), why don't you go the route of a more fun replacement for the Civic instead of buying an MX5? My suggestion would be a Renault Clio 172 or 182. Hatchback that 4(5 at a push) people can get in, not too bad on the insurance and they are an absolute hoot to drive! One of the best fwd cars out there.