Monday 25th September 2017

Mazda MX-5: Market Watch

Autumn and winter are the best seasons to bag a convertible bargain - so how does the MX-5 market look?

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For a roadster to become one of a mainstream manufacturer's best-selling models is pretty damn impressive - and that's exactly what the MX-5 has done for Mazda. A quick search reveals nearly 1,200 used MX-5s currently advertised online in the UK alone - that's only 18 per cent fewer than Mazda's top-selling model, the Mazda 6. And with 115,600 MX-5s sold to UK customers, few sports cars have made such an indelible mark on the British motoring landscape.

A PH Hero, Mazda's masterful contemporary twist on the classic roadster has sold over 1,000,000 examples worldwide, and in its latest Mk4 form is still delivering the goods 28 years after it first hit the streets.

Like all truly great models the manufacturer produced a successful formula, which it has had the foresight to stick with through successive generations. And the Mk4 MX-5 still exemplifies the values that Mazda's original Mk1 espoused. Mechanical reliability, refreshing simplicity, affordability and an engaging purity of driving experience are all still attributes that the MX-5 possesses in abundance.

Choose one of the many MX-5 editions packing a rear limited-slip diff and a sports suspension and the driving experience is spot on. And if you like eking that little bit extra out of your sports cars then the MX-5 tuning scene is as mature as it gets. Durable engines, a spacious engine bay and dependable transmissions have made the MX-5 a popular starting point for modifications and many see track day action every weekend.

But which of Mazda's four MX-5 manifestations makes the best buy? To some degree the answer will depend on your budget, your appetite for tuning and your opinion of each car's aesthetics, but we've scoured the market and spoken to the experts to bring you the definitive view.

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Introduction
Mazda MX-5 Mk1 NA (1989-1998)
Mazda MX-5 Mk2 NB (1998-2005)
Mazda MX-5 Mk3 NC (2005-2015)
Mazda MX-5 Mk4 ND (2015-)

[Johnny5hoods]

From what I understand, a great car to drive. Just wondering, what score would you give Hiroshima (marks out of ten) for how well they've rust proofed the MX5???

Edited by Johnny5hoods on Sunday 24th September 14:57

[Johnny5hoods]

Slightly off topic, this summer I sold a 67k 2005 Clio 182 and replaced it with a 74k 2005 130i. Both are spectacularly unrusty, and will probably still be so five years from now. This fills me with confidence. Sadly, neither is a sports car, although the Clio did a fairly good job at being a jack of all trades.

Edited by Johnny5hoods on Sunday 24th September 18:48

[Johnny5hoods]

ash73 said:

http://www.mx5scotland.co.uk/board2/viewtopic.php?...

Depressing.

[Johnny5hoods]

In cost/benefit terms, which one of the following could most improve the long term reputation and residuals of a £23,000 sport car?

1. Bigger wheels

2. Better satnav

3. Leather seats

4. A few quids worth of underseal

I'm no bean counter, but it seems like a no-brainer to me. Obviously the wheels, innit. Bling baby!

[Johnny5hoods]

Johnny5hoods said:

In cost/benefit terms, which one of the following could most improve the long term reputation and residuals of a £23,000 sport car?

1. Bigger wheels

2. Better satnav

3. Leather seats

4. A few quids worth of underseal

I'm no bean counter, but it seems like a no-brainer to me. Obviously the wheels, innit. Bling baby!

Production management over at Hiroshima must really know what they're doing. I think they're misunderstood geniuses!

[Johnny5hoods]

For decades, classic British sports cars have had a really strong following in this country. MGB, Spridget, Triumph, Sunbeam etc. And they're all known for rusting quite a bit, even in their day. Maybe, just maybe, other countries look at British enthusiasts and deduce that we actually quite like the rust. Maybe they think we find it all part of the charm, and we're all keen amateur welders on our precious days off. Maybe some of today's sports cars rust by design. Maybe they think they're doing us a favour. Least we could do is be a bit more grateful, eh! A 2006 car broken due to rust? We should count ourselves lucky! Imagine if the car just sat there on the drive, year after year, never rusting. We'd have nothing to do with our spare time and be bored out of our minds! Ungrateful is what we are!