Mazda MX-5 for the Mrs

[gchild]

Hi,

wife wants an mx-5. seen a few on autotrader, years 03-05 going for around £6-£8k mark with fairly lowish mileage.

anyone have any experience of these cars - things should i check for?

appreciate any help you can give me.

A

 

[pammy]

They are ace cars. Sporty, reliable, easy to get fixed etc etc. I'd have one if ever Edna had to go and I couldn't replace like for like.

They are a great buy and last for years.

 

[grober]

Slightly different versions engines/trim etc over the years. If you can find one the "anniversary" type models which often had special paint/alloy wheels then that's what I would go for. http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=691& cambelt change history and clutch http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/articles/viewarticle.aspx?id=11 should be checked Sills are inclined to rot in earlier cars and are very important for the cars structural integrity. Should not be a problem on the age of car you are contemplating

 

[Roger Jones]

I know three owners who couldn't be happier and have no intention of selling, so go for it.

http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/

 

[HughJarse]

Sold mine a couple of years back - will get another. Although cambelt is important etc. it will not break the engine if it goes.
They have drain holes going from about where the seatbelt restraints are down through the side of the car and out through the sill. These can get blocked with leaves and so rust at the sill outlet. Check the hood - although at that age youll have no worries. Hardtops are good for the winter but you have to store them somewhere and are a 2 man job to get on.

You're looking at a a model 2 or 2.5 ( 1's had pop up lights but changed at R reg )
TBH though you're better waiting til the winter as the price will drop slightly - although scrap that get one now... I promise you'll love it.

 

[buccal]

I bought a mark 2.5 sport new in 2001.

Great fun and ulta ultra reliable. Even managed to commute in the worst of scottish snow with winter tyres and a boot full of cement!

The only issue i know of on the 2.5 is the clutch, which began to slip on mine at less than 6000 miles and was replaced under warranty. Recognised by Mazda as a common fault on the earlier 2.5's.

Personally i would go for a 1.8, and a sport with the slippy diff if you can stretch to it.

 

[buccal]

Could always try and convince her to go for a mark 1

http://www.dandycars.com/Mazda-MX5s/property/In_Stock/302757.htm

These are regarded as the "ultimate" mark 1, only 500 worldwide and most now modded,ditched etc.

Been smooching around this for a while now, fabulous seats, a riot to drive but VERY hard suspension on the Bilsteins.

My Mrs says no

 

[Dieselman]

Apparently there is an issue with the ride height on Mk3 cars being wrong and is set too high for the geometry. This was raised as a result of the US car design and pedestrian collision regulations, which the UK then adopted on a 'good enough ' measure.

This has the negative impact of upsetting the ride and handling severely due to being an after design and build modification, so look for a car that has been lowered back to the original Mk2 spec.

This topic has been covered in detail by Tony at http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/
It's worth talking to him about it as he appears to have great knowledge of suspension issues.

#
See
http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=3057

##
And how daft is this. It will fail it's first MOT due to headlamp alignment due to the taller springs being fitted..
http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=2994

 

[adm1945]

I had a ‘V’ reg some time ago – fantastic car – nothing to add to the previous threads but that as with all ‘soft tops’, they leak, spraying the rubber with silicon helps and also stops squeaks. There are also a lot of ‘mods’ for these that improve the car without upping the insurance. Go for the 1.8 motor if you can, no noticeable difference in fuel but they seem to handle better.

 

[buccal]

I had a ‘V’ reg some time ago – fantastic car – nothing to add to the previous threads but that as with all ‘soft tops’, they leak, spraying the rubber with silicon helps and also stops squeaks. There are also a lot of ‘mods’ for these that improve the car without upping the insurance. Go for the 1.8 motor if you can, no noticeable difference in fuel but they seem to handle better.

How does the elise compare?

Sorry for going off-topic

 

[Dragon]

Test drove a new one in view of buying for wifey. Condensation in rear light cluster, poor ride, suspension bumpy.

Bought wifey 55 W211 she never nagged anymore which she did all of last year. Right decision.

 

[HughJarse]

poor ride, suspension bumpy.

Its a sports car... what on earth did you expect? As for poor ride "woof woof"

 

[Dragon]

Its a sports car... what on earth did you expect? As for poor ride "woof woof"

Compare with my slk, it miles behind, I don't care what hamster said.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Mrs D had a K-reg back in the day. She never let me drive it - not even once. I only went in it twice IIRC. She loved that car.

Go for it. You'll both love it!!

 

[stevesey]

Apparently there is an issue with the ride height on Mk3 cars being wrong and is set too high for the geometry. This was raised as a result of the US car design and pedestrian collision regulations, which the UK then adopted on a 'good enough ' measure.

I'd wondered why I'd seen lots of newer ones that looked like 4x4s.

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

I had a MK1 loved it, remember having a go with my brother driving dads SLK at the time all over it... but then the Mazda wasn't standard


Then more recently wife Had a brad new Mk2.5 in 2003 only sold this for the A class when little one was here... She LOVED it.

Only needed 3 services, nothing else and garage was ace.


Go for it I say.

Just make sure you get the 1.8 not the 1.6

 

[gchild]

thanks for the responses. the more i read about these cars, the more i'm tempted to get one for myself, and an osyter card for the mrs!!!