Hello from a new mk3 owner
Discussion
After trawling the small ads and endless research Ive ended up buying an mx5 mk3.
I was looking at z4s, s2000s and was on the brink of buying a boxster s but somehow the mx made more sense. Small, light and not overly powerfull. I dont need it to be hugely fast through the lanes on and around dartmoor where I live.
pick it up next weekend and I cant wait.
I also pick up a 1 yr old astra sri 165 diesel on Wednesday which will be my daily hack but not overly exited about that. Even though its a real nice car at a great price I have likened the buying process as similar to buying a washing machine or a tv.
I was looking at z4s, s2000s and was on the brink of buying a boxster s but somehow the mx made more sense. Small, light and not overly powerfull. I dont need it to be hugely fast through the lanes on and around dartmoor where I live.
pick it up next weekend and I cant wait.
I also pick up a 1 yr old astra sri 165 diesel on Wednesday which will be my daily hack but not overly exited about that. Even though its a real nice car at a great price I have likened the buying process as similar to buying a washing machine or a tv.
I just went through the exact same process. I was utterly set on a Boxster until I was persuaded by reviews to try an MX5. It drove really well, and comparing the running costs turned it into a bit of a no brainer, so I picked up my mk3 on Wednesday evening. Since then it's done nothing but rain, but I've driven it every day and it's an absolute hoot. Best decision ever. Hope you enjoy yours as much!
I picked my step-daughter up an immaculate 2010 anniversary in pearl white a couple of months ago. She still can't get the smile off her face every time she drives it. It is good to see.
It is a bloody good little car which takes me back in my ancient car history in so many good ways, and it seems to not have the bad traits of old - no leaks, squeaks, rattles and I am not constantly laying under it. I think the only downside is that there is a lot of noise from outside transmitting through the hood, no biggie cos the stereo has enough oomph to cover it.
I want to get another one for the missus, but she is adamant that she needs 4 doors and seats in her next car
. Might need to change the wife - yeah, sounds like a cheap solution... 
It is a bloody good little car which takes me back in my ancient car history in so many good ways, and it seems to not have the bad traits of old - no leaks, squeaks, rattles and I am not constantly laying under it. I think the only downside is that there is a lot of noise from outside transmitting through the hood, no biggie cos the stereo has enough oomph to cover it.
I want to get another one for the missus, but she is adamant that she needs 4 doors and seats in her next car
. Might need to change the wife - yeah, sounds like a cheap solution... I like the mk3s. I'm going to a mk3.5 next, have a 2.5 currently but the hardtop is a to much hard work on your own and as I work in the steelworks the dust will just kill to mohair roof so makes sense to get rc.
Quite a few in the owners club switched to the boxster and then back to an mx5. The z4 was tempting but just going to stick with the mx.
Quite a few in the owners club switched to the boxster and then back to an mx5. The z4 was tempting but just going to stick with the mx.
Edited by bazza white on Monday 26th May 17:18
It's really funny that everyone else is saying a similar thing but at the start of this year I was looking at similar cars (mixed with slightly more practical choices) and ended up buying a mk3.5 soft top, it's the 2.0 sport tech model. I absolutely love it, coming from a Suzuki Swift Sport, the power is more than enough to have fun and the handling is fantastic.
Despite living in Wales the roof is down at every opportunity, and with the soft-top taking seconds to disappear, that job is made very easy!
I've recently fitted the wiper stalk from the Mazda RX8 as it has the intermittent wiper function (very useful in my home country) which is a very simple job and really worth it as it's something that I missed from my old car. It's something to keep in mind!
All the best with the new car, I hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine,
Ben
Despite living in Wales the roof is down at every opportunity, and with the soft-top taking seconds to disappear, that job is made very easy!
I've recently fitted the wiper stalk from the Mazda RX8 as it has the intermittent wiper function (very useful in my home country) which is a very simple job and really worth it as it's something that I missed from my old car. It's something to keep in mind!
All the best with the new car, I hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine,
Ben
We bought a 3 year old 3.5 2.0 last summer. Was thinking about the GT86 but the MX5 being a roadster was an easier sell to my wife. It was also a lot cheaper of course.
It's a non intimidating car to drive, it is quick and easy to put the soft top down and up, and of course is reliable. Coming from FWD city cars and diesel estates ( we also have a 160bhp diesel Astra estate ) the handling is really good in comparison.
The only "but" ... the engine. It cannot quite propel the car quickly enough, it's pretty uninspiring and even so manages to have a high CO2 which means £260 or so VED tax per year. I'm thinking of getting the BBR turbo conversion next year to "complete" the car.
Having said that I am still getting to grips with the RWD handling after 20 years of FWD. When wet on deserted roundabouts I am still having troubles with it. Sometimes it understeers, sometimes nothing, sometimes the right amount of oversteer and sometimes too much. It's down to me of course, I must be what is called a slow learner. It does not feel dangerous though, just scrappy and inconistent. Any tips welcome.
My boss at work keeps referring to it as the hairdressers car, as some do. He drives a Vauxhall Zafira.
It's a non intimidating car to drive, it is quick and easy to put the soft top down and up, and of course is reliable. Coming from FWD city cars and diesel estates ( we also have a 160bhp diesel Astra estate ) the handling is really good in comparison.
The only "but" ... the engine. It cannot quite propel the car quickly enough, it's pretty uninspiring and even so manages to have a high CO2 which means £260 or so VED tax per year. I'm thinking of getting the BBR turbo conversion next year to "complete" the car.
Having said that I am still getting to grips with the RWD handling after 20 years of FWD. When wet on deserted roundabouts I am still having troubles with it. Sometimes it understeers, sometimes nothing, sometimes the right amount of oversteer and sometimes too much. It's down to me of course, I must be what is called a slow learner. It does not feel dangerous though, just scrappy and inconistent. Any tips welcome.
My boss at work keeps referring to it as the hairdressers car, as some do. He drives a Vauxhall Zafira.
Gandahar - get the basics sorted first...
- Tyre pressures. Make sure all the tyres have the correct pressure. Not sure what it should be on a Mk3 but probably around 26-28psi, not the 35+ tyre dealers usually put in!
- Tyres. Do you have 4 of the same tyre? Are they all in good condition with plenty of life left? Are they a decent make & model?
- Full alignment. Your symptoms are typical of a car that needs the geometry sorting out.
One more thing. If it feels slow compared to a FWD diesel... are you driving it like a diesel or like a RWD sportscar? i.e. if you use low/mid revs and let the torque do the job it will feel dull. If however you use all the revs available and keep the engine on the boil, only changing when you almost hit the redline it should feel plenty quick enough. It's never going to be a rocket but it shouldn't feel slow.
- Tyre pressures. Make sure all the tyres have the correct pressure. Not sure what it should be on a Mk3 but probably around 26-28psi, not the 35+ tyre dealers usually put in!
- Tyres. Do you have 4 of the same tyre? Are they all in good condition with plenty of life left? Are they a decent make & model?
- Full alignment. Your symptoms are typical of a car that needs the geometry sorting out.
One more thing. If it feels slow compared to a FWD diesel... are you driving it like a diesel or like a RWD sportscar? i.e. if you use low/mid revs and let the torque do the job it will feel dull. If however you use all the revs available and keep the engine on the boil, only changing when you almost hit the redline it should feel plenty quick enough. It's never going to be a rocket but it shouldn't feel slow.
Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Thursday 29th May 10:01
29 psi all round on mk3s tho some advocate that different tyres require slight tweaks according to make of rubber. I don't know enough to confirm or deny the soundness of such a theory.
Just ask your boss if he'd like a short, back and sides. Of course he may not like your version of the cut
Just ask your boss if he'd like a short, back and sides. Of course he may not like your version of the cut
Im seriously looking at a MX5 for my next weekend car. Originally had a Caterham in mind but from what i gather on the various Caterham forums its not really car you can enjoy in the rain and most people garage it over winter
I want a car that I can enjoy all year round and so the MX5 is a serious option. I also am looking at an elise/exige but I have owned an elise before and an MX5 seems like a more quirky choice. Looking at a brand new or nearly new Coupe Sport Tec with a view to giving it a power upgrade through BBR.
Wondered if anyone out there has increased the power on a more recent model and how they are finding the experience?
I want a car that I can enjoy all year round and so the MX5 is a serious option. I also am looking at an elise/exige but I have owned an elise before and an MX5 seems like a more quirky choice. Looking at a brand new or nearly new Coupe Sport Tec with a view to giving it a power upgrade through BBR.
Wondered if anyone out there has increased the power on a more recent model and how they are finding the experience?
Picked my mx up on saturday. Got out onto the m5 and after a mile or two i couldnt stop laughing at the fact i now owned my first 2 seat roadster. Admittedly its not hugely fast but quick enough for me and it just feels right. Where it really came into its own was when I turned off the a38 and headed back down to Plymouth over dartmoor, Stopped at haytor and dropped the roof then had one of the best drives id ever had all the way home.
Did I make the right choice? Of that I am absolutely sure.
Did I make the right choice? Of that I am absolutely sure.
kuro said:
Picked my mx up on saturday. Got out onto the m5 and after a mile or two i couldnt stop laughing at the fact i now owned my first 2 seat roadster. Admittedly its not hugely fast but quick enough for me and it just feels right. Where it really came into its own was when I turned off the a38 and headed back down to Plymouth over dartmoor, Stopped at haytor and dropped the roof then had one of the best drives id ever had all the way home.
Did I make the right choice? Of that I am absolutely sure.
I bought my Eunos in Plymouth and my first drive was across Dartmoor back to Exeter. See my profile picture.Did I make the right choice? Of that I am absolutely sure.
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