Whats the difference and is it worth it
Discussion
Looking to get an MX5 for some fun roof down driving.
Locally they do not come up often and when they do they go. Also note the prices are local and not comparative to the mainland.
So option one is a 2002 1.8 sport in green with hardtop at 57,000 miles, unsure at present on service history - £2,250 from a dealer with 3 months warranty
Option 2 is a 2004 1.8 Euphonic Edition in grey, 37,700 miles with fsh - £3,250 and is a private sale. I note it was up for sale 3 weeks ago at £2,950 but she has now relist at £3,250 and has said that she has had the bumber resprayed to sort out chips etc.
I am swaying towards the 2002 due to price mainly as it gives me alot left in my fun car budget for some choice mods like alloys, bluetooth head unit etc.
What would be the main difference between the models.
Locally they do not come up often and when they do they go. Also note the prices are local and not comparative to the mainland.
So option one is a 2002 1.8 sport in green with hardtop at 57,000 miles, unsure at present on service history - £2,250 from a dealer with 3 months warranty
Option 2 is a 2004 1.8 Euphonic Edition in grey, 37,700 miles with fsh - £3,250 and is a private sale. I note it was up for sale 3 weeks ago at £2,950 but she has now relist at £3,250 and has said that she has had the bumber resprayed to sort out chips etc.
I am swaying towards the 2002 due to price mainly as it gives me alot left in my fun car budget for some choice mods like alloys, bluetooth head unit etc.
What would be the main difference between the models.
I have a 2002 1.8 Sport in green, although no hard top. If you have any specific questions about it, then I'm happy to help.
The Sport was top of the range and 1.8 only, so it has stuff like black leather heated seats, Nardi leather steering wheel, front fog lights, white dials, Torsen limited slip differential, 6 speed gearbox, bigger brakes that the standard MX-5 etc as standard. Depending on when in 2002 the car was made, it could have Bilstein suspension & a silver fuel cap cover too. Mine is from early 2002 and does not.
The Euphonic is a limited edition based on the 1.6 or 1.8 standard car. It still had things like a Tochigi-Fuji limited slip diff (on the 1.8), white dials & heated seats. I think it came with the extra bracing struts the Sport has and possible the same big brakes too. The 16" alloys it comes with look good, but they're a bit heavy apparently.
The interior looks basically the same, but the door panels and center section of the seats are red leather, which I'm not personally a fan of. Otherwise it looks nice.
The Sport was top of the range and 1.8 only, so it has stuff like black leather heated seats, Nardi leather steering wheel, front fog lights, white dials, Torsen limited slip differential, 6 speed gearbox, bigger brakes that the standard MX-5 etc as standard. Depending on when in 2002 the car was made, it could have Bilstein suspension & a silver fuel cap cover too. Mine is from early 2002 and does not.
The Euphonic is a limited edition based on the 1.6 or 1.8 standard car. It still had things like a Tochigi-Fuji limited slip diff (on the 1.8), white dials & heated seats. I think it came with the extra bracing struts the Sport has and possible the same big brakes too. The 16" alloys it comes with look good, but they're a bit heavy apparently.
The interior looks basically the same, but the door panels and center section of the seats are red leather, which I'm not personally a fan of. Otherwise it looks nice.
Look for rust on both. If you dont know where to look do some research on chassis legs and sills.
The hardtop if in good condition is worth £300ish so that should be a factor in your costings. Personally i would spend the least you can on the least rusty car you can.
Mk2 prices are low and will probably continue to drop, so the more you spend the more depreciation you will suffer (kinda obvious though right?)
The hardtop if in good condition is worth £300ish so that should be a factor in your costings. Personally i would spend the least you can on the least rusty car you can.
Mk2 prices are low and will probably continue to drop, so the more you spend the more depreciation you will suffer (kinda obvious though right?)
Thanks guys, the 2002 was a dog. In fact I cannot remember the last time I saw a car in as much of a state as that. The only good thing about it was the hard top was in excellent condition.
Waiting on hearing about the 2004 if I can view it.
Waiting on hearing about the 2004 if I can view it.
Edited by ROSSinHD on Thursday 19th July 12:21
If it's a mk2 / 2.5 you MUST check for chassis rail rust, or have it checked. Sills are pretty easy to check and fix in comparison to this issue.
https://www.themx5restorer.co.uk/services/welding-...
https://www.themx5restorer.co.uk/services/welding-...
Thanks for all the tips. I am now the proud owner of a 2004 1.8 euphonic. Gave the car a good going over and I saw no signs of rust. 37k miles, fsh and garaged all its life when not in use. Will take a while to get use to the box and the driving position as my other car is a Qashqui but drove home with a stupid grin on my face.
Think in terms of mods the Sony headunit and changer will come out in favour of a Bluetooth unit so I can play Spotify from my phone and I would love to get the chrome roll bar things and spray the alloys black.
Think in terms of mods the Sony headunit and changer will come out in favour of a Bluetooth unit so I can play Spotify from my phone and I would love to get the chrome roll bar things and spray the alloys black.
When I owned a 1990 Mk1 just about the time the UK owners club started I obtained from the Miata Club USA a cutting from one of their first magazines listing 3 easy cheap ways to release more power given that the engine was designed for global markets & the poorest quality fuel.
The modifications were:
1. Advance the ignition to 14 degrees.
2. Install a free-flow air filter.
3. Fit a less restrictive rear exhaust box.
These things I did (Borla exhaust from the States) plus up-rated ignition leads & better spark plugs. The difference was remarkable it was if I prior to making the changes I had been driving the car with the handbrake on. The car was as lively as hell & made the Honda S2000 that followed seem cumbersome & gutless.
I tell this tale knowing that very soon after the timing twiddle was not possible so I have assumed that all subsequent Mx-5's benefit from being able to breath better, thus a useful modification as a priority over improving ICE or adding pretty bits like chrome bars. Just a thought.
The modifications were:
1. Advance the ignition to 14 degrees.
2. Install a free-flow air filter.
3. Fit a less restrictive rear exhaust box.
These things I did (Borla exhaust from the States) plus up-rated ignition leads & better spark plugs. The difference was remarkable it was if I prior to making the changes I had been driving the car with the handbrake on. The car was as lively as hell & made the Honda S2000 that followed seem cumbersome & gutless.
I tell this tale knowing that very soon after the timing twiddle was not possible so I have assumed that all subsequent Mx-5's benefit from being able to breath better, thus a useful modification as a priority over improving ICE or adding pretty bits like chrome bars. Just a thought.
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