Potential Mk3 / 3.5 Purchase questions
Discussion
Good morning,
Recently moved to Australia and always liked the idea of convertibles and two seater sports cars having a few Westfield and Caterham’s in the past. Here in Australia there not as common and I would prefer the extra usability the MX5 offers over the seven type cars.
At the present time it would be a sole car for myself and research has shown that it should be suitable with a bike rack being available to allow me to continue Mountain biking.
Whilst looking online my budget would allow a Mk3 series 1 or series 2 there not as common here as in the UK particularly in Perth with probably around 6 or 7 available.
I have the following questions
- What is more desirable folding hard top on a mk3 series 1 or going for the mk3 series 2 with a soft top (very similar price and mileage similar). From what I have read there is a facelift and geometry change on the series 2 however I would be upgrading the suspension on any car I bought. How watertight are the soft tops and how much wind noise do you get. Perth is great weather in the summer but during the winter it can rain quite a bit and it usually quite heavy. Is the Sun likely to bleach the soft top and therefore begin to look tatty? Looking for some owners experiences.
- I’m 6ft2 tall will my height create a problem with being comfortable in the car and is there any difference between the Series 1 or series 2 that would make one more comfortable than the other?
In addition to suspension upgrades I would also be looking to improve other areas to allow me to drive it on track, this would include increasing the power, improve brakes and changing the geometry/ handling but maintaining good road manners. In relation to this I will be going down the forced induction route maintaining the standard internals however do people make modifications to the sump to prevent oil surge? What is the consensus of what works best, i.e. I understand that a dry sump is the best however is this really necessary for the car which will never be run on slicks but see a fair amount of track action in 20 minute spells.
I’m sure I will have some further questions as I continue my research into buying and then improvements and modifications.
Cheers
Ross
Recently moved to Australia and always liked the idea of convertibles and two seater sports cars having a few Westfield and Caterham’s in the past. Here in Australia there not as common and I would prefer the extra usability the MX5 offers over the seven type cars.
At the present time it would be a sole car for myself and research has shown that it should be suitable with a bike rack being available to allow me to continue Mountain biking.
Whilst looking online my budget would allow a Mk3 series 1 or series 2 there not as common here as in the UK particularly in Perth with probably around 6 or 7 available.
I have the following questions
- What is more desirable folding hard top on a mk3 series 1 or going for the mk3 series 2 with a soft top (very similar price and mileage similar). From what I have read there is a facelift and geometry change on the series 2 however I would be upgrading the suspension on any car I bought. How watertight are the soft tops and how much wind noise do you get. Perth is great weather in the summer but during the winter it can rain quite a bit and it usually quite heavy. Is the Sun likely to bleach the soft top and therefore begin to look tatty? Looking for some owners experiences.
- I’m 6ft2 tall will my height create a problem with being comfortable in the car and is there any difference between the Series 1 or series 2 that would make one more comfortable than the other?
In addition to suspension upgrades I would also be looking to improve other areas to allow me to drive it on track, this would include increasing the power, improve brakes and changing the geometry/ handling but maintaining good road manners. In relation to this I will be going down the forced induction route maintaining the standard internals however do people make modifications to the sump to prevent oil surge? What is the consensus of what works best, i.e. I understand that a dry sump is the best however is this really necessary for the car which will never be run on slicks but see a fair amount of track action in 20 minute spells.
I’m sure I will have some further questions as I continue my research into buying and then improvements and modifications.
Cheers
Ross
What is more desirable folding hard top on a mk3 series 1 or going for the mk3 series 2 with a soft top (very similar price and mileage similar). From what I have read there is a facelift and geometry change on the series 2 however I would be upgrading the suspension on any car I bought. How watertight are the soft tops and how much wind noise do you get. Perth is great weather in the summer but during the winter it can rain quite a bit and it usually quite heavy. Is the Sun likely to bleach the soft top and therefore begin to look tatty? Looking for some owners experiences.
There isn't really a 'more desirable', you simply buy whichever suits you or is available. There will be slightly more wind noise with a soft top, but its barely noticeable. Retractable hard top is heavier, more to go wrong, but more popular in the US so it's probable it'll suit you better. We generally don't get enough sun over here to trouble the fabric so maybe you'd be better off asking about that on a US based page. They don't leak unless the drains get blocked.
- I’m 6ft2 tall will my height create a problem with being comfortable in the car and is there any difference between the Series 1 or series 2 that would make one more comfortable than the other?
The NC is the biggest of them all so you should be ok, personally I found the cup holder in the early ones to be the biggest issue, it is right where my knee is, so the flush fitting type in the S3 is much better for me, but it depends how you are built and how you sit.
In addition to suspension upgrades I would also be looking to improve other areas to allow me to drive it on track, this would include increasing the power, improve brakes and changing the geometry/ handling but maintaining good road manners. In relation to this I will be going down the forced induction route maintaining the standard internals however do people make modifications to the sump to prevent oil surge? What is the consensus of what works best, i.e. I understand that a dry sump is the best however is this really necessary for the car which will never be run on slicks but see a fair amount of track action in 20 minute spells.
No dry sumping needed.
There isn't really a 'more desirable', you simply buy whichever suits you or is available. There will be slightly more wind noise with a soft top, but its barely noticeable. Retractable hard top is heavier, more to go wrong, but more popular in the US so it's probable it'll suit you better. We generally don't get enough sun over here to trouble the fabric so maybe you'd be better off asking about that on a US based page. They don't leak unless the drains get blocked.
- I’m 6ft2 tall will my height create a problem with being comfortable in the car and is there any difference between the Series 1 or series 2 that would make one more comfortable than the other?
The NC is the biggest of them all so you should be ok, personally I found the cup holder in the early ones to be the biggest issue, it is right where my knee is, so the flush fitting type in the S3 is much better for me, but it depends how you are built and how you sit.
In addition to suspension upgrades I would also be looking to improve other areas to allow me to drive it on track, this would include increasing the power, improve brakes and changing the geometry/ handling but maintaining good road manners. In relation to this I will be going down the forced induction route maintaining the standard internals however do people make modifications to the sump to prevent oil surge? What is the consensus of what works best, i.e. I understand that a dry sump is the best however is this really necessary for the car which will never be run on slicks but see a fair amount of track action in 20 minute spells.
No dry sumping needed.
Have had a 2.0 Sport Tech PRHT (electric hard top) NC2 (no dodgy cup holders on the doors) for just over a year. As a short-arse Sunday driver I cannot answer any of your queries regarding physical fit or track use, but as has already been written the car will stay dry provided the drain holes are clear - and that the windscreen scuttle grommets are attended to. A search on this will give plenty of hits; a foam gasket on either side of the scuttle breaks down and allows water in. It is an easy fix - and something which should be done on any car acquired.
Ross_328i_sport said:
research has shown that it should be suitable with a bike rack being available to allow me to continue Mountain biking.
I don't have a boot rack, but from forum posts it would seem that racks are designed differently for soft top and PRHT use; this makes sense, given the way the boot opens to stow the PRHT. If you have found a rack that you think can accommodate your bike, it might be prudent to check which sort of car it will fit.Gassing Station | Mazda MX5/Roadster/Miata | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff