Mx5 purchase help.
Discussion
Plenty of buyers guides out there, and to decide between the engines I'd go and drive them and see how each suits your needs. Pre 2019 MY the 1.5 revs better but is obviously less powerful, for the 19MY the 2.0 got more power and revs higher.
They depreciate slowly, so consider getting a brand new one with the discounts and finance contributions available it makes a 12-18 month old one pointless. You can get a £2k deposit contribution on PCP then clear the lot a month or two later. Spec levels are all on the Mazda website for current models and have been much the same since launch.
Personally I think the SE-L Nav 1.5 with a couple of grand off list is fantastic value. They look great in the zero cost white too, and I usually dislike white cars.
They depreciate slowly, so consider getting a brand new one with the discounts and finance contributions available it makes a 12-18 month old one pointless. You can get a £2k deposit contribution on PCP then clear the lot a month or two later. Spec levels are all on the Mazda website for current models and have been much the same since launch.
Personally I think the SE-L Nav 1.5 with a couple of grand off list is fantastic value. They look great in the zero cost white too, and I usually dislike white cars.
Dependant on your height & er width be very sure you'll be comfortable in what is a very cramped cockpit. The lack of storage space (boot & cabin) & what looks like a last last minute add-on Sat. Nav screen dominating the dashboard may or may not be an issue for you initially but after a few months ownership may.
A cosy compact sportscar nevertheless & as asleady mentioned the depreciation is acceptable.
A cosy compact sportscar nevertheless & as asleady mentioned the depreciation is acceptable.
WJNB said:
Dependant on your height & er width be very sure you'll be comfortable in what is a very cramped cockpit. The lack of storage space (boot & cabin) & what looks like a last last minute add-on Sat. Nav screen dominating the dashboard may or may not be an issue for you initially but after a few months ownership may.
A cosy compact sportscar nevertheless & as asleady mentioned the depreciation is acceptable.
We managed a 5 day trip to Germany in the Demo RF and found there was enough room, albeit our other car is a Merc E class which has cavernous room, bit I do take your point about lack of glovebox, however by accident we found there is a cubbyhole behind each seat which is useful.A cosy compact sportscar nevertheless & as asleady mentioned the depreciation is acceptable.
Yes its a shame the screen doesn't retract, but I guess adds costs
My other car is a Jaguar XJ and while the MX5 is obviously much smaller I have driven 4 hours in it without feeling overly fatigued. Obviously it's much noisier than anything other than little city cars, but the ride quality is remarkably good as are vibration levels. If you're around 6' or more I wouldn't assume you'd be comfortable, but equally well I wouldn't assume you won't be! You can't sprawl like you do in a big barge, but you end up with a Z4 if you want a roadster with sprawling room.
I've never really understood the criticism about lack of space - how much s
t do people keep in their cars?!
From memory there is a box between the seats that is about the same size as a normal glove box. Gloves and two hats in there, along with some other odds and sods. For stuff you don't need very often there are two really quite large storage things behind each seats, there is also a small cavity under the arm rest that is perfect for sunglasses. The cupholders between the seats are no good at all, I keep banging my elbow, but I keep one in the car that goes on the passenger side of the console. This can be a pain if you have a larger passenger.
I also think the stick up sat-nav screen thing is a total "looking for things to moan about" issue. When you're actually in the car it isn't at all in your line of sight and if that genuinely is a good enough reason not to buy the only remaining sensibly priced roadster in the world then you were never actually going to buy one anyway. I did see an interview with one of the design engineers who said that it was basically impossible to have the small and slim dashboard design and a screen folding mechanism, which seems totally plausible. If it bothers you that much the base spec car doesn't have it.
I've never really understood the criticism about lack of space - how much s
t do people keep in their cars?!From memory there is a box between the seats that is about the same size as a normal glove box. Gloves and two hats in there, along with some other odds and sods. For stuff you don't need very often there are two really quite large storage things behind each seats, there is also a small cavity under the arm rest that is perfect for sunglasses. The cupholders between the seats are no good at all, I keep banging my elbow, but I keep one in the car that goes on the passenger side of the console. This can be a pain if you have a larger passenger.
I also think the stick up sat-nav screen thing is a total "looking for things to moan about" issue. When you're actually in the car it isn't at all in your line of sight and if that genuinely is a good enough reason not to buy the only remaining sensibly priced roadster in the world then you were never actually going to buy one anyway. I did see an interview with one of the design engineers who said that it was basically impossible to have the small and slim dashboard design and a screen folding mechanism, which seems totally plausible. If it bothers you that much the base spec car doesn't have it.
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 16th December 14:20
Absolutely - I am a well padded 5-11 and my ND has ample room for me and adequate storage space . I do think we have become inured to the sheer bulk of most modern cars - my less than svelte self had cars such as a Clan Crusader, MG Midget as daily drivers and I also had Sevens for 100k miles as fun cars. The latter were a squeeze , admittedly , but why anybody wants bigger dimensions in a fun , light and agile car like an MX 5 is beyond me . I fit , my passenger fits , my stuff fits - what is the point of driving round with more internal space going spare than is used or needed ?
No sleep has been lost over the sat nav screen I can confess - it's a litlte screen , it's visible and it works . Position of satnav is not high on my list of priorities . Stuff like excellent driving position,control weighting (spot on apart from the mediocre , feel- less steering ) , zingy engine with no rev hang and close-ish ratios, with no hugely overgeared sixth are much more important to me .
In other news , the standard set up (on my 2litre Sport Nav ) is still a bit roly poly and the Mazda lowered springs transformed the feel of the car , at the expense of a slightly more 'nuggety' ride .
No sleep has been lost over the sat nav screen I can confess - it's a litlte screen , it's visible and it works . Position of satnav is not high on my list of priorities . Stuff like excellent driving position,control weighting (spot on apart from the mediocre , feel- less steering ) , zingy engine with no rev hang and close-ish ratios, with no hugely overgeared sixth are much more important to me .
In other news , the standard set up (on my 2litre Sport Nav ) is still a bit roly poly and the Mazda lowered springs transformed the feel of the car , at the expense of a slightly more 'nuggety' ride .
I have the 1.5 and it is a lovely engine. Most of my journeys are local and in town and it suits this type of use. Perfectly fast enough for me. If I had more motorway and A road driving I would recommend the 2l for the extra grunt and more comfortable motorway speed cruise.
I am 6’ 3’’ and it is snug but still v comfortable. My head grazes the roof when up but I have it down most of the time anyway! Only serious rain makes me put it up. Sat nav is fine. Not sure what the fuss is about it.
The 30th edition cars are now being discounted as the colour is v marmite. If you are ok with the orange you get the lovely recaros which are fantastic. Overall I am really pleased with mine. Nothing else comes close at this price point
I am 6’ 3’’ and it is snug but still v comfortable. My head grazes the roof when up but I have it down most of the time anyway! Only serious rain makes me put it up. Sat nav is fine. Not sure what the fuss is about it.
The 30th edition cars are now being discounted as the colour is v marmite. If you are ok with the orange you get the lovely recaros which are fantastic. Overall I am really pleased with mine. Nothing else comes close at this price point
Road2Ruin said:
I am thinking of treating myself to an mx5. I have around 15k to spend, but no idea of models or levels of spec. What should I be looking for?
I know there are two engines on the new model, a 1.5 and 2.0. Is the 1.5 any good?
Thanks
We have got a 1.5L and its a blast, steers and goes very nicely. Can use most of the performance on the road without being anti social.I know there are two engines on the new model, a 1.5 and 2.0. Is the 1.5 any good?
Thanks
I've just had a car arrive which I didn't expect to see so soon so we might be tempted out of ours for your budget, its a 19 plate [new model] 1.5 SE+ in Metallic Black, as new condition with about 4k miles. Its also got 3 years of servicing included. If its of interest please PM me.
Bennno
Guess it depends on what you want, 15k would buy a 19 plate 1.5SE+ current model with minimal miles and 2.5 years of manufacturer warranty remaining, a 67 plate sport nav with 15k miles or an older recaro edition car from 2016 if you can find one. In terms of current model that budget wont buy a 182bhp car. They are all good - spends if OP wants spec or new car experience.
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