2002 MX5 1.6 - what bhp?

[mccrackenj]

Hi all

I made a huge mistake earlier this week. I drove my other half's friend's new toy - a 2002 1.6 MX5. OMG it was superb! It felt a bit gutless TBH (my own car is a TVR Chimaera) but so, so much fun and I just loved it. I really think on a twisty road I could cover ground in it quicker than the Chimaera, especially if the surface was bad (I must be a bit of a wuss?). Now I'm seriously on the lookout for a Mark 1.

My question is - what's the output of a Mk2 1.6? I know the post 1994 Mk1s were reduced to around 90 bhp but was this carried forward into the Mk2s?

The reason I ask is that I'm ideally looking for a 1.8 Mk1 but if the one I drove this week was only 90bhp then I'd probably be more than happy with a pre 1994 1.6 with around 115 bhp.

(PS I don't want to re-open the whole 'early 1.6 V 1.8' rivalry!)

Thanks

John

[MX-5 Lazza]

Mk2 1.6 is something like 120bhp - this was carried on to the Mk2.5 (01+ facelifted Mk2) with similar power.

It goes something like this:

UK MX-5 Mk1
1989 - 1993
> 1.6L 114bhp

1993 - 1998
> 1.8L 130bhp (actually changed between 128, 130 & 133bhp depending on year)

1994 - 1998
> 1.6L 88bhp

Jap mk1
1989 - 1993
> 1.6L 114bhp

1993 - 1998
> 1.8 130bhp (actually changed between 128, 130 & 133bhp depending on year)

UK Mk2
1.6L 120bhp (or something like that)
1.8L 138bhp

UK Mk2.5
1.6L 120bhp (or something like that)
1.8L 146bhp

Of course that isn't the whole story.
The Mk2 1.6 is a very willing engine but if you try a 1.8 you won't consider a 1.6 again. They still aren't fast or powerful cars but the extra torque makes them much easier to live with. On the lighter Mk1 that's not quite as much of an issue.
The earliest Mk1 1.6 was only about 900Kg. The latest Mk2.5 with all the gubbings can be as heavy as 1200Kg!
This means that the earliest Mk1 can be pretty much as quick as the latest Mk2.5 and feel much better on a twisty road due to the light weight.
The other consideration is that each generation got softer with spongier suspension and more body roll but an improved geometry so while the Mk1 feels the most lively they all cover the ground at a similar pace. Later cars are more comfortable but earlier cars have more interior space.

Buy based on what you like the look of (looks are very subjective and individual according to taste) and what you like the feel of. Also consider the options you really want and bear in mind the age of the car. A Jap Mk1 (and certain UK editions) have a viscous LSD but by now it will be worn out and acting as an open dif. The earliest cars are now 18 years old! Jap cars usually have electric windows & mirrors whereas only the top spec UK cars will have them. Jap cars usually have AC while this is very rare on UK cars (though less rare on Mk2.5).
UK cars can be easier to insure though this too is becoming less of a problem as insurers accept the fact that there are hardly any differences between UK & Jap spec cars.

[mccrackenj]

Thanks for all that Lazza. I new about the different outputs of the Mk1s bit not the Mk2s so I wanted to know what power the Mk2 I drove last week had as a reference.

I'm pretty sure I'll be looking for a 1.8 as I prefer to have a bit more torque and I'm also after a Mk1 as I prefer the look of the Mk1.

Your Mk2 looks V nice by the way.

Thanks again

John

[Chris71]

In short - when the UK 1.8 was introcued, they restricted the UK 1.6 to 89hp or whatever it was. In Japan, the 1.6 remained 120, whilst the 1.8 was a little over 130.

Haven't driven a 1.6, but been in several 1.8 mk1's (inclduign my RS-lTD with a lowered final drive) and none of them feel quick. At best it's about the same pace as my old 205 GTi, but it does things on a wet roundabout that the FWD pig never would

[MX-5 Lazza]

Chris71 said:

In short - when the UK 1.8 was introcued, they restricted the UK 1.6 to 89hp or whatever it was. In Japan, the 1.6 remained 120, whilst the 1.8 was a little over 130.

Are you sure about that? I thought the 1.6 was 114bhp in all markets until 1993 when it was replaced by the 1.8.
For the UK (and possibly some other European markets) the 1.6 was reintroduced but with an 88bhp engine for insurance reasons.
I don't think there are any Japanese market 1.6s after 1993.
That's all Mk1 of course. The Mk2 & 2.5 have 1.6 options but with reasonable (120bhp) engines.

[Chris71]

MX-5 Lazza said:

Chris71 said:

In short - when the UK 1.8 was introcued, they restricted the UK 1.6 to 89hp or whatever it was. In Japan, the 1.6 remained 120, whilst the 1.8 was a little over 130.

Are you sure about that? I thought the 1.6 was 114bhp in all markets until 1993 when it was replaced by the 1.8.
For the UK (and possibly some other European markets) the 1.6 was reintroduced but with an 88bhp engine for insurance reasons.
I don't think there are any Japanese market 1.6s after 1993.
That's all Mk1 of course. The Mk2 & 2.5 have 1.6 options but with reasonable (120bhp) engines.

In a word - no, I'm not

That was my understanding tho and I thought it provided a basic rule of thumb (all cars are equal until 1994, then the UK models were offered with a ROW 1.8 or an emasculated 1.6)

[MX-5 Lazza]

I think the only real difference engine-wise was that Japan didn't have a 1.6 after 1993. The UK spec 1.6 before 1993 and 1.8 after 1993 are pretty much the same as the Jap spec engines.