Can you help & advise on MX5 please??
Discussion
Hello!
I would like help with deciding which MX5 to buy and thought a forum would be a good place to start. I currently have a Peugeot 206GTI which i am disenchanted with to say the least-it was meant to be a fun car which is ok if you are a clown i suppose. I've always liked the look of the MX5 although the latest model i'm not so keen on but they just look like fun.I would like to know about engine reliability,service intervals,insurance groups,build quality, what to look out for etc etc. I want to basically find out from owners all the ups and downs of MX5's. THANKS
I would like help with deciding which MX5 to buy and thought a forum would be a good place to start. I currently have a Peugeot 206GTI which i am disenchanted with to say the least-it was meant to be a fun car which is ok if you are a clown i suppose. I've always liked the look of the MX5 although the latest model i'm not so keen on but they just look like fun.I would like to know about engine reliability,service intervals,insurance groups,build quality, what to look out for etc etc. I want to basically find out from owners all the ups and downs of MX5's. THANKS
They are one of the most reliable cars around. Service is every 9k miles (not sure about the Mk3 though). Insurance group is 12/13, something like that. Main thing to look for is good maintenence and rust on sills. Mine has 112k on the clock and still runs like a dream, and there's plenty of cars out there with much higher mileage.
Which model do you like? There's the mk1 (pop up lights), mk2/mk2.5, and mk3. If you look at my profile, mines a mk2. There's a lower bhp version in the mk1, think it's post-94 cars, if you search there's plenty of posts out there detailing specs. Depends on what your budget is as to what you'll be able to buy.
This is good for models and there's an import one somewhere on their website too.
Also check out Nutz and The OC for lots more MX5 advice.
Which model do you like? There's the mk1 (pop up lights), mk2/mk2.5, and mk3. If you look at my profile, mines a mk2. There's a lower bhp version in the mk1, think it's post-94 cars, if you search there's plenty of posts out there detailing specs. Depends on what your budget is as to what you'll be able to buy.
This is good for models and there's an import one somewhere on their website too.
Also check out Nutz and The OC for lots more MX5 advice.
Hello there...
I found this thread very useful when buying mine. Read the whole thing and it will be of great help:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
R
I found this thread very useful when buying mine. Read the whole thing and it will be of great help:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
R
how much are you looking to spend? you could get a nice mk2.5 for maybe 5-6 and a nice mk1 for around 3k.
personally i prefer the mk1 (it's what i have) as i consider a slightly purer car, but i'm sure both are enjoyable (and more so than the 206!!)
build quality is pretty good - honestly, you do sometimes get a few problems with rust on the wings just in front of the rear wheels. and that's really the main issue - sometimes softtops shrink over time and let a little more water in than you'd like! also, sometimes the brake calipers can get a little sticky, but they are about £80 each on exchange basis so not a deal-breaker.
but everything else is positive. they'll go on forever if you look after them - i'm getting on for 150k miles now, and it doesn't use a drop of oil. always buy on condition rather than miles. i service mine roughly every 5k miles / half year, but then i track my car and it has a turbo, both of which means you need to look after it a little more. a normal stock car that's only driven on the road, you can extend service intervals to 9k or yearly if you use a decent quality oil. unless you get the underpowered model (post 94 mk1 1.6) they are all quick enough to have a lot of fun and the handling is great, and in the summer getting the roof down in the sun and also on a warm night is fantastic. insurance is ok, there are some specialist firms that won't give you a stupid quote if you decide to get an import, i pay 360 fully comp on a UK car (28, 6 years ncb).
as for getting an import or a UK car, again it's not really that important - they imports tend to be a little better spec'd with aircon, but even most of the UK cars have elecric windows and power steering. all the parts are identical but as they don't salt the roads in japan, they tend not to suffer from rust as bad as some UK cars - i'd advise you don't aim specifically for one or the other unless you have to for reasons of insurance etc.
personally i prefer the mk1 (it's what i have) as i consider a slightly purer car, but i'm sure both are enjoyable (and more so than the 206!!)
build quality is pretty good - honestly, you do sometimes get a few problems with rust on the wings just in front of the rear wheels. and that's really the main issue - sometimes softtops shrink over time and let a little more water in than you'd like! also, sometimes the brake calipers can get a little sticky, but they are about £80 each on exchange basis so not a deal-breaker.
but everything else is positive. they'll go on forever if you look after them - i'm getting on for 150k miles now, and it doesn't use a drop of oil. always buy on condition rather than miles. i service mine roughly every 5k miles / half year, but then i track my car and it has a turbo, both of which means you need to look after it a little more. a normal stock car that's only driven on the road, you can extend service intervals to 9k or yearly if you use a decent quality oil. unless you get the underpowered model (post 94 mk1 1.6) they are all quick enough to have a lot of fun and the handling is great, and in the summer getting the roof down in the sun and also on a warm night is fantastic. insurance is ok, there are some specialist firms that won't give you a stupid quote if you decide to get an import, i pay 360 fully comp on a UK car (28, 6 years ncb).
as for getting an import or a UK car, again it's not really that important - they imports tend to be a little better spec'd with aircon, but even most of the UK cars have elecric windows and power steering. all the parts are identical but as they don't salt the roads in japan, they tend not to suffer from rust as bad as some UK cars - i'd advise you don't aim specifically for one or the other unless you have to for reasons of insurance etc.
Reliability:
My Mk2 was the most reliable car i've ever had. Nothing went wrong on it the 12 months I had it. It got thrashed everyday and I'd worn my rear tyres out quite quickly. Never missed a beat.
Check it's had a cambelt change at 60K or it can get quite expensive.
Check sills for rust spots and bootlid lip, which can show the onset of rust.
As with all cars, ensure all levels are topped up etc and you'll be fine.
Check the softop as a replacement can cost north of £300.00.
There aren't many areas in which they do go wrong, mainly thorugh simplicity.
Insurance:
Group 13E (I think) for a sport, all other are, obviously, lower.
Service intervals:
Every 12k approx for Major service, 6k for minor.
To be honest, there really shouldn't be much to think about. All parts like clutch etc are built to take more power so there isn't many problems there.
Just get one and enjoy the upcoming summer.
My Mk2 was the most reliable car i've ever had. Nothing went wrong on it the 12 months I had it. It got thrashed everyday and I'd worn my rear tyres out quite quickly. Never missed a beat.
Check it's had a cambelt change at 60K or it can get quite expensive.
Check sills for rust spots and bootlid lip, which can show the onset of rust.
As with all cars, ensure all levels are topped up etc and you'll be fine.
Check the softop as a replacement can cost north of £300.00.
There aren't many areas in which they do go wrong, mainly thorugh simplicity.
Insurance:
Group 13E (I think) for a sport, all other are, obviously, lower.
Service intervals:
Every 12k approx for Major service, 6k for minor.
To be honest, there really shouldn't be much to think about. All parts like clutch etc are built to take more power so there isn't many problems there.
Just get one and enjoy the upcoming summer.
Thanks for all the advice and feedback,I have taken notes and will begin to have a look around-unless anyone wants to swap an MX5 for a Pug???????? No, seriously i will probably think of loads of other things that i will need help with, so i will keep you posted! Thanks again everyone.
Gassing Station | Mazda MX5/Roadster/Miata | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff