Looking at getting an MX5
Discussion
Well this week i turn 20 years old and fancy a change in car and fancy a convertible so the MX5 is a logical place to look my parents use to have a MK1 1.8 Dakar. I started off looking at the Mk3 but have decided that there still a little to expensive for the spec i would like. SO have started looking at the Mk2.5 and like the look of the Nevada special edition? I started looking at the 1.8 thinking that they would be a better buy than the 1.6 as they are only a 1 group higher on the insurance, but now am thinkin maybe the 1.6 is a better choice evem tho its less powerful due to a difference in insurance costs of around £400.
I've got a Nevada.
I've had a Mk1 1.8 and Mk2 1.8iS previously. The Nevada is damn good in comparison and well worht the outlay, except the seats which aren't brilliant. I'd seriuosly recommend one, although if you're looking at a Mk2.5, i'd get the 1.8.
I've had a Mk1 1.8 and Mk2 1.8iS previously. The Nevada is damn good in comparison and well worht the outlay, except the seats which aren't brilliant. I'd seriuosly recommend one, although if you're looking at a Mk2.5, i'd get the 1.8.
Edited by Combover on Monday 12th May 12:33
My wife has had a Nevada for the last 18 months or so (have to sell now due to company car rules!) its a great car we have both loved it especially in weather such as we've had recently.
Cant comment on the 1.6 as have never driven one but the 1.8 has plenty of power and pulls nicely.
Cant comment on the 1.6 as have never driven one but the 1.8 has plenty of power and pulls nicely.
Borris-Bear said:
Cant comment on the 1.6 as have never driven one but the 1.8 has plenty of power and pulls nicely.
I don't agree. The 1.8 has barely enough power for what it is. Iam of the opinion that while it does pull niceley, it doesn't pull enough. The engine is smooth and sounds pretty good, but is underpowered. The 1.6 would just be too slow. 
Combover said:
Borris-Bear said:
Cant comment on the 1.6 as have never driven one but the 1.8 has plenty of power and pulls nicely.
I don't agree. The 1.8 has barely enough power for what it is. Iam of the opinion that while it does pull niceley, it doesn't pull enough. The engine is smooth and sounds pretty good, but is underpowered. The 1.6 would just be too slow. buccal said:
Combover said:
Borris-Bear said:
Cant comment on the 1.6 as have never driven one but the 1.8 has plenty of power and pulls nicely.
I don't agree. The 1.8 has barely enough power for what it is. Iam of the opinion that while it does pull niceley, it doesn't pull enough. The engine is smooth and sounds pretty good, but is underpowered. The 1.6 would just be too slow. As has been said many times before, these cars aren't about straight line speed - even a Gold TDI can match or even beat an MX-5 in a drag race but who cares? Where is the fun in that? Get it on a good twisty road and they won't see you for dust!
I know that it isnt going to be the quickest car in the world. I have a test drive booked for tomorrow in a 1.6 Nevada, I want something than i can have some fun in the bends and top down motoring. Does £8995 sound steep for a 1.6 Nevada with 38,000 miles and also from a Mazda main dealer (like the idea of the 12 month warrentee on it)
SiC2 said:
I know that it isnt going to be the quickest car in the world. I have a test drive booked for tomorrow in a 1.6 Nevada, I want something than i can have some fun in the bends and top down motoring. Does £8995 sound steep for a 1.6 Nevada with 38,000 miles and also from a Mazda main dealer (like the idea of the 12 month warrentee on it)
Yes. My 1.8 Nevada was damn near £2.5K less with ~30,000 miles.Yes that is a little expensive but probably about what you'd expect to pay from a main-dealer. It's better to look around at the private market as there are some real bargains out there. Don't worry too much about the warranty, if you can save £1000 and the worst happens the saving can pay for a new engine! They don't go wrong anyway, certainly not if you are looking at 3-4 year old cars.
That looks lovely - what is an RS model? Unfortunately i really need a car newer than X reg - (Have a personalised number plate that i want to keep on it)
I had a drive in a 1.6 Nevada today and wasnt particularly impressed with it, but think that may have been because i drove it in the middle of leicester so not ideal MX5 location. I felt that it lacked power especially in stop start traffic. Going to have a look at some more locally as country roads are closer to try them on.
I had a drive in a 1.6 Nevada today and wasnt particularly impressed with it, but think that may have been because i drove it in the middle of leicester so not ideal MX5 location. I felt that it lacked power especially in stop start traffic. Going to have a look at some more locally as country roads are closer to try them on.
Remember though that with MX-5s most of the power is at higher revs, regardless of the engine. To make any sort of rapid progress you need to wring it's neck and thrash it's nuts off. If you drive around under 3krpm then it will feel slow. Over 4k and they start to come alive and over 6k they are really buzzing. Don't worry about the engines, you can't break them with revs.
jazzybee said:
Sorry, I know all the talk is of a Mk2.5 Nevada, but just seen this very nice looking import in the classifieds and very reasonable price. Its a Mk2 1.8 RS import for £3895
very nice - very rare (import only) colour for the mk2 and looks great on the 2.5 wheels. good price too imoas for modding pop-ups you can either get low pro conversion which pops them up to about half height and use either two small side by side lights on either side or rectangular lights, or you can get a flush conversion with a clear cover like the fiat coupe
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