Mk 2.5 or Newer Mk3

[casbar]

Are the two chassis as good as each other? If going for a Mk3, 1.8 or 2 ltr.

Read a report that said the model to go for is the S, is this the case in both the Mk2.5 and 3?

Cheers, Car will be for my other half We already have a Caterham 7, so not looking for a speed machine, just something interesting from my other half to commute in.

[willd58]

I would go for the Mk3 then if its for the other half and its just a commuter. More comfy and modern interior with allot more mod cons as standard.

Edited by willd58 on Monday 12th May 23:28

[MX-5 Lazza]

Evo magazine tested the mk3 and concluded that the only one they could recommend is the top 2.0 Sport model. This is because they found the chassis suffered from sudden and unpredictable oversteer that was almost impossible to catch. This was improved by fitting the Eibach springs and a proper alignment but was still there. The Sport is the only one with TC which is why they recommend that one.

I don't have any 1st hand experience of this though having never driven a Mk3 and I haven't seen reports of it on the forums.

[stumpage]

Mrs Stumpage and myself tested both the MK3 2.0 Sport and a MK2.5 1.8 Sport back to back at the same dealer. We brought the 2.5 due to the fact that we had a child like grin when we got out of the MK2.5. It just felt more chuckable and fun. The thing was the salesman (a little unhappy that we decided to spend £6K less with him) said that most people prefer the older car when they test drive them both.

I would like to try the MK3 with the Eibach suspension, I bet it would make it a great car.

[casbar]

Thanks, for your help, I think the way forward is to test both. But looking at either the 18s or the 2.0s Mk 3

[Mannginger]

Check out the Owner's clubs (both official and unofficial)

Plenty of documentation around about the problems around the ride-height and geometry. Apparently well corrected by fitting Eibachs and having the geometry done (as said above)

Have you considered the Coupe as well? It adds a few mm of ride-height but could be better as a year round commuter car?

Personally I've been looking and if I could justify the expense I'd go for a Mk3 (NC) 1.8 option pack, soft top with Eibachs and geometry sorted and standard alloy wheels. (1.8 over the 2.0 for economy reasons but also as the plaudits over the 5 speed box seem to outweigh any benefits of the 6 speed)

[/2p]