Discussion
First post here so I will keep it brief. My wife will be doing 500 motorway miles per week for the next few years. We may be moving abroad after then and do not want to spend large amounts of cash to buy 2 brand new cars and then get hit with depreciation etc. As a fun car, is an early Mk1 car that will cost less than 2000 (pound key not functioning!) be reliable and up to the motorway job? I know much is based on condition, engine size and history nbut just looking a general point of view. I know a mondeo or vectra etc is a good choice but a little dull!
I sold my '5 because I was going to be doing more motorway miles. To be honest, it wasn't really the best motorway car. It was noisy, thirsty and didn't make me feel very safe (passing lorries and the suchlike). Its not too comfortable either. Whilst I'm sure its up to the task, I wouldn't recommend it.
DOH! I put my reply on the other thread!
hcanning said:
Mk1 MX5s are dreadful on the motorway. Noisy, unrefined and high-revving. I definitely would not recommend one for frequent long distance trips. As a fun car however, they're unparalleled 
Mk1 1.6 will be noisy, unrefined and high-revving but the 1.8 isn't anywhere near as bad. Still not a Mondeo but certainly usable.Technically more than capable.. but ..
Fun in the summer (theoretically..) with the top down and decent wind blocker. (60 -> 100 doesnt get much more windy/noisy)
Not much fun when its lashing down with rain, zero visibility to the sides and back being engulfed in the spray from everything. Heat from the transmission tunnel slowly broiling you.
Unless theres a nice backroad alternative route that is
Fun in the summer (theoretically..) with the top down and decent wind blocker. (60 -> 100 doesnt get much more windy/noisy)
Not much fun when its lashing down with rain, zero visibility to the sides and back being engulfed in the spray from everything. Heat from the transmission tunnel slowly broiling you.
Unless theres a nice backroad alternative route that is
I drive about 300 miles a week - 95% of which is all motorway; and have done in the '5' for the past 18 months or so.
I've not had any issues, concerns or problems doing this whatsoever.
I have a Mk1 with the 1.8 engine and average 29.9MPG - mostly sitting at about 4,500+ revs, and with the A/C on.
I know I could get better consumption if I kept it below 4k - but I just can't.
It's brilliant with the roof down, and it's not too noisy ..... well I say that ... my ears are knackered anyway (too long in the rock 'n roll industry)
I also don't feel stiff or sore after each journey .... unlike a Mondeo that I had for a few months which really knackered my legs!
K
I've not had any issues, concerns or problems doing this whatsoever.
I have a Mk1 with the 1.8 engine and average 29.9MPG - mostly sitting at about 4,500+ revs, and with the A/C on.
I know I could get better consumption if I kept it below 4k - but I just can't.
It's brilliant with the roof down, and it's not too noisy ..... well I say that ... my ears are knackered anyway (too long in the rock 'n roll industry)
I also don't feel stiff or sore after each journey .... unlike a Mondeo that I had for a few months which really knackered my legs!
K
hcanning said:
Mk1 MX5s are dreadful on the motorway. Noisy, unrefined and high-revving. I definitely would not recommend one for frequent long distance trips. As a fun car however, they're unparalleled
I have to agree with this. I have a Mk.1 1.8 and occasionally use it for long motorway journeys. It is very noisy - definitely wear ear plugs if you're doing a long drive, I still have ringing in my ears even if I don't wear earplugs. You won't see much more than 30mpg. The cabin is not comfortable enough for those sorts of miles and you do feel vulnerable. It's also really hard work - if you get slowed down to 40-50, it's hard work getting back to 80ish again. I find mine utterly gutless above 60 or so.For the occasional long motorway journey it's fine, but doing that much motorway work day in, day out, I would be looking elsewhere. I'm afraid my money would be going on a Saab 9000 or 9-5 with an auto box, climate, nice seats, and a stereo...
I do a 70 mile dual-carriageway round trip to work every day in my Mk1 1.6. Doesn't bother me in the slightest! I suppose my expectations of 'comfort' must be lower than everyone elses. Sure it's a little noisy, but I have no problems whatsoever 'keeping up' in traffic, and that's using 5th gear (albeit at full throttle to accelerate if required).
Edited by speedtwelve on Sunday 7th September 07:18
NiceCupOfTea said:
For the occasional long motorway journey it's fine,
Yeah if I've been on a long ish hoon I might come back using the A3 or something, certainly bearable once in a while but I wouldn't want it for daily commuting, especially on cold wet winter nights, etc. I can't believe the economy of mine though, I've averaged about 37MPG over the last two tanks, and that's with plenty of hooning! I must be doing something wrong
I got 370 miles out of my last tank which is about 40mpg. I only hooned it once for about 15 minutes tho (hard acceleration, reving above 4k) 
If I drove her like I did when I got her 2 years ago I couldn't afford to keep her. So these days she spends a lot of the time on the motor way doing about 80. I tend to get my enjoyment on the bends of the B roads..
The MX5 is the only car I've ever driven where if you wring her neck I have actually seen the fuel needle drop noticably over the course of a few seconds, which concentrates the mind a bit - especially when go-go juice is as as expensive as it was a couple of month ago!
If I drove her like I did when I got her 2 years ago I couldn't afford to keep her. So these days she spends a lot of the time on the motor way doing about 80. I tend to get my enjoyment on the bends of the B roads..
The MX5 is the only car I've ever driven where if you wring her neck I have actually seen the fuel needle drop noticably over the course of a few seconds, which concentrates the mind a bit - especially when go-go juice is as as expensive as it was a couple of month ago!
speedtwelve said:
I do a 70 mile dual-carriageway round trip to work every day in my Mk1 1.6. Doesn't bother me in the slightest! I suppose my expectations of 'comfort' must be lower than everyone elses. Sure it's a little noisy, but I have no problems whatsoever 'keeping up' in traffic, and that's using 5th gear (albeit at full throttle to accelerate if required).
I'm like speedtwelve. I used to commute from Newbury to High Wycombe, and loved it. Financially not great. But the car itself was ok with it.Edited by speedtwelve on Sunday 7th September 07:18
Last weekend I did over 1300 miles to the 'ring and back. And all I really wanted was aircon because of the sun heating up the car. No problems keeping up with traffic (and I was chasing a z4m), didn't go deaf, had a great time.
hcanning said:
Mk1 MX5s are dreadful on the motorway. Noisy, unrefined and high-revving. I definitely would not recommend one for frequent long distance trips. As a fun car however, they're unparalleled
Totally Agree.The MR2 mk2 normally aspirated 1994 on cars make great motorway cars, quiet, stable, comfortable and over 40mpg if you sit between 70 - 80mph.
princeperch said:
The MX5 is the only car I've ever driven where if you wring her neck I have actually seen the fuel needle drop noticably over the course of a few seconds, which concentrates the mind a bit - especially when go-go juice is as as expensive as it was a couple of month ago!
Really? Even when I'm giving it some welly it seems pretty efficient! Lovely little engines, these NiceCupOfTea said:
I do worry if there's something wrong with mine 
I really find it hard work getting up to motorway speeds. I really must get rid of the cone filter and see if that helps... Maybe it's because I am used to turbocharged cars...
Well the 1st thing to check is that you are in 3rd. Thats for use all the way up to 80 when you then change into 5th to cruse. 4th and 5th are simply fuel saving cruse gears. I really find it hard work getting up to motorway speeds. I really must get rid of the cone filter and see if that helps... Maybe it's because I am used to turbocharged cars...
Munter said:
NiceCupOfTea said:
I do worry if there's something wrong with mine I really find it hard work getting up to motorway speeds. I really must get rid of the cone filter and see if that helps... Maybe it's because I am used to turbocharged cars...
Well the 1st thing to check is that you are in 3rd. Thats for use all the way up to 80 when you then change into 5th to cruse. 4th and 5th are simply fuel saving cruse gears. I really find it hard work getting up to motorway speeds. I really must get rid of the cone filter and see if that helps... Maybe it's because I am used to turbocharged cars...Edited by Herman Toothrot on Sunday 7th September 12:42
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