MX5 resources/forums
Discussion
Right chaps.
I've been a lifelong sports car driver, grew up with MGs as my first cars (still earn most of my living from restoring them) then moved to more exotic machinery. I've decided that at a time of life with high outgoings currently a nice MX5 makes better sense to me than a 911. But still retains soft top, fun and reliability although I will take a big performance drop which I can live with for a while.
So I need to start looking for an MX5 and obviously the best place to start is joining the forums and getting as much info as possible.
So where do I start?
I'm in a real dilemma between MK1 and 2. I prefer a MK1 in looks and style, but having driven a MK1 a long time ago I recall it felt very "go karty" where as the MK2 felt more solid and car like. Was it just a bad MK1?
I've been a lifelong sports car driver, grew up with MGs as my first cars (still earn most of my living from restoring them) then moved to more exotic machinery. I've decided that at a time of life with high outgoings currently a nice MX5 makes better sense to me than a 911. But still retains soft top, fun and reliability although I will take a big performance drop which I can live with for a while.
So I need to start looking for an MX5 and obviously the best place to start is joining the forums and getting as much info as possible.
So where do I start?
I'm in a real dilemma between MK1 and 2. I prefer a MK1 in looks and style, but having driven a MK1 a long time ago I recall it felt very "go karty" where as the MK2 felt more solid and car like. Was it just a bad MK1?
What's wrong with these forums? 
There's a lot of info over at www.mx5ocforum.co.uk (this forum is closed but all the threads are still there, new forum is at www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum ).
In my humble opinion, a mk1 is suited to being a second weekend/fun car, and what I bought mine for. It's a lot less refined than the mk2, which is a more suitable daily driver, but from what I've heard, retains 90% of the driving experience of the mk1.
Define go-kart-like handling? I'd say that's not a bad thing personally The mk1 is fabulously chuckable, controllable and very nimble/poised. A superb driver's car. Looks fantastic, too, with it's classic lines, design cues from other classics and those popup headlights - It's always fun to drive a car with features that are illegal on new cars 
The mk2 in my opinion looks far more "generic", and is my least favourite of the three marks
There's a lot of info over at www.mx5ocforum.co.uk (this forum is closed but all the threads are still there, new forum is at www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum ).
In my humble opinion, a mk1 is suited to being a second weekend/fun car, and what I bought mine for. It's a lot less refined than the mk2, which is a more suitable daily driver, but from what I've heard, retains 90% of the driving experience of the mk1.
Define go-kart-like handling? I'd say that's not a bad thing personally
The mk1 is fabulously chuckable, controllable and very nimble/poised. A superb driver's car. Looks fantastic, too, with it's classic lines, design cues from other classics and those popup headlights - It's always fun to drive a car with features that are illegal on new cars The mk2 in my opinion looks far more "generic", and is my least favourite of the three marks
Edited by Howard- on Sunday 7th December 08:31
Edited by Howard- on Sunday 7th December 08:31
As well as the OC there is mx5nutz, miata.net, and miataturbo.net for advice.
For the best MX5 pictues on the internet in one location (I'm biased) try here : http://jdmpassion.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=552
For the best MX5 pictues on the internet in one location (I'm biased) try here : http://jdmpassion.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=552
Cheers chaps.
Go-kart like handling refers to the way you just feel very close to the floor and the car feels very twitchy, don't get me wrong I love that on race cars, but on the road want a modicum of comfort and compliance. I got the same feeling in a MK2 MR2. I've driven an mx5 MK2 and loved it, it felt exactly like a sports car should to me, well supported body but compliant at the same time over rough roads, consequently could be driven quickly. Something twitchy and stiff is a pain to drive over rough roads and thus slow.
The trouble is I love the look of the mk1 but the 2 leaves me a bit cold. Then again I am an ex elan owner and the mk1 does have some very strong design (copies) features of the elan.
Go-kart like handling refers to the way you just feel very close to the floor and the car feels very twitchy, don't get me wrong I love that on race cars, but on the road want a modicum of comfort and compliance. I got the same feeling in a MK2 MR2. I've driven an mx5 MK2 and loved it, it felt exactly like a sports car should to me, well supported body but compliant at the same time over rough roads, consequently could be driven quickly. Something twitchy and stiff is a pain to drive over rough roads and thus slow.
The trouble is I love the look of the mk1 but the 2 leaves me a bit cold. Then again I am an ex elan owner and the mk1 does have some very strong design (copies) features of the elan.
I've had my MK1 1.6 for 3 years now and love it to bits. I think it's getting long in the tooth now, so my advice would be a mk2. The appearance can be enhanced with the addition of a few subtle mods and, as has been mentioned, it retains 90% of the dynamics of the mk1 with signifcantly better build quality and refinement.
Howard- said:
What's wrong with these forums?
There's a lot of info over at www.mx5ocforum.co.uk (this forum is closed but all the threads are still there, new forum is at www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum ).
In my humble opinion, a mk1 is suited to being a second weekend/fun car, and what I bought mine for. It's a lot less refined than the mk2, which is a more suitable daily driver, but from what I've heard, retains 90% of the driving experience of the mk1.
Define go-kart-like handling? I'd say that's not a bad thing personally The mk1 is fabulously chuckable, controllable and very nimble/poised. A superb driver's car. Looks fantastic, too, with it's classic lines, design cues from other classics and those popup headlights - It's always fun to drive a car with features that are illegal on new cars
The mk2 in my opinion looks far more "generic", and is my least favourite of the three marks
I have to completely agree with this post, a man after my own heart! There's a lot of info over at www.mx5ocforum.co.uk (this forum is closed but all the threads are still there, new forum is at www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum ).
In my humble opinion, a mk1 is suited to being a second weekend/fun car, and what I bought mine for. It's a lot less refined than the mk2, which is a more suitable daily driver, but from what I've heard, retains 90% of the driving experience of the mk1.
Define go-kart-like handling? I'd say that's not a bad thing personally
The mk1 is fabulously chuckable, controllable and very nimble/poised. A superb driver's car. Looks fantastic, too, with it's classic lines, design cues from other classics and those popup headlights - It's always fun to drive a car with features that are illegal on new cars The mk2 in my opinion looks far more "generic", and is my least favourite of the three marks
Edited by Howard- on Sunday 7th December 08:31
Edited by Howard- on Sunday 7th December 08:31
Gassing Station | Mazda MX5/Roadster/Miata | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff