What is with peoples obsessions with MX-5's?
Discussion
Accessible, fun, rear wheel drive, bomb proof.
You can pick up a Mk1 early 90s for circa 1k, or a more modern 2l for around 7k (I think). Earlier ones were a purer experience and lighter.
I was a cynic until I drove one.
The best value fun (not the best car, but best value) for summer motoring, but usable almost all year round. Not so scary that you wife/girlfriend can't drive it swiftly (unlike, say, a TVR) but enough fun to keep a petrol head entertained on B roads, A roads and especially roundabouts.
A good intro to RWD outside of a BMW.
What's not to like?
You can pick up a Mk1 early 90s for circa 1k, or a more modern 2l for around 7k (I think). Earlier ones were a purer experience and lighter.
I was a cynic until I drove one.
The best value fun (not the best car, but best value) for summer motoring, but usable almost all year round. Not so scary that you wife/girlfriend can't drive it swiftly (unlike, say, a TVR) but enough fun to keep a petrol head entertained on B roads, A roads and especially roundabouts.
A good intro to RWD outside of a BMW.
What's not to like?
I was a huge cynic until i drove a couple as well. I always preferred the Mk2 MR2, and am on my second, but feel an MX5 on the cards soon.
OP, have you driven one yet, if not i would advise having a go just to see what all the fuss is about.
Although i still prefer MR2s, i just want something convertible as my next 2 seater
OP, have you driven one yet, if not i would advise having a go just to see what all the fuss is about.
Although i still prefer MR2s, i just want something convertible as my next 2 seater
When I joined PH 4 years ago I hated MX5s. Girly little things with no power; hairdressers cars. However, due to the popularity of the car on PistonHeads I thought I'd try one and in 2008 purchased a Mk1.
Wow. They are certainly not quick, but they are perfectly balanced and very much suited to the country B and C class roads that I travel on for 90% of my miles. They are cheap to run - sensible MPG, cheap insuance, standard tax and very painless to own - even I can service one and do moderate maintenance with ease.
They are not however suited to being daily drivers - quite noisy with the roof up; especially on faster DC or motorways and not especially comfortable (Plenty of others will disagree with me...). I therefore part-exchanged my Mk1 last spring for a Mk2 10th Anniversary. Dynamically, this one is much, much better than the Mk1 I had and is nicer to drive although it has lost some of the 'fun' that the Mk1 had. It was intended to be a daily driver but to be honest it is a bit too nice for that so I picked up a 306 DT as a daily hack, relegating the MX5 to top down weather only.
Drive one - you might like them, you might not. If you're after pace or something with badge kudos they are probably not for you, but if you want to have huge amounts of fun on a shoestring budget they might be a good candidate.
Wow. They are certainly not quick, but they are perfectly balanced and very much suited to the country B and C class roads that I travel on for 90% of my miles. They are cheap to run - sensible MPG, cheap insuance, standard tax and very painless to own - even I can service one and do moderate maintenance with ease.
They are not however suited to being daily drivers - quite noisy with the roof up; especially on faster DC or motorways and not especially comfortable (Plenty of others will disagree with me...). I therefore part-exchanged my Mk1 last spring for a Mk2 10th Anniversary. Dynamically, this one is much, much better than the Mk1 I had and is nicer to drive although it has lost some of the 'fun' that the Mk1 had. It was intended to be a daily driver but to be honest it is a bit too nice for that so I picked up a 306 DT as a daily hack, relegating the MX5 to top down weather only.
Drive one - you might like them, you might not. If you're after pace or something with badge kudos they are probably not for you, but if you want to have huge amounts of fun on a shoestring budget they might be a good candidate.
10AE said:
They are not however suited to being daily drivers - quite noisy with the roof up; especially on faster DC or motorways and not especially comfortable (Plenty of others will disagree with me...). I therefore part-exchanged my Mk1 last spring for a Mk2 10th Anniversary. Dynamically, this one is much, much better than the Mk1 I had and is nicer to drive although it has lost some of the 'fun' that the Mk1 had. It was intended to be a daily driver but to be honest it is a bit too nice for that so I picked up a 306 DT as a daily hack, relegating the MX5 to top down weather only.
The MK2 is more of a cruiser (If an MX5 can be a cruiser?) than the MK1, imo. More comfortable and abit more refined, where as the MK1 is rawer and suits being an occasional driver.Jonny671 said:
The MK2 is more of a cruiser (If an MX5 can be a cruiser?) than the MK1, imo. More comfortable and abit more refined, where as the MK1 is rawer and suits being an occasional driver.
My Mk2 has firmer suspension than my Mk1; albeit less crashy, the half-leather seats are much firmer than the full leathers in my Mk1 and despite having the 6-speed 'box still does a million revs at 70mph. I would say neither are really set up to be daily drivers (although anyone could argue that a Westie could be a daily driver with the right mindset...). Having been brought up on a diet of comfy, quiet and often fast Volvos to me no MX5 with the exception of perhaps the very latest folding-roof cars are suited to long motorway cruises. I would always take the back roads if I had the '5
Jonny671 said:
5paul5 said:
Owned over 300 cars in 30 years of driving from a mini to a 911, the most fun ive had is in the mx5.
This is why people are obsessed with them. They have a go in one and never get rid, then advise everyone else to get one 
Not been in mine or started it for over 2 months.It has been sat in the garage plugged into a battery conditioner now and then.
Just got it out, went for a blast (started and ran perfectly of course), came back grinning and buzzing like a small child again.
They don't win drag races in standard form, but they hold their own perfectly against much faster machines on the right roads and in the right hands.As someone else said, what's not to like?
Mine cost under a grand and in the summer I use it every single day and find it as comfortable as anything else I have owned.Noise isn't a problem either, I came from a Westfield..
Just got it out, went for a blast (started and ran perfectly of course), came back grinning and buzzing like a small child again.
They don't win drag races in standard form, but they hold their own perfectly against much faster machines on the right roads and in the right hands.As someone else said, what's not to like?
Mine cost under a grand and in the summer I use it every single day and find it as comfortable as anything else I have owned.Noise isn't a problem either, I came from a Westfield..
yellowbentines said:
Leicesterdave said:
Overrated imo.
What other sub £1500 light, reliable, RWD, easy to work on, cheap to run, convertible sports car would you recommend then?Gassing Station | Mazda MX5/Roadster/Miata | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff