Current MX5 or Abarth 500

Housey

Housey

Housey

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21 Feb 2006
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My wife wants either an MX5 or Fiat 500 Abarth as she wants out of the boredom that is a diesel A4 and into something a bit more fun. She doesn't like Mini Coopers, doesn't want another Golf GTi or a Ford RS and to be fair I like both her choices as she wants something small and nippy not big and AMG or small and Porsche'y as I was urging. So today we had a good nose around the Fiat, which is cute but has been made to a price when you look at the quality of the plastics and I think it looks very cute. We are going to borrow one shortly to see how it goes and will take a view.

Now the MX5 I am seeking some guidance on. I have been offered a current version as the new facelift is due in April and I have read this is much improved and back to the old 'feel' which I am told the current one lacks a bit. Having said this I have been offered a current 2L MX5 with loads of options and brand new for £13K which I think looks like an OK deal. So, does anyone have lots of MX5 experience and can tell me how the current model compares and if it does lack. I plan to take a drive of course but it has been a while time since I drove an MX5 (which I loved) so am seeking some ownership and buying advice.

I know one thing that the new model improves on, ride height, as the current model sits WAY to high and I have read the steering and chasis are much sharper too, but £5K sharper??
 
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The mx5 has come on a long way in terms of build quality, however the interior feels a little mish mashed as they use lots of different materials, some glossy, some textured plastics etc, and it has 4 cup holders for some reason??? the driving posistion feels excellent and just like my mk1, i didnt get a chance to drive one though so i cant help there. 13k sounds extremely cheap for a brand new car, i cant help but think i would have more fun in the abarth (especially in ss flavour), they look like awesome fun as below...


not that the nc isnt fun of course...

 
I have to say I prefer the MX5 and I actually liked the interior of the one I sat in today at Stafford Mazda, though the less said about the pillock of a car salesman the better. One thing is clear he will NEVER be getting my business with his patronising manner and lines such as "no one buys an MX5 to drive it quickly" or "no one is bothered that much about the handling". Where the HELL do they find these idiots...jesus! It does seem there are a few 2L Sport models knocking around the network at the moment for a little over £13K which I think is good money but at the same time I would want AC and BOSE too and I am not sure if these cars included that.

From the digging I have done it seems that Mazda made a mess of the geo settings on the MK3, something the new facelift version sorts according to this months Evo magazine. I also note they roadtested a current Mk3 with the Litchfield modifications, some 40mm lower and 12 suspension changes which makes it handle much better. I have a contact who owns a number of Mazda dealers so will ask him for some details and get the inside track.

The Abarth looks very funky and I wouldn't buy one without the SS kit as I love the white wheels and extra horses and it is one of those I plan to borrow. It looks cool too with the red/white chess board on the roof and in pearl white as well. I think I might stuggle with the driving positition though but at the end of the day it's for the wife not me. The 500 is all about how it looks really, they have that nailed and I suspect the Cooper S will go quicker and handle better but she doesn't like the Mini so that is out...well untill I borrow one next week and give her the keys of course. ;)

So for me it is MX5 if I can sort out the stupid ride height and geo settings, which it seems is a work of moments.
 
I don't know much about the Fiat 500, apart from it looks like a fashion accessory for most girls. Although I suppose some may argue the MX5 isn't far off either. I would choose the MX5 based purely on being able to have top down motoring in good weather, and it should be a good drive.

I've owned a mk1 MX5, and currently own a mk2. Ride height has always been too high on all MX5's in the EU, iirc Mazda had to raise their suspension to meet EU pedestrian safety criteria. So lowering the springs should improve aesthetics and handling. I haven't driven the current MX5, but from opinions on owners forums it isn't as focused (as in comfort + cupholders) and looks a little 'bath tub' shaped for enthusiasts taste. I think most of this has to do with it having Ford involvement, whereas the previous models were solely Mazda design.

That said, the NC (current version) is still meant to be good to sit in and drive. Not sure what the facelift adds apart from minor exterior touches and a power upgrade to 160bhp.
 
I'd pick the Mazda over the Fiat, mind saying that i didn't like how the NC was to drive, but like you say this can be sorted anyways, 13k is a cracking price but i'd be tempted to pick up a tintop version.
 
Yes the tin top does make sense as I suppose it will make cruising a bit better but does it add a cunk of weight and reduce boot space?
 
IIRC due to how small the roof is and how it folds i don't think it cuts into the boot space?

Never had chance to mess around with a tintop verison, only one i've seen was in the showroom and i didn't get chance to play with the roof, no idea on the extra weight but i bet its not all that much.

Just make sure you get your hands on the 2.0 Sport version, its a good platform to build on, i half considered going from my NB to an NC but at the time you couldn't do a whole lot with the engine so it was pointless me going from a supercharged NB to one.
 
Housey said:
lines such as "no one buys an MX5 to drive it quickly" or "no one is bothered that much about the handling". Where the HELL do they find these idiots...jesus!
Click to expand...

What a numpty:eek:

There are some brilliant deals on the "old" model that is being replaced by the facelift at the moment, then you could get some Eibach springs fitted by WIM and make it handle like it should.

It would be the MX5 for me (I would say that obviously), although I have never driven the latest version or the 500.
 
Well it is for the wife so I am not seeking to mod it to death but it does appeal getting it lowered (it sits to high) and getting the handling sorted which I have read from many different sources is wrong from the factory and needs work to make it like the previous models which are sublime.
 
MX5 for me.
I tried a mk3 when I owned a mk2. Very similar in feel, although I preferred the interior in the mk3. In short, great handling, and generally a good car. As mentioned, the interior is a bit of a mish-mash. Some bits are lovely, then you have the sunvisors, which are made of really nasty plastic, and the cupholders in the doors, which I felt intruded badly into space (probably why they've been dropped on the facelift). Overall, a thumbs up.

Whilst I've not tried an Abarth, I've driven a couple of the 500s (1.2 and diesel). Really wanted to enjoy the drive as I think they look ace, both in and out. Unfortunately, they both drove just like an other yawnable fwd econo-hatch (i.e. nothing like as good as a Mini). Just left me feeling really underwhelmed. Hopefully the Abarth is a lot better, but I wouldn't count on it.
 
Would it be worth holding out for the revised MX5 due next month? Would this effect the current MX5 (NC?) prices much?
 
Housey, give Tony at wheels in motion a call. He is regarded as 'the man' when it comes to mx5 suspension. So much so they developed the suspension used in this years ma5da race series.

I now take my s2000 there and as you know I used to use chris franklin up at center mavity. For me I rate Tony just as highly and he will be getting all my business now.
 
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