MX-5 opinions

Thing is with the Mk2 you get 90% of the fun with 66.3% more comfort.

Actually buy a Mk2 and facelift it to a Mk2.5, looks much more manly than the limp wristed Mk1 ;)
 
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Dooooo it. We shall slowly convert everyone! :D (no pun intended)

I've had both mk1 and mk2, and I've commuted in both. As long as you don't do mega miles or constant rush hour stop start traffic, all variations of mx5 are fine.

Although many people say the mk1 is the better drivers car, I often wonder how much of that is true. Mk1's are slightly lighter and more raw which can add to the charm, but it is in other area's where the Mk2 imo has been improved. Mazda improved the handling by upgrading suspension, adding bracing to the chassis also slightly more powerful engine (which I found very noticable infact). The 'comforts' which people allude to is that better suspension, ABS, airbags and not much else I can think of really. So in general the two are on the whole, the same; but it is the minor differences which separate them. One of the things that annoyed me with the Mk1 was the zip out plastic rear window, in the Mk2 there is no need to zip out and it is heated glass too.

Personally I'm not really interested in Mk2.5 upwards as there isn't as much room and it gets a little bit softer.

12-18 months ago there was definite price boundaries between mk1 and mk2, but the £2k-4k is very blurred now, where good examples of both can be found.

Everyone prefers one over the other, both are fantastic so go try both and see which you like most. I'm actually struggling to see myself owning a different car for a while now, this is solely due to the driving experience. It's everything from the driving position, excellent gear change, great handling, 360 degree vista experience, cheapness and general fun.

Ohh and btw, it is a crime to keep an MX5 in stock condition unless you really do want the hairdresser stigma :p Anyway, enough ramblings from me.
 
Dooooo it. We shall slowly convert everyone! :D (no pun intended)

I've had both mk1 and mk2, and I've commuted in both. As long as you don't do mega miles or constant rush hour stop start traffic, all variations of mx5 are fine.

Although many people say the mk1 is the better drivers car, I often wonder how much of that is true. Mk1's are slightly lighter and more raw which can add to the charm, but it is in other area's where the Mk2 imo has been improved. Mazda improved the handling by upgrading suspension, adding bracing to the chassis also slightly more powerful engine (which I found very noticable infact). The 'comforts' which people allude to is that better suspension, ABS, airbags and not much else I can think of really. So in general the two are on the whole, the same; but it is the minor differences which separate them. One of the things that annoyed me with the Mk1 was the zip out plastic rear window, in the Mk2 there is no need to zip out and it is heated glass too.

Personally I'm not really interested in Mk2.5 upwards as there isn't as much room and it gets a little bit softer.

12-18 months ago there was definite price boundaries between mk1 and mk2, but the £2k-4k is very blurred now, where good examples of both can be found.

Everyone prefers one over the other, both are fantastic so go try both and see which you like most. I'm actually struggling to see myself owning a different car for a while now, this is solely due to the driving experience. It's everything from the driving position, excellent gear change, great handling, 360 degree vista experience, cheapness and general fun.

Ohh and btw, it is a crime to keep an MX5 in stock condition unless you really do want the hairdresser stigma :p Anyway, enough ramblings from me.

What modifications would you suggest then? :)
 
I would wait until you have found the car you want first. As with most cars you need to buy on condition, and you may find some modifications have been done already. There are a plethora of modifications you can make to the car, visit mx5nutz.com/mx5oc.co.uk/clubroadster.net for owner examples and you'll see just how many. There are many other sites too, some more localised to county's etc...

The most popular modifications tend to be changing the suspension to reduce body roll and to get rid of the '4x4' stance. And not forgetting 4 wheel alignment, WIM in particular if nearby. Mk1 owners also often upgrade to a mohair hood with a glass window and Mk2 frame, this is done usually as the original vinyl hoods are past their best being between 11-20 years old now.
 
As said before you need to go and get some test drives in them, we've had a mk2.5 and it was brilliant but i wouldn't want it for long commutes (40 miles+) but for short trips and weekend blasts there brilliant. I'd like to drive a mk1 just to see the difference though...

We've currently just updated to a mk3 and im having some trouble with it, it just dosent have the 'magic' of the 2.5 :( on paper its a far better car but i have to admit i do really miss the 2.5
 
sovietspybob,

Does it have eibach springs from factory or is it the stock ones? The mk3 had to be raised in the UK and Mazda did something stupid, then didn't change the alignment settings. So if you have the eibach springs then the alignment is correct for your ride height, whereas if you have the standard springs then your alignment will be out. This will mean you will have less negative camber, maybe even positive, which is bad. To get it handling much better either get the alignment changed by WIM (£100) or get some eibachs and fit them. Not sure on the price of them.

Aspect, Best thing you can do to an mx5 when you first get it is get some decent tyres on it. Toyo T1-R's are only £29 each so for not much money that will make the car so much better. Then you need to decide if you want spend money and get new shocks and springs, if you do then you can get them for about £350-450 for a decent setup, £650 for a very good setup. Then on top you want alignment done by WIM, can go for a fast road setup if you wish, will remove any understeer, thats £100.
 
I drive 100 miles in mine every day. I still love it, still has me grinning.

It seems though I have a high tolerance for harsh ride/road noise compared to most people. I for example, don't really care that I can't hear the radio when I cruise down the dual carriageway at 100+ so your mileage may vary.

And just to echo what everyone has said, man up, no-one who knows anything about cars can label it a hairdressers car after driving a (decently aligned) one.
 
Can this be done? If so how much work is envolved?

I have a Mk2 but have always preferred the lights / front end of the 2.5.

Think it's just a matter of Mk2.5 bumper and lights, should be on mx5parts.co.uk. May prove expensive though.

I'd never have one. I'd never tune it to 240bhp. I'd never use it to drive over 400miles. Nope. Never.

:p You know you want one again.

I actually drove over 300 miles on the day I bought it.
 
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