MX5 Owners in here....bring your curling tongs

Wondering what the general consensus is on here regarding Mk1 v Mk2 v Mk3 ?

I used to own an immaculate R-Limited Mk 1 a while back and loved that car - still regret selling it.

Potentially considering getting another as a third car now but not sure what people think.

I get the general impression that the Mk1 is better than the Mk 2 and the Mk 3 is better than the Mk 2 (but better than the Mk 1 ?).

Does this make the Mk 2 the more undesirable car even though it has airbags etc over the Mk 1 ?

Should i just be considering Mk1 and Mk3s ?

Welcome people's thoughts particularly if you have owned a few of these different models
 
My brother managed to source the leak coming from engine, turned out the water pump was ****ed. The Little Mk1 lives another day :p

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Super-spy. Personally id choose the Mk1 evertime. The Mk2 is probably very similar to drive but the Mk1 looks so much better!
 
Super-Spy said:
Wondering what the general consensus is on here regarding Mk1 v Mk2 v Mk3 ?

I used to own an immaculate R-Limited Mk 1 a while back and loved that car - still regret selling it.

Potentially considering getting another as a third car now but not sure what people think.

I get the general impression that the Mk1 is better than the Mk 2 and the Mk 3 is better than the Mk 2 (but better than the Mk 1 ?).

Does this make the Mk 2 the more undesirable car even though it has airbags etc over the Mk 1 ?

Should i just be considering Mk1 and Mk3s ?

Welcome people's thoughts particularly if you have owned a few of these different models
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I think it's just a matter of opinion.
- The mk1 is the lightest and the most "raw" feeling of them. Personally I was put off by the interior, which I didn't like, include the plastic rear window (the mk2 has a glass rear). Good mk1s are now starting to appreciate in price. So if you don't mind spending to keep it running, would probably be depreciation free
- The mk2 was heavier, bit more refined, more cohesive interior and the 1.8 is slightly more powerful due to better air flow. Making up for that, it's little less involving (tiring) to drive and the later VVT engine is actually more difficult to turbo due to it's higher compression ratio
- The mk3 is heavier still, has the option of a 2ltr engine and the folding hardtop. To drive, it felt similar to the mk2 and personally I hate the styling. Probably better for longer journeys

None are rust free. Quite the contrary, assume you'll need to spend cash every so often on either rust proofing, or sorting rust, and you'll be fine.
The engines in the mk1 and 2 are both based on the same Mazda 323 block, as used in the 323 turbo, hence why it's considered to be very strong and fine for forced induction.
None are genuinely expensive to run, as their parts are very sensibly priced, and with the level of enthusiasm, there's plenty of info and help available for owners.
Note that they're also not that quick (circa 8 seconds 0-60 for a std 1.8), hence the sneers you get from the "performance" car group. For all that, they're a completely different feel to your typical hot hatch/saloon and make pretty much every journey something to smile about. Love my mk2 (my second). Happily take it to "drive" in preference to our significantly faster 330i Bimmer.
 
Heading to Lyneham which is just down the road for a trackday/shakedown of the 5 for its first proper outing next weekend :) Then onto Bedford Autodrome in early Nov for a proper trackday.
 
Thanks Sukebe for that thorough write up.

I did love my Mk 1 but yes, not the last word in refinement.

The Mk 2 does look to be good value now the Mk 1 has started to appreciate.

Not sure if the Mk 2 will ever go the same way, after all, we will never see another version with pop ups.
 
You have to drive them.

The mk2 is less refined than the mk3 (folding hard top)

My girlfriend hated the mk2 and tolerates the mk3.

They feel very different to drive.
I'm having fun in my mk3, it's less "sideways fun" than the mk2 but it's significantly faster (with me driving)

You need to try them both.
 
I've not had a mk1 - although i definitely want one at some point. Out of the MK3.5 and MK2.5 I think i preferred the 3.5 - it did feel a bit heavier (with the hardtop) but also handled a bit better and was more refined. The extra power made up for the weight imho.
 
As Holst rightly states, go drive both and see which you prefer.
No idea if the mk2 will appreciate. The mk1 also looks like an original Elan (if you squint). I prefer the curves on the mk2, which in the right colour remind me more of a 60s style.
Guess the key point is that everyone of them is going to feel quite different to your usual humdrum hatchback, and if that's what makes you happy, it's a good thing.

This morning went out to my car at 6:40 to drive to work. No condensation, so it was roof down whilst the sun was rising. Lovely feeling.
 
Super-Spy said:
Thanks Sukebe for that thorough write up.

I did love my Mk 1 but yes, not the last word in refinement.

The Mk 2 does look to be good value now the Mk 1 has started to appreciate.

Not sure if the Mk 2 will ever go the same way, after all, we will never see another version with pop ups.
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I think it will be a while until we see mk2's rising appreciably and they are going to trail mk1 values now at a growing rate, or at least that is my prediction as a mk1 owner ;)

For me the decision was easy, I wanted a classic car but didn't have the space, knowledge, time or patience for one so I went for the closest thing I could get in a modern package. By modern I mean EFI etc. basically something I know is going to start when I want to use it. The mk2 never appealed in the same way and the mk3 only starts to tickle my fancy with the very latest models. In reality I wouldn't choose to swap my mk1 for anything other than a mk4. If prices do start to rise my plan is to keep hold of the mk1 until it is worth a fair chunk towards a tidy used mk4. With the former appreciating and the latter depreciating it should happen one day :p

Knowing people who have thrown money at them chasing rust around I'd try and find one that hasn't been welded and was rust proofed early on. TBH this will probably leave you with imports and very late UK cars to choose from.
 
Duke said:
Heading to Lyneham which is just down the road for a trackday/shakedown of the 5 for its first proper outing next weekend :) Then onto Bedford Autodrome in early Nov for a proper trackday.
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What's going on in Lyneham? I'm 10 mins away...as in RAF Lyneham?
 
Had a slight spot of bother with the Mini wheels. Turns out that the bore of the wheels is 2mm larger diameter than the standard Mazda ones (56.1 vs 54.1mm). The good news is that it's possible to buy spigot rings to resolve that difference, and I found some very nice stainless steel ones for all of £7.50. So the wheels have been re-fitted and this time with some nice new Rainsport 3 rubber all rounder in 195/50/15 section. Feels MUCH better on the road.

Also spotted a weighty alloy ball gear knob for a very sensible price. Should be here next week.
 
Mr_Sukebe said:
Had a slight spot of bother with the Mini wheels. Turns out that the bore of the wheels is 2mm larger diameter than the standard Mazda ones (56.1 vs 54.1mm). The good news is that it's possible to buy spigot rings to resolve that difference, and I found some very nice stainless steel ones for all of £7.50. So the wheels have been re-fitted and this time with some nice new Rainsport 3 rubber all rounder in 195/50/15 section. Feels MUCH better on the road.

Also spotted a weighty alloy ball gear knob for a very sensible price. Should be here next week.
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Any pics of wheels on car? Mate is looking for some cheap wheels for his MX5 track car.
 
Balls.
Think my 2 month old MX5 is about to be written off.
Was crashed into by some very apologetic (or do I just mean damn careless) old lady whilst it was parked outside our house. Completely creamed the rear bumper, one light cluster and the exhaust. Probably more serious is that she's moved it enough to possibly bend the suspension on the opposite side of the car and I'm very much expecting the rear quarter panel to be not very well. All in all, my assumption is that it'll be written off.
Wouldn't mind, but it's been serviced, MOT'd, new clutch and is now at the point where I really wanted it to be. NOT a happy bunny.
Promptly spent 30 mins stripping off the interior changes that I'd made to it, so they'll back in the garage, ready for whatever follows it.

Learning point: Don't buy another car with any form of GREEN in it's colour. Clearly it really is an unlucky colour.
 
Well, MOT due this week and rust is creeping in. Whilst the rust is starting to make things like the arches look tatty I'm cautiously optimistic there is nothing structural (yet), yes I did have a nosey using an endoscope on the inner sills...watch it fail spectacularly now I've said that. Guess I'll have to treat it to some new rear arches next year if I don't decide its time for something else.

Worrying thing I did spot was the cat has holes front and back on the outer casing. Is this an instant problem or as long as the cat is still functioning I'm OK? I haven't bothered knocking it to see if the core is loose but there isn't an obvious blow/rattle whilst its running.
 
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