scousefly

Fancy a change from my BMW 318Ci as im getting a bit bored of it all, I came down from a WRX PPP to the beemer which was agonising and I have been wondering what to change to.
So far I have discounted the Civic Type R and the RX8, but pondering on the S2000 or MX5. Looking for a bit of fun with wind in the barnet but not so much dosh from the pocket

Thoughts?????

Mrfastbaz

u recently bought a 19 year old 1.6 mx5 for a fun hobby car have to work the engine but it goes round the corners like a go cart holds the rosad in my mind better than the scoob just want to keep it standard if i fancy a blast i take the scoob out..... the mark 3 mx's are obvoiulsy better than my mark 1 but mine is basic ...cool little cars would def have a nother one in the future as a fun run around...and dont forget you can chuck a supecharger on them quite easily for about 2000 and get some imprsssive gains.... my oldest son has had a rx8 and although it was a lovely motor it was far thurstier than my sti in both petrol and oil... he now runsa type r and has kept it the longest of all his cars nippy but you newedto rev to get the vtec to cut in but have to watch it in the wet otherwise you meet the back end it all depends on what money you can afford and what you need the car for ....good luck

craigyp

iTrader: (5)

Elise or vx220 for a fun car wi wind in ya hair

sovietspybob

iTrader: (3)

Can't go wrong with an MX-5

We've had 2 so far, a 1.6 mk2.5 and now a 2.0 MK3 Sport

Depends on your budget really?

Either way make sure you get the bigger engine for the model, the 2.0 in the MK3 as it gives you alot of extras such as a 6 speed 'box, traction control etc etc.

Give me a shout if you want to know anything.

scousefly

I thought it only went up to 1.8l engine in the MX5?

scousefly

2009 seems to be when they hoofed the 2.0L in not really wanting to spend that sorta money though looking around the 8K mark.
I have a 06 R1 to sell as I think its playing merry hell with my knees so not really enjoying it standard with less than 7K on it so I might be selling that to help my cause

poo2y

iTrader: (2)

We've got a mk2 1.6, it's an absolute hoot to drive. Could do with a bit more grunt but still manages to put a smile on the face. They do handle very well, even on cheaper brand tyres. Maintaince costs are next to nothing as they are simple to work on.

fastmike

iTrader: (4)

I had a MK1 1.8.... to my mind the purest version , never went wrong and lived on the red line, corrosion is thier achillies heal, official UK cars being the worst offenders, the MK2 being worse than the MK1 in that respect...... one of the cars everyone needs to own during thier lifetime

ScoobySteve69

iTrader: (13)

All depends if you`re male or female really

The Zohan

MR2 VVTi 140bhp 850KG mid-engined. We have one, returns 35+mpg average (45mpg on a run), is very quick and the handling is superb and the steering pin sharp - suspension is pretty much off of an elise (apparently)!



Can be modded, including turbocharging to 220BHP

I like the MX5 but the MR2 VVti is a better drivers car in every way http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evol...oyota_mr2.html

can be purchased from 3k

sovietspybob

iTrader: (3)

the 2.0 came around in late 2005 when the Mark 3 was launched. You could then get a 118bhp 1.8 or the 157bhp 2.0. (Previously in the Mark2 you had a 140bhp 1.8 and a 110bhp 1.6)

We're actually just about to sell our 2006 2.0 sport which will be going about £8500.

If its an every day car i'd recommend the mark 3 as its alot more civilised than the older versions but still massive fun.

Make sure you get a higher spec car though as it really makes a difference. For example above and beyond the basic spec ours has....

Bilstein Shocks, LSD, 6CD 7 Speaker Bose sound system, 6 speed 'box, Climate control, removable hard top, heated leather seats.

With all those its a really lovely car which is a joy to use every day.

Oh yeah and we average 35MPG out of ours. http://www.fuelly.com/driver/sovietspybob/mx5-miata

Mrfastbaz

my mark 1 1.6 is better than its english equivalent has lsd, power steering although doesnt really need it elecric windows air con and as its a 1.6 special model comes with bilstein suspension and a front strut brace when it was new supposed to put out 114 bhp 0-60 in around 8.7 secs not much slower than the mark 1 1.8 as this was slightly heavier mine weighs in at around 980 kg ...its a hoot and as i said in an earlier post is like a go cart great little car and i get as much fun out of driving this a i do in the scoob but in differnet ways...go for a late mx5 you wont regret it

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

I had a Silver 1.8 Mk 2.5 Sport with the LSD, Bilsteins, Heated leather seats and the 6 speed.

Most fun I ever had on roundabouts and twisties outside a Scoob. Don't change the standard wheel sizes for bigger rims as it completely upsets the handling. Even on a crisp winters day with the roof down, seats on heat, hunkered down with a good hat, scarf and gloves was a real hoot.

Took me a day to dry it out when I left the roof down . Easy top work on too.

Parts are cheap.

www.mx5parts.com

Steve vRS

I've only driven MX5s, never a MR2. I was under the impression that the short wheelbase of the 2 meant it was twitchy and snappy on the limit versus the 5.

Steve

lozgti1

Really cannot believe alleged car lovers still give sports cars a hard time!! Repressed feelings I think!

Anyway..got a 2004 1.8 146 bhp 2.5 .Bloody great fun!

The Zohan

and being mid engined the 'limit' is much father than an MX5, as i said it is a drivers car so you need to be able to drive i can quite happily get the tail out and put the car where i want it on the road steering on the throttle and steering wheel. as for twitchy - try pin sharp, forgiving but a hell of a lot feedback through the wheel, if i run over a teen pence coin i can usually tell which face is up

Don't get me wrong the MX5 is a great car, I have driven a mk1 1.6 and the revised model 1.8 and liked them both. i would suggest the OP drives both the MX5 and also MR2

paulwrxboro

ive driven both , id take the mx5 just felt better

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

I've driven both and a mate has the s2000 which i've also driven.

Mr2 is great fun and more powerful than the mx5 but as stated you do need to be able to drive, it's not a car that is forgiving of the inexperienced.

And can be twitchy on the limit and is a seat of the pants throttle balancing act, i loved the one i had for a few days in cyprus, but as said it is an exrerienced drivers car and not advisable for the novice rear wheel driver to push too hard in the first instance, respect or it bites, same as a subaru type r.

The way i would describe the mx5 is that it is balanced for you from the factory, much more controlled and a lot easier for the average driver to learn how to get the back end out without it snapping back at you and giving you the heart in the mouth, that was close moments that you will get from the mr2 if your not experienced, as it's all down to what you grew up with really.

For me it was escorts cortinas and capris when i were a lad

The S2000 is a step up again in the power department, but sits squarely in the middle with regards the handling, not so much fun as the other two as the speeds and revs involved in getting it sideways and holding it there are becoming dangerous outside of a track environment, but it is a nicer place to be than both the others.

It depends what you want from the car, for me with your budget i'd save a bit of money and opt for a 3k mx5 as i think at that money you will not worry too much about it and drive it like you stole it and do track days ect. and with it having less power the fun is to be had at very sensible speeds.

mr2 requires more knowledge and commitment which can be dangerous on the road, as does the S2000 which a decent one is out of your budget @ 5k.

chris666

Had both mx5 & mr2
would say the mr2 is the better car ,but your right about the rear end
partxed the 5 for the 2 came out of the dealers 1st roundabout did a 180
in the rain you've got to show it some respect
the only thing i did'nt like about the 5 was the front end lifting at speed(mk2 1.8) the stearing goes very light
if you look on the owners club site there is a splitter which is ment to cure this
overall both are very good so just have a drive in each & see which one suits you

scooby1929

iTrader: (1)

The MX5 mk1 1.8 has to be the best value car out there. So much fun for so little money. I have more fun driving the MX5 than my Subaru. Also makes a great wee track car and bits can be bought for peanuts for them

Mrfastbaz

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This is my MX mk 1 its a 1.6 and great fun to throwround the corners got bilstein suspension as standard and a front strut brace in the engine bay also as standard..cool little play thing...

LeeMac

iTrader: (1)

I've been trying to get a 911 for about 11 years! and more recently a Boxster

after looking online at so many, Cat Ds, high milers etc I decided to go and see a local Boxster

98R 70k for 8k

well over priced, it was a bit of a shed
couldnt go out in it due to waiting on a part and it wouldnt start due to flat battery and battery pack

next to it was this mk3 MX5 2.0i (have had a mk1) and we got the keys and checked it over
couldnt believe how low it was, i fell in
really liked it but lots of plastic, solid sun visors and door int panels! but it all looked quite nice
hardly any luggage space unlike the boxster

so, im still looking at Boxsters for now but might consider a mk3 MX5 myself

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

You would get a nice S2000 for that sort of money and both my mate who has one and i agree its a better car all round, and a lot cheaper to own and run..Than a boxter..