My partner has a Mx-5, the 1.8i version. It is in British racing green & is a 1996 model so we have the 'pop-up' headlights, a feature which gives the car its individuality. Due to safety concerns, these are not featured on new models which is a shame.
We have had the car for 2 1/2 years. ... Read review
Advantages: Great driving experience, fun & fast! Disadvantages: none really...only 2 seats but that's part of the charm!
My partner has a Mx-5, the 1.8i version. It is in British racing green & is a 1996 model so we have the 'pop-up' headlights, a feature which gives the car its individuality. Due to safety concerns, these are not featured on new models which is a shame.
We have had the car for 2 1/2 years. it has given no trouble at MOT & has never let us down. We have put almost 30000 miles on it, trouble free.
We have invested in a ... ...is showing very slight 'cracking' on the passenger side. The hard top is great in winter & as it is white, gives our car a distinctive look. We were going to get it sprayed but everyone says it looks good as it is. The soft top has never leaked & it easy to operate.
Now....the driving experience. My own cars have been fairly standard hatchback/saloon cars (i'm currently driving a Citroen Xsara). I can completely & honestly say there ... more
My partner has a Mx-5, the 1.8i version. It is in British racing green & is a 1996 model so we have the 'pop-up' headlights, a feature which gives the car its individuality. Due to safety concerns, these are not featured on new models which is a shame.
We have had the car for 2 1/2 years. it has given no trouble at MOT & has never let us down. We have put almost 30000 miles on it, trouble free.
We have invested in a second hand hard-top to preserve the soft top, as it is showing very slight 'cracking' on the passenger side. The hard top is great in winter & as it is white, gives our car a distinctive look. We were going to get it sprayed but everyone says it looks good as it is. The soft top has never leaked & it easy to operate.
Now....the driving experience. My own cars have been fairly standard hatchback/saloon cars (i'm currently driving a Citroen Xsara). I can completely & honestly say there is nothing like getting behind the wheel of this pocket rocket, sitting close to the tarmac, throwing back the top, tying your hair back & letting rip on the rural winding roads of Lincolnshire! It is soooo responsive, so exciting & so sexy! We have been know to decide on a summers evening at 7.30pm that theres nothing worth watching on the tv, so we get in the car & just drive around for the sheer hell of it because thats just what the MX-5 does to you - it makes you want to get behind the wheel & wring its neck! For fun! Our model is devoid of power steering which is why the driving experience is so good. I'm not sure if they are all like that. The speed is phenomenal when setting off - it builds & builds until you are racing along at 70.
It is just like a go-kart for the roads. It can be noisy on the motorways with the top down, so keep a couple of packets of earplugs in the ample glovebox. The boot is ok - always use soft bags when going on a 'romantic mini-break' with your loved one. There is good space on the shelf behind the seats but this can only really be utilised fully when the top is up.
So If anyone is looking for a new sports convertable or second hand one, I can recommend the MX-5 as a fantastic buy. You won't regret it. Sure, theres only 2 seats but it is great for relationships! I keep a standard car for such occasions but if I had the opportunity (& somewhere decent to park at work), the Xsara would be appearing in a classifieds section near you!
We purchased ours from a local 'general' car dealer. We did try the dealers but they were expensive & didn't have any lower mileage cars. So try these garages as well as we found a big difference in prices.
Advantages: Driver appeal, affordable, classic...and fun Disadvantages: None
f you enjoy the open air and real driving, then the MX-5 is for you. This car is reliable, has the looks, delivers rewarding driving experiences and is packaged in a simple yet classic style. It really does have classic status, being introduced in 1989, the shape is hardly changed from then and most people will instantly recognise one. This car provoked the return of other 2 seater roadster models from MG and Fiat (the MGF and Barchetta). My car ... ...road.
For me, the appeal is its simplicity. It gives sheer pleasure when driving on most roads, but is at its best on those open winding country lanes. Top-down motoring at its best. The hood is easy to operate, and has a zip-out rear window. This is plastic on older models which can get scratched, so take care. Newer cars have a glass window with heating elements.
Confidence is inspired as the car hugs the road so well, making bends a dream. Another ...
synchro 16.06.2000
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Mazda MX-5 1.6i
Advantages: Looks great, drives great, cheap to run Disadvantages: low low ground clearance
...bought my 15 year old Mazda MX-5 convertible 6 months ago now, and i have been thinking very hard of what to write here. I decided to start with this...
No review of this car can possible be negative, its just positive in every way.
My MX-5 is the 1.6i Convertible, i bought it stock and have added a few bits on, but il review it firstly, as it was stock, how easy it was to upgrade, and what it is like now..
I actually travelled 100 miles up to ... ...it was a steal at only £900. For this i got the car as it was, with no CD player or speakers...but it did have power steering (life saver)! The sunroof was new and everything worked fine, including the air conditioning.
So i drove it home at a steady 70mph with no troubles, not even straining the engine, leveling just around 3000rpm, great! The petrol tank took nearly empty to full around £30 and that would have got me there and back, averaging ...
migitaldave 10.10.2007
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Mazda MX-5 1.6i
Advantages: fun, stylish, easy to drive, convertible Disadvantages: fuel consumption around town, road noise on the motorway
...a full service history with Mazda and had been cared for by the Lotus garage that had taken the car in as a part exchange. The car did require the big service at 60,000 miles (includes the cam belt change) which was carried out by MKG3000 Mazda of Twickenham for the reasonable cost of £390.
Around town the car deals with bumps very well with only large pot holes sending a shimmy through the chassis. Road noise around town is also very acceptable ... ...generally not an issue as Mazda recognizes the popularity of these models and works with the owners club to provide discounted rates. The average 9000 mile service costs between £150-£180 and the big 60,000 mile service costs between £390-£450. There is also a large aftermarket scene for these cars and many are personalized by there owners. Mostly though this applies to owners upgrading the interior with one of the many dashboard cover kits
The ...
ukfan 10.10.2007
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Mazda MX-5 1.6i
Advantages: Brilliant fun to Drive and looks great! Disadvantages: Having only two seats occassionally means passengers can miss out.
The Mazda MX5 was my final choice of purchase after being given some money recently. I was looking for something fun and sporty, but originally looked at four seater options such as the Astra Coupe and VW Golf. After reading good magazine reviews, I decided to test drive the MX5 - I was not disappointed. The low chassis hugs the road and the steering is responsive. The 1.6 is more than capable in the lower gears and the tight gearbox makes it easy ... ...was miles better than anything I had driven previously and this alone made me sure it was the car for me.
Practicality is of course an issue when looking at owning a sports car, but the MX5 has cheap running costs, is supremely durable and insurance is good value for a two seater. The roof is pretty easy to use and the boot swallows enough for weekend breaks or the weekly shop. My wife and I both use this car daily and it effortlessly transforms ...
UserCol 06.05.2003
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Mazda MX-5 1.6i
Advantages: A great affordable sports car with fun driving added in for free! Disadvantages: If you are a big shopper like me, you may need to put the roof down!
After my Mum eventually brought a 2 yr old MX5 3 years ago, I knew that it was the car I wanted to own. You get looked at (yes I am a poser!) and it just oozes sexiness. My mission was to own one!
I now own a G reg (1990) MK1 MX5 1.6i. I have owned it since 2003 and I am still having fun now! It is such a great car! Quick and responsive, great handling!(I do throw it round corners quite a bit) for when you feel a bit naughty! But when you do want ... ...do that too! SPECIFICATIONS - (please note this is for a newer MX5 standard not modified like mine, information was last updated 2.12.04)
Engine - 1.6i (1597cc)
16 valve
0 - 60 mph is 9.7 seconds Top speed is 119 mph (Ive done close to this and its still pulling)
Fuel tank capacity is 50 litres
The price of a new standard MX5 is currently £15,000 . The insurance group is 11E
INSURANCE - I brought the car when I was 19. I had 2 years no claims ...
hannahciao 25.02.2005 (01.04.2005)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Mazda MX-5 1.6i
