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 to be sensible and just take it easy, it can 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 and the only way I could get a decent insurance quote was by having my 24 yr old boyfriend as a named driver on my policy. (Yes he liked that!) Fully comprehensive through Direct Line was £780. The next year it was £680 and now with 4yrs no claims, it is a lovely £460! I could do better I think as I am now 21 but I have moved into a brand new house and the postcode is not registered yet so cant get any quotes. :(
MODIFICATIONS ON MY CAR- When I brought it, it came with alloy wheels and huge fat tyres! Yes the huge fat tyres do help with the handling but they have their disadvantages that you feel every single bump and if you have ever driven over a road that has been taken up and it has all those lines on - beware, the tyres make you weave all over the place!
It also came with an engine strut brace that helps aid rigidity within the car and thus helps cornering. (The MX5 is a little bit tail happy!) The site which I buy all my mods from recommends you have an engine strut brace and front and rear under car strut braces also if you want to do trackdays! As I didnt buy the engine strut brace I do not know the exact price but a current price is £69.99 from the site I use. (address later on) The front chassis under car strut brace is £29.99 and the rear under car strut brace is £39.99 .
A MX5 looks the part with a style bar. I have gone for the M shape bar again from Eunosverse for £175.00 It adds a tiny bit of rigidity at the rear end. Please note though that style bars are jsut for that, they do not act as roll over protection. They would just crumple, hmm lets not think about that.
I was lucky to have a cold air induction kit already fitted to my MX5 when I brought it. Again dont know the exact price for the one on my car but an identical one on Eunosverse is £339.99 for a Jackson racing one. So quite expensive, but eunosverse say you could see a double figure increase in BHP's!
My main mod is my exhaust. When I brought the MX5 it had already had a part stainless steel exhaust on but had a cat replacement pipe with nothing in so it sounded like a musical instrument! I could not put up with the embarressment any longer so I have gone for a stainless steel exhaust the whole way through with a (quite big) back box. This has added a few extra BHP's.(dont know how much though?!) It is quite loud and gets me even more head turns! The price for this was £225.00 from Infinity Exhausts in Weston-Super-Mare. The whole system is hand made from scratch and only took a day. The exhaust is guaranteed for the life of the vehicle. Bargain!
Only 2 seater so you dont have to drive on nights out to pub with family or friends - they have too!
In the summer (or just sunny days!) you can be nice and cool with the roof down and the wind in your hair. (I do advise you wear a hat though if you have long hair!)
It is very quick and responsive and handles really well! (I have not driven a standard set up MX5 the way I drive mine so can only comment on how mine handles!)
The boot space is non existent! Because mine is older I have the space saver spare tyre in it so I have no space. However on newer versions the spare tyre is underneath the car so a bit more space, but still not enough to do the weekly family shop in!
Again beacuse mine is older I have leaky seals. These are the ones which are part of the roof but because they have to bend they have a split in the middle. So when it rains heavily and my car is stood still, the seats get a tiny bit wet!
Replacement roofs are expensive. The older cars have plastic rear windows which get scratched and misted if not looked after properly. A glass conversion costs quite a bit too. Around £300.00 for conversion and the cheapest I have found for new roof is £500.00
I would recommend this car to anyone who wants to have a fun car! If I had to have a "normal" car I dont think I could.
Eunosverse is www.eunosverse.co.uk another good site is www.mx5parts.co.uk These sites dont just sell modifications they sell service parts, manuals etc.
Advantages: EUNOS is a cheap way to purchase mx5 generally with lower mileages Disadvantages: generally in not as good condition as UK cars, with work required as stated in my articale
richbay 06.07.2000 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Mazda MX-5 1.6i
very helpful by (37%):
helpful by (59%):
somewhat helpful by (4%):
