Mazda MX-5 1.6i

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 ...
...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 ...

moomande 06.04.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.6i

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
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.6i

...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
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.6i

...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
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.6i

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
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.6i

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
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.6i

Well I bought a mark 1 1998 R reg MX5 a couple of years ago as I had always wanted one. It was the only opportunity that I thought I would get to grab one, so I did whilst I could, as it was going to be a second car in the household. I purposefully bought a mark 1 as I wanted the styling with the pop up headlights (a bit more individual), so I bought one of the last made. The MX5 has superb handling, close to the road, good cornering (although watch ...
...bit TOO fast - I have heard that is common, although it has never happened to me). Air con is standard now through out the ranges but wasn't on earlier models such as mine. Great looking alloys and good classic styling. Day to day motoring is great fun and it will fit into the tiniest of parking spaces (I have been known to get it into spaces with literally an inch either end, superb for that!) Good visibility, especially if you buy a newer car, ...

BlackSmokeSal 29.08.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.6i

At the age of 21 I had £10,000 cash to spend on a new car . Me being me I was looking for something Fast and Fun. A lover of TVR's and Vipers the gorgeous curves of the MX5 caught my eye. After reading up on the car I found it had been voted by many the No 1 UK Roadster based on tests such as acceleration, handling etc.... It was time for a test drive !!!! That was all it took. Five years later I still have the car and love it as much as the first ...
...in it in all conditions. Handling is exceptional, but be careful in the snow and ice as the rear end has a tendancy to slide out. Power/Acceleration, there's plenty !!! Interior, I love the inside, the seating position is perfect you sit very low and I find this view very agreeable for driving the only problem is seeing past other cars and vans when waiting to pull out on a roundabout etc... There is a centre console connected to the dashboard, ...

ledouf 22.01.2006 · Read full review
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.6i

...the proud owner of two Mazda MX-5's and I have to say they have been the most reliable and joyous cars that I have owned thus far. Do not be fooled by thinking this is a typical hair dressers car, It's NOT! This really is a proper sports car which offers all the frills of a porsche for a fraction of the cost. The MX-5 has near perfect weight distribution combined with rear wheel drive which offers sublime handling and is regarded by many as being ...
...You can pick one of these beauty's up very cheap now, and my advice would be to wait for winter to kick in as you will see some excellent examples pop up for less than a thousand pound. In my opinion you can have just as much fun in the mk1 MX-5 as you can the mk2 and pick them up for a lot cheaper too. The styling on the mk1 is a bit more classic, with the main exterior difference being the pop up headlights which is not offered in the mk2. I would ...

kylehall99 05.10.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.6i

...We have driven to Italy for over 2 weeks and the car took all our luggage and we were able to bring back wine!The service and guarantee conditions are also excellent, every nut and bolt in the car is covered and the service staff at Blackpool Mazda are excellent. ...

aplowe 02.12.2000 · Read full review
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.6i

Having been given this car as a gift I was somewhat apprehensive fearing it's lack of practicality - I need not have worried, sure the boot is tiny and the rear window has no heater but once in the driving seat such worries are forgotten. The handaling and ride suit its sporting image and are superb as is the short gearchange. The roof is off in seconds and a powerful heater extend the topless driving year. Luggae can be stored in the ample glovebox ...

winprizes2000 30.11.2000 · Read full review
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.6i

I bought my MX5 new about 6 months ago, and every time I get in it to go somewhere it makes me feel good. This is probably the best thing about this car - it makes you happy when you're in it. The built quality is superb, there are no rattles or loose bits of plastic. My version is the Phoenix, and comes with heated leather seats, which are colder than cloth style seats when the weather is cold and take about 2 minutes to warm up. The hood goes ...
...to the top of the widescreen area. Mine came with a cover to put over the hood when it is down, but this takes about 3-4 minutes to attach abd becomes a bit of a pain (but it does look nicer). The handling is excellent and as it is rear wheel drive is has a tight turning circle. The ride is stiff but in no way uncomfortable and there is virtually no body roll. The only disappointing aspect of the 1.6i model is the acceleration. My previous car had ...

andrewlowe1979 05.03.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.6i

I have always associated the MX5 type of cars as being for women or hairdressers, but after putting some serious miles on one today I have to confess, “I rather like this cheeky little chappie”. The model in question was a totally standard 1.6 16v injection. I’m not the worlds largest person, in fact at only 5”9 I consider myself to be average. Once I’d mastered the art of getting on board, and not accelerating while ...
...In traffic the steering could use some help, I found it to be a tad on the heavy side but once out into the country side the reasons for the weight became apparent. It helps to give this little car the feel of a real sports car. Performance from the 1.6 power unit can only be described as adequate, I wouldn’t want to risk overtaking anything larger than an estate car, but this car isn’t about out and out power. It’s about feeling ...

Slideways 15.03.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.6i

MX5 Mk 1 - a drivers car with the flexibility to poodle along or have a bit of fun as the mood takes you. I have seen a few quotes about being under powered and heavy on fuel. They are neither if driven properly ! True it is not outstandly fast which wont appease the hot hatch boy racer brigade but let them go and have their accident somewhere else ! Driven progressively but sensibly I have found mine responds beautifully, is great fun and returns ...
...good and noise not too bad even on the motorway - roof up or down. What is particularly good is the way the car's firm suspension copes so well with the curse of modern driving - speed humps. As for going round bends - WHAT bend ? Apart from routine maintainance, the car is getting old so a few odds and ends need replacing from time to time but general reliability of these cars is excellent. If you want a fairly inexpensive fun car to brighten up ...

Jules2477 22.04.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.6i

As far back as 1996, an MX5 had caught my eye. But I had just bought a Fiat Bravo and didn't have the confidence to swap my versitle, sporty hatchback for a car older and smaller than the one I owed. Then in 2003, after ownership of a truely horrendous Seat Leon, I found a 1.6 Mk2 for sale and decided to go for it. I have never regretted it since. The car I bought was the bottom of the range, standard 1.6 model in the Mk2 launch colour 'evolution ...
...complex electric trickery, and for that reason alone, it makes this car a gem to own and run. Its simplicity means that even a non-mechanically minded person like myself can service and repair almost all the bits on this car. I whimped out on the cambelt but if you source the parts yourself, then even the cost of that major service can be kept low. Now 18 months and 30,000 miles later, I have to report that the MX5 has been 100% reliable, even in ...

polikarpov 13.07.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.6i