Mazda MX-5 1.8i

...~~~~~~~~~ We bought a Mazda MX5 as our first ever car in January 2003. Bizarre time to be buying a soft-top car, you might think, but actually quite good from an economic point of view – you'll be one of only a few people looking at these sorts of cars in the dead of winter and so can pick up a bargain – and probably get to test the waterproof quality of the roof! The model we have is the 1.8i S, and is W reg. As standard, it has ABS ...
...green or dark blue. Mazda do occasionally change the colours that their cars are available in, so if you can't get the colour you want new, it could be worth trying the second hand market. ~~~ Roof ~~~ As a soft-top convertible, the roof on a MX5 is very important. The standard roof is made of black vinyl, and is very well made. We have never had any problems with leaks or similar, although I know that they can happen. It's possible to get an ...

xalala 22.03.2004 (23.03.2004) · Read full review
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.8i

...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. The 1.8 sport has the added bonus of a six speed manual gearbox which only adds to it's already sporty pedigree. 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 ...
...handling and is regarded by many as being one of the best handling cars in the world. 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 ...

kylehall99 20.09.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.8i

...oiled and effect machine that Mazda have made it. My Father in laws 323 is the same. Never a problem getting it to stop. It is helped out on the MX5 by having discs all the way around. When you need to stop that 1.8 lump in a hurry, drums at the back would be a pain. Sharp and Crisp is how I describe them. Interior. --------- Warning. Big people need not apply. Me and my brother are similar in height at 5'11". We fit in it comfortably. The seats ...
...player. Just a radio. Surely Mazda could have solved this one? Suprising is exactly right as the speakers are built for sounds. At the bottom of the doors are 2 huge pods with Woofers filling them. The tweeters are flush mounted in the top of the doors. The Radio itself is a huge contraption. A replacement unit to align it with modern cars will require a blanking plate (around £35) and a new CD player. Optional extras include a multichanger that ...

andycharger 08.11.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.8i

I have a Mk3 2.0 MX-5 in Silver. (Couldn't find a 2.0 litre option on this site - so have decided to write here instead). I have had this car now for 9 months and I DO NOT have a bad thing to saw about it. I believe the 2.0 litre option is worth paying the extra over the 1.8l it just gives the car more kick and feels more sporty (2.0l is a quick little car). Car came with free roadside assistance - but have not had to use it. I got a free hard-top ...
...buying and paying for. Especially in England when the weather isn’t to good. I feel like I have 2 cars in one. One with the hardtop option and one without – just makes it even more interesting! When I bought the car it came with a free day at ‘Prodrive’ a company with a very good preparation in motorsport. The day was designed for you to get the best out of your car and see what it is capable of. I got the opportunity to really put the car to the ...

laptop07 12.05.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.8i

For the Summer I purchased a second hand MX5 1.8 Sports. It was 4 years old and had the matching hard top as well as the permanently fitted cloth soft top. I had done my home work and this was the one that every review was recommending. It is one of the limited edition Sports and as such comes with leather heated seats. First things first, off came the hard top and into storage until winter. The hard top was very simple to remove and the soft top ...
...wife or I can pull the soft top up when sitting in the seats. One of us has to get out. Both the hard top and soft top have a heated rear window which is essential and in a two seater cabin. The fold up rear wind deflector is not that good so long hair still gets blown forward. Top Gear did an effective demonstration of the difference that a deflector makes. Next came presents for the car. First a chrome roll bar which comes with the disclaimer ...

ForlornHope 23.07.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.8i

The MX-5 made the 2 seater sports car affordable for the everyday driver. The car feels well built, with easy hood removal. It has a tiny and impractical boot, but the car is fun. The driving position is comfortable and the steering accurate. The interior space though, is cramped and plastic-looking with few frills. There is no alarm, ABS or airbag. Fuel consumption isn’t great either. High demand levels and strong reliability make for very low ...

teen 30.09.2000 · Read full review
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.8i

Intro The mazda MX5 is a wonderful car, why else would it be the best selling sports car. I first went in one last year, and even though i am quite tall, i found the seats to be quite roomy and comfortable, even if a little low, I think its helps the leg room with it being only a two seater. Driving As a driver the first thing you notice is how everything seems to be in the right place, such as the small stubbly, but perfect, gear stick falls into ...
...it. All of the of the pedals and levers around the car are the perfect size and in the correct places to not distract from the actual driving. The car seems to accelerate fairly quickly, 0-60 in about 6 seconds, but it does seem even faster because you are sat so close to the road. The fuel economy is not too bad around 25-30 mpg. The car handles very well and is pretty nimble through town, its acceleration helps it when out on the motorways and ...

125nutter 12.11.2002 (13.11.2002) · Read full review
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.8i

I love my little MX5. I know that everyone thinks that they are a car for hairdressers and what's wrong with that? I love hairdressers and they deserve to have some fun after a long day on their feet talking about holidays. Anyway, I've had my little chap for just over a year and getting into it still puts a smile on my face - the sunnier the day the bigger my smile as the roof comes down and the shades go on. Although its only 140bhp and 1.8, ...
...on the road. Its definately a feel good car which is more about style than substance as it is fairly impractical. One thing that is practical however is the three year rodaside assistance that you get gratis when you buy a new Mazda. Being a weak and pathetic girly I have used it a couple of times to have tyres changed and the service has always been prompt, courteous and of high quality. Another feature which I don't know if other manufactureers ...

Kasteera 04.10.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.8i

...cars which it would appear mazda still need to sort out. a fix is on its way though! As for security - not a problem really. ok its a softtop - but if theives want to get in to a car then they will regardless of whether you have a softtop. Touch wood we have been fine for the year that we have had ours parked on a busy london street all day! When considering buying the mx5, i looked at MG-Fs and MR2s. However, the mx5 is more practical because ...
...cheaper too. Also i read lots of articles and opinions abotu mgfs suffering from leaks, and rattles. Also in my opinion, the mx5 has better looks than either of those competitors! I should also mention insurance. I thought that it would be really expensive to insure so i checked it out before i bought it. I had 6 points, no no claims bonus, parking on a street in london and age 28 male - it cost about £1,000. This year it has come down to £640 with ...

pbradburn 10.10.2003 · Read full review
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.8i

After owning a 1996 MK I 1.6 Monza over 4 years ago, I decided to buy another MX5 as the cash was there and the price was right. After searching the autotrader on nationwide search I found that the prices for second hand models vary drastically, and in some respects trades must have their heads in the clouds when they dream up a price for the forecourt so beware! After several weeks I found a nice car on ebay and eventually won the bidding war. ...
...year 2000 1.8 Mk II model actually like to live with? Well firstly there has never been a problem with it and there are no signs of pending troubles. The whole design and construction of the car is simplicity and ruggedness, there are few complicated electronics to go wrong and mechanically they are well built. I have opted to service the car myself, never a fan of taking cars to main dealers as when I service my car I make sure that it is done correctly, ...

gazereth 17.01.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.8i

...than you actually are. Mazda have worked hard to make this feel like a sports car and not just look like one. As a 30-something family man this is a completely selfish car for me , which is great as I don't have to contend with muddy feet, empty crisp packets and the general filth relating to allowing children in your car. It's just a work car for me, and as such is brilliant. Can't wait for the nice weather so i can get the roof down! I have leased ...
...Apparently so cheap because Mazda are trying to encourage a bouynat second hand market for a couple of years time so are pushing some cheap leasing deals on brand new models. Don't get one if: You are more than 6 feet tall - the seats don't go back far enough for a comfortable driving position You are looking for efficient fuel consumption - I have been getting marginally less than 300 miles to a £35 tank You want a car with lots of toys - The ...

nick297 21.02.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.8i

The Mx-5 1.8is. What can be said which hasn't already occupied a thousand magazine reviews? I've owned my MX-5 now for two years. Although It cost a bit(around £20,000 all in)I have never once regretted it. No matter how bad a day I've had, as soon as I drop the top and fire the ignition, a grin a mile wide covers my face. Sure, there are more powerful sports cars on the market, but none so involving at realistic speeds than the MX-5. On straight ...
...more comfortable. Place it on a winding country road, however, and there is not an experience to which comes close to matching the sheer exhileration of flying round bends full throttle. The stares of envy I get when driving past are to be savoured. The only major drawback I have is that there are some very jealous people out there who will think nothing of dragging a sharp object along the bodywork, or accidently pushing their shopping trolley against ...

Innerspace 08.08.2000 · Read full review
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.8i

I bought my Mazda MX-5 in the summer of 2003, which if you remember was quite a scorcher! When I first saw the automobile parked on the forecourt I knew I wanted it. It looked like a million dollars, however the price tag stated otherwise. I bought it on a W plate and it only had one owner before me. I cannot tell you how much fun this machine is to drive. Its like throwing a little go-kart around corners, it just sticks to the road. I'm not going ...
...all that out on the Mazda or What Car website. The roof is very easy to put up and down. Basically there are 2 clips above the sun visors which you pull towards you, the clips are then open, and you just drop the roof! Simple. To lift it back up, there is a handle at the top of the roof, which you can just stick your hand in and use your strength to lift back over your head....then fasten the clips in place again. It takes literally 10 seconds, ...

Jagdog 29.03.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.8i

I have the new 2 litre sport CC, it is fantastic! Great fun to drive and it looks great. Excellent road holding, the 2 litre is quick, the sport has a six speed box which helps a lot and the brakes are very good too. The electric roof really is a fast as Mazda claim, only 12 seconds. This is my second MX-5 and I will definitely have another. The only down side is it is quite thirsty if you want to get a move on but is quite reasonable if you drive steady. I can't praise this car enough, it really is that good!!! ...

andyandjo 28.06.2007 (21.06.2007)
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.8i

...23,000 miles and a years Mazda warranty remaining. Being a 2002 model (2.5) means it has the latest 146bhp VT (variable timing) engine and uprated interior with white dials.The bodyshell is also strengthened and the ABS and brake assist are also uprated. The car scores a 4 in the NCAP crash tests. Like many other 2.5 versions it is suffering with clutch juder when cold. This will hopefully be rectified shortly under warranty. At 6 feet tall I can ...
...more room for my legs under the steering wheel than on earlier models I have tried. The car has cloth interior which I think is more comfortable for a convertible . The alloy wheels are easy to clean and a Yokohoma tyre fitted costs a very reasonable £55. The boot is just about big enough for a weekend away, but one needs to be careful not to cram sharp items in as there is no lining ion the bootlid to protect the outer panelwork. The paint on the ...

risquenun 09.03.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Mazda MX-5 1.8i