Newbie needs persuading

[ozimax]

Greetings to all in MX5-land.

First post here, so please excuse me if I say something silly, dumb or downright idiotic!

I am in the market for an MX5. I have never owned one, but as I spend an inordinate amount of time in the car each and every month of every year, I wish to have some fun. I would prefer above all a nice big motorcycle. (I have owned numerous over the years, but missus is uncomfortable with the idea and after 30+ years of marriage, I respect her views).

Enter MX5. I have read quite a bit on how good they are to own. I have just a couple of questions for the sages here:

1. I do about 50K kms a year. Is the MX5 a good choice for long distance, interstate motoring, or is it more for the casual day trip? Although I enjoy a nice road trip up the Waterfall Way to Dorrigo, my main use would be interstate trips. I don't have much luggage.
2. I have found a showroom condition, Mazda serviced, 2005 SE titanium for sale nearby, 72K, for about $16,000. Does this seem like a good buy? (I did test drive it and it all seems perfect).

Any advice will be appreciated!

Ozi.
Coffs Harbour

[Magpie]

Provided the mod bug does not bite then the MX5 would make a good choice for long distance, interstate motoring. However I would personally go for a NC over the SE.

I used to enjoy long trips in my MX5, however since it has been modified long trips require too much concentration and fuel and whilst the long drive can be fun, it is not that enjoyable... I would rather take my Amarok now for a trip longer than 200km return.

[ManiacLachy]

I've just bought an '04 SE, drove it home from Melbourne to Brisbane over 3 days and it was suprisingly comfortable, other than stiff muscles from being stationary for so long. Only stopping for food, toilet and overnight stops, no need to jump out to ease cramps or any such. I drive around 50-60k a day total and again, no comfort issues. I'm 6' 95kg, for refference.

I paid $15k for mine with 95k km on the clock, unregistered, so I reckon that Ti is a good price, and if I were still in the market I'd be racing you for it!

[Regie]

Gday Ozi

As mr magpie has mentioned the NC would be more suited to your requests. The cabin is much roomier > that was the main reason i upgraded to the NC.

Throw a set of sway bars at it and you will be loving the twisty tarmac!

The NC is bulletproof and a great cruiser.....ive got a pretty heavily modified one, and i can do 800km club day runs and still feel fresh as at the end of the day

[StuwieP]

when Magpie says his mx5 has been modded, he's not just talking a shiny muffler and pod filter - so bear in mind some changes won't kill the car for long distance.

Still, it's a small, poorly sound-insulated vehicle that will bounce and rattle around a bit on crappy roads so it doesn't offer the comfort of a larger car on longer trips.


Magpie - do you drive with earplugs in? Dad does with his racing car and it helps a bit with the sound-induced tiredness.

[Nevyn72]

Speaking as an 04 SE owner I suspect the NC would be a better choice for a range of reasons;
- Wheel & suspension setup on the SE isn't great out of the factory, most replace the rims (with something smaller than 17") and shocks for greater comfort.
- An NC puts out similar power to the SE (in factory trim) more economically, without the turbo.
- NC has more room internally.

That being said I much preferred the NB SE's styling and I'm not leaving mine stock, but mine's a toy and project car so I have a different set of objectives in many regards.

These cars, if well maintained, are very reliable, generally getting upwards of 300K km without too many issues. So given you anticipate 50K km p.a. you could reasonably expect a good 4+ years at least out of the SE you're considering. It's certainly a great price if it's as you describe!

[Magpie]

Magpie - do you drive with earplugs in? Dad does with his racing car and it helps a bit with the sound-induced tiredness.

I'm going to start very soon, plan is to get a couple of Terratrip style headsets and use them. Bonus us I can Bluetooth a phone as well as pipe music in since my stereo is getting removed.

Sorry to the OP for going off topic

[narita]

Im sure im not the only one here who have dríven many a car.

nothing will feel the same as these cars.

good luck with your search

[davekmoore]

JFDI

For longer distances adding control allows more freedom of leg placement. If adding cruise to an SE do not allow the installer to persuade you that a vacuum unit will be any good. Get the electric unit.

[Regie]

Then again the Nc has cruise control as standard kit

[Mr Morlock]

An NC is a thoroughly modern car but it is a sports car and that does have some limitations- i.e. the obvious ones- less space not quite the same level of comfort as bigger sedans, a little harder for getting in and out of etc. But fun and enjoyment and well built cars yes.

Agree with the wife- forget motorbikes.


Buy the best car you can afford- that might mean you do not get the car with electronic stability control- later in 2006.

By all means buy an MX5- no one here can tell you whether it will suit you day in day out- if it does not work replan. . No car is perfect for every application. 50,000 km is a big number - it is probably not going to stand up to a decision based on practicalities. For some a sports car is a bit of treat and not all treats need to be sampled every day.

[zero00]

There will no doubt be many and varied views regarding what you should choose. I'm rather old [I think!] and I have two MX5's, one an '89 NA [Regie & Magpie both know it] and also a 2000 NB8A

The NA is simply a fun car! I live close to the mountains behind the Sunshine Coast and the NA is awesome thru the twisty stuff, it does however have a few mods as it was built by Mazdaspeed, so more performance etc etc

The NB I use as both a 'daily' and also for track days, runs STANDARD engine but has Coilovers, swaybars, 7.5 alloys and decent set of rubber. I have had the car 4.5 years and have done 60,000km in that period, that includes two trips to Wagga Wagga via the Newell Highway and even with a bad back it has never been a worry, of course not owning a cardigan the NC is out of the question! Excellent performance, great economy [around 6.6L/100km on a trip] and it has never tired me, the NA hasn't done a trip of that nature as yet

I also have a Toyota GTS86, again excellent ride etc etc FANTASTIC fuel economy [best 5.75L/100] but the seating gives a ride almost identical to the MX5 'cept for more luxury appointments

Perhaps it would be a good idea to see if you can have both a ride and a drive of an NA and/or an NB - if ever heading north around Brisbane I will make the same offer as I did to both 'SpeedFreak' and 'ManiacLachy' and that is for both a ride and a drive of either or both - simply PM me

I doubt that I will ever get rid of either of the MX5's - lucky to have an overflowing garage of three excellent cars each with its own purpose

Regards and look forward to how you progress

[Okibi]

Cruise control is a must, SE is a great car (i'm bias) but given the number of kms you're doing then perhaps an NC is the better option especially if you can afford one with a the folding hardtop.

Newer car so suspension bushes/rubber hoses should have longer life before replacement, less wind noise, cruise control and you'll be less paranoid about where you park it.

[markwid]

My NB gets dríven on weekends and when weather is suitable. For long distance or lousy weather days, the other car (3 series e90) gets dríven. Am lucky to have 2 great cars to use.

[ColinJ]

I do quite a few long drives and road trips in my 2002 NB (non-turbo) and the biggest danger is sore cheek muscles from the constant grin! Whether the novelty and joy would wear off if I drove more frequently (I do 10-15K a year in the MX5, mostly for fun at weekends and holidays, my daily commute is a bicycle) I don't know. But apart from the obvious joys of driving such a fun car, there is little on them to go wrong and they are very reliable. It's so many different cars in one: a sports car that corners like it's on rails, a convertible for wind-in-the-hair freedom, and a reliable workhorse.

Oh, and if I could justify another MX5 I'd be telling you the one you're looking at is lousy value and quickly buy it myself :-) it seems a bargain if it's in good condition