I’ve been looking into getting an MX-5 I would like to know if there is much in it between deciding which one I should get or if I should avoid one, I’ve also been told the 2.0 are much better than the 1.8 counterparts and would appreciate some advice.
I have some I’ve found on Autotrader that I think look good but I’m not sure.
Which variant and your budget ?
That info will help get some decent advice from forum members
The 2.0 mk3’s SE or SPORT come with the LSD as std.
SE will be 5 speed box and std suspension - cloth seats - 16" wheels std.
SPORT will be 6 speed box and bilstein suspension - leather seats ( heated ) - possibly air con - 17" wheels std.
My current budget is around 4k, I can go higher if I need but I’m only looking for one around 2005-2007 im quite flexible with the variation in those years.
The thread title is an interesting one as well. I’d say it’s not a case of ‘better’, just ‘different’.
Best advice is to try a few different models locally - 1.8, 2.0, soft top and PRHT. Also try 2.0s in 5 & 6-spd form - the SE and some of the special editions came with the 5. Personally I preferred the 5-spd and cloth seats, so I opted for a 2.0SE PRHT NC2 when I was buying my previous one.
But it needs to be you working out what you’ll like best and prefer, don’t make your mind up based on the opinions of others.
Best of luck with the search 
I think it’s really a personal preference based on your circumstances. Will the car live outdoors or indoors? Is it a daily car or weekend car? Do you live in an area where car security is a concern?
For me, I went folding hard top because it’s going to be my winter fun car. My summer weekend car is soft top. Both garaged .
Can’t comment on the MX5 soft-top, not sure if it’s double skinned, but modern soft-tops really are generally very good at keeping the heat in and offer ok levels of noise suppression.
I have a 2.0 sport soft top. Its 2009 and i paid 4.5k for it. I am over the moon with it. I’ve had no issues with the soft top and find it very easy to put up or down. It lives in a garage and will not be used during the winter if i can help it. I’ve never driven a 1.8 or a hard top so can’t really offer a comparison. You should certainly be able to get something decent for your budget. But as said above it really is a personal decision. As far as I’m aware there are no specific problems with any of the different models other than rust which can affect them all.
Wardy is correct above^
There isn’t any ‘better’ really, just different tastes and different needs. Only you are the one spending your money on it, for your usage and tastes. Not person X,Y or Z.
I would buy a 2.0 at that age, while they are not exactly common I know of more 1.8 bottom end failures than 2.0.
You have probably answered your own observation there!
The other option is to buy a soft top then find a removable hard top for it but you will need somewhere to store it over the summer and they aren’t cheap.
I’ve got a soft top and occasionally get a wet seat but only when the weather is really bad. The only thing about a soft top is they need cleaning once a year to stop them going green but when it comes to folding hardtops the only ones I’ve seen seemed to have issues with paint bubbling.
Mike
Coming for my second MX5 I went soft top simply because I thought “less to go wrong, cheaper when it does”.
I daily mine all year round and the roof has been fine. Weather proofing issues have all been about other things which exist on both variants (cowl grommets, third brake light, door to window weatherstrip).
Aside from Ian’s advice about bottom ends, I don’t think you really miss much with a 1.8 and the 5 speed is a great box. I barely use 6th in mine unless I’m cruising
I agree, find your preference by trying them all. Unless you’re in a rush, it’s a great excuse for a bit of driving about in other people’s cars!
I’ve the PRHT. It’s only faff is it takes 12secs to change its position. It looks pretty daunting if it goes wrong but seems to be pretty reliable. I bought the car rather than the roof so just happened to get what I got. Maybe a little more protection in an accident?
If I change cars the top won’t be an issue unless it was a ND. The RF folding top has a large rear blind spot whatever the position of the roof.
I couldn’t decide so I got one of each.
I have a RF but the blind spot is not really an issue for me because when driving my van, which is effectively one big blind spot, my eyes are constantly on the mirrors. In fact, if anyone is concerned about the RF blind spot, i would recommend hiring a van for a week to get used to “driving on the mirrors”
Same for me, it took ages to get used to a centre mirror when I started driving cars
I also think the BSM system is pretty effective on the RF and the reversing aid.
Some people turn off the driving aids because they don’t like the beeps etc, mine are on all the time… every little helps!
My lane departure warning is permanently off but everything else is on.
Personally - I switch a few of them off.
I believe that if the car is beeping and chirping at you all the time you end up switching off to the sounds.
Being a motorcyclist - observation has always been the key to safety.
That and assuming everyone on the road is out to kill you - haha
Same here
