Well, my osteopath says my L2/L3 disc and nerve problem is definitely being exacerbated by sitting low in a sports car, and has seriously advised me to get over my MX-5 love and get something with a more upright sitting position, which I have done today.
I have bought a 2009 Mini Cooper S in racing green, and having tried various cars over the last week (Mazda2, Fiesta, Astra, Corsa, SMART, RAV4) I can honestly say that the Mini is the only car I have seen or driven in my price range that comes close to the fun factor and charisma of the MX-5. I would also add that only the Cooper S actually got me grinning the way a 5 does: the standard Cooper was decidedly lacklustre)
So after 2 years of really delighted MX-5/Roadster ownership, which has seen my driving skills, mechanical knowledge and general passion for driving increase massively, I am afraid I have to leave the fold.
My leaving thoughts? That I wish I had a better back, was 2 or 3 inches shorter, had stuck with a Mk1 in the first place and supercharged it, that the MX-5 is a masterpiece where technical excellence and utter reliability meets soul, passion and outright personality… and that this forum has ben a great source of info, fast advice and friendly company.
Good luck to you all, and enjoy those cars you lucky, lucky people!
I will now be selling my latest and last MX-5 if anyone is interested - a Mk2 2000 W-Reg black 1.8S in absolutely amazing condition inside and out, almost new roof, almost new stainless steel dual exhuast (IL) and new K&N Typhoon intake. The car runs like a dream and has 6 month tax and a year’s MOT so IM me if interested.
Sorry to see you go mate, I’m lucky in that my back problems are just about controlable so that I can continue to enjoy driving my '5. Strange things backs, when I used to drive a Landrover Mk3 every day, for about 50 miles, I never had a back ache of any sort!
Take care both of you and enjoy your Mini, I’m sure it will be loads of fun, and you will always be welcome on the forum
To be honest, at the moment it makes me feel sad to read the forum, so once my 5 is gone and the Mini is here I probably won’t be on here. Since my Mini doesn’t arrive for 2 weeks I was ‘forced’ to ‘resort’ to my MX-5 for a short drive in the sun today, and I just love it so much - it has ample power for me, the roof down feeling is unbeatable, and it is just so damn pretty.
Oh well - the deposit is down, the contract is signed and it’s too late for second thoughts… beside I know if I drive my 5 for any more than about 20 miles the next day I have the worst back and thigh pain, so unfortunately that is that! I know love hurts, but knowingly keeping myself in low-level pain for the sake of a car is even beyond my normal self-destructive impulses!
Checked out the Mini forum (mini2.com) - seems full of quite vicious sniping and one-upmanship, I am sad to report.
I just wanted to say that you will love your Cooper S!!! I had a Mk2 MX5 before I changed it for a Cooper S and it was the best thing I ever did! Having owned the Cooper S for 5 years, last year I changed it for a MX5 2lt sport coupe which I’m in love with! Whilst I love my new car the Cooper S will always be the car I’ll look back on as being my fave. You’ll smile every time you get in it, they have a fun factor of 10/10 !!!
Good luck with it and don’t think of it as a backwards step as you’ll have a blast!
I’m enjoying my MX5 just as much now but I did pine for it for a couple of months
There is a forum dedicated to MINI’s which you might find useful! It’s a great place for info and banter. I’ve done 60K posts on there so it’s quite safe to say that I enjoy it!!
It’s still great for info if you need any, I’ve found it very useful if I’ve had any problems and they do group buys too! I got aerokit side skirts for half the price being part of a group buy.
