- My model of MX-5 is: nc - Mk3
- I’m based near: Glasgow__
- I’m looking for recommendations on: moving from my 1.8 to a 1.5
Anyone notice a big change? Regrets? thnx
I have an NC1 2.0 sport
Mate has an ND1 1.5SE
I have driven both cars over a good distance
It depends what you want from the car.
In day to day driving - the 1.5 does just the same as the 2.0
It is only when you want to get a move on that the bigger engine comes in to play.
With that proposed move in mind, I wouldn’t hesitate.
I moved from a NC2 2.0 running a manifold and suitable map, to a 1.5 ND1 and I’ve no regrets whatsoever. It’s an excellent engine and I find it more enjoyable to use. The increased efficiency and lower tax bracket are added benefits too 
Have you test driven one yet? I’d recommend taking it over familiar roads/routes to your NC 1.8 and that will allow you to make up your mind 
Cheers,
Steve
Hi I have had a 2.0 ND and now the 1.5 albeit I bought second hand with a BBR remap. 160 and their sports exhaust so it sounds amazing and makes you mischievous! I have had several 300bhp plus cars around my little 5s and enjoy them for what they are: bags of fun and cheap to run! It’s more fun driving a slow car fast than a fast car slow! I daily my 1.5 all year round doing around 40 plus miles a day! It’s just been to the Vendee in France with a boot bag on and managed 57 mpg! That’s said I’ve whipped her a bit this week and doing 45 mpg! My 2.0 was a Sport Nav and this one a SEL Nav and I don’t miss anything! I had a 1.6 NB a while back and test drive the 1.5 at a OC meet and loved the 7500 rpm! Both cars are great! On a steep incline A road you have to drop 6 to 5th in the 1.5 but that’s it. There is not really much in it both great cars. Both are/were 2018 models so I would say the 1.5 is the better bet for reliability and running costs but if newer then the 2.0 has the improved engine and higher red line. Obviously it’s each to their own but if you plunge for the 1.5 you won’t be disappointed and get the BBR back box on it! 
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Well Deano, I have always been keen on driving. Did quarter mile trials in '60’s Vermont in my bf’s Racemaster Corvette; until he got un-chuffed by my winning over him. After we drove to Florida in our MGB Roadster in '69, we got a Datsun 240Z and enjoyed using the 2.4-litre up and down the East coast. I bought a brand new 2.6 Sapporo (loaded with goodies but kinda ‘meh’ to drive) up in Long Island NY just before I headed to the UK where a gorgeous RX7 graced my life. In 40 years here in Blighty, I’ve had two Mk2s and the present Demon Tweeks Mk3 and love 'em. Took 'im Indoors for a Kendo run up the NW coast of Scotland to Melford Loch with a huge smile on my face the whole way - even in the rain. As an oldster, think I might try the 1.5 tho. Thanks again!
Thanks for a couple of good points.
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Appreciate your thoughts! 
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Not sure of the ‘oldster’ logic…the joy of the 1.5 is in part the fact that if you want it to move smartly you need to drive it, clearly you know what that means. That said it is very flexible in use and will trundle happily at 2000rpm or a bit less
I think it has respectable torque for what it is but it is not a lugger - hills mean a lower gear, and for a big hill maybe a block change of 3 gears if I haven’t been paying enough attention!
An interesting observation that I love to quote is that the 1.5 has practically the same weight, power and performance as the Mk1 1.8 - that’s progress when you consider the 45+mpg, and much higher spec and safety.
I have a 2017 1.5. I took my son’s 2010 2.0 Sport Tech for a brief run yesterday and it didn’t put the 1.5 in the shade at all. Cf. a NC 1.8 I think the 1.5 would hold its own.
I’ve owned it 7 years. 33,000 miles now, it’s been on a few European trips, up and down the Alps a few times and feels as good as new. It’s wax-protected and has zero brown bits underneath. so I have no intention of selling as long as I have a licence and can get out of it.
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