Hi
Please see below for some posts I have placed in the mx5scotland .co.uk web site. They are relevant for here and may be of interest to you.
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You are correct this has been discussed many times. Do a search and you will find quite a lot of comments and observations.
I have previously posted twice on the subject. Search for author wjamie (Scotland forum not here) and you will see the whole chain of replys etc. I have cut and pasted my posts below. FYI I am now driving a new SLK200. Very happy with it but still have very fond memories of all 4 of my MX5’s
July 2008
On Thursday night I bought myself a 1995 1.6 MX5 (88hp). My 2 year contract lease on my current 2.0 MK3 will soon end and it will be on its way. Unsure what to do longer term so in the mean time I will revert to the MK1.
Drove it home on the Thursday night listening to every squeak and creak wondering it it would last long enough to get me home. It did I thought to myself what have I done in comparison to my MK3.
Next morning drove to my work in my MK3 and thought what a wonderful car. Power steering. excellent brakes and handling, comfortable, quiet and refined.
Spent Friday night and Saturday cleaning, servicing, adjusting handbrake and chipping off the rust This being the MK1 and not the MK3.
Although the bodywork is not good, from about 10 feet away it looks great. Had to go into Aberdeen today for some more bits and pieces for the car.
Decided to take it for a spin with my 13 year old son. So I am now driving a 13 year old MK1 with 88HP as compared to my just under 2 year old MK3 with 157hp. Once I had got the temp up to normal I started to give it a bit of welly so to speak. It did not take too long and I had a huge smile on my face as did my son. Looking at the speedo and I was not going that fast but the sensation of speed and the roar when accelerating (ILS Exhaust) was quite simply brilliant. It was a lot slower than the MK3, as it should be and it was noticible however the sheer sense of fun and enjoyment to be had from the lowly 88hp was still excellent.
So to date I have had a MK2.5 for three years. A 1990 Eunos Roadster 1.6 (114HP). 2.0 MK3 for two years (157 HP) and now a 1995 MK1 MX5.
Without exception thay have all been great cars. Hence the reason I am on car 4. In my opinion the MK3 is by far the best one and I am taking mine off to Brittany in a few weeks for a last blast before returning it. Would not consider doing that in the MK1. Too noisy too bumpy etc.
However for the sheer unadultared joy of driving the most basic MK1 MX5 that I drove today was excellent. So far a quick blast about the countryside I would genuinly choose the MK1. However for a long drive and for day to day living the MK3 is the one.
This now leaves me in a quandry when I return the MK3. Do I run the MK1 till the MOT runs out and get rid off it. Do I spend a £1K in doing it up and keeping it longer term or do I go for another contract lease and get myself another new 2.0.
Decisions decisions.
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MK3.0 2.0i Option Pack & MK 1 1.6 1995
Previously ownedMk 1 1.6 Roadster V Special 1990
Previously Owned MK 2.5 1.8 2002
August 2006
Hi
I am interested in peoples opinions on the various MX5’s. I purchased a 2002 1.8i new and had it for three years. Great car lots of fun totally reliable. My financial circumstances changed so I had to sell. Loved it so much I could not cope without so bought a 1.6 1990 Eunos Roadster. To be honest it has been every bit as much fun. Still in very good nick and still lots of fun. The roadster has leather etc so in some regards it is better. I do miss the glass rear screen, not so much from a visibility problem but more the inconvenience of folding the plastic screen down before lowering the roof. I also miss the remote central locking.
I am considering buying a new MK3. Undecided on whether to go for the 1.8 or 2.0 or to go for the whole hog and buy a 2.0i sport. I am not going to wait for the CC. Prefer the look of the cloth roof (Option pack).
How does the 1.8 drive compared to the MK2.5 1.8. Does it feel underpowered? Is it worth paying etc for the 2.0? Does it feel a lot faster?
Will I notice a huge difference compared to my MK1 or should I save my money and carry on with my 16 year old Eunos which still puts a smile on my face.
What do you think?
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MK3.0 2.0i Option Pack & MK 1 1.6 1995
Previously ownedMk 1 1.6 Roadster V Special 1990
Previously Owned MK 2.5 1.8 2002
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MK3.0 2.0i Option Pack & MK 1 1.6 1995
Previously ownedMk 1 1.6 Roadster V Special 1990
Previously Owned MK 2.5 1.8 2002