Ok, first off, I know this is an MX-5 forum, and so I’m expecting a fair bit of bias, but I’m posting a similar message on an MR2 forum, so it’s all good…
Basically, I’ve wanted a two seater, rear wheel drive roadster for god knows how long, and have been pretty set on a Smart Roadster. Reason being, it’s a relatively safe car to learn to use RWD, with all it’s traction control and ESP that you can’t really turn off. It’s not very fast, but I’d argue just as fast, or faster through the corners than an MX-5, and that’s where all the fun is. [:P] Problem is, I’ve now found out that a Smart is, somehow, a hell of a lot more to insure than an MX-5 or MR2. [:S]
So, that’s out of the window, and I’m now trying to decide between a MR2 roadster and a Mk 3 MX-5 (2.0). The 2.0 is virtually the same to insure as the MR2, and I test drove the 1.8 Mx-5 straight after the MR-2 and there was noticably less grunt. So the choice to go for the two litre is a no brainer really.
Problem is, I can’t choose which one. I haven’t driven the 2.0 yet, without checking the performance figures I just assumed the 1.8 Mx-5 would be the most comparable to the MR2, so I’m not making any final decision till I’ve tried the two litre. But, basicly, after test driving the two cars, they both felt very different…
The MR2 just felt more…like a sports car, and felt a lot lower to the ground. It’s a much better looking car, too, in my opinion, but the interior is just so…dated. The MX-5 on the other hand felt, more like a ‘normal car’. It didn’t feel very low, I’m not a huge fan of the classic styling, but I absolutely LOVE the interior. I don’t care about practicality, I don’t need a boot, they both have similar fuel economy, and they’re both fun to drive…but the MR2 just seemed more fun. But then I hate the interior, ergh. I hate decisions.
This will be my first RWD car, and I’ll be keeping the car for several years. Some opinions on the two cars would be helpful, or just confuse me even more [:P]
Anyways, I’ve rambled enough,
You can’t go wrong with a Mark 1 MX-5. Nothing else compares. That’s all i’m saying!
Well, i’m not really qualified to give an opinion on either the MR2 or the Mark 3 MX-5 as i haven’t driven either of them and so i can only go off aesthetics and to be honest i really don’t like the look of the MR2, it is just an ugly car as far as i’m concerned. But then again i’m not a fan of the Mark 3 MX-5 either, and so i don’t know if you have perhaps had a look at a Mark 2 MX-5, which is second to the Mark 1 in my opinion but going off what others have said on this forum it seems to be a popular iteration of the 5. Good luck whatever you decide and enjoy the car!
You are bound to get this sort of response on an MX-5 owners’ club site, but IMO the MR-2 is a very ugly car - it just doesn’t have any class to it. If you are after a lower feel and more grunt then MR-2 might be your way forward, but I personally prefer the engine-in-front, rear wheel drive 50/50 weight distribution of the MX-5. There is a reason they gave up making MR-2s and left the MX-5 alone as the sole car in the low budget two seater sports convertible class - sales figures tell it all as to which is the preferable car.
I suggest that if you are considering a MK3 2.0, firstly and most importantly get a ride in an already “eibached” (correct springs not the rubbish mazda fit for the uk market) and fully aligned example. (the standard out of the dealership car is NOT how the car was designed and in no way compares handling or fun wise)
Secondly make sure you try the Sport versions for the electronic traction gizmos you want.
Sounds like a bunch of drugs to me, whatever happened to cadence breaking, the feel of the car through the seat of your pants, mollycoddled in a Mk3 I think[;)]-----
At the moment I am leaning toward the MX-5, it just seems the safest car to get used to RWD whilst still having some fun. Biggest issue for me though is that high driving position (in comparison with the MR2), I think if I went for the Mazda I’d need to get it lowered, but also the exhaust note (of the 1.8 anyways) is really kind of boring, and judging from reviews I don’t expect the 2.0 to be any better. So at some point I think I’d invest in a better exhaust, basicly I’d need to spend a fair bit more money on top of the price of the car to make the '5 comparable to the '2s ride height/decent sound.
I was planning on going to test drive a 2.0 Sport today but the roads are a bit too icy round here, think I’ll wait till things warm up a bit[:P].
Geoff - quite right about all the gizmos: I learned much more about driving in my year in my Mk1 than I have since getting the Mk3. I tend to switch the DSC off (though you cant fully switch off the traction control contrary to rumour) in summer as I find the combination computer-braking and throttle control more scary than losing the back end a bit - I don’t like having control taken away from me! However, just today the DSC certainly quickly corrected a skid that started as I went round a sharp bend, and that was quite gratifying. The worrying thing is I am coming to rely on DSC so I can still take corners faster than I would have done in my Mk1, so it is teaching me bad habits rather than making me a better driver!
As to the Mk3 MX-5 vs MR-2, Tom, I would say the MR2 probably loses its back end even more easily as the weight of the engine is back behind the pivot point of the car. To be honest, if you are really looking for fun in a 2 seat roadster that will teach you rear wheel drive car control and brush up your handling and driving skills in general, I would recommend a Mk1, and if you really find it too slow, you can throw on a turbo or supercharger. All of that will set you back far less than a Mk3. Having DSC and traction control won’t make you a better driver, it will remove the need for you to learn certain skills.I have found the only thing the Mk3 has going for it over the MK1 is enhanced comfort and refinement - it fits me better than a Mk1 did, and I can drive it for hours without any aches or feeling claustrophobic. It does have a crap near silent exhaust so budget £400 for that, and £400 for lowering and alignment. I love my Mk3 because it is the best compromise for my needs, but if I were an inch or two shorter and a few years younger and more supple I reckon I would have stuck with my Mk1 and supercharged that.
I reckon the reason for a lot of accidents these days is the fact that drivers are cocooned in a cosy box with all the creature comforts and driver aids. Mm does my seat need to be 1/2 inch higher, or the seat warmers a degree lower?..I’m an old git and learned to drive before front wheel drive was around very much [early mini and Citroen traction Avante were the only real players] and I reckon starting out with RWD was a real plus. As to the size/age thing. I’m 63, 6ft and a big bloke!!! I’ve just strapped a supercharger onto my Mk1 and it was the best money I have spent, except for safety stuff, I regularly drive 350-400 ks in a day with no problems with my comfort, however these days the '5 isn’t my daily driver, my partners Hyundai Getz does the shopping trolley bit thank goodness.
Tom I found the MR2 to be a poor handling car right on the limit, very good til then, when you get no warning at all that things are about to let go, it just happens.The same with the Boxster. The car that comes nearest to the superb handling of the MX5 is the Honda S 2000, but I found I couldn’t live with the fact that you spend all your life trying to keep the revs above 6k. As Paul says by a Mk1 and learn about rwd then in a year or so down grade to a Mk 3…no not trying to start the old wars again, all IMHO
I agree that the MR2 is not an attractive car and if you are already unhappy with the interior then you should stop and think.
The inside is where you will spend all of your time and in my experience dissapointement creaps in after a purchase if you ignore you intitial concerns or niggles.
I would much rather improve a 5’s engine to give it the required “grunt” than start messing around with a MR2’s interior!
I have owned a few Mk1’s - driven an MR2, a Lotus Elise, MGTF, and a Mk3
Out of all of them I am keeping my Mk1 and in the market to purchase a Mk3… I would not consider another 2 seater roadster. Nothing compares or ticks all of the boxes like a 5.
Plus I am betting that that 5 owners are just nicer people LOL [:P]
Drive both cars how you are going to use the car once you have put you cash down. Rember that the latter MR2 is a step from the first Mk3 MR2 (look out for the fog lights in the front). There is a stronger market for the MX5 as every one knows the car and what it is about. The MR2 has had some very good revews about the way it drives with some people comparing it to a Lotus!
Having only had my 5 for 6 months I can say I’m still (and thinks always will be) in the honeymoon period. My background is architecture and thusly aesthetics are not the only bit I run my eye over, everything has to be considered! and its here were the 5 grabs my attention, the fact the MK1 is in the classic car status is for me appreciation of the talent it has to offer! If only I had the money to bring a MK1 back to its glory I would!
Fast forward a few years and I have a MK2.5 you’ll often see me sliding the back end out for yet more smiles and I’ve yet to worry about the grunt! if you want just fit a K&N Typhoon air filter and bobs sheruncle (true fact there is a bloke with that name! he used to work at BT) a throaty noise will accompany your throttle!
And lastly, an MX5 is not just a car, its a group of friendly drivers – see a 5 blink your lights and smiles all around, its an obsession – man I love to clean her!, its a joy to own — the quote on this forum is more smiles per miles and lastly its a car you can tinker with, so simple with its assembly, I have read a post on here of a novice attempting and dutyfully servicing there own car! — as I type I believe this 5 owner is showing competent skills and I may ask them to do mine at this rate!
Go with what you feel is right! if you feel “right” in the 5 or the 2 then so be it!
I think I’m going to go for the 5[:D] I loved driving the 2 but the 5 just seems a better all-round package. I think I’d have to lower the car/get alignment done the same time I buy the car though, that was the real dealbreaker for me, it just didn’t feel low enough compared to the '2. The 2 was funner to drive, but when I got on the motorway on the test drive and wanted to chill out a bit, it was very easy to get comfy in the Mazda…and I love that interior[:D]
It will probably be the 2.0 I go for, not sure whether or not to get the Option pack or Sport yet, I hope I’m making the right choice getting the '5 though[:P].
The main thing that I didn’t like the 5, though, was how twitchy it seemed, which after reading around I’m going to put down to alignment. As I was accelerating up a motorway slip road, in a straight line obviously, things just felt…twitchy. Hard to describe, the back end didn’t step out, it just felt like it was going to, so I backed off the throttle a bit. I then got the same feeling when overtaking on the motorway.
At the time I put it down to crosswinds, but it seemed strange considering the MR2 I tested about 10 minutes earlier on the exact same road seemed fine under heavy acceleration.
Also, I’ve considered a MK1, but I’m looking for a bit more a modern car. Next problem, what colour do I get! I can’t decide which I like best
Galaxy Grey, of course! Though if I had bought from new I probably would have gone for Stormy Blue or Black - though both are apparently a pain to keep clean ;o)
Are you looking at retractable hard-top, or soft-top model? New or used?
I definatly like Galaxy Grey, I think it suits the car the most, but it doesn’t stand out that much. Oh, and looking for a used around £8k, which means a soft top as the only cars in that range are '06 from what I’ve seen. Next question, which is quite a big worry to me to be honest, do many people get problems with vandalism and the soft top? I live near a lot of pubs, and get a lot of drunks walking past all through the night, and no drive/garage to put the 5 out of harms way [:(]
I’m really worried about it getting slashed. Even if price wasn’t an issue I’d still rather a soft top, but either way a hard top’s out of the question.Also, looking at the thread on all your ages, seems I win the prize for being the youngest [:D] (…when I actually get it[:P]), anyone else here around 18/19, if there is, how much do you pay for insurance? I’ve got a ‘decent’ quote, but would always be nice to know if I could get it cheaper[:D]
I have to say I’m a little confused… MR2 vs Mk 3 MX-5? Well… the MR2’s they stopped making a lil’ while back now, and MX-5 Mk 3’s aren’t far off new. Bit of a difference there i’d say! But speaking as someone who recently compared both the Mk 2.5 and MR2, the MX-5 was far nicer, sounded better (stock), went better and felt more “fun” in the corners at speed. Have you tried test driving a Mk 2.5? There’s loads around with hardtops as well, solves the slashing problem (in the winter months at least!).
Well, although they’ve stopped making the MR2 now, the last batch was in '06, the same year I’d be lookin at a '5. Price wise they aren’t drasticly different, and as I said the '5 seemed a better package. As for a Mk2.5, I’m not a great fan of the classic styling, which although is similar to the Mk3, the interior of the Mk2.5 looks a lot more dated.
I think the MR2 was a more fun car to drive when you want to enjoy a drive, which the Mk3 still felt good at, but when it came to just chilling out on a motorway, the 5 did that really well too. The Mk2.5 just does nothing for me looks wise, and consideriring whatever car I get I’ll be keeping for a good few years, I’d want a car I’m really happy with overall.
