Over the last 10 years we have done 3,000 miles or so each year in the south of France in our 2CV powered LOMAX (Morgan 3 wheeler replica kit car) we need something just as reliable but a bit newer, as we are getting older ! Started thinking of a Mk1, then looked at newer models with aircon and a hardtop (for the winter). Is the new 1.8 engine as good as the original? Speed is not a necessary criterion (our other car is a Saab 95 Aero HOT). Later models seem to have much bigger bodies - not too keen on that and definitely don’t like the idea of an electrically powered hood. Have read a book about the original concept and design and with the various chassis etc mods that followed I understand how the car was improved. But how far to go ? Is it stll a real MX5 ? On the other hand the new 1.8 seems to give much more mpg and less emissions. Are they as much fun, as reliable, acceptable to purists ? Can you get a 6 speed with the old 1.8 engine and if so is it an advantage. I know a bit about rust points, necessity of an LSD etc but could really do with some helpful suggestions !!! Lets have lots of really confusing advice please.
My MK1 import is 19 years old & the air con is ice cold. I dont have a hardtop as its only a weekend toy but if i wanted one £300 -£400 would buy a nice one with HRW so no need to buy a newer model unless you want too.
As for the newer models ill let the experts answer that one as they dont float my boat i`m affraid after the MK2.5.
If i was using it as a daily driver i would choose the 1.8 MK2.5 Sport again every time. Not many Sports had air con though if that`s an issue but the 6-speed, LSD, bigger brakes, extra bracing, heated leather seats etc etc make it a great drive.
Just watch out for rusty sills & rear arches etc whichever model you go for!.
If its a daily drive the newer models make sense but if it’s the original concept that you admire then buy a mk1 and as for things like air con? You’re buying a convertible so who needs it! Above all buy on condition, not age, as the earlier simpler cars have a great deal to offer in my opinion
Lots of threads about buying MX5s; the forum has a search feature, but Google is also pretty efficient at searching for threads on this forum.
Some nomenclature:
Mk1 = NA, 1989-1997. 1989-93 1.6 B6 engine only. 1994-1997: 1.8 BP engine, with a detuned 90hp 1.6 engine introduced into the UK market in 1995.
Mk2 = NB, 1998-2001. Non-pop up headlamps. 1.6 B6 and VICS 1.8 BP engines (the latter with 6-speed on certain models). The chassis of these cars is closely related to the NA, but the changes amount to far more than a simple reskin.
Mk2.5= NB-FL. 2001-2005. Face-lifted model, with improved chassis bracing. New Sport model introduces 6-speed to a great deal more cars.
Mk3 = NC. 2005-2009. All new car; uses MZR engine, which is closely related to engines fitted to second generation Ford Focuses (Foci??). 1.8 and 2.0 variants. These are not related to the BP/B6 line. 6-speed only on the 2.0.
Mk3.5= face-lifted NC.
Eunos Roadster: Japanese market NA, 1989-97.
Mazda Roadster: Japanese market NB/NB-FL.
Each generation will have its fans and detractors. All are MX5s. Structural rust is not a known issue in the NC line; these cars are too new. You don’t need a LSD.
The NA is more amenable to DIY repairs, if thats your thing, which each successive generation becoming gradually more and more dependant upon maintanence by mechanics with access to factory service tools, which is true for most cars.
The original B6 engine was a good engine, but not a great engine. It was very reliable, thanks to being over specc’d for a Mazda turbo application, but the powert output, even by 1990 standards, was very modest.
Fifth Gear put a 1.8 NC up against a base model 1994 UK 1.8i NA.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eZNnVrVUAQ
BTW, if airconditioning is important, virtually all imported Japanese market cars will have this as standard.
I would think a well sorted Mk1 will be rather more reliable than your kitcar. They packed up making the 2CV in 1990, so pretty much any MX5 will be newer than the vehicle lurking under your Lomax bodywork, so I’m not sure what you mean by wanting a car a bit newer.
Being new and not having delved into the four corners of the forum as yet I have to say this is very useful and has solved a few mysteries for me, not least what NA, NB and NC mean 
So cheers AT, a very useful post for me, even if its for different reasons to the OP.
Welcome to the forum 
Myself I love my mk1 import.
Have a look out for a good clean Mk1 “Merlot” the best of the bunch me thinks!
Hello and welcome.
The lomax sounds fantastic fun. Any car is going to be hard to match the sense of occasion that came with the lomax.
In truth I think all versions of the MX5 will make great little sports cars as the design concept was clear. All of the reviews talk about the cars being great fun to drive, in all of their versions.
Good luck in your search!
I had a 2.5 - 1.6, electric windows, aerial, ABS and power steering. Honest opinion? Overweight, underpowered and boring.
I noe have a Mk1 with 117,000 miles. No airbags, power windows, ABS or power steering. 130bhp. Honest opinion? Brilliant.
Less is more. Plus you get to tweak: air intake, CAT, zorst, cams, brakes.
Buy a Mk1.
I have recently bought a Eunos 1.8 and it’s great fun. Having had a S1 Elise it’s not the same but a real bargain fun car that i can fix and repair myself. It does have some rust but this will be cut out and repaired
I’m quite sensible really, even if “I want to BE and MX 5 owner” got mistyped in my excitement ! Can I say thank you to everyone (6?) who have contributed to my enquiries so far, it was so good to feel such a welcome as a new member of the club. I have used tyhe monica ‘Abbey’ as I am a retired anglican priest who still does things at Tewkesbury Abbey. It’s been a bit busy here recently. Between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day we had 2224 people through the doors ! We have looked at 2 cars already, just to get the feel. A rusty 1991 Eunos, cheap but wanting a lot doing and a reasonable 2003 with a hard top. I think we are going to look for a 1.8i (older type - 1839) rather than the 1789cc new and differently engined one which is all a bit too big and chunky. Haven’t received any glowing comments about the new 1.8 or 2.0 litre versions so I think we will stick to the known and loved versions. Please keep the helpful comments coming. We are looking forward to meeting up with the local branch even if we have to appear in a Saab ! Anyway Happy New Year to one and all as we continue our search.
Hello again. Are you comng to the SWM meeting on Thursday. I shall not be in my 5 for this one as she needs a water pump transplant not a hard job but my man is on a cruise untill the 20th so she will have to wait. If you want the joy of power stearing go for an import Mk1. They tend not to rust as bad as the UK ones. Mine is 21 years old this year and has just had a respray and hardly any rust. They are great to work on. And evan more fun to drive. We got ours in August and the Monday after picking her up (thursday) we took her up to the lake district, great fun. Any way I shall get to the meeting about 20:00 and as a new boy feel very much at home with the crowd. We will be in a C4,
Hope to see you there. Mal.
UK cars are also available with power steering; all 1990-1994 UK MX5s had power steering fitted as standard, after which it became an optional extra. There are a small number of Roadsters that did not have power steering fitted. Most Roadster Mk1s tend to be the S-Package. The other common trim levels are S-Special; a sporty variant, that had a firmer suspension package, and small trim changes, and the V-Special, which had tan leather as standard, but was otherwise mechanically standard. Both of these models were available in a more restricted range of colours (depending upon the year). And then there was a base model, which had aircon fitted, but no power windows nor power steering, and steel wheels fitted. This latter model seems to have been chosen by people intent on further track-based modification, so you will find cars with upgraded wheels, seating, engine modifications, and transmission changes. From 1994, Roadster sales dropped off quite a bit in Japan, even after the more powerful 1.8 was introduced. So in 1995 Mazda introduced the M-Package, which was a trim level somewhere in between Base and the S-Package, for the same price as the old Base trim (these cars were still delivered with steel wheels, but had power steering, power windows and an auto option, but no LSD).
In Japan, there are 3 distinct iterations of the Mk1 Roadster:
1989-1993. NA6CE 1.6. There are a few changes year to year; 1990 saw a new crankshaft design introduced (more reliable), late 1991; rear subframe braces added, revised power window switches, early 1993; improved side impact bars in the doors. Most manual cars fitted with what Mazda referred to as a “Sports Differential”, and what others call a viscous LSD (vlsd), which somewhat exagerrates its abilities.
1993-1995. NA8C 1.8 Phase 1. Besides the bigger engine, cockpit brace added to bring the side impact resistance to comply with new US regulations. Slight revisions to the seating (seatbelts, improved fire resistant fabric). The final gearing went from 4.300 to 4.100, so headline 0-60 doesn’t change much, but makes for better motorway cruising. Torsen LSD introduced. Improved autobox.
Mid 1995. NA8C 1.8 Phase 2. From VIN NA8C-4*****. Revised seats (shorter squab, and you sit a bit further up). Thinner carpet, more boot trim. The new seats and carpet both wear quite poorly (the carpet can shrink). The ECU changes to a 16-bit (from 8-bit); on US cars, this was OBD-2. The engine had a slightly raised compression. These changes resulted in a slightly raised power output (+5hp). The “real” oil pressure gauge was deleted in favour of a so-called dummy gauge (though it does still react, to an extent, to changes in oil pressure (the needle drops to zero if less than 7PSI). The chrome rings around the speedo and rev counter were deleted, probably to try and update the appearance of the car. Minor changes to the door trims, reintroducing parts used on early cars. Final drive went to 4.300, in order to reinvogorate the range (the mazda line was it would make the cars feel as lively as the early cars). Torsen diffs changed from T1 to T2. Most other changes were rationalisations and “value engineering”; no chrome bolts on the cam cover, nor chrome breather pipe, all cars were now fitted with the stalk arrangements found in US cars.
Some of the Phase 2 changes were introduced a bit earlier; dummy oil gauge etc.
There are a lot of Roadster special editions
J-Limited: 1991 yellow, based on the S-package, with a wood Nardi trim package used in the V-Special.
S-Limited: 1993 black, based on the S-Special, with a red leather interior, and matching trims. Gold painted BBS wheels.
J2-Limited: 1994 yellow, based on the S-package, used later European-style seating with adjustable head rests.
G-Limited: 1995 dark blue. Based on the M-Package, with polished alloy wheels, European seating, with a dark blue Alcantera facing.
RS-Limited: 1995 Montego Blue. Based on the S-Special, with 15" BBS wheels, and special Recaro bucket seats. Mechanically, it used the same lightened flywheel and 4.300 final gearing that became standard in 1996.
R-Limited: 1995 dark blue. Mechanically identical to the RS-Limited, but with a Read leather interior that was similar to the S-Limited, but with V-special Nardi wood touring parts. A small number (~100) also made in white. Dark blue hood.
VR-Limited: 1996, in two colours Ver.A (merlot, 700) and Ver. B (mica Green, 800). Based on the 1996 S-Special, but with a cream or dark green leather interior, matching carpet. Colour-coordinated hood. Used 15" Enkei wheels, that became stand fitments on late UK 1.8iS.
B2-Limited: 1996, dark blue. Based on the M-Package, sort of dralon cloth interior, rest of the car used a mish mash of parts; chromed manual mirrors, early style instrument surrounds, V-Spec II polished wheels.
R2-Limited. 1996, white. Based on the S-Special. Red leather interior, but uses a lot more standard black plastic parts than the S-Limited or R-Limited. Special 15" Enkei wheels.
SR-Limited. 1997. Sparkle green or white. The final version. Mechanically, a S-Package with Torsen option. Nubuck leather/cloth seat facings. Again, a mish mash of parts; the door trims appear to be based on 1993-95 door trimes, but with a long style arm rest/door pull.
There are some other very rare cars, not all of which qualify as being factory:
M2-1001, M2-1002, M2-1028: Hand built specials. Rare enough as to be virtually unobtainable in the UK.
Tokyo Limited: Effectively a black 1993 S-Package, with the cream leather interior of the M2-1002 (the 1002 was a sales flop, so there were spare interiors), put together for a Tokyo Mazda dealer. Surprisingly, there are a few over here; at least one was misidentified by an importer as a V-spec. It seems they weren’t particularly valued in Japan, despite the rarity, and were thus imported in error.
B-Spec; Not a factory special. These were cars upgraded by Mazdaspeed, usually on commission by an owner. Various tuning options, up to and including a supercharger. Interestingly, most UK insurers will treat these as equivalent to a BBR turbo, ie. factory fitted, and not attracting any extra loading.
C-Spec. 1997. This was a crazy project by Mazdaspeed. Basically take a standard Roadster 1.8, apply some hideous body modifications (fixed lights), and a Liberace-style interior, and complete with a 2.0 liter engine. List price in 1997 was £40k+. Not surprisingly, only about 6 were sold, and it was a complete disaster. It went on the market about the same time at the Mk2. To confuse matters, the body kit moulds were sold on, so sometimes it seems there are more C-Specs about that were actually made. Genuine cars I have seen advertised for about £25k, in Japan, so unlikely to come here, unless you really really want one.
DO Engineering copy:
very familiar with the lomax as it was made in my home town/stourbridge.
pal of mine had one & even with the little 2 cyl. engine, the power to weight ratio was very good.
you are not frightened by old motors so a eunos import (like the 22 yr old that i’ve got 
) is a good buy. mine has been in the uk for 8 yrs & has no rust & the aircon still works. prices are good & spares are plentiful, not that you’ll need them as it is an exceptionally reliable range of models.
good luck & happy motoring
Thank you for all your helpful advice ! ?? Having read all the replies I soon realized that I would be best with a Mk1, a Mk2, a Mk2.5 and a Mk3, not mention a Merlot and of course a Eunos. Nevertheless the comments were, honestly, MUCH APPRECIATED as they really did enable us to see all the various options and appeal points. We are also much impressed by the meeting of the MX5 Owners club at the Drum and Monkey at Upton last Thursday. such a friendly and helpful bunch of people.
WE HAVE BOUGHT a 2003 1.8s Montana in BRG, one owner 53,000 after a round trip of 350 miles to a dealer yesterday ! However not particularly impressed with Footman James who were quite unfriendly (as an MX5 Owners club advertiser) and refused to even give any indication of a quote until they knew if it had Thatcham 1 or Thatcham 2 approved alarm and imobilizer system. “Mazda factory fitted” wouldn’t do even for a preliniary quote. Felt I was treated like some teenage hot hatch driver ! Others looked up the reg. no. and knew all they needed to give a quote. I was quite surprised and disapointed.
Collecting her Feb 1st after she’s taxed (mean pennypinching bloke that I am), so hopefully we can attend our second club meet in the right sort of car! (Though I love my Saab 95 Aero. Speed from that, fun from the MX 5.)
Thanks all of you.
PM sent