Hi, having owned big cars over the last 20 year’s I’m now very close to taking the plunge and buying a new MX5 after a good while researching! I’m most likely going to opt for a brand new 1.5 Exclusive soft top in white - this weekend I’m test driving both the 1.5 and 2.0 and having never driven an MX5 (just sat in one), it’s going to be interesting! Anyway, I’m aware there are some things to watch out for (eg not the greatest paint and rust protection lacking a bit) but there are 2 issues I’d like to know whether they still exist in the latest model: 1. Window regulator motor - which may not be covered by a Mazda warranty? 2. Hood rubbing on headrests- I’ve heard of some people needing to fit spacers to prevent? Does anyone know or have any recent experience with the newer NDs? Also - I’m thinking that some form of rust protection would be better advisable as I wish to keep long term - but is it a must to do get it done soon after purchase or is it probably ok to defer a few years if I plan doing it anyway at some point? Thanks in advance for any comments / advice!
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I believe the window regulator issue has had a ‘fix’ in additional parts being fitted to prevent water reaching the effected area in the door. The roof rubbing issue has been a constant on NDs and has not been fixed from factory (god knows why!) but I’m not sure if that has been changed between the ND2 and ND3 cars. If you are planning on keeping the car long term it would be advisable to do rust prevention as soon as possible, only you can really answer whether you can wait or not depending on the car’s usage and storage. Mine is low mileage, typically only dry driven and only ever garage stored, its been professionally Krown T40 treated and i top it up myself every 2 or 3 years given my usage.
Hood rubbing: Pretty simple to check. Look when the top is in the down position. Ensure a ‘decent’ (common sense) gap is present. It still seems to be hit and miss whether this occurs, which is bizarre really, on a car nearly a decade into production. For what it’s worth, I saw one with the hood rubbing/against the hoop about 6 months ago, but I’ve also seen two in dealerships over the past fortnight or so, in showrooms, with the hood down and there’s been decent clearance. Mine was like that (showroom, hood down) when I went to buy it. Personally if the weather allows, or you’ve a garage, I’d leave the top down with a hood/hoop gap for extended periods when I first getting the car, to maybe ‘train’ the soft top. Someone on the US forum did that and never had an issue, and on one of his cars there WAS rubbing when he first got it, but not after he kept it down for extended periods.
Window regs: Apparently fixed a while back
Rear hub spherical bushings: Apparently now fine, too.
My only concerns are gearbox issues seem to have been re-emerging again over the past couple of years. On the 1.5L too, which previously seemed immune, even on the Version 1box.
Not a mechanical concern, but the stack load of nannys on later NDs. I can’t say I haven’t been tempted myself at a new one/new pre reg one, but adopting i-eloop, ‘intelligent’ speed assist, stop start, direct TPMS, lane keep ‘assist’, ‘smart’ city braking etc etc and the rest of them, makes be think otherwise, when my ND has none.
Great advice re the hood thanks!
I’m also put off a little about all the safety tech on new cars generally but I think there’s less on a 1.5 than a 2.0. It was only after reading the drivers manual for my wife’s new Toyota last year that made me think I want a proper car with less tech and proper good looks before they cease existing. So that’s why I’m here now!
One man’s (Inspector) slight surface rust is another man’s Corrosion. Some seem to like to include Inspection covers and other bits, presumably to cover themselves.
So sticking with the rust topic, if I decide to go for a decent underseal treatment, is that a one off? I get that Mazda don’t properly underseal vs most other manufacturers so getting this done properly soon after I buy a new one sounds sensible. But logically, it should only be a one off as I’d never normally consider undersealing a modern car after buying it, and I’m just wanting to address Mazda’s lack of undersealing so that it’s on a par with what I’d expect from other manufacturers. Yet I see references to people re-applying fairly regularly. I’ve only ever kept cars up to 12 years old - always outside, and never had any obvious rust issues or anything called out in an MOT.
In short, I don’t want to go over the top but I do want to keep the car in good condition over a potentially long ownership period.
Looks much like an older NC I went to look at with
a friend. Clean MOT, no mention of rust in the ad but looked just like that on inspection. The owner, only had it less than 12 months, had no idea it was that bad until they actually got underneath
Checking on the old mot’s there was mention ofrust on the subframes but still sound, unlike the sills and inner wheelarches and most of the underbody. That one looks like a seaside home or stored on long damp grass for a while.
Most decent companies offering rustproofing services will ask you to do annual checks with them after the initial treatment, to touch in any areas required.
Fewer companies will do the above for free during the first few years then charge accordingly after that.
