I’m thinking of buying a mk3 mx-5, but can’t decide on the 1.8 or 2.0…
what are your thoughts on them?
Go for the 2ltr you’ll have that extra power but more importantly look at the condition of any car.
The earlier Mk3’s are getting on for 13 years old now so most average cars that age are for some past their best and going rusty, the MX-5 does too.
I was told that the 1.8’s are harder to shift than the 2ltr (salesman talk) so bear that in mind when it’s time to sell if it’s a concern to you. You will pick up a 1.8 for a reasonable price and if you’ve been looking the 2ltr you’ll notice commands a higher price.
The 2.0 has just enough power but hardly quick. So I would say 2.0…
If I’m correct the 2.0 has 160 BHP and the 1.8 is 126…
Availability may affect your decision what with fellow members searching hard for the 2.0 cars.
I’ve only got a 1.8, and I find it fine for open top cruising along the lanes of East Anglia, (who wants to fly along with the top down?). Each to his own, but I’m quite happy with my 1.8.
They are both MX5s at the end of the day. Try them and see, but buy on condition, which is why I bought my car. More than happy with my 1.8 as a roof down cruiser. It’s not as though the 1.8 is exactly sluggish; it more than keeps up with the traffic and what more do you want? You could lose your licence in it just as easily as you could in a 2.0.
JS
I’m biased having a 2ltr myself and the price difference isn’t really that big, if any, but I would say the biggest advantage for the 2ltr is having the 6 speed gearbox. I test drove the 1.8 before i bought the 2ltr and it was fine but I only drove it as it was the closest to me and I just wanted to try it for size, I always wanted the 2ltr due to wanting the heavier PRHT and having 6 gears. LSD is a nice to have aswell
if i remember correctly the 1.8 sounds better but a cobalt rear box and the MX5 sounds great
2.0 nice to have the extra power, it is a sports car after all
You can never have too many horses !
. The cost in value between a according to the trade the price difference between a 1.8 and a 2.0 Sport should be £1500 if the cars are comparable in condition and miles with the 2.0 5 speed worth a grand more than a 1.8…
The 1.8 is… Errr well weedy. Anyone who says not is kidding themselves or obviously purchased one. The 2.0 is adequate but not fast by any means. This is after all a sports car not a city car where keeping up with traffic is enough…
For me me if I was buying I would hang on till I found the right car. To settle for a compromise would or could end up in changing again and likely costing quite a lot more.
I suspect the final or top or top gear in both cars equals about the same MPH to revs. I think the 6 speed having that extra ratio keeps the engine on the boil so feeling more urgent when pressing the loud pedal. The 5 speed less work so maybe more relaxed but the 6 speed ready to rock and roll faster in any gear.
Some 2.0 cars are 5 speed .
Hi I have looking for a decent condition car for a few months now, been let down a few times (dealer descriptions ) Iam going for the 2.0 based on performance either sport or sport tech .the main check for is condition condition and condition some badly described cars out there.
Dave
Weigh up the costs.
You’ll pay a little more for a 2.0l, the insurnace might cost you more (depending on age).
Maybe the Road Tax a little more, and no doubt slighly less economical.
Then work out how much your’e going to use it and for what.
I do about 3,000 miles per year, summer time only.
I sorn it from October to April.
I’m 56, with almost 40 years NCD, so my insurance is cheap.
For me, the 2.0l was a no brainer.
. You missed out the size of the grin ?? ???
It has a to be the 2.0. They call it a Sports, but thats only in the handling department. Power wise you would get beaten by most hot hatches. Haven’t driven the 1.8, but can’t imagine liking having over 30bhp less than I have got
I was out on a run with over 50 mx5’s on Sunday, somewhere in the Welsh mountain. A thought occurred to me, we were a right mixed bunch o’ fives from early 1.6’s to new 2.0 ND’s, NA to turbo monsters, all having a great time! The roads wouldn’t allow for overtaking so any extra power that might have been available, couldn’t be used anyway, but it didn’t matter one bit! I was almost at the front of the line behind a ND, we pulled into a car park at the PONDEROSA cafe, if anyone knows it. I watched as the other 50 or so cars arrived, just endless grins
Point is, I had a NC1 1.8, loved it, now in a NC3.5 2.0, love it! Buy it on condition etc, it’s a mx5 after all and can be put through its paces on a twisty road, whichever engine is fitted, just my opinion, certainly not knocking either version. I will say though, coming from a base 1.8 to a 2.0 Sport Tech, there is a lot of difference, not just performance though, 6 spd, LSD, DSC, cruise control, Bilsteins, PRHT and so it goes on.
Barrie
There are some 2 litre cars with a 5 speed box, I found that the 6th gear on the 6 speed cars was a higher ratio than 5th on the 5 speed box. Therefore less engine noise and better fuel consumption. All the 2 litre cars have an LSD.
I would want to pay a garage to put any car you are interested in on a lift to check for rust around the front of the rear wheel arches and the sills and floor in that area.
Also check where the front indicators on the rear of the front wings for paint issues.
It is not unknown to spend £500 to £1,000 on rust issues on these cars.
Have a look at this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVzRb82YviM
Personal opinion only - when first looking for a mk3 I drove a 1.8 then a 2.0 virtually back to back, 2.0 put a wide grin on my face !
1.8 was ok. but it was no quicker off the mark than a Mercedes Sprinter van.
A fair few extras on even the Option pack or SE 2.0 as well.
Good Luck,
Colin
Double post
Thanks all for the responses and help. These are the 2 that I’m looking at this week: -
Car #1
Year 2006
1999cc
blue
59500 miles
Mot expires Feb 20
Comes with additional colour coded hard roof.
£2900
Car#2
Year 2008
1798cc
black
47100 miles
Mot expires Nov 19
Has electric folding roof.
£3250 ono
I want the 2.0 litre but the folding roof.
A hard choice between the 2.
What price is the 2008 pne ? Colour also is important info. Red ones are faster… They just are.??