Hello, this is my first post so my apologies if my attempts to use the search facility have let me down and this query is already documented.
This evening I have been out to view an 07 plate Mk3 2.0 Sport. It has a 5 speed gearbox. This was a surprise as I was under the impression that a key feature of the Sport spec was the provision of a 6 speed box.
The paid-for online vehicle check lists the car as “Mazda MX-5 Convertible Sport 2dr 2.0 i 160 6Spd (2007-57)”
Whilst the car is a Cat D, the seller advises that the engine and gearbox are original and that when he was investigating the car prior to purchasing it he was advised that there were a number of 2.0 Sport models built with 5 speed gearboxes.
Q: Was it the case that some Sport models of this vintage were fitted with a 5 speed box for the UK market? Car check report does not have it listed as an import.
Car is in fair cosmetic condition for it’s age and mileage and the brief test drive suggested a decent mechanical condition with no unusual noises or rattles. However, the discrepancy above gives me cause for concern.
Are you sure that it is a Sport model? Does it have heated leather seats, 17" wheels, fog lights and brushed aluminium clad head rest hoops? Should also have Bilstein dampers.
Are you sure that it is only a 5 speed box? Someone hasn’t simply put a 5 speed gear knob on a 6 speed gearbox, I’ve had this before on a car I bought.
The car is advertised as a Sport. It does have 17" wheels, leather seats and brushed aluminium head rest trim to the rear.
The dampers have yellow bodies, but as the car was at the roadside I couldn’t really investigate further.
I didn’t drive it (only passenger) but I am pretty sure that the seller would have known if the box had six gears with a five speed knob on. I did ask him about it and he gave the response I detailed in my original post.
Think I am going to have to pass on the car. It is a shame; in all other respects the car seems to be in reasonable condition for it’s age. MOT advisories have been around tyre tread depths, brake disc corrosion, weeping diff seals and steering rack gaiters - the sort of things you have to expect on an 8 year old vehicle.
If the original poster could post the reg number or better still the VIN it would then be easy to find out if it was a standard Sport or a Sport like special edition with the 5 speed box.
On the other hand there could have been a shortage of 6 speed boxes and maybe some cars came into the country with a 5 speed box or maybe out of warranty the gearbox could have failed and the onlly one available was a 5 speed.
I suspect that richardn’s post is missing a full stop that completely alters the meaning and it should have read; “No. Sports have 6 speed and 17” wheels and leather"
As I wasn’t going to proceed with negotiations to buy the car I didn’t think it worth wasting the seller’s time on the matter by asking further questions. I gave the seller’s view on the presence of the 5 speed box in my original post, hence why I asked the question of whether the Sport was sold with a 5 speed box on here.
It is clear that the car has received a replacement gearbox; when and why are lost in the mists of time.
Started discussions with another seller and agreed a time and location to view his car. When I sent him a copy of the paid-for online vehicle check and associated valuation, along with a screen shot from Auto Trader of their valuation, the seller then advised me not to turn up to view his car. Looks like buying an MX5 privately is going to be a rather drawn out business.