I’m trying to do a bit of research on behalf of my mum who is considering an MX5 now that she’s retired and wants to enjoy driving rather than it being a chore.
We’d be looking at a 1.6 Mk2 to minimise costs as she isn’t going to be blatting around the countryside, (or maybe she will…) however the first question is whether she’d be comfortable in one as she’s quite short at 4’11’’ ish.
Any experience/feedback from other drivers 5’ & under would be most welcome before we start looking at particular cars for sale.
Let everyone know which town you live in and maybe someone will offer to let your mum have a try out in their car. Its the only way to go to be absolutely sure that she will be OK. She may be like me, short in the legs and a longish body, or the other way round which may mean she wouldn’t be able to see over the top of the steering wheel. This may read as a bit humorous but it isn’t meant to be.
Mum is in Poole,I’ll try and make contact with the nearest area to sea if anyone local would let her try one for size, failing that I can always check out the local dealers to see if they have any mk2s among their stock.
Initially it would just be good to get some idea if shorter folk have any problems before waisting peoples time; at the moment she doesn’t have any trouble with dads old Peugeot 306 and she used to borrow my Spitfire years ago so I’m hoping the MX5 will be ok.
There are a couple of mk2 in the garage in Dorchester opposite the Shell garage if you wanted a trip out that way. I took one of them out about 2-3 weeks ago along the lanes, which sealed my fate in buying an mx5.
Let me know if you want me to go for a walk and make sure they are both there still.
I think they also have a mk2.5 and mk3 if you wanted to try them too.
Thanks for the offer - is that the Dorchester Mazda dealer or an independent garage, will have a look at their website if they have one rather than you make a special trip.
I’ve also noticed they have a Mk2 at Westover Sportscars in Poole; I know them well enough to allow mum to sit in it as they’ve had plenty of my money over the years!
I’m sure she’d love to try a Mk3 for size but they’re outside her budget sadly (best I could find was 8.5k asking)
Independent garage, the Dorchester Collection (or something like that). Thinking about it, there is something in East Knighton, not sure what mk or how much it is, but if you just want a sit and play…might be worth a look.