After years lusting over an MX-5 (and a short stint with a 987 Boxster) I finally came to the conclusion that the ND is what I need
I found 2016 2.0 manual from a Mazda dealership. One owner, low mileage and they’re refurbing alloys and a couple more things. Very happy about these but I’m getting a little concerned about a tear caused by the soft top rubbing against the rollover hoops. The seller says there’s no water ingress but they can’t do anything about it. Should I worry/push harder or should I wait and open a claim with Mazda through the approved used warranty? Thank you in advance for your help and knowledge.
This is a known issue that resulted in some soft tops being replaced under the original warranty. It comes about by the incorrect procedure used to lower the roof.
It is up to you but I would not buy a car with the cloth damaged to that extent and it may affect the resale value when you come to trade it in. On the other hand it is a 10 year old car so it is not going to be perfect. Always worth calling their bluff.
A car isn’t unique like a house, which there is only one in a given street in that exact location.
Hence there are always shed loads of other examples, many of which may not have a hole/tear in the leading soft top edge. Remember too that if the car is the 2L, '16 plate cars will have a version 1 gearbox, of which most failures occurred.
Also, depending on its mileage, the spherical hub bushings may well need replacing before too long. If the MOT has something about bushings in the advisories, maybe run away.
My 2016 ND is slightly damaged like this, but I’m not sure if it’s that bad. I can go in the garage and look if you like. Other things to check (which are evident on my Soul Red Sport Recaro) would be for rust on the black vertical metal pieces between the main window glass and smaller piece on each door. These vibrate and rub against other parts of the car and will rust over time. Fixed in later cars. Also look at the underside of the boot lid as mine has a bit of corrosion. The boot lid is aluminium I think so it’s not going to rust away, but check all the same. Finally get underneath if you can. It will have rusted unless it was treated properly and the question is just how badly.
Is the one you are looking at a Sport Recaro? I think I’m seeing the red piping on Recaro seats and the numbered sticker below the centre cubby.
Thank you everyone for the answers! They’re all extremely helpful.
So far all the NDs I’ve seen have got a similar tear so I probably won’t be able to find a mint one. If water starts getting in then it would be a warranty issue. The dealer is replacing the rear hubs bushings too.
It’s a Sport Recaro (good spot!) with 30k miles and 1 owner. Full Mazda service history too done every year.
I’m not too worried about the gearbox as by now it should have already failed and, regardless, it would be covered by the warranty. Still, I will test it as soon as it arrives (I’m doing a distance purchase hoping it’s all in good order).
After checking all the things you said (and getting my mechanic to inspect it), if it turns out to be a bad example, I will have to escalate it with the dealeri or return it.
Do you still think it sounds like a sound purchase so far? Thank you!
It sounds like the dealer is making the right noises, I’ve made a few distance purchases of MX-5’s from Mazda dealers and they have been absolutely fine. Others have reported different experiences, you have the option to walk away if it’s not as described.
Hopefully not too far away, are you prepared to name the dealership (understand if not)? If it’s been a bad one then a search of the forum may throw up previous experiences.
Yes, the dealer sounds ok.
Sad about the bushings, not in terms of them doing it of course, but them being so rubbish they’ve gone after only 30k miles
And doing it in Mazda, as they are, would be a good £2.2K, for a both sides job.
You’re giving me a great suggestion, thank you! I’ll take a look if their name has popped up before in the forum but I prefer to not mention them unless it’s a bad experience. Hope you can understand!
To be honest I’m very happy so far, the soft top tear is the only thing that bothers me but I could always get it repaired if I don’t have any other option.
They’re installing upgraded bushes too from a company called Performance Bushes. I asked for poly bushes but they said these are a great compromise between comfort and handling. I’ll take an upgrade over the standard ones
That’s a good result and the performance bushes are a well known aftermarket solution. They’re not Mazda OEM though which is interesting, maybe it’s only possible to buy the whole hub direct which is a significant difference in cost to them.
yes, I thought that too. A mazda dealership not using the OEM parts. Not saying of course the other ones aren’t as good (or better), just strange. I@m wondering if someone went to Mazda with the hub issue, and was quoted £2.2K ish, and you said ‘don’t worry, I’ll just get the Performace Bushes ones and you fit them for me’, whether they’d show you the door.
seemed effective, bonded the loose threads together and wasn’t noticeable. It’s cheaper on Amazon or eBay. Just applied a thin, flat bead along the worn section. It was still good when I traded the car in with a Mazda main dealer and they never mentioned it on inspection.
I thought the same but they probably did it because it’s cheaper this way and it’s also a well known quality replacement (based on what you guys are saying). I’m honestly happier with this option rather than the original Mazda parts.
It’s also worth mentioning that they told me about this when they could have hoped I never found out about the issue.
If all goes well, you should mention them if it is a good experience too, as places get bad feedback if they’re bad (and justifiably so), but they also deserve credit when it’s due.
