Hello everyone.
After a year of deliberating, finally we found one that just felt right, and bought our first MX5. I’m not new to little sports cars, between us my wife and I over the years have had an X19, a series 2 Alfa Spider, and an MGF, but I’ve never even driven an MX5 till this one, and I totally get it now. The penny has dropped. There cannot be a better handling, better driving experience, regardless of cost surely. We love it! And my biggest regret is not waking up sooner.
We didn’t go mad, we took our time. Then a beautiful, gleaming black, 1.8 2009 NC SE came up, 37k miles, always garaged, and spotless inside, outside and underside (so far at least). Drives beautifully, taught and rattle free. 16" refurbished alloys with Yokohama tyres all round. Electric roof. She looks and drives like new, and I am sooo in love. I will be asking lots of questions no doubt over the coming months, but first she is going in on monday for a full service and all fluids change at my trusted local workshop. Then I’ll be tagging my mate (another fan and member) to help me check the rustproofing etc.
I have no real leaning for mods, after all she’s only a 1.8 but pulls so strongly it’s enough for me. My only surprise is the cabin noise levels but hey, I will have the roof down 99% of the time! So there you go… another two smitten 60 yr olds. Nice to be a part of your great community. Peace and Love, Dave & Gail
Looks a great car. Well done.
I think I’m right in saying that sound insulation was improved with each new variation of the nc3. You should find discussions and fixes on here using the search facility.
Welcome to the club 
And I agree - best driving experience regardless of cost
It really isn’t .An MX5 is great fun, nice on a twisty road but compared to a Caterham or an Elise, an MX 5 feels like a truck . With a Seven especially , you pay for it in user friendliness , ease of use and sheer convenience but for a really intimate and intensive drive you need less weight , no servo brakes and (especially)no EPAS. As for cornering and braking , a well set up Seven can humble virtually anything, Go depends on spec - my last one had 450bhp /tonne and much as I’ve enjoyed my ND , it is on a very differnet level .
Welcome Ziggydad and Mrs Ziggydad 
From 2005 NB 2.5 1.8 Icon owner currently resident in West Mids
But got my girl in 2007 the same day I re-located to Whitby and had three glorious years of driving her Roof Up Roof Down in North Yorkshire…fond memories
Very good looking MX-5…have you thought of a name yet for her/him ??
Welcome from another MX virgin. Fabulous experience at a bargain price. As long as the roads are narrow and not too long I’m not missing my Sorned TT one jot.
Well of course, no argument.
We haven’t! But we must. Hmmm…
Understood! I agree, a long drive with the roof up might be challenging, I’ve yet to try it.
Enjoy 
Welcome, looks a nice one. Enjoy! 
I’m also not a huge fan of the cabin noise.
It’s almost deafening.
However, I only ever drive mine in the summer, when the sun is out. The roof has been up about 3 times in the 10 years I’ve owned it.
Nice find by the way.
OK, We have decided on Ruth! (after a confusion when I was asking my wife “Do you want to see the heavens or roof?” “Who’s Ruth?” That’ll do! 
Well, we went our yesterday, an unexpectedly bright sunny afternoon, took the road from Sutton in Craven to Hebden Bridge. Must be one of the best drives you can take. Well recommended, and loved every minute of it. She now has the name Ruth, and she performed wonderfully. A big service today and all fluids changed (just to be sure). Wonder what the bill will be? Happy Trails…!
and Mrs Ziggydad and most importantly ‘Ruth’ 
You gave me a good belly laugh this am when I read your post [much needed given my current battery woes]
And you guys will fit right in here because a sense of humour is essential if you own an MX-5 [the little darlings] but also suspect with your vehicle history and knowledge ‘Ruth’ will be like a walk in the park 
From a 66 yr old to 2 x 60 yr olds …I was smitten in 2007 [aged a mere 49 years] AND I still own her now…so beware the addiction to an MX-5 
Finally PS…my late Dad [Whitby] used to say ‘Be careful who you tell about North Yorkshire because every one will want to move here’
So…be careful who you tell about the MX-5 because everyone will want one 
Hi, Yes, I too tend to approach everything with humour, I find it helps tame the stress levels! Please don’t tell me owning an MX5 is stressful, I don’t do stress! But I have to admit, compared to the other convertibles I’ve had over the years, at least I think I can expect Ruth to start, I never expected that from the others, it was always a bonus.
We she cam back from the workshop and my man said he suspected all the fluids were in good order (changed them anyway) which is encouraging. Less so when he mentioned the broken front road spring! 
(like a flat tire…only at the bottom, he’s ordered one). So glad they were on the ball, otherwise he says she’s a great example and well looked after so just a blip I hope!
I’m loving the waving, Alfa owners used to do that in the 70’s, not now.
“Humour and Taming the Stress Levels”
So true !
Many, many moons ago I did a degree in Experimental Psychology with Post Grad Research into ‘Stress’
‘Sense of Humour’ came out as an excellent ‘Adaptive Coping Strategy’ as opposed to a ‘Maladaptive Coping Strategy’ e.g. drinking too much alcohol
So your natural tendency has been proven scientifically 
And it sounds like you’ve picked a good one in Ruth 
Congratulations
We have a 2010 1.8, also fabulous.
Enjoy your new car
Gosh, it is a small world. Not too long ago I too did post grad research degree (Occupational Health and Workplace Safety) into stress. Ironically I found it to be very stressful!!!
So I went for maladaptive coping strategies. Which made me laugh.