Hello folks. Thank you for letting me join the forum before I need to purchase full membership. i am currently saving to buy a second hand convertible. I’m currently unsure whether to buy an MX5 (roadster preferably), a BMW Z4, or a Saab ragtop. The BMW is the main contender. What I’m wrestling with is the build quality of the MX5. Owner reviews on Autotrader refer to rust problems with the bodywork and that worries me as I want this to be a second car, gleaming and pretty. I also want s good drive and I’m sure the Mazda will offer that, but I don’t want to spend six grand on a rust bucket and my budget dictates that the car will be at least seven years old. I’m also concerned about the folding roof and how reliable that is. Can others out there help me please With some useful buying tips and clarification regarding bodywork and the roof? Thank you.
Best thing is to get out there and look at plenty, yes they do get a bit of rust but then again all older cars do. As for worries about the roof, get a rag top and you will have no worries.
We have both a 4 month old ND and a 6 year old Saab 9-3 Vert, the latter being the second car. It is a tough call as the MX5 is a sports car the Saab and the Z4 in my opinion are not. The build quality of the 5 does not match either of the other 2 but it will last if it is looked after and it will be more fun.
Having had an SLK I am sure that there is a 100,000 miles in the metal roof closing mechanics and also any problems must be relatively easy to fix (though not inexpensive). Often the best way to resolve the issue is to cost which car will be the best bargain, coming with low mileage, service history and plenty of extras.
Either way a steel fold down or a ragtop are good fun and allow the driver to enjoy motoring which is getting more difficult by the day.
Bienvenue d’un Français
https://sites.google.com/site/mx5mondrian/home/rendez-vous
the best price / pleasure is without dispute for the MX-5,
more you have in England many ways to maintain an MX-5 for a low price
French, I buy my parts in England !!!
I swapped my 25 year old mx5 for a “new” one only 10 years old.
the old one was ok but being of a certain age my wife wanted more comfort.
the only reason people on here bang on about rust is because most of them are perfectionists & a fleck of rust is the end of the world…
as already said; every car rusts eventually, just look after your mx5 & you will have years of happy trouble free motoring.
Oh. & most importantly; IT’S FUN.
I have owned a Saab and a BMW from new for 6 years each and used them on business. Both were good cars but became very expensive for repairs after 5 years.
My six year old Mk3.5 MX5 has not done the same mileage but it is comparable in build quality and has only needed annual service. I’ve not noticed any rust yet.
Lots of rusty early Mk1s out there. But how many other 25 year old cars are still on the road? Mk1 and Mk2 suffer on the sills, Mk2 can have hidden problems on the chassis rails.
For your budget you will have plenty of Mk3s to chose from and no major weak spots have really been identified yet. When was the last time you saw a rusty one? Probably never.
A quick search on here will find plenty of ‘I wish I’d done it years ago’ comments.
Go on, you know you want to.
I have a 10 yr old Mx5 with 87k on the clock and its near mint condition. I do not have a Garage And it is my daily Drive The Mx5 has held the poll position as the best selling 2 seater sports car for years. It has not done that because its a rust bucket. I was in a waiting room recently and picked up a Top Gear Mag because it was reviewing a whole List of Cars. Amongst which was a Sports Car Shoot off Mx5 BMW Merc and ALFA, At the and of a full test report there was a summary comment, Glowing for the MX5 The comment for the Z series BMW was “How Could BMW have got it so wrong”. Iam Sure if you do a search you can find the full test report From TOP GEAR. As for The SAAB Reports That I have Read indicate that once GM had taken over the Quality and Reliability had Fallen.
Though it’s been said many times on here, what you have to put out of your mind is the ‘Convertible’ tag.
Convertibles to me, and to any enthusiast, is a big lumbering saloon with a drop down roof, four seats and a big boot. They wallow in corners and because of the weight, are often slow on acceleration. A Convertible has softer suspension (families demand it) and was never meant to be a sportscar.
The MX5 was envisioned, designed and built as a sportscar, epitomising the best qualities of it’s predecessors, while becoming a sought after and highly valued driving machine by those that know what it can do, and how it does it. It is a sportscar - period. Yes - in some quarters it’s a convertible - because it has a folding roof. So is an umbrella! IT IS NOT an expensive or high maintenance cost car to own, nor is a supercar - though some wish it was. While under warranty then you are tied to the dealer you bought it from, after then, you are free to find your own alternative garage where you will find a friendly mechanic, many of whom also either owned one, or still do. We as a club, can recommend a good garage in some areas of the country, though a lot of owners do their own maintenance on their car.
The designers wanted to follow in the footsteps of traditionalists who wanted a high revving engine, a slick gearshift and firm suspension, following the route that previous cars were designed and built. They did it better in my opinion, the car has features that you can only get on more exotic and expensive driving machines. Again - Yes some people buy it as it’s a cheap convertible, and that is their mistake, it’s like buying a tank because it’s solid, and not because it’s a thrill to drive. (Knocking down lampposts and crushing cars is thrilling, but it’s also against the law!)
With the exception of the later NC and ND versions, which come with a 2 litre engine, most predecessors don’t have much low end torque, which is not an uncommon comment made by new owners on here, having owned more conventional saloons and hatchbacks which do have more low end torque. What they don’t realise is the car wasn’t built to have low end torque, the epitome of a high revving engine is just that, boot it and it goes like - - - Wow! Both BHP and Torque start to come into it when you hit the 5.500 rev range, from there up to 7,200 rpm she goes like S - - - (no other way to describe it.)
So - we get two types of owners basically, those who always wanted a sportscar, particularly those that owned an MG back in the fifties and sixties, or a Triumph, or a Lotus, or one of the myriad assortment of sportscars that used to be available after W.W.2. Then we have the younger drivers, who never had the joy of roof down motoring in a sportscar, though some seek more power ( a mistake in my opinion) as it can often ruin the original intention of the designers or owners who know what the car is capable of in OEM format.
Rust (tin worm) a frightening term, but my car for instance (a 2002 NB facelift - or Mk2.5 as named by club members) is now nearly fifteen years old (built in October of 2001) and has very little rust other than on suspension, which gets the worst of the weather. Compare that with a Mk1 Ford Cortina, back in the seventies, which showed frightening amounts of rust through the bodywork when just over twelve months old.
Fortunately it was a company car, but all the company cars at that time were rusting at twelve months.
Some cars in the Club (and elsewhere) are 25 years old, and still going strong - it depends how, when and where you drive it. Staying off salted roads is one way - with any car, but as I was advised many years ago “Never stick a wet car in a garage, the wind will dry it, you can’t dry underneath it.” Sadly, some owners only bring the car out in the summer, when the sun is shining - most of us drive it as often as we can, you don’t get the same enjoyment in an ordinary car. You can swank in a Z4, but you love being in an MX5.
The folding top? Can last for a good ten years or more, mine is still original, but then I have a hardtop which has been on for around twelve years (in England) but comes off when abroad - where the weather is kinder to open air motoring. Sitting in traffic in a downpour is no joke, even though you can get the roof up in a couple of minutes - not easy when the traffic is slowly moving, A hardtop doesn’t change the characteristics of the car, though some say it does stiffen up the cabin, main thing is it’s rainproof, warmer and quieter inside the car. The more recent NC retractable ‘tin top’ and the coming NDRF which has a newer design retractable top are alternatives to fitting a hardtop, and still give the benefit of a soft top, though not liked by quite a few owners. To quote Kojak (if you’re old enough?) “Whatever turns you on Baby” (not meant as an insult!)
Another way to illustrate what kind of person buys an MX5 - we have many former bikers as Club members, and we’re proud of it, they buy an MX5 as they get older and wiser, as many describe it, it’s the best way to enjoy open air motoring without the safety concerns associated with riding a motorbike. They often describe it as “Best thing since I rode a bike”
If you buy an MX5 - there are some things yo need to know, The soft top when wet will drain down inside the bodywork at two points, the seat belt pillars, and the windscreen also drains into the air intake box (for ventilation) at the foot of the windscreen. All these drain points must be kept clear, or rust will eventually spread to adjacent body parts and start the tin worm. The autumn is the worst time for this, the drains can get blocked by leaves, twigs and worst of all, fir trees, which drop their needles on the roof, and then get carried round to the drain points. Drain hole blockage is the key thing to look out for.
Then driving - unless you buy the 2 litre version - use the rev’s to get moving, in conjunction with the gearbox and your left (clutch foot), this is how to drive the car. - And enjoy doing it.
Other common comments - “It goes exactly where you point it” and " I never knew I could enjoy driving so much". What more can I say, buy one, and join the real driving world.
Gerryn sums it up nicely. I’ll only add a tiny bit more to help the point.
I’m a former biker too, but the money I saved up for a new Triumph Trophy went on the MX5 instead, and the fact I’m still here is as good a reason as any to not have got another bike. Older bikers simply tend not to survive long because of slower reactions and more fragile bones, and the traffic density is too high these days.
Engine size is an interesting debate. I prefer the 2litre engine in the MX5 because it offers me options (also my preference when I tried both of the NDs as well), I can be lazy and use the bottom end torque to not bother much with gears in slow traffic (still a pain in the left foot though), but it has loads of go at the upper revs when asked for, fantastic. It is so good (and warm and dry) that I’ll not be going back to another bike now.
However this 160bhp MX5 engine has a totally different characteristic to the 120bhp 2litre Skyactive in our Mazda3. The Mazda3 is heavier and 6th is an extra even taller top gear (4th is about the same as top - 5th - in the MX5), but the engine pulls smoothly from silly low revs in almost any gear (it is much better in traffic than the MX5) and quietly cruises comfortably in 6th (approx 31mph/1000rpm) on the motorway so it is an ideal family car even though the engine does not have the same top end go. But no way can you throw the 3 around the lanes or twitch it through roundabouts or do snap overtakes.
Recently bought a 16 year old NB (mk 2) only a bit of surface rust underneath but had it wax oiled to extend the vehicles life. Big fan of small sport cars having owned MG Midget, Triumph Spitfire and MGFs in the past. The MX5 is just brilliant a proper little sports car. The Saab you mention is a nice car I’m sure but it won’t handle or feel like a sports car. The BMW Z4 is ok I suppose but a more expensive long term proposition I would have thought. There is a purity about the MX5 that makes it unique in my opinion. Buy a good one and look after it and you’ll be fine!
I considered buying both a BMW Z4 coupe and a Saab at different times in the past. The Z4 didn’t suit me, which surprised me (lovely car though) and I bought a 330D instead.
The Saab was intended to be replacement for a company car, a Vauxhall Vectra diesel. The worst handling car I’ve ever driven in forty years. As soon as I sat in the Saab I thought it seemed very familiar. They shared the same floor pan, doors and some of the interior. I got out quick and bought a BMW 320 coupe instead.
I bought the MX-5 because my wife was taken for a drive in my son’s Mk2 and she liked it a lot…so there we go!
I agree with pretty much everything said so far. I’ve just bought my second MX5 (still have the first). I have previously had a MGB and Midget but, as a previous poster said, I wish I’d bought a MX5 years ago. The MGs always put a smile on my face when driving but the MX5 puts a huge grin on it!
The build quality I think is very good for what the car is. A BMW Z4 will feel more solid and well built but the downside in my opinion is that you feel less ‘in touch’ with the car and the road. In the MX5 you get very good feedback through the steering which makes it more intuitive to drive. It’s not sanitised and refined like you would get in some of the premium marques. It’s also considerably cheaper to maintain. A full service on a BMW will be much more expensive than the equivalent for a MX5, not to mention replacement parts being very expensive. Plus, the MX5 just looks sportier than most of the others.
My Mk2 which is 16 years old has only had some minor rust on the sills but that was a quick and relatively inexpensive repair. Until I had a new mohair soft top fitted last year the original vinyl roof was still in very good condition with just a couple of very small tears starting to develop on the side seams, although it was still completely watertight. If the drain holes are kept clear then everything should be fine.
So, to sum up, get a MX5. It’s better looking than all the others, more fun to drive and overall you get more bang for your buck.
Hello Tommy and welcome I have 2 mx5’s and my 25 year old Eunos is virtually rust free. So they are out there. You just have to look.
Call me a sissy, but I never enjoyed motorbiking on wet roads - this limited the amount of time each year I could enjoy the thing. Having recently hung up my helmet and gloves, the 5 is now my way of decompressing. I don’t worry about the weather - I can still enjoy the car with the top up or down and it is a totally different drive to my main car (Golf GTD).
I am one who prefers the PRHT to the soft top versions I have also owned over the years. Very much of the belief if there is nothing falling from the sky, the roof will be down - everyone is different of course.
The first time you go for a midnight drive on a warm night with the roof down is a magical experience - I often repeat it now just for the sake of it - about 16 years since my first time
I am also an ex-motorcyclist. After we tragically lost the brother in law last year - I had a bit of an epiphany (mid-life crisis according to my wife) and made a snap decision to buy a bright red Mk2 1.8 sport. Unfortunately it had NOT been looked after so was sold very quickly.
But I had been bitten by the bug, and brought my current 1.8 Euphonic Mk2.5 in March.
After two fantastic track days I now “get” the MX5. So very underrated as a real sports car. It just comes alive on track and I learned so much about what it can do, which is still far in excess of my pathetic driving ability.
Forget the BMw - the lady at work I brought the first MX5 from has regretted it since she swapped her 5 for a Z4, so much so that she is now looking at a new ND !!
Good cars are out there, do a little research, test drive a couple, don’t dismiss the standard ragtop convertible as it’s so damn easy to flip up and down.
Go on, you know you want to …
I never understood the popularity of sports cars. Why have one in our climate? Too small to be practical?
I was always dreaming of Scooby’s, Mitsy’s and RS Fords.
I bought an MX5 a couple of years ago simply because they were dirt cheap and I was skint but wanted some fun.
Took me a while to “get” it. But after selling it, I missed it so much I had to have another.
They are very addictive.
Just don’t leave any hairdressing tools in it overnight. lol!
If your budget is 6k then I assume you are looking at a MK3 folding hard top (PHRT) against an original first edition Z4 with cloth roof. Having had both I would go MX5 every time. The original Z4 is awful, the build quality was mildly better than the Z3 but not as good as you would expect (check out the flimsy door panels!!)
I owned my MK3 Roadster (one of the first in the country) for nine years and I cannot remember ever having any issues with it and the roof never failed. In fact I have been on this forum since 2007 and I cant remember anyone posting they had a roof failure. I now own the current revised Z4 and have to say its a great cruising car and is much more spacious, but its not as fun as the MK3. I am now bored with it and will be selling it on shortly.
Rust is not an issue so much on the MK3, however the forum is starting to see a small amount of easily rectified weak spots starting to be highlighted. The main press reports are for the older MK1 and 2 shape models. But as others have said, if looked after they can be practically rust free also (I have a lovely MK1 that is!)
My advice is go for a car that is 2007 onwards (they fitted height adjustable seats!) and if you can stretch to the face lifted MK3.5 at 2009 onwards (look at the front fog light area to see the difference) where the interior is upgraded and the road tax reduced! Look out for signs of poor maintenance history as the engines suffer badly if starved of oil.
Good luck and enjoy whatever you get
I bought an Mk3 MX5 2.0 Sport, similar to your budget in January this year. I had a bigger budget but ended up buying a cheaper/older car as it was way better than many of the newer cars that I looked at. I looked at some real ropey MK3’s/MK3.5’s, I viewed 7 before I bought mine. From my experience I have to disagree with comments that rust is not really an issue on the MK3. At your budget, the car will be around 10 years old, and if it has been driven in British winters the underside will more than likely not be in great shape. I viewed 3 older cars before buying mine, and four newer cars, that had too many scratches on the upper bodywork, and I never bothered looking underneath. The three older cars, 2 x 2006, 1 x 2008 had hardly any underseal left on the underbody, it was flaking off in large pieces. Lots of surface rust was visible on the exposed, untreated bare mild steel. They appeared to be worse where the chassis rails met the floorpan . I’m sure that these cars could of been saved, with a lot of work, treating the rust, then rustproofing. I’d imagine if left in the state that they were in, they would of required welding in the not to distant future.
The car I bought had all the underseal intact, and was a pretty low mileage for a 2006 car. I’m positive it had been garaged, and hardly used in the winter/bad weather. The only place it has any rust is on one of the window, quarter light bars. Definitely look at those, and definitely look underneath a potential car, preferably on a car lift. I rust proofed and undersealed my car as I plan on keeping it for a while, even though it’s a second car, for fine weather use.
The under body treatment on these cars is really poor. I had a Nissan Micra bubble shape, as a second car for years. Was totally bullet-proof, but once it got over 12 years old, it started to cost me quite a bit of money each MOT, for welding work, sills, front crossmember etc. I’d imagine the MX5 would be the same. Taking the time to buy a good example and walking away from sh##ters, will save you a fortune, as will rust proofing your good example. It’s a great car otherwise, I think it is built really well. I can’t stand the look of those BMW’s, but that’s just me. One of those was never an option. I considered a MK3 MR2 or a Honda S2000. The lack of storage, age of the car, put me off the MR2. The price of the S2000 put me off, as did the road tax on the newer cars. I might get one some day, or a Fiat Spider in a few years time, when they are a bit older/cheaper. It’s a good car the MK3 MX5, if you get a good one, it also doesn’t handle as bad in standard form as the internet would suggest. Providing that it has quality tyres, and good alignment, that is.