Hi all,
I’ve recently bought my first MX-5 and it’s a 52 plate mk2.5 and I was on the search for an outdoor car cover and I’m not 100% sure what one is best or where to get one that is reliable, robust and will last. If anyone has suggestions on where to get one that is good quality let me know.
Thanks Lee
The Halfords All Seasons Car Cover gets good reviews by Autocar mag. At £53.99 for the small size one, it’s a good buy.
A word of warning though; any cover left outside in the elements, will flap about in the wind, potencially scratching the paintwork and also, if water does get through the cover and it’s left to stand under it, it may create water marks too.
I use one from Classic Additions, it’s about £230, but does cover the whole car and is good for long term usage, I also use one on one another car that doesn’t get used much over winter
Ahh ok I see, thank you for that
Ahh that may be good to have a look at, thanks for that
Ultimate Waterproof Outdoor Car Cover in Outdoor car covers
Just search for your car.
Another vote for Classic Additions….
Thank you 
I use the Halfords cover , still get condensation. But better than no cover.
I’ve one that is either letting water through, or condensation is also occuring under it; that meant water marks appeared after leaving it on for about a week.
Fortunately caught it early enough and with a mix of vinegar and filtered water, I managed to remove the marks.
I’m planning to get a half cover for my MX 5 to protect the hood. I’ve seen a few that use magnets rather than the usual ties to secure the cover in place. Is this a better option that might be more secure in windy conditions?
A half cover seems to be a popular choice by some owners of the soft top; it means that at least the top gets protected from the elements. Not sure the magnets are a good idea though; if the wind does lift the cover (and it probably will at some point), I can imagine those magnets making a mess of your paint.
With the Mazda half cover, which I’ve been using literally every minute of 7 1/3 years (when not driving of course), they do blow about, but I’ve only had it come away from the wipers and blow back 3X in that period. This if course will depend on where you park. The more shelter the better, obviously. The tend to ‘ride up’ on the rear panel areas/petrol cap area easily, exposing some soft to there, which if course will then get wet. Waterproof wise they aren’t perfect. They will let some water through. There are not like having your soft top in a garage. I actually use TWO at once, a decent, newish on on the bottom, and an older one, which I’ve had for a few years, above it. Rarely does any water get through then, and also the bits riding up I mentioned above occur so much. NO paint issues and I’m into detalining, so I’d say I’ve a trained eye. Of course air it often, pulling it back etc when weather/time allows. I must be going something right, as there isn’t a microdot of green stuff on the soft top, after over 7 years of purchase and 0 garage time. Note I don’t drive it in the rain or get the soft to wet itself, unless unavoidable.
You also get other advantages like nothing going through the soft top drains, bird poo, UV (to an extent, but better with 2 covers, obviously), no frost (but they can freeze to the car when it touches the metal, non soft to bits), general life/dust/leaves/bits etc
I think I’ve bought 5 over the years. I find they aren’t the best after a year or so of frost/UV/life etc.
Magnets are fine, up to a point, but only if there are no windy gusts or sudden tugs.
It’s like the difference between pushing a nail into the wood with ones thumb or gently tapping it with a hammer.