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Get the Mazda. If you were to go away for a long summer weekend in the MR2 you (or more likely your dear lady) would curse the lack of luggage space.
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Quite a few complaints about clutch problems with the latest MX5s. All fixed under warranty, but some repeated failures.
HJ
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I've always thought the MX5 is a bit of a girly car, and I don't think I'm alone in that.
If you use your head you'll buy the Mazda as it is a brilliant car. I've read the reviews and it's clearly superb.
Personally I buy a particular car because (a) it's within my means, obviously, but a very close (b) because I like the looks. Economy, running costs, service & repair costs - does anyone really go through all that before deciding? I've only ever bought cars because I like the way they look. On that basis, for me it would be the MR2.
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GOG
I'm glad you've stuck your head above the parapet first because I agree that the image of the Mazda would worry me. It just seems a bit too girly and hairdressery. Yet I had a Lotus Elan Series 1 on which the Mazda was supposedly based and that isn't girly to me. I like the looks of the Toyota, particularly in lurid green, but around my way at least it seems a bald patch is compulsory to drive one so problems there too. I'm putting my lottery cash into a Honda S2000 but when I don't win what's really wrong with a £12,000 Fiat Barchetta that can't be accommodated at that lowly price?
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As an alternative how about a smart roadster? Not as easy to get in to as the two you picked out and luggage space is limited, but they are a real hoot to drive.
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I read in Auto Express recently that Mazda are considering fitting a Wankel engine in the next MX5, which IMHO would be a retrograde step.
After reading test repoerts on the recently released MX8, the consumption of petrol and lubricating oil is still far too high on rotary engines and so would add greatly to the running costs, and I personally would then favour the MR2.
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"After reading test repoerts on the recently released MX8, the consumption of petrol and lubricating oil is still far too high on rotary engines and so would add greatly to the running costs, and I personally would then favour the MR2."
Dude:
You don't buy a car with a rotary engine because it will be economical to run. My guess is you buy one for this reason: 1300cc--230hp!! And this power without bursts (and lags) from turbos, but in a linear way, up to 8500rpm!
Gee, I'm drooling :-O~
So it will burn more petrol and oil, who cares?
Vagelis.
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As an alternative how about a smart roadster?
Thanks. Did consider this, but just not enough POWER. Need something that can overtake on the journey to work and on weekend roads full of dodders!
Andy
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GOG & David M,
I suppose the question of image is in the eye of the beholder. We are all enthusiasts and we know how good the MX5 is. I drove a 1.8 6 speed and instantly loved it. If only i could have justified a 2 seater...
The only people preapred to dismiss the MX5 as a hairdresser\'s car are those who (a) have never driven one, (b) know pink fluffy dice all about cars or (c) both.
The MX5 will always gain the respect of the cognoscenti. As for the ignorant plebs who can\'t see past badges and branding - Frankly, who gives a toss what they think?
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Forgot to say...
The MR2 is also fantastic fun, with a sweet, revvy engine and super sharp handling.
Seriously, seriously impractical, though.
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I agree that the image of the Mazda ... just seems a bit too >>girly and hairdressery.
Not too bothered about this - the wife will be driving most of the time and I would look to buy in dark blue, which is a lot less girly than some choices! I'm neither homophobic nor gay, and not too worried (I think!)what anyone else thinks!
>>what's reallywrong with a £12,000 Fiat Barchetta that can't be accommodated at that lowly price?
Bluntly, the fact that I could buy a MX5 1.8 cheaper and have a much better RWD chassis and better build quality.
Ta for the comments though!!
Andy
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GrumpyOldGit writes:-
"I've always thought the MX5 is a bit of a girly car, and I don't think I'm alone in that."
Now I have a dilemma, my wife has an MX5 and I do enjoy driving it. But if I to be categorised as a hairdresser or even a person of dubious sexuality then I am afraid I will have to stop.
It is a difficult image to shed as even my nephew questioned how we looked as I let him take it for a spin. Probably he was right really as both of us possess the shaven head look, which is more to do with lack of hair than any gender specific imagery. But would the image be any different if we had been in an MR2, MGF, Z3 or snything else like that.
The thing is you do see more male than female MX5 drivers and when I do see couples together it is the male doing the driving. So why would the MX5 have such an image? I think we all have preconceived ideas as to what constitutes a hairdresser car and for me the MX5 was never in that category, but of course I would say that. It was always cars like Escort cab.'s,XR3i's, that daft Suzuki 2 seat jeepy thingy and car's of that ilk that fitted the hairdressing bill, never the MX5.
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Thanks HJ. I had noticed a couple of threads about the problems herabouts. Anyone think I can rely on Mazda to come up with a permanent fix. Personally I think they will.
Andy
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Andy, the facelift is whats coming next - not in the dealers yet, but due shortly. Can't confirm full spec presently, either.
You mentioned buying dark blue........MISTAKE!!!! Known as 'Doom Blue' in the trade,(all cars) bad to sell on, shows every mark n dent n scratch. Also looks AWFUL with the black soft top up!!
To get an idea of the colours that look 'right' for an Mx5, check the pics of actual used cars for sale at Mazda UK (please make sure you link from this site, to help HJ pay the rent!)
Alternativly, if you can find a dealer with a good used stock, you'll appreciate how some look so much better, if you can see them in a line up, together.
The hard top also looks wrong, on some colours.Plus you'll need the special cradle & some space to store it, 'cos it'l never be on the vehicle!!
Check out forums on www.mx5oc.co.uk the UK owners club. Mostly full of enthusistic people with an older car, but interesting input on imports & current complaints about new cars.
VB
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i have sold/driven loads of MX5s and i still grin from ear to ear everytime i get in one.You just cannot beat them for fun driving with the roof down.
If you can get a hardtop its well worth having,only takes about 2-3 mins to take off or to put back on but it is a 2 person job to lift off.
The hard top from the Mk1 fits straight onto the Mk2.Best improvment over the Mk1 is the glass rear screen.
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dont by an mx5 my 2002 1.8s is on its 4th clutch after only 11000 miles!
im just about to get rid of it
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Ice:
Can you expand at all? What are Mazda saying and doing?
Ta
Andy
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Vansboy:
Doom Blue. Hmm. I had forgotten that!
Problem is I don't like Silver, wife not overkeen on red (my favorite), black is too much like hard work, splash green isn't too clever really..
I am now worried this is turning into a girl's conversation! what colour then?!
Andy
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Mrs. E. came in tonight and said she had followed another Mazda home from work. She said it was the blue version of the Nevada model with a grey(ish) roof and she said it looked awful. Yet the reverse colour, a silver blue with dark blue roof looks very neat.
Funny how certain colours will not work. I have a minty green Mondeo that looks spot on, yet I have been at Motorpoint and they say they cannot shift any of the Neptune green Ford models. Why?
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I went through the same dilemma at the beginning of the year. I went for the MX-5 - it just had the right feel (for me) but I couldn't manage the impracticality of the MR-2 as my only car.
Most of us let the good points of the MX-5 outweigh the clutch problem. It affects both engines and the 5 and 6 speed gearbox for the 'mk2.5' models from 2001. They judder when cold, generally at low revs in 1st and 2nd. There is no known fix for this yet, as Ice's experience shows. I'm personally waiting for a fix to be found before letting anyone loose on it. At least Mazda are now admitting there is a problem.
I don't mean to put you off the MX-5. I certainly don't regret buying it or choosing it over the MR2. It's a great car and not just for the summer. This will be my first winter with it but it has a very good heater and heated seats so top-down winter motoring should be enjoyable.
Incidentally, who is offering the MX-5 with AC? Very few UK cars have it - only last winter's Montana special edition had it as standard recently. All UK cars come from the factory without it. It gets fitted at the dealer for £1,000+ by a specialist aftermarket aircon installer.
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James:
Thanks for all your comments. I think, if I remember the brochure correctly, that all 1.8 Sports come with AC as standard. I may be wrong, I will check.
I have looked at www.mazda.co.uk at the specs and there is certainly no mention of AC as standard! But they still come with nice leather heated seats and the roof comes off!!
Ta,
Andy
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Appears the AC was an error in the Mazda brochure they sent me. No AC standard, even on the Sport!
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