MX-5 Mk1 Review.

Review Stig · 06-01-2010, 12:21 PM

Mazda MX-5 Mk1 Review.

Have you ever noticed the similarities between the angular 70's styled Mk1 MR2 from Toyota, and the Elan-inspired Mk1 MX-5 from Mazda ? Of course you have, you have 2 eyes in your head (unless you're Prime Minister Brown. Or Gabrielle). However, a post-pub EBay session, fuelled by the goodness of Guinness, I could not. One winning bid later and not wanting negative feedback for backing out, I was off to collect a 1990 MX-5 in silver. I needn't have worried. The car was an ex-owners club car, with a mountain of paperwork, and only tatty arches to worry about. I initially felt rather self-conscious about driving with the roof down, but now never drive with the roof up, you feel more in touch with the road and smells of the outside world. Mazda talk about 'Jinba Ittai', meaning 'Horse and rider as one'. Such marketing guff usually has me reaching for the sick bucket, but I genuinely know what they mean. Never has there been so much feedback through 14" wheels and RWD.

A popular observation about the MX-5 is its lack of power, many owners add a turbo or supercharger, but this really is missing the point. Less is more. The sensation of speed, unfettered by ABS or traction control, and free from the weight of airbags, rollbars, seatbelt pre-tensioners and the like, is just so tangible. Early cars like mine don't even have side impact bars in the doors. I fact, when applying some magnetic vinyls once, I found they wouldn't stick due to the amount of filler in the doors. My rust-free bonnet is only rust-free due to the aluminium construction, the interior is made from old melted down video Cassettes, and y'know what ? I don't care. The car weighs just 940Kg. Standard brakes are up to light track use, the suspension is just about firm enough and more lazy Journos have used the phrase 'rifle bolt action' when talking about the gearbox than in any other car (and there have been plenty). The handling is predictable, well-balanced, and informative. An unexpected and pleasant development of MX-5 ownership is being re-introduced to working on a car myself. Whilst I daren't touch the techno-fest of my other wheels, the MX-5 is simple enough to be worked on with a set of Snap-On and a Haynes Manual. I've done brakes (£50 all in), clutch (£125) and even superglued the dash back together. That's not to say the car is unreliable, in fact, days at Donington and even the Nurburgring have been enjoyed in the MX-5 without fault, top whack is a modest 115 mph, although a rollcage is on the Christmas list for peace of mind. I'll find something on EBay I guess.

Now, you're probably wondering why I've gone nearly 500 words without using the word 'hairdresser' when you've been thinking it since the opening sentence ? When I got my MX-5 I joined the official owners club online, and was shocked to read topics entitled 'what is your MX-5 called' and 'what is the best colour' on the forum. Topics for those more interested in hair than highways. Not good. MX-5 Nutz website quickly became a source of useful information with decent suggestions for engine modifications, fault-finding, brake upgrades and other non salon-talk topics. I find that those who make the hairdresser gags are the same pub-bores who (still) make Skoda jokes. In nearly 4 years of ownership now, I have resisted the temptation to tidy up the tatty arches and have run the car on a shoestring, they're for driving, not pampering ! A PAS return pipe (£150 from Mazda) was repaired with a £5 length of fuel hose, a missing dashboard clip repaired with superglue. There are a few common problems to be aware of though, early cars have short-nosed cranks with keyways that can become worn with unhappy consequences and hydraulic lift actuators can get sticky, but most cars had these problems sorted years ago. Windows can become slow (most are electric, but wind-up seems more in keeping with the ethos of the car), the Cabrio roof will eventually wear out, but they're generally tough little cars. Insurance is, wait for it, £83 fully comp for both me and the missus, and we're not even grown-ups. How can so much fun cost so little ?

So, buying one (it's the right time of year for a bargain) - £1000 will get you a decent Mk1 1.6 UK model with 116 bhp and 0-60 in 9ish seconds, spend a bit more and you can choose from a 90 bhp 1.6, a 1.8, a 1.8s with a useful 140 bhp and LSD and even an automatic. The Mk1 and Mk2 offer very similar driving experiences (with/without pop-up headlights), imports are easy to spot as they're called Eunice or something and usually have tell-tale square reg plates. There are used Hardtops aplenty for around £400 and £1000 will find you an extra 80 bhp via forced induction, if that takes your fancy. The shiny new Mk3 offers a 2.0 engine and metal folding hardtop, but that really is missing the point, more fun can be had for less money without traipsing down to the main dealer and talking finance. In fact, I can recommend multiple beers followed by an EBay session looking for an Mk1 MR2, like me, you might be happily surprised with the outcome. Now that's what I call 'positive feedback'.

Review Stig.

PS - Bonus point for identifying any Tyresmoker's motors lurking in the 1st and 2nd pics.

Tipex · 06-01-2010, 02:56 PM

My Alfa in pic one!! And the Irish nut jobs in the worlds most sideways Omega!

Jon's Starion in pic two, and I don't think thats Mooks Scirroco but it looks the same, so we'll say it is!

theduisbergkid · 06-01-2010, 03:02 PM

Just found this pic ! Got a very NSFW one of her somewhere too.

(Thats a wig BTW)

Tipex · 06-01-2010, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theduisbergkid

Just found this pic ! Got a very NSFW one of her somewhere too.

Pop it up then!

BTW, you look suspiciously like her when you have the wig on!!

theduisbergkid · 06-01-2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tipex

Pop it up then!

She said that !

DazzerVR6 · 06-01-2010, 03:41 PM

NSFW? I am not doing any. PM me and Tipex the good stuff

theduisbergkid · 06-01-2010, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DazzerVR6

NSFW? I am not doing any. PM me and Tipex the good stuff

I'll have to show you, no fecking way I am putting it in the public domain

PS - Dazzer, if it's not your handbag, whos is it ?

PPS - You should have this link in your sig, not the one you have currently - Write Into Gear - Finalists

Daz · 06-01-2010, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tipex

My Alfa in pic one!! And the Irish nut jobs in the worlds most sideways Omega!

Jon's Starion in pic two, and I don't think thats Mooks Scirroco but it looks the same, so we'll say it is!

Full pic

theduisbergkid · 06-01-2010, 04:07 PM

Come in number 33, your time is up !

Thanks for the pic Daz

DazzerVR6 · 06-01-2010, 04:09 PM

I am guessing that the red car at the back, with the driver still fannying about, is Bootsy?

06-01-2010, 12:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
Review Stig Testing Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 20	MX-5 Mk1 Review. Mazda MX-5 Mk1 Review. Have you ever noticed the similarities between the angular 70's styled Mk1 MR2 from Toyota, and the Elan-inspired Mk1 MX-5 from Mazda ? Of course you have, you have 2 eyes in your head (unless you're Prime Minister Brown. Or Gabrielle). However, a post-pub EBay session, fuelled by the goodness of Guinness, I could not. One winning bid later and not wanting negative feedback for backing out, I was off to collect a 1990 MX-5 in silver. I needn't have worried. The car was an ex-owners club car, with a mountain of paperwork, and only tatty arches to worry about. I initially felt rather self-conscious about driving with the roof down, but now never drive with the roof up, you feel more in touch with the road and smells of the outside world. Mazda talk about 'Jinba Ittai', meaning 'Horse and rider as one'. Such marketing guff usually has me reaching for the sick bucket, but I genuinely know what they mean. Never has there been so much feedback through 14" wheels and RWD. A popular observation about the MX-5 is its lack of power, many owners add a turbo or supercharger, but this really is missing the point. Less is more. The sensation of speed, unfettered by ABS or traction control, and free from the weight of airbags, rollbars, seatbelt pre-tensioners and the like, is just so tangible. Early cars like mine don't even have side impact bars in the doors. I fact, when applying some magnetic vinyls once, I found they wouldn't stick due to the amount of filler in the doors. My rust-free bonnet is only rust-free due to the aluminium construction, the interior is made from old melted down video Cassettes, and y'know what ? I don't care. The car weighs just 940Kg. Standard brakes are up to light track use, the suspension is just about firm enough and more lazy Journos have used the phrase 'rifle bolt action' when talking about the gearbox than in any other car (and there have been plenty). The handling is predictable, well-balanced, and informative. An unexpected and pleasant development of MX-5 ownership is being re-introduced to working on a car myself. Whilst I daren't touch the techno-fest of my other wheels, the MX-5 is simple enough to be worked on with a set of Snap-On and a Haynes Manual. I've done brakes (£50 all in), clutch (£125) and even superglued the dash back together. That's not to say the car is unreliable, in fact, days at Donington and even the Nurburgring have been enjoyed in the MX-5 without fault, top whack is a modest 115 mph, although a rollcage is on the Christmas list for peace of mind. I'll find something on EBay I guess. Now, you're probably wondering why I've gone nearly 500 words without using the word 'hairdresser' when you've been thinking it since the opening sentence ? When I got my MX-5 I joined the official owners club online, and was shocked to read topics entitled 'what is your MX-5 called' and 'what is the best colour' on the forum. Topics for those more interested in hair than highways. Not good. MX-5 Nutz website quickly became a source of useful information with decent suggestions for engine modifications, fault-finding, brake upgrades and other non salon-talk topics. I find that those who make the hairdresser gags are the same pub-bores who (still) make Skoda jokes. In nearly 4 years of ownership now, I have resisted the temptation to tidy up the tatty arches and have run the car on a shoestring, they're for driving, not pampering ! A PAS return pipe (£150 from Mazda) was repaired with a £5 length of fuel hose, a missing dashboard clip repaired with superglue. There are a few common problems to be aware of though, early cars have short-nosed cranks with keyways that can become worn with unhappy consequences and hydraulic lift actuators can get sticky, but most cars had these problems sorted years ago. Windows can become slow (most are electric, but wind-up seems more in keeping with the ethos of the car), the Cabrio roof will eventually wear out, but they're generally tough little cars. Insurance is, wait for it, £83 fully comp for both me and the missus, and we're not even grown-ups. How can so much fun cost so little ? So, buying one (it's the right time of year for a bargain) - £1000 will get you a decent Mk1 1.6 UK model with 116 bhp and 0-60 in 9ish seconds, spend a bit more and you can choose from a 90 bhp 1.6, a 1.8, a 1.8s with a useful 140 bhp and LSD and even an automatic. The Mk1 and Mk2 offer very similar driving experiences (with/without pop-up headlights), imports are easy to spot as they're called Eunice or something and usually have tell-tale square reg plates. There are used Hardtops aplenty for around £400 and £1000 will find you an extra 80 bhp via forced induction, if that takes your fancy. The shiny new Mk3 offers a 2.0 engine and metal folding hardtop, but that really is missing the point, more fun can be had for less money without traipsing down to the main dealer and talking finance. In fact, I can recommend multiple beers followed by an EBay session looking for an Mk1 MR2, like me, you might be happily surprised with the outcome. Now that's what I call 'positive feedback'. Review Stig. PS - Bonus point for identifying any Tyresmoker's motors lurking in the 1st and 2nd pics. __________________ Renaultsport Megane 250 Cup Review, Mazda MK1 MX-5 Review, Mini Review, of sorts., Range Rover Sport TDV6 Review, Mercedes-Benz R Class Review, Lexus bag o shite RX400H Review, i-MiEV rant Last edited by Review Stig; 06-01-2010 at 12:42 PM.

06-01-2010, 03:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
DazzerVR6 Shank's Pony Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15	NSFW? I am not doing any. PM me and Tipex the good stuff Last edited by DazzerVR6; 06-01-2010 at 03:45 PM.

06-01-2010, 04:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
theduisbergkid Torque King comfy shoe wearer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Yerp. Posts: 8,741	Come in number 33, your time is up ! Thanks for the pic Daz __________________ My car / booze / weathergirl related blatherings on Twitter.

06-01-2010, 04:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
DazzerVR6 Shank's Pony Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15	I am guessing that the red car at the back, with the driver still fannying about, is Bootsy?