Summer Car. Mazda MX-5 or Toyota MR2 T Bar

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Mark T

Mark T

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Well summer is finally getting here and I'm looking to purchase a car for the summer period. I've been looking at both the Mazda MX-5 and the Toyota MR2 T Bar

I have around £1800 to spend. Insurance isn't a problem whether it's import or not.

Just looking for some general opinions on which car to go for. All the cars will be inspected by my brother who's a fully trained mechanic (Worked for Ford for 11 years).
 
I'd go with the Miata, personally. A buddy from work owns one, and they're fun as hell....though a little squirrely when the rear tires get wet. It's a fun car from the experience I had.

Although, I have no idea where you're gonna find a newer one for less than $5,000.
 
Well I can pick up a MX-5 with quite high mileage for around £1500 on Ebay & Autotrader. I have no preference on age as long as the car has been maintained and has no major mechanical faults. It's surprising what you can get for your money.
 
If we're talking Miata 1.6, you'd be better off with a bike. And no, I'm not referring to a motorcycle.
 
My friend has a Miata, and that car is very fun. The 1.8 only have 10 or so hp more than the 1.6, so there really is a small difference between the 2.

The year to get is the 1994 though. Thats when they got an LSD, and a brace under the car, and some other stuff that I don't remember.
 
Perfect Balance
My friend has a Miata, and that car is very fun. The 1.8 only have 10 or so hp more than the 1.6, so there really is a small difference between the 2.

The year to get is the 1994 though. Thats when they got an LSD, and a brace under the car, and some other stuff that I don't remember.
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They didn't all get LSDs - in fact, import ones mostly have one and UK ones mostly don't. My 1999 (Mk2) 1.8i doesn't have an LSD.

£2k should get you a Mk1 1.8, 1995-1998 (condition dependant). You're more likely to get an import than a UK car, but at that point in the MX-5's life, they were ALL made in the same place. It's exactly the same car as the UK model, but generally better specced (LSD, aircon). You'll pay more for insurance and Mazda main dealers will try to stiff you on parts ("Oh it's an import...") when they can actually fit exactly the same parts.

Look out for torn roofs (£300 replacement, a bit more if you go mohair) and sticking front driver's side brake caliper (don't ask - and don't pay the £400 a dealer will want to fix it. You can get the calipers from £70).


By the way, get an MX-5.
 
Perfect Balance
My friend has a Miata, and that car is very fun. The 1.8 only have 10 or so hp more than the 1.6, so there really is a small difference between the 2.

The year to get is the 1994 though. Thats when they got an LSD, and a brace under the car, and some other stuff that I don't remember.
Click to expand...

Famine
They didn't all get LSDs - in fact, import ones mostly have one and UK ones mostly don't. My 1999 (Mk2) 1.8i doesn't have an LSD.

£2k should get you a Mk1 1.8, 1995-1998 (condition dependant). You're more likely to get an import than a UK car, but at that point in the MX-5's life, they were ALL made in the same place. It's exactly the same car as the UK model, but generally better specced (LSD, aircon). You'll pay more for insurance and Mazda main dealers will try to stiff you on parts ("Oh it's an import...") when they can actually fit exactly the same parts.

Look out for torn roofs (£300 replacement, a bit more if you go mohair) and sticking front driver's side brake caliper (don't ask - and don't pay the £400 a dealer will want to fix it. You can get the calipers from £70).


By the way, get an MX-5.
Click to expand...

I'm think I'm going to go for the Mazda MX-5 (pref import). From the MR2's that I have seen most of them are in poor condition. Just a case of searching around now.
 
Mark T
I'm think I'm going to go for the Mazda MX-5 (pref import). From the MR2's that I have seen most of them are in poor condition. Just a case of searching around now.
Click to expand...

PM GTPlant. If you want to know MX-5s, GTPlant knows MX-5s.
 
I've got an MR2, MX-5 was a close second on the list. I don't think you can go wrong either way. I was able to find an MR2 for a fair amount less than a Miata with similar mileage, and at the time was parking in some fairly insecure lots and wanted something with a top that couldn't be cut with a knife.

Anyway, I think either should be pretty reliable, lots of fun to drive, although not all that fast.
 

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