I think I'm confused here, between gear boxes and hoods ;-) I have an 09 Duratec +4 with ford gear box, the box isn't perfect but it is in reality absolutely fine, my wife is now on her third MX5, so I'm very familiar with the mx5 boxes both 5 & now 6 speed, the MX5 boxes are outstanding and if I ever need to change a clutch on the +4 it would probably get the Vitesse mx5 box but, the longer throw and odd ratios of the ford do not detract from my enjoyment of the +4, there is far to much going on to worry about gear ratios. If I want to drive something with perfect balance and ratios I can borrow her mk4 MX5, it hasn't happened yet! So I wouldn't be overly concerned, the box can be changed easily if its a problem for you, the colour spec feel and character of the actual car you drive is not so easy to change.
